What Did You Do Today (2017)

[davebParticipant @daveb17630]

Posted by Robbo on 21/04/2017 23:28:34:

Posted by daveb on 21/04/2017 17:36:12:

The Myford book was advertised at £50+ when it was out of print, must've hurt if you paid this because they reprinted it.

Except that the reprint is crap quality

Ahhh, I didn't know that…………………………..see my advert for an original, offers over 4 figures considered Dave

[egaParticipant @ega]

I was inspired by Darren Conway's setup for balancing a pulley in MEW 254 to check the balance of my CBN wheel. I was surprised when I bought it described as balanced to see how many holes had been drilled to achieve this. Here's a picture of my own setup showing the wheel actually settled at the point of the drillings:

And here's the result of adding 5 gms of Blutack to the opposite side:

Now to calculate the size of hole apparently needed!

Edited By ega on 23/04/2017 18:54:28

[Tractor manParticipant @tractorman]

Today I installed a three phase extension into my second shop so I can use the machines in there.
Also tidied things a bit and it looks like a workshop not a store room now.
Oh and I stripped cleans and rebuilt a small bench grinder designed to sharpen sewing machine knives but which I’m going to convert to sharpen drills with a Potts jig and hss tools with a suitable table. Mick

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Today was "Drive-It Day" for owners of old cars so my wife and I took our 1931 Austin Box Saloon for a run to the local Dobbies garden centre for a coffee, did 43MPH before frightening ourselves and slowing down!

Brian

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 23/04/2017 20:00:06

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

Picked up my exhibits from the Spalding model engineering and hobby show and enjoyed the rest of the exhibition.This is it's fourth year and goes from strength to strength.A terrific effort by the Webster family and many thanks for arranging a much needed show in the east midlands.

Frank

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

Brian,
Is that an RN or RP model ? – But shame on you letting the handle rest at 6 o'clock. My dad took a dim view of owners who drove around like that.
BobH (1932 RN in france).

[John GardenerParticipant @johngardener91897]

That is a lovely car, my Granddad had a 7 and I drove it once before he sold it and bought a Hillman Minx.

I am green with evy!

[Joseph Noci 1Participant @josephnoci1]

Finally completed the refurbishment, painting and fitting of the new fabricated swarf/splash guards for my two EMCO mills – nice clean floors from now on….

FB2 with DRO – also fitted with DC motor and tachogen for the Z axis feed – driven by a DIY PWM DC motor controller – Tachogen for speed feedback to keep Z speed constant 'regardless' of load -,eg, drilling..

The Z drive motor and fitted Tacho:

The FB2 with Jones and Shipman 3phase Spindle with VFD:

The two Mills are back to back, sharing the same 'rear' splash plate.

And now watch this space – soon to be filled with a new lathe…

( thats a de-humidifier in there – I live 50m from the ocean edge, and have to keep the shop humidity down – get 10liters of water a week from the unit..)

Joe

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

I went to the Stirling Engine Rally at Kew Bridge Engines (now the London Museum of Water & Steam).

Good display of Stirling Engines plus Flame Gulpers, but rather a shortage of visitors when I was there this morning, I really hope things picked up later.

I guess that some of the problem may have been due to the blocked access into Green Dragon Lane from the Kew Bridge end which meant rather a tricky diversion (IMHO) to get there.

[EmgeeParticipant @emgee]

Hi Joseph

You will still get swarf on the floor from the front of machine, needs a hinged ? down deflector/door to retain most chips, but I find with all round guard some still get over the top.

Emgee

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Quote;"Is that an RN or RP model ? – But shame on you letting the handle rest at 6 o'clock. My dad took a dim view of owners who drove around like that.

It's an early RN, about the 300th to be made in 1931.

The handle was hanging down because some idiot at a vintage show decided to try swinging the engine over and broke the internal handle rest. Now fixed so that the handle is horizontal but I've fitted a retaining strap so that no-one can easily fiddle.It's strange but in England people seem to think that, because they have paid to get in they can play with any exhibit whereas in Holland people will even ask if it's OK to take a picture and would never dream of touching a car without permission.

Brian

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

As seen here:

Rod

[clogsParticipant @clogs]

Joseph Noci,

Nice job, I like the floor ….

What cleaner do you use in the mop bucket ? When I was aprenticed we used a granular product in the water but can't remember what it was, a grey moment I think…..tried to use a modern heavy duty floor cleaner but it leaves a bad smell……..

Can't wait for my next place…….

Clogs

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Joe-

You could prepare food in that workshop!

Neil

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Never mind preparing food in Joe's lovely workshop, this is breakfast in my dining room…

My workshop is tidy in theory and a shambles in practice. I would keep the shameful truth to myself except confession is good for the soul.

Dave

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Assembly of the Rotary Table electronics. I'd call this 'chassis bashing' except the box is plastic.

1. Arduino and LCD Display with I2C controller.

2. Mains socket, Motor socket, Keypad Ribbon Cable, Buck Voltage Converter, and Motor Controller

3. Power Supply, Wiring, Wiring, and Motor Plug.

4. Top View

As usual with me a few boobs came to light after assembly. The LCD contrast control is buried under the motor controller and can't be adjusted. The plug on my spare power lead doesn't match the mains socket. I forget to cut a hole in the box for the USB socket, and to fit silicone sleeving to the motor socket connectors..

Worst of all, I messed up making the window for the LCD when the plastic melted and stuck to the milling cutter. Good news, I made a frame to hide the mess; bad news, it's the first part on and I forgot to fit it…

Oh, and now it's all in a pretty box the stepping motor has stopped stepping. Fortunately tomorrow is another day, sigh.

Dave

[Roger Williams 2Participant @rogerwilliams2]

Hello all, an old friend of a friend asked if I wanted this lathe, no brainer really. He had old sheds full of many machines, including at least 5 lathes. One of them, a lovely Boxford with gearbox, had become badly rusted because of a leaking roof !. Luckily, the Super 7 had oil on the ways . There were also a few drilling machines one of which was a lovely 6ft tall Meddings ( I think!), geared head thing. Unfortunately the old chap is disabled now and doesnt really care about the stuff, nor does his son, so eventually, the scrap man will end up with it. Why the son doesnt get organised and sell the machinary, Ive no idea. Woodworking equipment too !!.

Anyway, at least one tool has been saved……

[Anonymous]

First day in a 'proper' job with a small engineering consultancy, as an employee. It's going to be a major culture shock after 15 years of self-employment, often working at home. Full time this week, and then down to the agreed three days a week. That should allow me to fly the big glider mid week and have some more workshop time.

I've formulated a plan for going back to being employed:

Rule 1: Keep mouth shut, say yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir

Rule 2: See rule 1

Andrew

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Quite right Andrew, your plan's a good 'un, let it all wash over you, providing the boss is happy with your work and the money comes in each month then let the other buggars bitch amongst themselves, there's more to life than that, your flying and workshop are far more important. Me, I'm retired and far too busy to go to work…….!

Chris

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Good luck Andrew!

Neil

[JAParticipant @ja]

Andrew

I wish you luck but I fear that your plans may not work. Sooner or later you may not say three bags full but start thinking. Then things change.

After eight years of happy retirement for some unknown reason I volunteered to work most of one day a week indexing an archive at a local historical trust. I planned to do what I was told and be friendly. Now I am being asked to take on a position of responsibility which was not part of my plans.

Anyway, all the best

JA

[john carruthersParticipant @johncarruthers46255]

Good luck Andrew. A mate is in a similar position to yourself, but after rules#1 & 2, he has
3: finish at the end of the day, leave all work and stress behind.
4: pick up wages regularly.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Hi Andrew, hope all goes well with the job.

If I understand, you seem to be aiming at semi-retired status.The biggest issue as I see it, for skilled people in part time work is how to avoid 'mission creep'. If you are good they will want you to do more. I have a friend who retired as a very senior nurse and wanted to pick up a day or so a week in a care home and she finds it a constant struggle not to get promoted into the managers job. If you are not careful your career restarts all on it's own and bang goes all your spare time.

regards Martin

[Dave MartinParticipant @davemartin29320]

Posted by ega on 23/04/2017 18:53:17:

And here's the result of adding 5 gms of Blutack to the opposite side:

Now to calculate the size of hole apparently needed!

Edited By ega on 23/04/2017 18:54:28

Any help if you use a Polo mint?

Dave

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Andrew,

just remember the 4 phases of any project

1. enthusiasm
2. dis-illusionment
3. hunt for the guilty
4. blaming of the innocent

[Author]

Posts