Toys for Boys

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

My Concise Oxford Dictionary says I'm right, the Collins and Chambers dictionarys don't mention Vernier.

Ian S C

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Ian S C on 23/04/2014 10:52:54:

According to my computer, vernier is either wrong spelling, or not a recognised word?

Ian S C

.

Trouble is … Computer spell-checking is digital.

MichaelG.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Does it matter as long as you know what you are talking about.

Is Armchair in the OED ?

[Jerry WrayParticipant @jerrywray14030]

Of course it doesn't matter. There are some who would also add that spelling is an essential of communication. For myself I deprecate the use of mobile texting in any form.

Armchair is certainly in the OED as arm-chair (1633) " A chair with arms." !!

The word was certainly known by the time James Murray started on his editorship in 1879.

In my OED on Historical Principles first published by Fowler and Coulson in 1933, edited by Fowler and revised by Friedrishsen and with addenda dated 1977. (always quote the sources)

Vernier dates from 1766. "A device consisting of a short movable scale, by which more minute measurements may be readily obtained from the divisions of the graduated scale of astronomical, surveying, or other mathematical instruments to which it is attached."

The entry goes on "atrib., as v. circle, scale; also in the names of instruments or tools having a v. scale or attachment, as v.caliper, compass.

(Sorry but that's what happens when you build-up a large reference library)

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Bought a Glanze parting tool. – To stir my tea with.

Nick

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Yes got to get one of those off Jenny at the Stafford bike show this Saturday if I can get unwelded from this arm-chair.

[ John's office 2014 ] must put references in.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Wikipedia's armchair reckons the Vernier scale somewhat predates 1766. It may not be gospel but is usually pretty accurate.

"The vernier scale originated in ancient China as early as the Xin dynasty (9 AD). It was reinvented in its modern form in 1631 by the French mathematician Pierre Vernier (1580–1637). Its use was described in detail in English in Navigatio Britannica (1750) by John Barrow, the mathematician and historian"

Handbags and armchairs, eh!

Edited By Muzzer on 24/04/2014 17:15:51

[dcostaParticipant @dcosta]

Hello Muzzer,

Please read also ***here*** about the origin of the Vernier scale. Please search for the word nonius.

Regards
Dias Costa

Edited By dcosta on 24/04/2014 19:21:01

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Returning to the original topic…

My replacement reading head arrived today, and it works perfectly. Note that you need the berylllium copper shim contacts, a small plastic spacer (from the thumb rest) and the brass gib as well as the stainless back from the old reading head.

Today I treated myself to three metres of of OO flexi track

Neil

[Bernard WrightParticipant @bernardwright25932]

Hi Folks,

That Clarkson Drill Point and Tap Lead Holder looks impressive, I wanted to buy one, but it would cost more than all the complete machine cost me, nice gloat though.

As for those Swiss Multifix QCTH, they look very nice, Rotagrip has some reasonable priced ranges of gear, but I'll stick with my 4 way bogstandard Colchester, and make some more correct height tool clamps.

Tried to post some pics but I couldn't get my links to Photobucket to work on here, sorry.

Edited By Bernard Wright on 27/04/2014 13:19:11

[Anonymous]

Posted by John Stevenson on 24/04/2014 16:31:36:

Yes got to get one of those off Jenny at the Stafford bike show this Saturday if I can get unwelded from this arm-chair.

[ John's office 2014 ] must put references in.

Know the feeling, wasn't looking forward to Saturday as the weathermen were predicting Armageddon but the sun was out most of the day .

Bought some tool inserts and milling cutters from Jenny, some left hand drills , replacement taps and dies from Tracey Tools, bit of metal stock and other odds an sods ready for the restoration of a wreck of a Suzuki Kettle I've just bought..

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Unfortunately I didn't get due to an unscheduled rapid journey across the workshop floor on Friday night on my arse at approx Mach 1.2

Saturday was spent breathing in deeply but out very gently.

Today saw a 2 1/2 hour visit to Derby Royal A&E where this very nice lady explained in words of two syllables that I had bruised both kidneys. Then went on to explain in words of one syllable how not to repeat the same trick.

At the present rate of recovery normal service will be resumed at 2:00pm Tuesday afternoon.

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Mr Stephenson – having attained (on this forum) the status of 'National Treasure' kindly take a little more care of yourself!!! Your Friday night escapade has produced some, obviously, painful results. Take a bit more care – or more water with the Scottish wine! Best wishes for a swift recovery.

Rgds

Bill

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

The Leytool Micro Divider Setting Tool. Ian S C

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by John Stevenson on 27/04/2014 22:41:41:

At the present rate of recovery normal service will be resumed at 2:00pm Tuesday afternoon.

Presumably you will be recovering in your armchair, wishing you hadn't angered the Myford gods with your apostasy.

Seriously, get well soon.

Rod

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Bill,

Thanks, I like the term 'Nation Treasure ' it has a far more nostalgic ring to it than what I am usually called.

Very silly trick really and one that could happen to any of us. I was bending the end tips on some flat bars 25mm x 6mm thick to form little 'winglets' before the strip went into a ring roller to be turned into a bearing sleeve.

Clamp in vise give a sharp pull, reverse , repeat and wash.done literally hundreds over a period of time, doing 10 this time round but this time part way thru one end slipped out the vise and I staggered backwards. Like most of us room is precious and there are machines opposite the bench, in this case a double headed pillar drill with 2" thick cast iron rectangular table. Table set at working hight which is also kidney hight. So I bashed square into this with my lower back.

Immediately a terrible pain shot up my back, across my shoulders, down my left arm and across the road to a No 57 bus stop..

It is slowly receding but slower than expected so recovery time could be delayed until 4:30pm on Tuesday.

Rod,

I have tried to placate the Myford Gods as being an owner and not a user, my Myford is stored standing on it's tailstock, headstock facing heaven. The reason it's not used is it's that clapped out it's unusable but works OK for trying things to see if they fit and drilling the odd hole to upset the flat earth society.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

Twenty ruddy great cast iron sash weights bought from a window fitter for a few quid – an inch and a half diameter and eighteen inches long. Only three are soft enough to machine / bandsaw but for what I paid I'm quite happy. The other seventeen which are all chilled to Rockwell VHI can go in the village bonfire this November. That'll sort 'em out!

Rik

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The only sash weight I have is made from solid kryptonite. I have given up trying to convert it into smaller pieces, and decided to use it as a weight. One day I will get round to making a couple of pulleys and attaching it to the headstock of my mill.

Neil

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Posted by John Stevenson on 27/04/2014 22:41:41:

Unfortunately I didn't get due to an unscheduled rapid journey across the workshop floor on Friday night on my arse at approx Mach 1.2

John – if I was uncouth and uncaring, I'd say some thing like "Mach 1.2? Should have upgraded to Mach 3, or, even better, LinuxCNC – serves you right!"

but, I wouldn't, as it would be off-topic, crass, and so forth!

Best wishes, another JohnS.

[Rik ShawParticipant @rikshaw]

John B – I'll give your angle grinder method a go on one of the hard ones. That expensive meehanite stuff on Ebay would frighten the life out of my wallet if I let it. Getting good cast iron like this – cheaply – creates a nice warm glow inside don't you think?

Rik

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

Bogs method for cleaning c/i should work. I have a couple of those cheap brazed carbide tools for this sort of job. I use a lot of scrap ,even rusted steel seems to get a hard outer skin. Slow speed and get under the skin at one setting.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Historically sash weights were cast out of what what left of a melt to make the most money from it.

Because of this quality varies from batch to batch and start of the pour to end of the pour there is no way on knowing with a bare weight what the quality is.

Many people come up with various methods to work these but it only works if you have a decent sash weight to start with.

Years ago when we owned a truck garage we used to work for virtually all the scrap metal dealers in the Nottingham area because they were that interbred, lets face it they are only one generation away from horse dealers, hat once you were in with one family you were into all their relations.

This relationship did me well whilst I had a workshop at home and some of these guys who are still alive are still good personal friends although only a couple are still in the game.

Sash weights split into two distinct types, the good stuff made of soft grey iron from what is left of the good pour and the harder shiny crystalline type formed from the dross and left overs, The first type is called Ductile Iron, he latter is called Hardaswitchestits Iron.

To check which type you have place one end on a block of wood say 2 x 2, throw a rag over the lot to stop anything flying and smack it in the middle with a big hammer so it snaps in two. Now examine the break.

If it's a dull grey smooth break you have a good weight, if it shows any shiny patches or crystalline patches then throw this at next doors cat, it's just not worth the time, expense and effort to do anything with.

Long – short, there are good and bad. Save the good scrap the bad.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Went to Harrogate yesterday and bought :-

Dividers

Moore & Wright digital calipers (as I only had a very cheap set)

8mm HSS tools

Pin vice

8mm tap set

6" Green & grey stones

Magnetic coolant hose base & pipe

Engineers squares

Big rubber floor mat for workshop

A D1-3 160mm backplate (chuck for it ordered)

Abrasive sheets

Coolant oil to dilute

Small body MT2 live centre

Small MT2 keyless chuck

2 MT3 – MT2 reducers

And indulgently a mint Starrett engineers precision level that I haggled a very good price on when as the trader was packing away.

I 'was' going to purchase a kit from Stuart. But could not decide between the Beam, Coombes or a Victoria. – This indecision resulted in me not buying anything and coming away empty handed. (think I should have gone for a Coombes)

Nick

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Don't think you came away empty-handed Nick.

Gary

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