What did you do today (2015)

[KWILParticipant @kwil]

That is the problem of having so called modern technology, you feel you have to use it, whereas on many occasions a fag packet drawing and some craftsman skills you can achieve the end result, quicker and simpler.

Having said that I have resorted to hogging out cylinder blocks using said computer driven machine.!

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Have been sent this picture of last Sundays run courtesy of
**LINK**
Probably 130mph plus not long afterwards it went vertical as you can see very little flame when under load a sign of good combustion

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

Absolutely remarkable..

Regards,

Richard

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Posted by Russell Eberhardt on 15/07/2015 09:39:59:

Posted by Bob Rodgerson on 12/07/2015 23:36:48:

I thought that the Torque Arm would be a nice easy project to do on the CNC Mill and that it wouldn't take too long to draw and get it run through the CAM programme. How wrong you can be.

For a simple profiling job like that I wouldn't bother with sophisticated CAM software. Just draw it using 2D CAD, draw the toolpath using offsets and feed the DXF file into DXF2GCODE. Simples!

Russell

.

Loads of ways to do this job including a hammer and chisel but in Bob's case he's invested in the software and machinery to do far more complex jobs than this and needs the experience.

Once he has the experience he'll be able to do far more complex jobs that DXF2GCODE or a hammer and chisel will ever be able to achieve without a whole stable of different software to buy and learn.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Sorry for the delay in responding to the replies but I have been completely out of range of any WiFi or mobile coverage in Northern Northumberland for the last three days.

John is right, I could easily have used a hammer and chisel a hand drill to chain drill the profile and all that good stuff but I need to get practice in using my CNC mill so that I can do things a second nature.

I am probably as skilled a machinist as most and am a good fitter too so I know how to make things and I reckon using chain drilling to cut the outline, a boring head in the mill to bore the centre hole and the rotary table to machine the whole of the outer profile and just leaving the thin end to finish off using a file etc I could have done the job twice over in the time it has taken me to draw and get it into machine code.

I drew the profile as a 2D drawing and extruded it to form a solid. I am not used to the programme that I am using and it took me a while to realise that the red dots all over the profile drawing were actually places on the drawing where lines either didn't meet or were overlapping. Once I got stuck in and trimmed the overlaps and joined lines to close up the gaps I had no further problems. I seem to remember that with AutoCad you can perform some kind of bole an operation that joins up the lines to form a Polyline and all the holes in the drawing are closed up. I can't find a similar command in Iron Cad so I had to enlarge each red dot area until I could see what the problem was then rectify it. At least I taught myself what the mysterious red dots were so that any future drawings can be rectified simply.

I get home tomorrow and I will set the material up and cut the part.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

I was in Birmingham today on a job. So while I was there I nipped into Rotagrip for a small bodied long nose live center. (which they unfortunately did not have in stock)

Many will know this, but as they do not advertise this many will perhaps not. They also have a considerable sized Aladins cave filled with quality used items from lots of tooling through to machine tools of all kinds. Mostly Brit stuff. – Tom seniors, Harrison, Colchester and some nice Myfords etc, etc, etc.

While I could obviously not check them all out (far too many) they seem to only buy in ones in nice condition.

I will add the disclaimer of being anything to do with Rotagrip. But I could quite easily have spent all day in there.!

Anyway. Just thought I would pass that info on in case others were in the area. …………… But for gods sake don't have the wifes holiday savings in your pocket when you go or you will be in more 5h1t than Bolton sewage works.!

Nick

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Added the slides from my CNC Workshop talk on KX1 Spindle Control, under LinuxCNC.

They are available at:

http://cnc-for-model-engineers.blogspot.ca/2015/07/more-on-spindle-control-kx1.html

or, by clicking the link **LINK**

Some more slides coming in the near future, about the "G0704" style of mill (which are sold under different names all around the world, by Warco, Chester, King Canada etc). I do have some bumf on my blog already, but will put my slides from the workshop on.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Nearly finished the new en36 manifold just to use a simple drilling jig today for the four 5mm Allen bolt clamping screws then machine excess weight off it to keep the hydro weight legal every gram saved is a bonus.

A very busy time apart from hopefully correcting faults on the hydro the Classic car and Steam shows are coming up very fast.

Tuesday my local speed event venue Elvington will be having some fast motorcycles maybe Becci will be there

**LINK**

If time allows will go and discuss with Trevor the main organiser the present day regulations for record attempts with a steam bike.

A dream I have had for some years as much as I love Model Engineering my passion is still full size speed record machines and motorcycles are at the top of my list.

As a shy unassuming person in my younger days with no qualifications I made scrapyard motorcycle creations built in a garden shed with very little equipment £20 Pool special lathe and a set of welding bottles there were many who did not know me would say that heap wont be quick.

Results speak louder than words.

I go on what people do not so much on what they say I will listen if constructive.

As my deceased friend Barbara said there is no such word as can't join the try club.

Sorry if I have bored you but my enthusiasm for speed attempts despite many setbacks it keeps me young even if I am a bit of a creaking gate at times.

Paul

 

Edited By Windy on 17/07/2015 09:36:33

Edited By Windy on 17/07/2015 09:43:36

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Paul,

Far from being bored by your enthusiasm, I find your adventures awe-inspiring.

Keep up the great work.

MichaelG.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Not today but yesterday.

Went to an event called Art in Action, which is on over this Weekend, it's at Waterperry near Oxford and easily reached from the M40.

People making all sorts of things from Painters and Blacksmiths to felt makers, Jewellers and Ceramicists, even a guy carving Ships Figureheads, plus too much other stuff to list.

Nice to see lots of hand crafts and plenty of have a go type opportunities for the kids and adults.

All in all it was a good day out and we ran out of time to see a lot of the things.

**LINK**

Before anyone asks, it was not Model Engineering, unless you count the Horologists!

I second Michael' comments about Paul's posts.

 

 

Edited By V8Eng on 17/07/2015 12:26:42

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Paul, you sound something like Bert Monro, who I met while I was Working in Invercargill NZ back in the late 1960s early 70s (Fastest Indian).

Ian S C

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Thank you for the kind comments I try to plug the Tethered Hydroplane scene to keep it alive there are classes for less complicated hydroplanes than Bob and my steamers.

There is always a worry about encouraging new blood in to the many disciplines of our hobby for many youngsters money is in short supply for tools.

With my limited engineering knowledge I see know real difficulty to building a full size flash steam engine I did think of using a motorcycle engine bottom end with my own barrels and head.

But with piston and crankshaft stroke configuration my own crankcases will have to be made apart from there will be a lot of swarf there should be no difficulty as they are rather simple in design.

The generator is the key for power and might give me problems.

Bob Kirtley has just spoken to me while doing this post discussing various flash steam problems and how to overcome them.

Here is the simple drilling jig for the manifold and cylinder head.

Paul

Edited By Windy on 17/07/2015 14:32:03

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Hi Ian SC.

My friend in NZ was in touch a few days ago Stuart who used to support me at sprint meetings here and once in Holland sent me this message.

Definitely a touch of the Bert Munro's about you Windy. Did you ever save up the old pistons etc, for a shelf in your shed.

My reply

You know me a born recycler most of the stuff Bert would put on the shelf to the God of speed I was still using.

Great days I read Bert was going to Bonny in MC News when I started the sprinting a place I dreamed of having a go at and still long to see.

Paul

[Martin WParticipant @martinw]

Hi

I suppose we all get things wrong from time to time, I know I do, but this time I was able to correct my potential c**k up . While browsing the latest issue of MEW I came across Paul Tiney's article on making packing blocks for the workshop. My initial response was 'Why' as you can buy a full set for about £35. I thought about it then went to the shed and had a good look at the set I bought and it made me think that a smaller and lighter version would be very useful. So a rummage in the scrap box, a thoroughly enjoyable afternoons work and hey presto a set of blocks. So thank you Paul for your article and it reminded me that I shouldn't dismiss things too quickly .

The blocks,

 

They are quite small but will be useful and now I need to make the hold downs etc as well.

Again thank you Paul for your article.

The steps were milled using a cutter that originated from my father's odds n sods, probably a dovetail cutter for wooden joints, finish not brilliant but did the job. I'm turned 70 so it gives you a idea of how old the cutters are !

Martin

 

Edited By Martin W on 17/07/2015 16:10:33

[mick70Participant @mick70]

got my clarkson grinder wired and running.

now need to learn how to use it.

oh and get some wheels for it ones with were unknown to me in sofar not sure how old etc so want new to be safe

[capnahabParticipant @capnahab]

I dropped the starter for the bandsaw and broke the ceramic contact frame inside.

I expect it will be impossible to fix but may try epoxy ?.

[Bob Brown 1Participant @bobbrown1]

capnahab

I'd give that starter a float test

Bob

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

Today I fitted a hand crank to the end of the lead screw to allow incremental manual advance once the mill slide arrives. Next it needs a 75 tic index dial (1.5mm screw).
I am keeping an eye out for a better hand wheel.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by capnahab on 17/07/2015 17:37:05:

I dropped the starter for the bandsaw and broke the ceramic contact frame inside.

I expect it will be impossible to fix but may try epoxy ?.

Definitely worth a try. I broke the handle off my wife's favourite mug. Repaired it with slow setting Araldite (blue packet) and it has survived 5 years daily travel through the dishwasher.

HTH

Rod

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Another stainless grave flower vase made for another my friends Aunt will have to start a production line.

Off to see a full size articulated tractor a farmers made this afternoon amazing just in casual conversation with someone he said he will show you this creation.

I'm never bored you do someone a favor then so many doors are opened that is the beauty of our hobby there are so many good people about it's a change from all the bad news you hear.

Paul

[jason udallParticipant @jasonudall57142]

^—– hear hear

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 18/07/2015 09:22:39:

Posted by capnahab on 17/07/2015 17:37:05:

I dropped the starter for the bandsaw and broke the ceramic contact frame inside.

I expect it will be impossible to fix but may try epoxy ?.

Definitely worth a try. I broke the handle off my wife's favourite mug. Repaired it with slow setting Araldite (blue packet) and it has survived 5 years daily travel through the dishwasher.

HTH

Rod

I repaired a plate, one of a set, using "super 'phatic" glue and it did the same.

I fixed a dog's water bowl a few weeks ago with evostik weatherproof and it's been through the dishwasher a few times too!

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

One of the locals here has a tractor built of two Fordson Majors coupled together, and in the past it was not uncommon to join two Field Marshalls, or two Lanz Bull Dogs to form an articulated tractor.

Ian S C

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Ian S C on 18/07/2015 13:02:20:

One of the locals here has a tractor built of two Fordson Majors coupled together, and in the past it was not uncommon to join two Field Marshalls, or two Lanz Bull Dogs to form an articulated tractor.

Ian S C

What glue do they use to join the tractors Ian?

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

I'd try Lepage's China Weld if the tractors were made in the far east. (sorry) JD

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