What Did You Do Today (2017)

It was pretty darn cold in the workshop this morning, about 4°C. So instead I'm sitting in the study with a cup of tea and a bun. However, in the workshop the CNC mill is whirring away machining a lump of glass filled PTFE, and in the sitting room the 3D printer is churning out production parts for gas monitoring boxes. Hooray for technology I say, and to hell with old school, in the winter at least.

Andrew

Today I mostly...

3D printed and fitted pipe reduction nozzles for the workshop vacuum

Installed wiring for my latest acquisition - a Tom Senior M1 - and the Invicta Shaper bought a few weeks ago

Spent a small fortune on eBay, new belts for the mill etc

Looked out of the window, cursing at the endless, endless drizzle. If those airbags for my car had indeed achieved the 48h service that DPD promised when I ordered them on Thursday night, I'd have had them on Monday and got them fitted on Monday or Tuesday while the weather was behaving. Instead they didn't arrive until 7:30 last night. Hmm. From the DPD tracking website, I could see that they actually spent the first 4 days travelling a mere 20 miles in Germany - WTF?? That's your German efficiency for you - perhaps I should have seen that one coming!

Despite drinking heroic quantities of tea, the rain still persists and looks set to do so forever. As you know, tea drinking will fix almost anything, so I have to assume there is something wrong with these teabags - decaf possibly (or German)? At this rate I may be forced to dig out a tarp to work under and a large piece of cardboard to sit on. When you have a workshop instead of a garage, you really need a reliable car, not a German one....

Murray

Well that's SOD's Law for you. My disaster this morning: finished typing a PM; sneezed; and now have a nosebleed. As I'm leaking more badly than that aircraft carrier, not much will be done until it stops. Ho hum...

In the end it simply took another mug of tea and the rain ceased, allowing play to commence. I just needed more confidence in the art of the infusion.

I could agree that it would be possible to do the job in 30 minutes if you had proper hydraulic ramps, air tools etc. And weren't squashed between the car and the wall. With the vehicle being down on its bump stops, I couldn't get the trolley jack under it without removing its wheels and driving the car onto a plank.

It's moderately accessible:

Getting the dead one out required all of my amateur gynaecological skills to avoid dismantling the brakes / suspension or knackering anything.

Anyway, job done, nobody died, it self levels again without any leakage and I even remembered to torque up the wheelnuts (140Nm). Now I just have to figure how to repurpose the £700 I saved from the clutches of the BMW garage.

The worn area is pretty visible. Not v impressive after 4 years / 42k miles....

I can't imagine the Chinesium replacement could be any worse, the bar having been set pretty low to start with.

Now I can go and get that £10 Xmas tree, reduced from £70....

Murray

If you can also do shelves, I suspect my wife would rather be married to you

We have a facility near me called "this is your garage". It is run like a club and has all the garage equipment you might need. The membership is free but you rent a bay with whatever equipment you need. Professional advice is also available should it be required. I you have a similar facility in your area Murray it might be more comfortable than sitting in a puddle with rain going down your neck. I put a new clutch in my lads car a while ago, the idea was that I would guide him doing the job, the reality was I finished up doing it. I wonder whether genetic engineering will be able to pick the genes that give people practical aptitude, neither of my sons seem to have these genes nor my wife so I blame her.

Mike

"....... pick the genes that give people practical aptitude, neither of my sons seem to have these genes"

Hmmm Mike

It seems to me that he has found a superior solution for his car repairs.

I wish that I could get someone to fix MY cars F.O.C !

Looks like he may have some genes that will suit him for higher management ...... or even those for an MP.

Norman

Because of itchy dry skin round me ankles I need to apply cream daily. Because I cannot get down there to do it I use a 12" long plastic dish washing aid which has a foam pad attached to the end. This gives me enough extra reach to do the job. Today I found the foam pad was partially detached so I stuck it back on with HAFIX superglue and held it in place with my thumb. Two second later I felt a searing burn on my thumb and dropped the handle with a yelp.

I never knew that stuff like this generated THAT much heat as it cures - lesson learnt.

Rik

Good clean of workshop and machines, closed for a couple of days until the noise has gone, best wishes for a productive New Year

Mick   

Moisture and salt(s) will accelerate the process and I expect the reaction is also exothermic - and quicker when hotter. So a sweaty cloth would be best. Normally, with dry, "clean" objects, it would most likely go off a lot more slowly.

I've dropped CA glue on clothing and had a similar rapid / hot experience. As you say, lesson learnt - until next time!

Murray

Edited By Muzzer on 23/12/2017 18:26:56

Not today, but for a few weeks I've been operating in Max-bodge mode, making and assembling what I shall refer to as a 'Lazy William". This is an equivalent of the domestic 'Lazy Susan' - the rotary device for multiple eats etc. This version combines (as you can see) Fobco Star, Dore-Westbury mill and Perfecto powered shaper. Demonstrably, it is functional rather than elegant and built to my standard tolerances of 'Close enough for Government work'. It centralises non-lathe work and the casters make it easy to move. I publish it not with any pride but simply because, at 82 with a nadgered back, knee and hip, I did it ALL myself. Principles involved were those of Alexander of Greece(????) who said "Give me a long enough lever and I will move the Earth" ... or similar.

As a 'Bah Humbug' adherent myself, I nevertheless wish all members, of what is surely the best of on-line forums, a very Merry Xmas and a splendiferous New Year.

rgds

Bill

PS At least one NY resolution will be ... SWEEP THE FLOOR AND TIDY UP!!!

I've had a go at machining ellipses for valve rod glands for the first time today. The first practice came out off-centre but a rethink seems to have solved the problems; only trouble is that, having parted off the pieces, I now need to put them back on the lathe to machine the other end. I have a set of MT collets that fit the lathe (Boxford AUD) but the drawbar is too long. As it is just right for the miller I won't be cutting it down, but rather making up a spacer.

Back the the workshop!

Happy Christmas all,

Brian

Just discovered the old turkey dish will NOT fit in the new oven! Thank goodness we got a turkey crown which fits the roasting tray supplied - just.

Enjoy the day

Jim

You need a bigger hammer Jim

Sorry, this contained a link which doesn't work.

Edited By Mike on 26/12/2017 11:18:47

Just visited the Aluminium Warehouse website - seems they are having an end-of-year clearance on some items, including bar material. Could be worth a look. www.aluminiumwarehouse.co.uk.

Did some more work on the Spot Welder - Made all the front panel graphics/legend ;layouts and did them on the router. Also made all the aluminium cover panels - I will powder coat them once the local coaters open again.

Most of the wiring is done, software is in progress as well.

Features automatic weld modes, with variable weld timing, number of pulses per weld, Electrode retract height ( for doing many rapid identical welds, along a long strip for example) and 3 different weld pinch-point pressure settings.

So far it welds 2x2mm Staniless steel no problem, with 38amp draw from the 220v mains - I have 3phase @60amp/phase available in the shop here at home.

Thinner stuff is easy, except for galvanised - I have not made a good spot weld on 2x0.7mm galvanised sheet! The resistance is so low, that the material does not heat properly! Will persevere ....

Some pics:

More when its all painted, together, and working

Joe

Edited By Joseph Noci 1 on 27/12/2017 17:57:13

Went down to the Men's Shed to fit the consumer unit but didn't have just the right bit of wood for mounting it so met up with a friend to look at a bit of machinery I found in the brambles,

Turned out to be an Edlington potato sorter maybe Mk3 or Mk12 as the label is new style screen printed not cast iron. There are no pictures on the web and precious few of any old ones. It is old enough to be fitted with a fast and loose pulley set and probably intended to be run from a Lister D or something like it.
Anyone got farming friends or relatives with one in the barn? I'd like some pictures of a known model to clarify the identification Would make an easy model in 3" for a scale stationary engine to drive.

Spent a couple of hrs in my man cave, finished off some of the valve components, small stuff compared to other members contributions but...

machining hand wheel recess...





Pipe flanges, hand wheel & gland follower...



​Slowly, slowly, catchee monkey ...

George.