Seeking someone to make a component (spacer)

Hi. I'm wanting the consumer unit on a suitable board above the DNO's board. And I'm wanting to achieve a sort of "match", Ahem. I know, I'm a bit finicky. . Anyway, someone can always make me an offer.

Tempted actually to get myself a lathe. I could make them myself then, and do other useful things.

Wonder how much I might have to spend to get some lathe that would have spindle bore of 1".

Edited By Richard Rogalewski on 06/05/2015 19:51:49

Edited By Richard Rogalewski on 06/05/2015 19:53:24

A lot more than the cost of a hacksaw to chop the rod into say 3" lengths that would fit into the chuck body.

1" Spindle Bore ? Probably lots, and then you'd have to move it !

As Jason suggested. Cut the bar in to short lengths...

A New small Chinese lathe start at about £300 new from places like amadeal. Will it deal well with 1" Steel bar (Cut up or otherwise) . um - debatable but it'll certainly hack it about well.

If you are going to buy a lathe look out on various auction and for sale sites. Boxford, Colchester, Myford amongst others are good names to go for.
If it looks rough it probably is. Make sure it's single phase ( 240 volt) or comes with a converter. .

Cheapest option, probably a 16" bed mini-lathe with a fixed steady, then you can use the whole length of the bar.

Neil

> Make items from Nylon and then boil them and they will not absorb moisture or swell!

That's like leaving your nails in seawater for a month, so they don't rust...

Neil

I offered to do that at 10.30 this morning but the OP hasn't worked out that there is a messaging system on this forum because, despite being logged in, he has not yet read it.

06/05/2015 10:32:10

Richard Rogalewski

spacers

Unread

Next comment please......

graham.

Edited By Oompa Lumpa on 06/05/2015 20:38:23 

Edited By Oompa Lumpa on 06/05/2015 20:39:18

Oh, just now seen my inbox. Forgot about that. Will action after I've voted.

One point. These spacers are normally porcelain. I assumed that a product I can buy (but not suitable - shape wise) was nylon. But it's probably porcelain or ceramic. I suppose I'm okay with nylon. I know there is a meter board specification. Don't know if there is a spacer specification for meter boards. Quite obscure specification.

Certainly, I belive the spacers were meant to prevent damp affecting the meter board.

Edited By Richard Rogalewski on 07/05/2015 10:10:22

Edited By Richard Rogalewski on 07/05/2015 10:12:25

This document lists PVC spacers as being required...

**LINK**

From these folks...

Wootons & Co Ltd, Unit 3, Grove Industrial Park, Grove Lane, Padiham, Burnley, Lancs, BB12 8DN

Tel: 01282 777315

Jon

Thanks Graham - I read the original request, saw porcelain and electric and thought automatically it must be insulating for some reason, perhaps high voltage.

I also use Direct Plastics and would recommend them, and off topic, I've bookmarked these **LINK** for a potential order of some 3 to 5 mm steel plate for a project.

Here's the deal £10 each that takes into account the cost of my time plus cost of machines and tooling ,why have a workshop just get someone to do the work for you. A few plastic or fibre washers will do this little job .

I should have stated PVC then, rather than nylon. Don't know why I assumed nylon. Actually, practically, the main requirement is that the spacer looks a bit like porcelain in appearance. Trying to get a sort of visual match with the meter board spacers.

Just going to see what PVC round bar is on sale.  To get an understanding of what's available.

Edited By Richard Rogalewski on 07/05/2015 17:42:45

Bottom of this page.

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/categories/switchgear-distribution-flame-retardant-wooden-meter-boards-enclosures

Didn't one of the Sieg lathes offered by Arc have a larger than standard bore?

Ed.

If you want it to look like porc then maybe white corian would be a better bet, polishes up to a reasonable shine.

Just to keep people informed: I contacted the first chap who offered to make the spacers. I'll probably end up sending him the required round bar. Corian as a material - noted.

"That's like leaving your nails in seawater for a month, so they don't rust.2

Another silly analogy .. Ffor moulded nylon parts to reach their optimum physical properties they need to be immersed on water - often boiling water to "normalise" them. This is standard practice in the plastic moulding industry See **LINK**

If PVC is the reccomended stuff use that, it's cheap enough.

I would pass on the same suggestion that was made to me. It was to contact someone with a 3-D printer that could print your spacers so they look original and even use an off white so they look aged, or buy one to use. I bought one new for $265 US dollars, as it was cheaper to buy than make for me with the price of my time spent.I have been printing items on a daily basis. I added a 3-D scanner to it mold or carve the part the duplicate it as many times as needed. I am currently booked up for the next 19 weeks. I would offer my services to you, if you couldn't solve it yourself, but I am overloaded machining and casting or printing parts. It is a money maker and If you want plans I have some for a 3d printer. working in this craft, it would be simple to accomplish.

That's what I like;
wake up in the morning, and before I've finished my first coffee I've learned something new :-D
(nylon)

Edited By john carruthers on 08/05/2015 16:25:56