What did you do Today 2018

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Finding that I needed a way to set a block at 45 degrees in the milling vice I had to make a 45 degree angle plate from an off cut piece of aluminium angle which I clamped in a V Block so I could machine flats on the feet of the V. Had to get creative in clamping the angle piece in the V Block but quite pleased with the method I came up with.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by not done it yet on 11/06/2018 17:27:10:

SOD,

Or perhaps the Atlantic Conveyor was not designed for operations in the lower half of the ocean!

No we use submarines for that

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

Talking of strange decisions from MoD, I'd be interested why the first batch of single seat F35B's was flown 3000 miles from the US to UK with all of the discomfort and hazard for lone pilots, including in-air refuelling etc, when HMS Queen Elizabeth could have carried them across the Atlantic? She is on sea-trials at the moment, is designed to carry F-35's eventually anyway and would've been something useful she could have done.

Jon

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

One of the f35s had to turn back, no explanation why though

Another "cost saving" was removing the catapults from the new carriers, so in reality they are 5 billion dollar floating football pitches

We really should have just hung on to the Harriers

They could probbly get 100 Harriers onto each carrier for the same money and they are combat proven

It's all part of being British, lol

Edited By Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:11:56

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

The yanks did the same sort of thing with the F5/F20 it was simply too good so they killed it off

The F20 got shot down by "politics" in the 1980s
It cost buttons to build, run and maintain and was way more reliable than contemporaries

Offered as a low-cost option, the F-20 was significantly more expensive than the F-5E, but much less expensive than other designs like the $30 million F-15 Eagle, or $15 million F-16 Fighting Falcon. The F-20 was projected to consume 53% less fuel, to require 52% less maintenance manpower, to have 63% lower operating and maintenance costs and to be four times (400%) more reliable than average front-line designs of the era. The F-20 also offer the ability to fire the beyond-visual-range AIM-7 Sparrow missile, a capability that the F-16 lacked at that time, and did not gain until the Block 15 ADF version in February 1989.

tigershark

Edited By Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:29:37

[SamsarandaParticipant @samsaranda]

Jon, recent press reports stated that our, British, version of the F35 was too underpowered too attempt hover landings on our, at the moment, one and only carrier, which explains the reason to fly all the way. One assumes that they are working to increase available power before official sanction to carry out deck landings. In respect of the engines fitted to F35s it is proposed that the engine overhaul and servicing for all engines of European operated aircraft will be located in Turkey, can’t see that working well particularly with political uncertainty in that region. Must be a serious problem for those in power in the MOD because we have always kept deep servicing within our jurisdiction for obvious reasons because you never know who you will end up going to war with, God forbid.

Dave W

[Jon GibbsParticipant @jongibbs59756]

You might be right Dave. Another explanation is that they are simply not quite ready yet… **LINK**

I am perplexed by the Turkey servicing too although on paper they are full long-standing NATO allies and it might be a useful lever to get some sort of concession on human rights eventually.

…but with a certain person acting the way he is at the moment, we, and the EU, might find ourselves embargoed by the US and our F35's sold to Putin and Kim Jong Un instead!

Jon

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:08:36:

We really should have just hung on to the Harriers

They could probbly get 100 Harriers onto each carrier for the same money and they are combat proven

It's all part of being British, lol

An obsolete aircraft that first went into service 49 years ago!

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Jon Gibbs on 12/06/2018 09:01:59:

Talking of strange decisions from MoD, I'd be interested why the first batch of single seat F35B's was flown 3000 miles from the US to UK with all of the discomfort and hazard for lone pilots, including in-air refuelling etc, when HMS Queen Elizabeth could have carried them across the Atlantic? She is on sea-trials at the moment, is designed to carry F-35's eventually anyway and would've been something useful she could have done.

Jon

Easy one.

The F35B's that were ferry flown in are for the RAF, 617 sqn, not the RN.

QE is currently on sea trials for rotary wing, not fixed wing.

QE will sail to the US later this year for trials involving her own F35B's.

[Danny M2ZParticipant @dannym2z]

I just turned some outer casings from black Delrin for my Badge Timers (viscous d/t timers for Free Flight model aircraft) as the originals had split . Replaced the viscous timing fluid and now my problem is how to fit the new casings as they resist the airtight seal, so tight they are impossible to press home. The original manufacturers obviously overcame this problem. Thinking of turning some from Al with an air-bleed screw in the base – any ideas?

* Danny M *

Edited By Danny M2Z on 12/06/2018 13:24:57

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by David Standing 1 on 12/06/2018 12:50:16:

Posted by Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:08:36:

We really should have just hung on to the Harriers

They could probbly get 100 Harriers onto each carrier for the same money and they are combat proven

It's all part of being British, lol

An obsolete aircraft that first went into service 49 years ago!

Yes one might agree, but what are the current capabilities of the supposed enemy that currently exists. Plus one might ask – if it is so out of date, why has America bought some as well as India amd other countries. They obviously consider that the harrier still has a role to play. One might suggest that some aircraft capability is better than none. After all it was an out of date aircraft that disabled the Bismark ( as an historic example of course)

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

After all it was an out of date aircraft that disabled the Bismark ( as an historic example of course)

A chap who survived that attack was in a Utube article I watched

He said the Bismarks' flak was miles out because they had an approach speed of 150 plus knots dialled into their flak gear

Meanwhile the plucky Brits are puttering in at a top speed of 85 MPH

They should realistically have been decimated on that torpedo run and it took them a minute or two to figure out what on earth the Germans were doing

Ain't life a funny thing

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Adi 1 Decimated ?

Roy ( being pedantic )

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 12/06/2018 13:59:48:

Posted by David Standing 1 on 12/06/2018 12:50:16:

Posted by Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:08:36:

…

…

Yes one might agree, but what are the current capabilities of the supposed enemy that currently exists. ….

A very interesting question. Preparing for war involves surprising considerations, including the possibility that today's friends will be tomorrows enemies. President de Gaulle put it well: 'countries do not have friends, countries have interests.'

The War of 1812 (when the British burnt the White House) established two firm facts:

1. That Canada did not wish to join the United States, and,
2. That the people of the US had no wish to return to British rule.

Since then Britain and the USA have been allies. Nonetheless the US military planned for war with the British. 'War Plan Red' covered the issue between 1927 and 1974, but there were earlier efforts. In 1927 the first priority was an all out attack on Canada. Australia, New Zealand and the UK were to be dealt with later.

War Plan Red remained theoretical. Not so 'War Plan Orange' (Japan), which by 1940 had grown to include a 'Germany First' policy. This was the result of studies while developing 'War Plan Red-Orange'. Analysis for Red-Orange in the 1930s showed the US could not deal with an Anglo-Japanese alliance (unlikely). In consequence war with Japan meant war with Germany, because the Axis represented a similar threat (and happened).

All military powers played and probably continue to play this game. No doubt the British had similar contingency plans for war against the USA, and perhaps still has. It would be very surprising to find modern planning not taking an equally broad geopolitical view.

Dave

[David Standing 1Participant @davidstanding1]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 12/06/2018 13:59:48:

Posted by David Standing 1 on 12/06/2018 12:50:16:

Posted by Ady1 on 12/06/2018 09:08:36:

We really should have just hung on to the Harriers

They could probbly get 100 Harriers onto each carrier for the same money and they are combat proven

It's all part of being British, lol

An obsolete aircraft that first went into service 49 years ago!

Yes one might agree, but what are the current capabilities of the supposed enemy that currently exists. Plus one might ask – if it is so out of date, why has America bought some as well as India amd other countries. They obviously consider that the harrier still has a role to play.

Well, for a start, the Indian navy have also retired their Harriers.

The American Harrier is a totally different kettle of fish. We didn't 'sell' them to the USA.

The American version is the McDonnell Douglas (Boeing) AV-8B Harrier II, developed largely in the US under licence (we were one of the development partners, dropped out, then later rejoined).

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

I ordered my mini lathe today (yippee)….. sorry, but I am a bit excited, its my first lathe.

I went with Amadeal and ordered the CJ18 7 x 14 with 4 inch chuck. I was going to go for a full package deal where you get all the extras but changed my mind. The lathe comes with a centre and I added a set of cutting tools and a tail stock chuck, Amadeal did me a very good deal. I know that the parts I need to produce for the 0-4-0 loco are quite simple turning jobs, so I should be covered for a while by what I,ve ordered.

I thought that as I progress (I,m a beginner) I could order the extras that jobs may require and that way I can spread the cost and gradually build up the tooling etc.

The new small shed/workshop arrives Thursday and I hope to have it mostly finished by the end of the weekend ready to house the lathe.

Really looking forward to it.

Ron

Edited By Ron Laden on 12/06/2018 18:27:22

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Please report back to us on your experience with the new lathe Ron and don't forget, if you have any problems with turning or setting up etc, This is where you'll get help!

All the best, Brian

[Ian Skeldon 2Participant @ianskeldon2]

Good luck Ron, hope she's up and running in no time.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Decided to modify my vice handle on my WM 16 mill ; it always caught on the 'X' slide handle wherever I put the vice so I chopped approx' 35 mm of its length, re-drilled & tapped for 8mm handle, now I can have the vice anywhere on the table without having it catch the 'X' slide hand wheel.

George.

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Thanks Brian and Ian, yes I will report back on the new lathe and let you know what I find straight out of the box..

From all I,ve read and the videos I,ve watched on youtube, mini lathes seem to be a bit of a mixed bag. It would seem that you can be lucky and the lathe will need very little adjustment or setting up whilst others need quite a lot of work to get the machine to its best.

I am quite prepared for slides out of adjustment, backlash and chuck run out etc, actually these are things I am quite looking forward to, setting up will help me get to know the machine. Obviously it would be nice to plug the lathe in and off you go but I suspect it wont be quite like that.

[NigeParticipant @nige81730]

Good luck Ron😀 You and I are in similar positions being beginners with new lathes and this is a fantastic place to ask for help, some really nice people live here 😊

Nige

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

With a brand new lathe and a brand new lathe user I strongly recommend you slacken the drive belt for the first 6 months of use

Bashed knuckles and saddles crashing into chucks have a high probability, a loose belt reduces the effect of any disasters

In bygone years I doubt that any production factory would let the new apprentices anywhere near a brand new lathe

[Ron LadenParticipant @ronladen17547]

Posted by Ady1 on 13/06/2018 09:38:04:

With a brand new lathe and a brand new lathe user I strongly recommend you slacken the drive belt for the first 6 months of use

Bashed knuckles and saddles crashing into chucks have a high probability, a loose belt reduces the effect of any disasters

In bygone years I doubt that any production factory would let the new apprentices anywhere near a brand new lathe

Well, I,m not strictly a brand new lathe user, its many moons ago but we had a small Myford in the fitting shot where I worked. We would use it now and then but it was very basic stuff i.e. shorten a spacer, open up a hole, a bit of tapping and reaming. One thing is for sure I am certainly no machinist so a beginner in that sense.

Edited By Ron Laden on 13/06/2018 10:04:55

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

I stand corrected, good luck Ron

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

The late George Thomas wrote that he always ran his Myford with the belts on the slack side and no-one could say he was a beginner.

regards Martin

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