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Tony Jeffree's Grinder letter in MEW175

A man who may have missed his vocation?

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Steve Garnett	14/03/2011 14:42:38
837 forum posts 27 photos	Normally when I read MEW it's a relatively quiet affair, so when I started chuckling, SWMBO wanted to know why... Leaving aside the serious point he was making (with which I think I fully concur), this is the funniest thing I've ever read in MEW; it is an absolute gem. So when you get your copy, make sure you read this - it's worth it! Edited By Steve Garnett on 14/03/2011 14:43:59
Andrew Johnston	14/03/2011 21:28:33
7061 forum posts 719 photos	Definitely an interesting letter. I will admit to having, and having read, the book on the Quorn, but I've never had a desire to build one. I've always been mystified by the comments on the ball handles though. I can't imagine that the functionality of the machine is affected by the handles, so if I did build one I'd re-design to use much simpler handles. No need to waste hours making ball handles. As no-one else has owned up to having any grinders for an informal poll, I'll stick my head above the parapet with my collection; here goes: 1. Cheap B&Q angle grinder: used for weld preparation, sorting out the welds after I've had a go at welding, and for DIY jobs where the 'ammer is not suitable 2. Small bench grinder, one aluminium oxide wheel and one green grit wheel: used for offhand grinding of drills, HSS lathe tools and sharpening TIG electrodes 3. Old Clarkson T&C grinder with centres, bits of a universal head, a radius attachment and a swivelling vice: sharpening milling cutters and HSS lathe tools, not yet set up to sharpen drills or taps 4. Brown & Sharpe surface grinder: making things flat and parallel to better than I can achieve on the mill and for sharpening Coventry die sets 5. Myford cylindrical grinder: making jigs and mandrels, accurate tapered items and things like cylinder liners that need to be parallel and accurate to size to better than I can achieve on the lathe Quack, quack - that'll be me ducking the flak! Regards, Andrew
Steve Garnett	14/03/2011 22:12:20
837 forum posts 27 photos	It was the humourous bits in Tony's letter that got to me - just tickled me! On the grinder front, I have equivalents to 1-4 in your list, and I could have had an early Myford MG12 for a song - but there was nowhere to put it, I didn't fancy moving it at the time, and I really wasn't sure what I might use it for. I also have a large angle grinder - the sort that cuts through 11" brickwork in one go, but that thing is just downright frightening and gets very little use. The Clarkson Mk1 T&C (with Mk2 radius tool) is the next thing on my list to have a go at - I need to sort out some more bits and pieces for it. But as Tony suggests, the reason that I have the Clarkson is because I want something that will grind tools, and not a build-the-world's-most-complicated-grinder exercise. I'd rather modify and extend something that's already basically built, thanks.
John Stevenson	14/03/2011 23:17:50
5068 forum posts 3 photos	I'm glad it has appeared even if as a letter. It was originally intended to be part of the article and was in the copy that Tony sent me, for some reason it was omitted / edited / cropped and I feel the original article would have been the better for it. John S.
NJH	14/03/2011 23:40:44
2314 forum posts 139 photos	You guys must have big sheds! (Please note funny little yellow thingy Andrew - I've never used one before! ) Must go and pick up my copy of MEW tomorrow - I think Tony has a very nice style of writing so I am waiting with eager anticipation. Regards Norman Edited By NJH on 14/03/2011 23:41:32
Nicholas Farr	15/03/2011 00:36:04
3988 forum posts 1799 photos	Hi, haven't read the letter yet, but as far a grinders go since a competing list has been started: Three 9" angle grinders one at 240V and two at 110V one 7" angle grinder 110V three 4 1/2" angle grinders one at 240V and two at 110V one 4" angle grinder 110V one bench grinder with Ali-oxide and green grit 8" wheels, but mounted on piece of 4" pipe with a big plate on the bottom which just stands on the floor. Three old fashioned hand cranking one wheel jobbies, that you clamp to the edge of the bench/table, waiting to be referbed. The 240V ones have never been used. Thats it for the time being, nothing to exciting. Probally read Tony's letter in the morning. Regards Nick. Edited By Nicholas Farr on 15/03/2011 00:42:07
John Stevenson	15/03/2011 01:02:40
5068 forum posts 3 photos	Two 9" angle grinders Two 7" angle grinders Seven 4 1/2" angle grinders Six die grinders One universal tool and cutter grinder One 6 x 18" surface grinder One 7" swing surface grinders Three 6" bench grinders One 8" bench grinder Two Linishing machines One Alexendra single lip grinder One lathe tool grinder similar to the Worden But I don't have a Quorn !! John S.
David Clark 1	15/03/2011 08:47:37
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	Hi There I cut the Quorn bit out for two reasons. I saw this as an article on building the Worden. I saw no reason to knock the Quorn. Secondly It did not seem fair to pay a contributor for knocking a comercial item. The Quorn castings are still available from Ivan Law and many succesful versions have been made. There are usually two or three superb examples at any model engineer exhibition. I could knock the Taig book by Tony because I don't have a Taig lathe or perhaps the Division Master because I don't have one but why would I. Both are succesful products as is the Quorn. regardsDavid Edited By David Clark 1 on 15/03/2011 08:49:29
John Stevenson	15/03/2011 09:17:55
5068 forum posts 3 photos	But you have now published the letter so the same information is still between the covers but admittedly in two places. If you re-read the letter, which should have been part of the article, it's obviously a tongue in cheek dig at the builders of the Quorn not the supliers or the Quorn itself Correction, the WOULD BE builders of the Quorn as what Tony was getting across, with a little bit of humour is the ratio of built to castings under the bench. Personally as a fully paid up member of the British Wippet Association I was appalled that you left the biting the head off a wippet in the original article. Do you have any idea of the distress and sleepless nights this caused me ? John S.
David Clark 1	15/03/2011 09:26:51
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	I published the letter at Tony's request. Not because I agreed with it. The castings under the bench apply to almost every set of castings sold. Well over half of them will sit under the bench forever. As a dog owner I am not happy I have to keep reminding you to feed your dog every time I see you. regards David
Geoff Sheppard	15/03/2011 11:25:54
80 forum posts 1 photos	I enjoyed Tony's letter very much as I feel that, sometimes, we take ourselves far too seriously. The number of part-finished Quorns I have come across over the years doesn't bear thinking about. Someone said to me, many years ago, "To build a Quorn, you need a Degree in Ball Handles". To think that Professor Chaddock set off to design, build and develop the machine (as well as write a series of articles and a book about it), just to be able to grind the cutters required to machine the components of his BRM engine, just shows what a remarkable man he was. If only........... Tony's reasoning for choosing the Worden mirrors mine when I made my choice some dozen years ago. As Tony says, it's not ideal for all jobs and could do with some 'development' as Jim Whetren has demonstrated on this web site. I plan to adopt some of his ideas as they seem to answer some of the questions. No solution to any of the problems we tackle is perfect, or even the only one. I remind myself of Kipling's words - "There are nine-and-sixty ways of constructing Tribal Lays, and every single one of them is right." Happy messing about in the workshop. Regards, Geoff
John Stevenson	15/03/2011 12:58:41
5068 forum posts 3 photos	Posted by Geoff Sheppard on 15/03/2011 11:25:54: No solution to any of the problems we tackle is perfect, or even the only one. I remind myself of Kipling's words - "There are nine-and-sixty ways of constructing Tribal Lays, and every single one of them is right." Happy messing about in the workshop. Regards, Geoff Very true Geoff but you can't weld the head back on a whippet. John S.
Ian Hewson	15/03/2011 13:04:23
354 forum posts 33 photos	Hi Whilst I agree Tony's letter was humorous, I do think that comments about a machine that he has not built or used are knocking as David says. I do not regard myself as an expert, but had many happy hours building the Quorn and solving its problems. Anyone who can build a steam loco should have no real difficulty with the build. Ball handles add a touch of class (imo) and are not difficult to make. I use the Quorn, and also a bench grinder, angle grinder, Dremmel and the Quorn head as a surface grinder, something other tool grinder do not do. Many casting may be under benches, but that dos'nt mean that the one that get built are no use or not worth building. There are many things not to like , but don't put others off because of what you think, you may be wrong.
PekkaNF	15/03/2011 13:20:51
96 forum posts 12 photos	I foundTony Jeffree's letter funny, but not offensive at all. I have got THE book, but not castings. I must addmit that I probably never get around building one, but it's an interesting book to read, and not at least because of the prosedures it has to cut some metal with style. However, I think that while that humor is boud to attract some friendly fire, it will distract from the main thing: what is my need for a TC-grinder? I have tried to answer that question for myself and I have found that right now I'll rather manage with very primitive and limited grinder, that put time and space for all-singing all-dancing TC-grinder. I understand that editor has to have a sustainable policies. But I still enjoy reading the letter. PekkaNF
Geoff Sheppard	15/03/2011 14:26:10
80 forum posts 1 photos	John S - you've just not mastered the technique! I remember a quotation from our old contributor Bob Loader - "With the right flux you can solder a cat's ear'ole to a brick wall". Keep trying. Regards Geoff
NJH	15/03/2011 14:40:53
2314 forum posts 139 photos	Hi Geoff I don't know about flux but it's pretty easy with super glue - even if you don't intend to ! I eagerly await MEW 175. I wonder - is this thread a cunning plan by the managemant to increase circulation? Regards Norman
Geoff Sheppard	15/03/2011 14:49:21
80 forum posts 1 photos	Norman I couldn't possibly comment. However, over the years there have been suspicions that a carefully placed contribution has helped to liven things up when its been getting a bit quiet. Geoff
David Clark 1	15/03/2011 14:55:23
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	Hi There No it is not. regards David
Fil	15/03/2011 16:32:19
8 forum posts	David Please can you engage Tony Jeffree as a full time contributor? Very enjoyable reading, even for someone like me who is slowly working my way through machining a Kennet kit which I bought only five months ago! Phil
Steve Garnett	15/03/2011 18:35:03
837 forum posts 27 photos	Posted by NJH on 15/03/2011 14:40:53: I wonder - is this thread a cunning plan by the managemant to increase circulation? Well, I started it and I can assure you that it was completely unsolicited - as David says. I am completely unmanaged! (except by SWMBO, of course...)

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