GHT Universal Pillar Tool

I have started machining some UPT castings that I picked up recently for a ridiculously low price.

So far I have machined the 2 basic arms, base casting and the column with the recommended keyway for registration.

So far so good.

Moving on to the table, I machined the spigot to 0.75" and mounted in a 5C collet chuck to machine the table face, this is where things started to fall apart.

The casting has a significant amount of flaws. Having skimmed the face off about 10 thou, I still have evidence of blow holes.

Consulting the Workshop Techniques book, I cannot find any dimension for the thickness of the major part of the table, the outer web, inner web and relief on the outer web are dim'd but the table thickness appears to be missing.

Can anyone who has built this give any advice.

Thanks in advance

Graeme

Graeme,

I can't help with that dimension; but you might find some useful info here

... scroll down the page a little.

MichaelG.

Of course ... you might just find what you want here

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 05/08/2012 21:14:29

Hi Michael,

Thanks, Already been there, lots of useful info but not what I am looking for. Not really looking to by 'additional plans' as the GHT book 'Workshop Techniques' pretty much covers everything that is in those plans and I am aware of their existance.

What I am really looking for is info from someone who has already built one of these. I am sure there are many out there who will give useful info

G

Hi M.W.

I had thought of that as an option but the flaws are realistically too small and close together to warrant that kind of treatment.

One option I had considered, and has got me out of a hole before (PUN intended!) was to grind out the imperfections and then CI weld over the area and re-machine. In order to retain as much materiel as possible I think this may be the best option. Once heat treated and stress relieved, this would most likely give the best resolution.

G

OK, I step in:

In my example: outer rim: 12.9 mm

inner rim: 16.7 mm

table in between: 9.2 mm

I had to use the height gauge to measure these dimensions...

all approximative, these are not critical dimensions!

Greetings, Hansrudolf

Versaboss, many thanks, that is exactly the info I was looking for, looks like I can take another 25 thou off the thickness which should get me under the flaws and still leave the table a bit thicker than yours

regards

G

Graeme,

Some years sgo, I bought a tube of grey coloured jollop which I think was called "Loy". It was recommended as a filler for blowholes in iron castings and it set really hard. Got it from my favourite car spares shop, "Cliffords of Brighton", now actually in School Rd Hove, if anyone wants to know where they are. Just a very satisfied long-term customer. If this concoction is still on the market, I suddest you try it.

regards,

John.

Sorry, I can spell! Last sentance prev post should have read, in part, I suggest you try it.

Hi DMB, thanks for the suggestion, will keep it in mind but if the inclusions cannot be machined out, my preferred solution will be to fill in with CI welding and re-machine.

cheers

G