Posted by Matthew McBride on 10/07/2023 02:18:40:
I shall find myself a copy. This is a great hobby, but I think it will take me my lifetime to get any good at it. There is so much to learn. I do have a copy of the Super 7 Manual, but it helps beyond measure having a couple guys on the interwebs to help me understand it. I am just getting the terminology down. I chalk this weekend up as a win because I did just run a perfect 18 TPI. ITs a good thing no one is timing me, this is the culmination of about two months of learning. Maybe I will be able to finish the Stuart engine some day
Had you known as much as you do, after this thread, you would have been able to easily sort it yourself.
Yes, it will take a lifetime to learn as much as possible but not to become good at it – after you set up to cut a 100 different threads you will be sufficiently proficient. We (well, most of us) never stop learning.
A ‘win’ because you have gained more experience – that error/mistake/short-coming is now behind you – and you also know about lubrication. Oil will flow to the bearing surfaces easier than grease, won’t block lubrication channels (think here the change gears) and does not leave a deposit which could collect all sorts of abrasive chips/dust (think here, again, of the gear train).
There are always exceptions – I have an engine where the big end plain bearing is greased – but it runs at relatively low speed (300rpm or so?) and was likely greased by the operator just grabbing the greaser cap, on the end of the crank shaft, momentarily while the engine was running!
You are a hobbyist, so timing should not necessarily be a priority. All of us have made and then remade parts because of errors/mistakes/etc. After several practice sessions, your speed will improve. The only timing issue is generally that of the order of cutting the surfaces – careful planning is often required to make the job easier or even possible.
No apprentice would be qualified after only two months of the course – and they would be working/learning full time.
Just remember, there is usually a simple reason and (often) an easy fix to most problems. My advice is to always buy reasonably good quality kit, so you know it is ‘operator fault’ when things don’t work out as expected. The ‘buy cheap, buy twice’ is often demonstrated as a good maxim to adhere to. That ‘few quid extra’ is often repaid after only a short time.