What Did You Do Today (2016)

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 04/11/2016 11:30:11:

It's a pity that the CAM doesn't include 4th axis, as my current CAM program is generating some rather weird 4th axis paths that don't match the toolpath it displays.

Andrew

Some misunderstanding perhaps? Fusion 360 seems to support 4th axis. Obviously my armchair workshop (currently in China) isn't fitted with one so I can't claim to have tried it myself but John Saunders has a couple of videos on it. And didn't Bob Rogerson post a couple of vids in this formum recently? Both 4th axis / Fusion 360 / Tormach, IIRC.

Murray

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Dave – did you see Lars Christensen's video tutorial on assemblies and mates for Fusion 360? The mates ("joints&quot used in Fusion 360 (and Onshape) are a different concept to we got used to in the likes of Soliworks, Geomagic, Inventor etc. Takes some adjusting to change your thought process.

Andrew – the Autodesk Fusion 360 Youtube channel has some pretty good tutorials. It's worth sitting down with a couple of beers and just ploughing through them so you get a real feel for the product. For me there has to be a mixture of hands-on, watching and reading. However, in the case of Fusion there isn't so much written material available so just I dived in, having genned up on it beforehand by watching various related Youtube channels.

Murray

[Anonymous]

Posted by Muzzer on 05/11/2016 10:06:53:

Andrew – the Autodesk Fusion 360 Youtube channel has some pretty good tutorials. It's worth sitting down with a couple of beers and just ploughing through them so you get a real feel for the product. For me there has to be a mixture of hands-on, watching and reading. However, in the case of Fusion there isn't so much written material available so just I dived in, having genned up on it beforehand by watching various related Youtube channels.

I plan to do that once the current local business little difficulties have been sorted out.

I've had another play with Fusion360 this morning. I even managed to draw a cube! I had a look at the CAM and as far as I can see it is up to 3D only although it does include HSM. The NYCCNC video implies that it's indexing only rather than 4th axis continuous, which is what I am using.

My 30 day free trial has run out so I clicked on the bar at the top to see the options. Just out of interest I then clicked on the buy option to see how much it was. Big mistake. Now there seems to be no way to register for hobby use. The Autodesk help just says click on the out of time bar in the application. But having clicked it seems to have disappeared for ever. Hopeless.

Oh, and the stupid windows defender kept whining about some download program that might alter the browser. Never seen that before so presumably something to do with the Autodesk website?

I'd better stop there, I feel a rant coming on!

Andrew

 

Edited By Andrew Johnston on 05/11/2016 11:17:56

[Anonymous]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 04/11/2016 17:51:32:

I suppose I could blow the kids inheritance on going CNC though…

Go for it!

After some random trial and error I finally seem to have got the CAM program to generate G-code that represents the toothpath it thinks it is generating. It's still not being very efficient, but the current project is a one off so I'll just have to put up with it. This evening I'll fine tune the feeds and speeds and see if I can improve the roughing steps. Then on Sunday I'll run the part.

Andrew

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Got an email from Onshape this week. Not using it but notice they changed the terms for hobbyists to have everything in public domain. Pro licence is about £1200.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Did the 2 wheel bearings for my PRYTE traction engine today. Small beer compared to most on the forum but this was my first go at silver soldering, although I have some Sif bronze flux & a coil of silver solder purchased 40 years ago. no idea what type it is!! I also have some fairly strong hydrochloric acid & that really fizzed when i dropped the parts in & I managed to get a quick mouthfull of nasty fumes. Will take care next time !!! Should have known better as it cleans my boat propeller in a few minutes.

Tried it any way & guess what? — It worked first go – Yippee!!!! first hurdle at silver soldering cleared , but i does highlight the problems I am going to have further down the line.

So far I have made the tender & fire box & I am going to move on to the cylinder,crankshaft etc before i try the boiler as that is an expensive bit of material to purchase & i want to see something constructive before I invest too much. I do have the material for the wheels though, so they will not be long in the making.

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 05/11/2016 13:51:28

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Muzzer on 05/11/2016 10:06:53:

Dave – did you see Lars Christensen's video tutorial on assemblies and mates for Fusion 360?

…

Murray

Murray : a huge thank you for pointing me at Lars and his videos. Most helpful.

I've just watched his Joints tutorial and took a full page of notes. It cleared up several misunderstandings and highlighted functions that I'd ignorantly dismissed but are actually very useful. Also the tutorial revealed that my model has an essential step missed out and is confused by many unnecessary joints.

I shall have another go tomorrow to see if the new knowledge has sunk in.

Cheers,

Dave

[James AlfordParticipant @jamesalford67616]

I recently converted an old oxy-acetylene torch to run on propane and compressed air from a compressor. Today was the first time that I have used it in earnest to braze a large copper sculpture that I am making. I was really pleased with the results: my last torch could not get the metal hot enough to melt the braze, but this one turns the whole thing bright red in a matter of a few seconds. The only down side is that the compressor keeps kicking in as it has such a small receiver tank.

Regards,

James.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by James Alford on 05/11/2016 23:25:28:

I recently converted an old oxy-acetylene torch to run on propane and compressed air from a compressor. Today was the first time that I have used it in earnest to braze a large copper sculpture that I am making. I was really pleased with the results: my last torch could not get the metal hot enough to melt the braze, but this one turns the whole thing bright red in a matter of a few seconds. The only down side is that the compressor keeps kicking in as it has such a small receiver tank.

Regards,

James.

So could one braze a copper boiler instead of silver soldering– or is it the same thing?

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 06/11/2016 07:47:14

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Quote "So could one braze a copper boiler instead of silver soldering– or is it the same thing?"

From my days working to Rolls-Royce specifications, silver soldering was known as low temperature brazing.

Model copper boilers (in UK) are usually allowed by insurance companies if they are  copper, silver soldered but I don't think that would extend to brass brazed ones.

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 06/11/2016 07:54:31

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Posted by James Alford on 05/11/2016 23:25:28:

I recently converted an old oxy-acetylene torch to run on propane and compressed air from a compressor. Today was the first time that I have used it in earnest to braze a large copper sculpture that I am making. I was really pleased with the results: my last torch could not get the metal hot enough to melt the braze, but this one turns the whole thing bright red in a matter of a few seconds. The only down side is that the compressor keeps kicking in as it has such a small receiver tank.

Regards,

James.

Hi James,

what was involved in the conversion? got a couple of old BOC sapphire torches that I could re-purpose

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

Posted by James Alford on 05/11/2016 23:25:28:

I recently converted an old oxy-acetylene torch to run on propane and compressed air from a compressor. Today was the first time that I have used it in earnest to braze a large copper sculpture that I am making. I was really pleased with the results: my last torch could not get the metal hot enough to melt the braze, but this one turns the whole thing bright red in a matter of a few seconds. The only down side is that the compressor keeps kicking in as it has such a small receiver tank.

Regards,

James.

Hi James,

what was involved in the conversion? got a couple of old BOC sapphire torches that I could re-purpose

[James AlfordParticipant @jamesalford67616]

Posted by Graeme W on 06/11/2016 08:31:19:

Hi James,

what was involved in the conversion? got a couple of old BOC sapphire torches that I could re-purpose

Graeme,

I shall fish out the details and start a fresh thread for this. I am using it to braze copper, using flux-free braze. Again, I shall post the details of this at the same time.

Regards,

James.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Posted by James Alford on 06/11/2016 08:58:53:

Posted by Graeme W on 06/11/2016 08:31:19:

Hi James,

what was involved in the conversion? got a couple of old BOC sapphire torches that I could re-purpose

 

Graeme,

I shall fish out the details and start a fresh thread for this. I am using it to braze copper, using flux-free braze. Again, I shall post the details of this at the same time.

Regards,

 

James.

 

 

I would also be interested in seeing that. Having an oxy acetylene set which has been idle since I stopped renting cylinders.

I do have a decent compressor and propane supply though.

 

Edited By V8Eng on 06/11/2016 09:45:28

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The flux-free copper rods are definitely not suitable for boilers.

Common brass 'spelter' can be used for brazing, but again because of de-zincification it isn't suitable for boilers as the joints would rapidly lose strength near hot water.

Sifbronze used to be used a lot including by LBSC, although called a bronze it has very little tin but has silicon and magnesium added BUT as it contains a fair bit of zing my understanding is it is frowned upon for boiler work these days.

I think an article on the propane air conversion would be roundly welcomed for MEW, email me neil.wyatt@mytimemedia.com if you are interested.

Neil

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

Finally had time to sit down and catch up on the last three issues of ME that have sat on the shelf since they arrived. Nice to see our club getting a mention in Geoffs column. North Wales me. If your in the area of Llandudno pop along and see us, we now have hot water on tap so a cuppa can be had👍

The heighlan lassie chassis that I sold has gone to a good home and a series running on that as well. All good.

Nice to see model ships being aired, when I was younger I built quite a few semi scale ships and enjoyed running them on the mill dam at lunch times. The swans were never happy though 😳.

All caught up,

Brian

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Here is a short video of an experimental flash steamer at Coniston speed week it was certainly just starting to pick up speed then cooled off according to Satnav it went faster than the record for a short while .

**LINK**

If any members have been involved with speed record attempts they know it can be a long road to success.

I think of Guy Martins motorcycle World record attempt and the great Donald Campbell attempts and the criticism they received at times from onlookers that do not know what is really involved in ultimate speed record attempts.

[60019Participant @60019]

Having recently succeeded with one of the two jobs I have been putting off, Quartering The Drivers, on my 5" gauge I made on a start on the other one – Skimming The Pistons.

But that's not why I've logged in…

I volunteer on a heritage railway and last night I drew the golden ticket. November is a quiet month with no day time service trains, so it is an opportunity for some of the bigger maintenance jobs. But yesterday we had to run the beer train and the dining train and I got to be pilotman for one of the sections. So, footplate riding on a Black 5 with 6 on, over the Alps, white hot fire, copious steam drifting around, cab in darkness to preserve the crew's night vision, gauge glass illuminated by an oil lamp, looking out for signals in the pitch black, is an experience I'll remember for a while. As the fireman said – its like time travel to an age where this experience was an everyday means of earning a living for some. Together with the Standard 4 on the dining train I had to make a total of 10 trips through the section. Nice work if you can get it, even with a midnight finish.

I've said before, models are brilliant, but just every now and then I have to experience the real thing.

Mike

[Peter KroghParticipant @peterkrogh76576]

You lucky stiff…

Pete

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

Finally caught a trout on a home made fly (Royal Wulff).

It is amazing the buzz one gets from fooling a trout with a few feathers and a bit of red wool made by ones own hand.

Anyway, checked out a website and found a few pointers. Not sure about the ' O' ring bearings but it's a start and gave me plenty of ideas.

The carbon fibre jaws are an interesting twist .

* Danny M *

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:14:38

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:31:49

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Hi Danny,

I have had similar thoughts to you and came to the conclusion that something like this would fulfill my requirements. No need for any fancy bearings for the rotating part, just a good fitting bar in a reamed hole with a simple lock. I would make the jaws from hardened gauge plate. Could be made for almost nothing out of the scrap box

Tight lines,

Rod

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:11:52:

Anyway, checked out a website and found a few pointers.

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:14:38

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:31:49

.

Did you edit-out the website link, Danny ?

MichaelG.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

Great day (not).

First off the leaf blower would not start, reckon its stood in my damp garage for too long, have to get a new plug tomorrow.  "Oh well that's another little job" as the Wife said!

Thought I will cut the grass instead, self propel drive belt broke on the mower half way through!

Now it sounds like WW3 has broken out, for the 4th night running!

Edited By V8Eng on 07/11/2016 20:06:34

[AjohnwParticipant @ajohnw51620]

Posted by Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:11:52:

Finally caught a trout on a home made fly (Royal Wulff).

It is amazing the buzz one gets from fooling a trout with a few feathers and a bit of red wool made by ones own hand.

Anyway, checked out a website and found a few pointers. Not sure about the ' O' ring bearings but it's a start and gave me plenty of ideas.

The carbon fibre jaws are an interesting twist .

* Danny M *

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:14:38

Edited By Danny M2Z on 07/11/2016 10:31:49

I don't fly fish much these days but have caught far more trout on home made flies than bought ones.

John

–

[Michael Bird 1Participant @michaelbird1]

Over the last week I have made myself a power feed for the X axis of my milling machine.

I can't seem to embed a you tube link so please click on the link

[YouTube:xawToAuJj1Q&feature=youtu.be]

Edited By Michael Bird 1 on 07/11/2016 22:03:27

[Author]

Posts