Opus die filer

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Mike E,

There is a 'roller" at the end of the over arm, that supports the file.

Geoff – Last modification to sandblasting cabinet done.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Posted by OuBallie on 05/05/2017 10:01:54:

Mike E,

There is a 'roller" at the end of the over arm, that supports the file.

Geoff – Last modification to sandblasting cabinet done.

Hello OuBallie,

So would it be correct that the back of the file which contacts the roller has to be smooth, with out teeth ?

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I've given a light cleaning to some of the accessories which came with the Opus 120 filer, and have posted some photos of them them in my album. I plan to do a full strip down, service, and repaint when I have the time, but that's after I get the new garage is built.

The filer doesn't appear to be limited to using a specialized type of file to fit its holders, and can use standard hand files of different shapes and lengths; but with an easy modification by grinding the tips slightly to fit the lower arm of the machine.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

The saw guide consists of two offset arms which attach on the upper and lower end of a dovetail bracket running vertically on the left side of the machine. On the end of the arms, are a type of universal joint which holds a small slotted blade guide; all made from tool steel. Only one pair came with the kit, which are both numbered # 4. Other sizes were obviously made to accommodate saw blades of a different thickness, but will probably as difficult to find as a Polar Bear in the desert; so I guess I'll have to make some.

The saw blade clamps are a simple box shape with set screws to hold the blades.

Edited By Mike E. on 07/05/2017 16:38:10

Edited By Mike E. on 07/05/2017 16:39:08

Edited By Mike E. on 07/05/2017 16:39:31

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Hmmm? I seem to be having trouble posting photos correctly. Sorry.

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

Hi Mick,

I have an opus 120 &the manual for it was from http://www.lathes.co.uk [tony griffiths], I made most of the cat heads for mine, I have a number of theil files but I just use parallel files & angle grind a point on the bottom, they cut on the down stroke & don't have[or need] relief on the up stroke as many people seem to think, before I had mine I made my own using the bottom half of a lawn mower engine for the reciprocating motion[it'll last for ever with oil in the crankcase] with a flanged shaft bolted to the piston running in a large bronze bush above & a speed controlled motor, it's really accurate & a pleasure to use, in some respects it's better than the opus,I'll try & get my son to post some pictures on here as I don't know how to, I built it about 30 yrs ago when doing a lot of intricate brass work.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Hello codger,

I look forward to the photos of your engine conversion filer. It would also be interesting to see some photos of your Opus 120 machine.

[OuBallieParticipant @ouballie]

Posted by Mike E.

Hello OuBallie,

So would it be correct that the back of the file which contacts the roller has to be smooth, with out teeth ?

No, teeth all round the files I have, and no marks on the roller from the teeth which surprised me somewhat.

No idea how often the machine had been used of course.

The roller is a very loose fit.

Geoff – Spring!?

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

Hi Mike,

I'll get my son to photograph them both when he comes up & print them on here, OuBallie when I had a back ball bearing roller on the back of my home made one I just used to put a strip of steel banding on the back of the file to protect it.

Graham.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I would have thought metal to metal contact between the file and roller would be an issue, glad it isn't. The idea of attaching metal banding to the back of a file is interesting, using something like liquid steel or J.B. Weld I would presume. One could also carefully grind the back portion of a file smooth.

Here is a photo of the Opus 120 hold down brackets, folded flat for the picture. The ball stud at the top of the bracket on the right side is for mounting the air blower tube, to remove filings as they occur.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I had a closer look at the filer today and took a few more photos. It has an overall height of 5 feet, and a comfortable table elevation of 44 inches. The hand wheel on top of the casting releases and tensions the belt on the pulley system for changing the stroke rate.

Edited By Mike E. on 09/05/2017 20:04:27

Edited By Mike E. on 09/05/2017 20:05:19

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Behind the large pulley in my previous photo, there is a tray which catches waste oil that drips down from the reciprocating mechanism. Attached to the metal tray is a plastic tube which runs down inside the casting to a small reservoir. Its kind of a mickey mouse feature, and would leave a mess on the floor if you don't check it often.

Edited By Mike E. on 09/05/2017 20:25:31

Edited By Mike E. on 09/05/2017 20:32:52

Edited By Mike E. on 09/05/2017 20:34:14

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

Hi Mike, the metal banding isn't bonded onto the file it just clamps in the toolholder with the file & just stays on the file with the bearing in contact with it, the bottom file holder clamps the file & strip together unlike the opus that just rests in a socket. on the bottom.

Graham.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I learn something every day. Thanks Graham, that's a good trick to know.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

 

The 120 model of the Opus filer is capable of table adjustments of up to a 10 degree angle, but no elevation adjustment like the larger 140 model. According to the information on the lathes.co.uk site, this filer is supposed to have a stroke adjustment range of  0 > 4 3/4" but I can't see how to do it ?  The only control beside the on/off switch is the hand wheel for pulley tension & selection. 

Edited By Mike E. on 13/05/2017 20:49:57

Edited By Mike E. on 13/05/2017 21:03:56

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Mike E, I can't see how changing the belt tension would affect the stroke, more likely to allow speed change via the stepped pulleys. Stroke variation is usually by moving the big end pin, similar arrangement to shapers which have the pin in a sliding block, you simply loosen the clamp screw and slide the block to the required position. Others have the sliding block driven by a leadscrew and a pair of mitre gears with the control spindle concentric with the mainshaft. Might be worth checking if there is a socket or boss for a key in the centre of the big pulley. The handwheel at the top seems a bit odd for the belt tension, this isn't something you would need to adjust very often whereas the stroke is. Dave

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Hi daveb, The pulley system only controls file speeds, and the hand wheel operates the pulleys by a long vertical screw. I just don't see any adjustment device on the surface of the machine to vary the stroke length. I have a shaper, so I understand what you mean about the sliding block, which makes sense. I now think the adjustment is likely to be inside the main casting, which I'll check it out next time I'm at my storage unit; thanks for the tip.

Edited By Mike E. on 14/05/2017 15:37:40

[the artfull-codgerParticipant @theartfull-codger]

Hi MikeE, to adjust the stroke you open the long narrow door at the upper left hand side, inside you'll see a flywheel with a 19mm spanner size nut with a bearing & a tee slot just like a shaping machine which you slide nearer the centre for a shorter stroke & outer for a longer stroke.

Graham.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Posted by the artfull-codger on 15/05/2017 20:41:09:

Hi MikeE, to adjust the stroke you open the long narrow door at the upper left hand side, inside you'll see a flywheel with a 19mm spanner size nut with a bearing & a tee slot just like a shaping machine which you slide nearer the centre for a shorter stroke & outer for a longer stroke.

Graham.

H Graham,

When the filer was delivered I noticed the narrow cover on the left side. I popped it open for a look, but couldn't see much as I didn't have a torch at the time; I'll check it out.

Cheers

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

I had a look today and was able to see the elongated slot in the flywheel where the connecting rod is attached. There doesn't appear to be any index marks to designate stroke length, so I guess you just adjust it by trial & error. Here is a photo.

Edited By Mike E. on 23/05/2017 15:26:16

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

Here is a photo of the filer's guide wheel & track.

[Mike E.Participant @mikee-85511]

And here is a view of crank and slider mechanism. It would be interesting to see an internal photo of Tractor Man's filer for comparison.

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