Member postings for colin hawes

I don't consider EN8 to be strong enough for this application. I would NOT risk my neck on this material. Colin

I fixed about 20 data sheets on A4 pages in book form to cardboard backing sheets and hinged it on a cupboard door in my workshop so I can easily flip to the page I want; the page is held in place with a spring clip. This way I only use the area of two A4 pages. Colin

Very interesting setup. colin

It is easy to think a 1/2 " thread is Whitworth 12 tpi when it could be UNC which is 13 tpi whereas most of the UNC threads are the same pitch as Whitworth. Could the machine have UNC threads? Colin

I have cyanide case hardened threads to about .005 deep on tooling that requires a wear resistant tapped hole. It gives long life and greater strength. The taps used were known as "B" taps. Colin

They are used on steel that has to be case hardened to allow for hole shrinkage/distortion. Colin

I would definitely bend that spring at red heat to avoid it cracking .Colin

Michael G, many thanks for your references there seem to be an awful lot of precautions to remember when fitted with a pacemaker. I have been recommended for one and it seems likely to make a huge impact on my restoration and workshop activities. Thank you for inviting me to P.M. you, I may well do that at some time.

Thanks also to everyone contributing to this discussion. Colin

Stubby taps always make me think.... Pipe thread. Colin

Having recently been threatened with the prospect of having a pacemaker I am interested in the implications for arc welding; Has anyone had experience of this as I use mine very frequently without a second thought? Will I have to give it up or wear special protection? Colin

I was taught the following: "there is a number of items" is correct , "There are a number of items" is not correct because there is only one number.

But I see the second incorrect statement all the time. Was my teacher wrong or has the language changed? Colin

I don't think a drill with compound table would be suitable for milling as it is designed for vertical stress only and usually has no drawbar to retain a suitable chuck. Colin

You need to use the highest speed and a light cut so the motor doesn't slow down too much. I have used various makes to cut nuts and exhaust U bolts under cars where there is no room for an angle grinder. Colin

Went to my workshop this morning to repair the toaster which I had unplugged and placed near the door so I couldn't forget it then, full of self congratulation, I remembered to also take a data sheet from my desk that I had previously forgotten several times for another project. Almost got to the workshop then realised I didn't have the toaster and went back for it. Reached the workshop again and had forgotten the keys. So I went back indoors to have a coffee break and write down what I had to take with me. Toaster, data sheet and keys. Third time lucky. As a matter of interest the toaster fault was a solidified build up of breadcrumbs preventing an electro magnet from holding the toast down. Senior excuse..... Colin

I favour the ER collets for a light machine they can hold any tool with a parallel shank. Colin

For screw on chucks It is vital that the end locating faces of chuck, backplate and lathe spindle are accurate, clean and free from any tiny embedded particles before thinking about test bars. Colin

I always prefer measuring and working from one known datum edge in x and y axes. A vice with both jaws moving would not satisfy this condition. Colin

A 1927 7"centre height Drummond because it was going for £20 with accessories, line shaft and ancient motor and I was a hard up apprentice. For about sixty years this flat belt machine, which can easily swing 18" in the removable section gap bed, has been able to accurately machine everything I wanted to do for models and car, motorbike and old machinery restoration. I have recently been given a very rusty old 3 1/2" flat belt Drummond which I have resurrected and now use for small parts; this is a nice machine too. Colin

ps I would rather not be known as "hey you"

The leading cutting edge of the tool, having done the hard work, may be less sharp than the trailing edge which is cutting on the carriage return. Colin

DC31k is correct; the thread will be 1 3/8 x 8 and it's job is to push the chuck onto the register which IS a close fit. Colin