Best Apps and Software for the Workshop?

[Gary WoodingParticipant @garywooding25363]

Posted by john carruthers on 27/04/2016 08:09:07:

Mr. Munday's 'Model Engineering Utilities' gets a lot of use..
**LINK**

I downloaded it but the install to the default C:Programs folder failed due to insufficient authorisation. I then tried installing to my own folder, which seemed to work, but then Windows Defender removed it because it detected malware. At this point I gave up. I'm using Win10.

[Gordon TarlingParticipant @gordontarling37126]

I use Convert all the time – it doesn't need installing, just runs from the .exe file. Sorry, don't know if there's an equivalent for non-Windows systems.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

FSWizard has online and smartphone versions. The online version seems to be complete and free while the iOS / Android version has a limited selection (3?) of materials unless you cough up ($7). Calculates speeds and feeds for different materials, cutters and conditions. Looks pretty handy although I can't pretend to have any experience of it here in my armchair workshop.

There is also a related product called HSM Advisor that has a whole variety of tools from something like £50.

Edited By Muzzer on 19/05/2016 13:04:11

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For those exploring the potential of their 'Dividing Head' …

This 'Factor Calculator' is:

1. Very useful, and
2. Astonishingly fast

**LINK**

MichaelG.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 19/05/2016 07:44:40:

Any suggestions that don't include cloacapapyrology?

Neil

Crikey.

cheers

Bill

[Steve PaveyParticipant @stevepavey65865]

Fusion 360. Brilliant, powerful, free for small businesses and individuals, and there are some good Youtube videos from users, particularly John Saunders at NYC CNC.

[Fowlers FuryParticipant @fowlersfury]

Given up trying to use an old laptop in the workshop – usually too much clutter to find space to put it down anywhere.

However, IMHO a couple of useful apps for the Android phone offered (via "Playstore&quot:-

(1) "Toolbox" – contains a surprisingly useful collection of little apps including a heart-rate monitor for when you discover that cock-up after hours of machining some part

(2) "Thread Pitch" – initial expectations were low for this but once you've calibrated the phone's screen it's quite useful compared with fiddling around trying to find the thread pitch gauges. Have to watch you don't scratch the screen though.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Bill Pudney on 24/05/2016 10:23:01:

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 19/05/2016 07:44:40:

Any suggestions that don't include cloacapapyrology?

Neil

Crikey.

cheers

Bill

The study of bog-roll, apparently.

[David RobinsonParticipant @davidrobinson97581]

Android App: Bubble Level by Antoine Vianey (free).

As well as the bubble it has an angle readout so I can use my phone as an angle gauge.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

This is 'Gear Generator' is astonishing: **LINK**

MichaelG.

[Mark BarronParticipant @markbarron78673]

I can recommend the Guhring Optimising speed/feed calculator app for iOS (iPhone/ iPad). Saves a lot of mental calculation.

Mark.

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Machinery's Handbook. Any age but lathe 60's on probably have a bit of an advantage. Not used all that often but hard to find anything remotely like a similar source on all sorts of subjects. Calculations on all sorts of things are well covered as well.

For Linux users Wine as there are lots of older applications about that are "engineering" related and they will often work under Wine. I'd suggest installing PlayOnLinux and maybe Q4Wine that might be Q5forWine now but give Swine a miss. PlayOnLinux installs lots of dll's easily – a big plus and worth trying to run anything under it.

Some of the Workshop Practice series are worth having. Some in my view aren't worth the paper they are printed on. They are probably generally better on specialised on the fringe subjects such as Plating, Foundry work etc.

Old engineering books found in 2nd hand bookshops can be worth a look.

John

–

[NJHParticipant @njh]

I agree with John on this – Machinery's Handbook is a mine of info. – but a bit eye watering new at around £ 80 !

However you are unlikely to need the latest edition and there are lots of offerings for older editions at reduced prices.

I bought a second hand copy of the 25th edition some years ago ( it looks to be unused so I suspect it is a "remainder" – once the new edition was issued) . It contains LOADS of info. – far beyond what I need. Answers to pretty much anything though and always available to while away a few hours !

Not a comfortable book to read in bed – but could serve as a doorstop in an emergency!

Norman

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 14/06/2016 11:16:04:

This is 'Gear Generator' is astonishing: **LINK**

MichaelG.

It is rather fun.

Not perfect though, the DXF is made of separate lines so I can't figure out how to make it into a 3D gear.

I have a 15 or 16th ed. of Machinery's old enough to have some interesting stuff on flywheels, leather belts etc. (can't check the edition as it's in the car as reading matter for when waiting for my daughter…)

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 14/06/2016 15:31:58

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

I'd guess that the new versions aren't so useful as the old – standards are worth money these days so if needed have to be bought. The original aim of Machinery's was one book with all that might be needed in it. The UK equiv was Kemps – waste of money.

An eg of the sort of thing where it might be more than just useful. My Pultra came with round belt drive. I've discounted it's use now but the info on rope drives in it was rather useful. When I had a Myford I toyed with the idea of making a clutch. At work I have needed to do stress calc's. Maybe at home at some point. There are loads of things in there that are still useful even in my fathers edition which goes back to the 40's.

John

–

Edited By Ajohnw on 14/06/2016 16:03:24

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

… Interesting to see that a thread specifically about Apps & Software has already morphed into a discussion about real Books.

MichaelG.

Comment only … Without Prejudice

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Neil must have decided there weren't enough apps Michael so included books.

One i have used is on Lathes co that calculates nearest change wheel for a desired pitch.

One I have but haven't really done anything with is Gearotic. May or may not be of use.

Another in exactly the same boat is Auggie. No idea at all what that does.

Sketchup is a 3d package and pretty capable but only just works on Linux.

Codewheel generates rotary encoder patterns. There is also another of these about.

Design Spark Mechanical looked interesting but wont run on Linux

There are a couple of stirling engine simulators about but of dubious use. A search will find them.

eMachineShop looked interesting but I can't run it properly

John

–

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Well Michael

I do have a (pretty old) Windows machine in the workshop but I do not have internet service there. Just as well too I think as a quick trip into my study to "check something" on line can often expand into a lengthy visit as more and more "stuff" of interest is turned up on the Internet. Although well insulated my workshop is not kept heated at all times and hence is not the friendliest environment for books. So the distinction between books and Apps I find a bit nebulous – both are sources of information each accessed according to location, availability and convenience.

Norman

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

O.K. Chaps … It was only an observation [and I hoped that I had made that clear]

I was just interested to see how scant the 'Apps & Software' recommendations had been … I don't think Neil has enough there for an article in MEW.

Good thing, or Bad thing ?

Predictable, or Surprising ?

… I know not.

MichaelG.

[John HinkleyParticipant @johnhinkley26699]

Michael,

If it helps, I downloaded a fairly recent copy of Machinery's Handbook (27th edition – 2004) for free after following a link someone posted on a forum I discovered from a internet search. I can't remember where now and a further search fails to find it. It is, however, a proper pdf file, not a scanned, poor quality version dating from the early 20th century. At a stretch, that could qualify as "software".

John

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

On reflection, whit i think would work for MEW is if anyone wishes to send me a short review of any utilities or simple programs/apps that might be useful in the workshop, they could make useful one-pagers. Just enough so that people can decide if something might be useful to them without taking up lots of pages.

I would need a couple of screenshots and 5-600 words (no more, please) on details on price & availability as well as what it does, how easy it is to use and what platforms it runs on.

Need I say that pirate copies of recent books don't count?

Neil

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Some pretty amazing valve-gear stuff for the choo-choo people here

Even if you don't need it, it's interesting to watch various motions in action

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

John,

could this be where you downloaded the Machinery's Handbook from?

Thor

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 15/06/2016 14:50:59

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

I've removed the hyperlink as I don't want this forum to facilitate copyright theft. I would also advise members to be wary of downloading from a Russian hosted site that hides its ownership and keeps moving servers and IP addresses.

Neil

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Android App: Bubble Level by Antoine Vianey (free).

As well as the bubble it has an angle readout so I can use my phone as an angle gauge.

————————–

I tried it out and it's really good, works in all planes and can be locked.

My lathe bed angle was 59.9 and 60 degrees the first time I tried it, amazing

[Author]

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