What did you do Today 2018

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 24/10/2018 20:33:08:

GET 885 hfe=199, Vf 164mV (I assume this is Vbe)

Memories of OC28 'power' transistors hFE=20 .

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 24/10/2018 20:33:08:

Printed a custom case for one of those cheap-as-chips component tester modules I mentioned above.

Then had a fun session trying out my box of (mostly germanium) old transistors and getting hfe and Vf readings.

GET 885 hfe=199, Vf 164mV (I assume this is Vbe)

It seems to be a bit sensitive to poor contacts caused by tarnished leads, sometime giving a spurious Hfe less than 10 but re-insertion usually gives a more believable reading.

It gives vf and capacitance for diodes, capacitance and ESR for capacitors, resistance for… resistors! Haven't tried a coil yet.

Neil

Co-indidentally I built mine into a box over the weekend so that the battery isn't hanging on the end of a wire. If I'd cut the hole for the dispaly the right size to begin with it wouldn't have needed the srtainless bezel, but it does add a touch of je-ne-sais-quoi.
box came from Maplins clearance sale

 

 

Edited By duncan webster on 25/10/2018 10:45:31

Edited By duncan webster on 25/10/2018 10:46:05

[D.A.GodleyParticipant @d-a-godley]

A few evenings back , I was re reading some old ME magazines, and in the September 2004 copy , I came across an article penned by our illustrious editor “ Neil” detailing his design for a Clarke 300 spindle turning handle .

As it happens, I was considering making one for my bigger Lathe , but since this would also be of help , on a lathe I use to produce small parts , I thought I would give it a go .

I have finished it today and I must say , I am pretty impressed with it . I shall now upscale the design to suite my larger Lathe , thank you Neil , just the ticket .

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Anyone wanting one of these should search diode transistor capacitance tester' and look for a module like that in Duncan's photo. here's my design, but I'll hold on photos as they will probably be in MEW 275.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by D.A.G. on 25/10/2018 17:19:01:

I shall now upscale the design to suite my larger Lathe , thank you Neil , just the ticket .

Thanks! I keep meaning to make one for my SC4. That short collet was probably my best idea ever!

Neil

[Bob McParticipant @bobmc91481]

Been messing about with Mogens Kildes Double diagonal engine…

Have made most of it in perspex as I hope to use it as a template for cutting the steel frames & cylinders, also trying my idea of wedge shaped cross head guides which saves quite an amount of metal and fixing and the cylinders are fed compressed air through the frames instead of external pipes…hopefully.

[V8EngParticipant @v8eng]

I spent a fair part of today repairing curved panels etc on the wife’s greenhouse ready for the predicted cold weather.

I ordered some parts online from Halls Greenhouses on Tuesday at 11.50 they were delivered by Parcelforce at 09.15 on Wednesday, brilliant service.

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Not today's work but this is a component tester I made up a couple of years ago, I'm not sure if its the same electronics as the one Neil mentions though. I think it has the same functionality as his but the display looks to be a different format. I extended the tact switch through the panel by mounting a LED on top of it so that it became the button. I have a large assortment of test leads, clips, and adapters all of which use 4mm banana plugs so the three sockets on the front work well for me but a miniature low voltage 'Safeblock' would have been my second choice if one had existed.

Ian P

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

It's the same principle, I'm sure.

The PCB has three pads, I may wire up three croc clips to them for things like big power transistors.

Do you know if they work on things like FETs or IGBTs?

[Ian PParticipant @ianp]

Good question but I've never tried anything that I did not already know what it was. I bought it because it looked to be an indispensable tool, in practice however I have only used it about four times mostly just to identify the pinouts of a transistors when I could not be bothered to look at a data sheet!

Ian P

[Iain DownsParticipant @iaindowns78295]

After a vain attempt (Started last year) to build my own QCTP to my own design, I gave in and bought one from ARC., The standard mini lathe toolpost is difficult. The nasty aluminium cheap one is nasty and cheap – and I NEVER managed a decent parting off.

This one (the model 000) is reassuringly heavy, nicely ground and works very nicely. I expect several old boys to pitch in with 'buy cheap buy twice' and their right. I should have spent the dosh in the first place.

This one has parted some 20mm steel with no drama at all and sunk through an ally bar like butter.

sigh.

Iain

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 26/10/2018 21:32:45:

…

Do you know if they work on things like FETs or IGBTs?

I'm using mine a lot at the moment to sort out my muddled collection of components. While I was sorting transistors into NPN and PNP it successfully spotted a 2N3819 was a JFET.

The various adverts on ebay suggest there are a few variants about. I think the original LCR, NPN & PNP, & Diode unit has been extended and/or the software upgraded. If buying one, may be worth checking the detailed spec to see if you can pick out the most up-to-date model available.

In operation, the unit is a little erratic, and it is sensitive to dirty leads. Mostly I'm impressed.

I use mine without a box and what with the battery flopping about and all, it's not a good idea. Making a box with my limited sheet metal / plastic instrument box technology is bothersome because of the need to provide access to the display and especially the DIL socket. A 3D printer would solve that easily – I want one!

Dave

[Anonymous]

Posted by Iain Downs on 26/10/2018 23:08:46:

This one (the model 000) is reassuringly heavy, nicely ground and works very nicely. I expect several old boys to pitch in with 'buy cheap buy twice' and their right

While I'm old enough to be a member of the grumpy old git club I'm not old enough to be a member of the told you so club; so I won't mention it if you don't.

Andrew

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hooray for 3D printing!

Last night my steplad asked if I could do an adaptor to join two small pipes. Took two tries to get it right (hard to measure flexible pipe accurately and one needed a taper), and my reward is a bottle of King Goblin

Neil

Please drink responsibly

[brickyParticipant @bricky]

Just finished the oil pot for my rockerblock ic engine not a simple job .I finished the water jacket yesterday this was difficult as I couldn't source the O rings.I ended up stretching a pair daily on a stepped mandrel but I still couldn't get the cylinder through without forcing the ring out.I had to deepen the groove in stages and add a slight taper to the end of the cylinder.When it did go through I wasn't sure that I hadn't dislodged the rings .I filled the jacket and was relieved to have no leaks, a result at last.Not much left to do now but the biggest job will be making the carburetor.

Frank

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

Managed to thin the sides of my coupling rod for Rob Roy so it ended up 1/8" thick instead of 3/16", should have checked the drawing !!! Luckily it was the first one so can do the others correctly and make a replacement 😠

Mick

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Mick Henshall on 30/10/2018 19:34:44:

Managed to thin the sides of my coupling rod for Rob Roy so it ended up 1/8" thick instead of 3/16", should have checked the drawing !!! Luckily it was the first one so can do the others correctly and make a replacement 😠

Mick

At least it wasn't for a 7 1/4" King!

[Mick HenshallParticipant @mickhenshall99321]

Thank you Neil for those words of comfort

Mick

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Overtook a 2-6-4 tank engine. It was doing 45mph backwards on the M4 around Slough at 20:15 last night. Think it was no 800078 but google doesn't find that.

[Jan BParticipant @janb]

Brazyle it´s a zero to much. Google 80078 and you will find it.

Jan

[Trevor Crossman 1Participant @trevorcrossman1]

I did this today…………………………….

but before doing that, I should have done this………………………..

My concentration was centered on the cutter but as soon as the machine ran I noticed the vibration and hit the red button and immediately gave myself a good earful of abuse and considered myself lucky that I didn't get injured by the handle flinging itself into me nor damaged anything in the shop !. Just might fit an extra safety micro-switch to be tripped when the handle is fitted.

Trevor.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

Which shaper is that?

Oddly enough, on my 10" Royal shaper there is less guarding, but there is a round knob/handle to turn the mechanism for positioning the ram. That's far safer than a cranked handle, even it it's removable! .

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Trevor Crossman 1 on 31/10/2018 22:14:44:

I did this today…………………………….

but before doing that, I should have done this………………………..

My concentration was centered on the cutter but as soon as the machine ran I noticed the vibration and hit the red button and immediately gave myself a good earful of abuse and considered myself lucky that I didn't get injured by the handle flinging itself into me nor damaged anything in the shop !. Just might fit an extra safety micro-switch to be tripped when the handle is fitted.

Trevor.

You are not the first and you will not be the last.

Join the club.

Though it's nowhere near as bad as the old "leave a lathe chuck key in the chuck" chestnut………

[thaiguzziParticipant @thaiguzzi]

Posted by Mark Rand on 01/11/2018 01:50:32:

Which shaper is that?

Oddly enough, on my 10" Royal shaper there is less guarding, but there is a round knob/handle to turn the mechanism for positioning the ram. That's far safer than a cranked handle, even it it's removable! .

Looks like a Boxford to me.

The removable cranked handle should do the cross feed and the vise too. Another sq key tool and that's it on a Boxford for EVERY adjustment.

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Spent an hr in the cave today & made one of these for my daughters wedding dress, buttoning it up might prove a little difficult for the mother of the bride, Stainless steel & wood dowel…

George.

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