What did you do Today 2018

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Windy on 20/03/2018 18:17:22:

A lousy wet start to Elvington top speed meeting but what a surprise I had.

A team from the Isle of Man was there with a steam bike that had only run around an industrial site.

First run was over 49mph the next run over 72mpf the last run something went wrong so could not run.

It had data logger and many electronic control systems the engine was fairly conventional with a flash type generator.

That is fascinating! Looks initially like a Moto Guzzi derived steam engine.

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

The high pressure piston is only 0.034" larger in diameter than my flash steamer but it's stroke is a lot longer.

Seems to be a very standard type of compound steam engine it's the steam generator that's the key plus electronic control system.

Think they will be back for an FIM record attempt later in the year

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Well tomorrow actually. Off to drive Black Prince on the North Norfolk Railway with the Cambridge Astronomical Association (Steam Section). It's so good when you can combine hobbies.

regards Martin

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Saw this and thought of Windy – steam powered rocket anybody?

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Posted by JasonB on 26/03/2018 15:31:59:

Saw this and thought of Windy – steam powered rocket anybody?

Just my sort of thing.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Martin Kyte on 26/03/2018 15:25:20:

Well tomorrow actually. Off to drive Black Prince on the North Norfolk Railway with the Cambridge Astronomical Association (Steam Section). It's so good when you can combine hobbies.

regards Martin

Lol!

Neil

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Fine loco you'll enjoy

H

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 26/03/2018 20:59:27:

Posted by Martin Kyte on 26/03/2018 15:25:20:

Well tomorrow actually. Off to drive Black Prince on the North Norfolk Railway with the Cambridge Astronomical Association (Steam Section). It's so good when you can combine hobbies.

regards Martin

Lol!

Neil

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

I was using the mill today to 'turn' the rust off a 1" length of 8" diameter pipe. The mill's got a 10" 4 jaw chuck that clamps to the 8" rotary table. The 11" swing Hardinge lathe has got a 5" chuck .

After I came in from the shed I went on to fleabay and ordered an 8" 4 jaw chuck, from the same importer that the mill's one came from, to fit to the Hardinge. I'd been meaning to do it for some time and this finally prompted me.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Received 5 spiral flute taps from China/Hong Kong… from eBay … all for the princely sum of £4.89 economy shipping… 3-4-5-6-8 mm, look ok but testing will tell …

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George.

Edited By mechman48 on 27/03/2018 09:07:24

[RobinParticipant @robin]

Is that a Titanium Nitride coating? The cherry on the top

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

…. claims to be…

Drill 5Pcs M3 M4 M5 M6 M8 Titanium Coated HSS Spiral Flute Metric Taps Set.

​

​

[RobinParticipant @robin]

Dang it you tripped my Buy-It-Now reflex

Edited By Robin on 27/03/2018 11:34:18

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Posted by thaiguzzi on 22/03/2018 06:49:18:

…

That is fascinating! Looks initially like a Moto Guzzi derived steam engine.

Steady on. It's not that agricultural.

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Borrowed an MT3 test bar from a fellow club member.

My lathes are all well pre-owned.

The Emco Compact-8 – perfectly aligned.

The Kerry 1124 – spindle pointing somewhere out into the back yard. It was harder to test, though – the MT3-4.5 adapter was bad – the test bar would visibly rock when put in place, so I put the collet set on, and held the bar by the straight bit. Aligned the tailstock afterwards, of course. Fortunately, the Kerry was designed to have the headstock aligned quite easily…

The Kerry had an alignment issue, as when drilling deep holes, the drill would complain.

I've had Connelly's "Machine Tool Reconditioning" book for a few decades, but this is the first time I've really put it to use.

Maybe now that the Kerry is straight, I'll use it more than once every 3 years… (the Emco just is such a nice lathe to use, the Kerry is a bit of a beast for small parts)

I'll have to source a MT3-4.5 adapter that is not nackered, should I actually have need to turn between centres.

[Richard S2Participant @richards2]

Finished the refurbishment of a free Vintage Manual Bench Drill. Heavy duty version. Only felt the need to replace the Drive shaft and the Chuck mounting –

Looking forward to using it (more pics in album).

[Anonymous]

Made a flycutter this morning:

I just need to add a keyway and make a cover plate for the toolbit and then I can flycut the chimney bases, perch brackets and ultimately the cylinder blocks for my traction engines. The outer diameter of the flycutter is exactly 8" and is concentric with the centre hole, which should help with the tool setting.

Andrew

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Nice one Andrew… looking at the pic shouldn't the HSS tool tip be below the holders bottom plane, or am I reading wrong, is it for machining large dia.bores, ( cylinder blocks ) ? …

George.

[RobboParticipant @robbo]

Posted by Andrew Johnston on 27/03/2018 13:30:09:

then I can flycut the chimney bases, perch brackets and ultimately the cylinder blocks for my traction engines. The outer diameter of the flycutter is exactly 8" and is concentric with the centre hole, which should help with the tool setting.

Andrew

George -should have gone to Specsavers

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Not today, but yesterday. Went to B&Q to buy a 4×2 sheet of 15mm plywood. Took every sheet off the rack, and they were all warped. Went for Plan B, MDF, and they were all warped, too. While there looked at some lengths of timber for another job, and most were not straight. Is it me that's unlucky, or is this a common experience with this company?

[Mark P.Participant @markp]

Hi Mike, had the same trouble with my local B&Q, I reckon it is the way they store their timber.Either that or the way the wood is dried.
Mark P.

[JimmieSParticipant @jimmies]

Have had the same problem with Homebase. More a 'pile' then high and sell them cheap that 'stack' as in arranged in the correct manner. My Homebase has all timber inside in a dry, heated environment which would not help the issue and as all staff are multi 'skilled' they may have little affinity and/or knowledge of correct procedures.

Jim

[Antony PowellParticipant @antonypowell28169]

Unfortunately the likes of B&Q source the cheapest possible wood which is usually rushed through the drying process and then poorly stored.

I only use their timber in an out of hours emergency as I am yet to find any thing straight on their shelves.

I find the local tmber yard far superior and usually cheaper…..

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Thanks, guys – I am certainly not alone. I must explore other local timber sources. Our local Homebase had to close – far too few customers.

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Mike- have you got a Highland Industrial near you (or whatever they are called) ? About the best around for general purpose and agricultural use timber.

[MikeParticipant @mike89748]

Thanks, Gordon. I know where they are, but I never knew they sold timber. I'll call in next time I am in Elgin, which I think will be Friday.

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