What did you do today (2015)

[Involute CurveParticipant @involutecurve]

Bob I fully understand I worked over seas for years but couldn't wait to get into the workshop when home however after being away for a few months the missus thinks its a bit rude to then disappear into the workshop, they don't get it do they lol

I'm in the north east I recently moved to Durham along with most of my equipment, I sometimes wish id stayed put I still don't have it all here but its all slowly migrating here, but my main workshop equipment is now up and running more or less.

Climb milling isn't just a power thing, its more a cutter survival thing, I would say it at least doubles cutter life, once you see how the cutting process works, you understand much better about step overs lead ins, out, etc etc. and also what causes chipped cutters, for instance the cutter is more often than not damaged as it exits the cut, which is counter intuitive, however once you see it explained by the people that know (cuter manufacturers) you begin to see it in a different light.

Shaun

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Shaun,

I am a native of the North East (Whitley Bay) but migrated south West to the Manchester area about 7 years ago to be near my eldest daughter and the grand children. I moved to a place that had no workshop just an old asbestos garage. I built a workshop in its place and I was without a workshop for a long time.

I miss the North East for it's open countryside and the quiet roads especially when taking one of my old bikes for a run.

[Another JohnSParticipant @anotherjohns]

Posted by Bob Rodgerson on 27/01/2015 11:00:49:

…I imported my Tormach in June last year, however one thing I underestimated was the space required for the installation of the mill. I had done some basic measurement of the workshop to see if there was room for the footprint of the mill. It looked OK in theory, however when I got the mill I realised that I would have to completely re arrange my workshop.

Bob, if it makes you feel any better, I was looking at the Tormach 770, but even that one is too big for my indoor workshop, mainly in terms of height under all the air vents and so on.

So, I put together one, which has maybe 5mm clearance between top of Z stepper and an air-return duct; the Tormach would have been better, and a lot less trouble…

John.

[Mogens KildeParticipant @mogenskilde92996]

Well for now the flywheels has been made and mounted onto my series of inclined steam enignes

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hi Mogens,

Are the flywheels machined from solid or fabricated?

Neil

[“Bill Hancox”Participant @billhancox]

In the middle of a major snowstorm again. I am suffering it out in the depths of my warm and toasty workshop. Thank goodness I still have electric power. Saves the wife from having to crank the spindle handle on my Speed 10 at 475 RPM while I turn. I am now working on a new base for a two-slot QCTP. After drilling and tapping a blind hole in a piece of 7/8" hex steel to be used for a locking nut, I cleaned out the threads and hole. A short blast from canned air and a couple of scrubs with a rag got most of it. The residual cutting oil didn't help matters. I tried a bolt to check for fit, turning it to the bottom of the hole. I then had a brain pulse. I retrieved a 5/16" rare earth magnet from a stack stuck to the side of a metal cabinet and perched it on the top of the bolt. When the bolt was removed there were a bunch of very small chips adhered to its bottom. Now if I can just remember to use this same technique on my next blind hole!!!

The chips on top of the magnet resulted from dropping it on the bench.

Bill

[Mogens KildeParticipant @mogenskilde92996]

Hi Neil

The flywheel is made from mild steel sheet

/Mogens

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

i had a good session with the CAM software for the CNC Mill and at long last I have been able to see a 3D drawing of component drawing placed on the machine table. and it being rough machined with an end mill. Next phase will be to add the finish machining it then get the programme out of the post processor and fed into the mill.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

I made further progress with the 3D CAD and the CAM software today, managing to make a 3 D drawing of my Machine vice and transferring it into my CAM programme as a Fixture. I am quite pleased with the CAM software as it seems fairly intuitive. I am quite enjoying the challenge of learning something new, I can,t see my retirement being boring.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Will that stop you milling the vise away Bob if it's drawn as a fixture ?

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi John,

that's the theory. I will probably set too and make drawings of the strap clamps so that I can pull them from my library when I need them.

I am getting close to cutting metal for the first time but before I do so I will give the machine a good look over and check the lube system before I commit. I must admit I am apprehensive but I have to try, the simple part that I have made a programme for looks to simulate OK in the CAM software but I have yet to transfer it to the mill.

All has to wait over the weekend as we have babysitting duties, roll on Monday.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

You might make your first attempt using a piece of foam, wax or MDF to reduce the chances of tool breakage – assuming it first managed to cut air without any issue! Excitement builds – good luck!

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Muzzer,

I fully intend to use MDF aftercutting air. If all goes well I will try it in HE-30. Will have to wait untill after the weekend but in the meantime I have brought my Cad Cam programmes with me on my lap top so I can get some practice in.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

I think you said you are using Sprutcam. That seems to cost about £950+vat according to my enquiry recently. How do you find it? Would be interesting to hear how you find it. I see there is a 30-day trial so you can try before you buy.

I have HSMXpress which is free for 2.5D milling but unfortunately only works with either Solidworks or Autodesk Inventor. I'm only starting out with it at the moment…

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Finished off the Gade flywheel that I started in the week and then did some work on teh second one.

8.75" dia, 300rpm, 0.015" depth of cut.

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi muzzer,

Being a novice, I am not too familarwith other CAM software programmes. I bought Sprutcam as part of the package. Iamgfinding it fairly intuitive so far and have not had to lookup help which is available on line. I haven't been able to find amanual in amongst the software but thereare plenty of tutorials on youtubE.

the software is loaded with thr mill details so you don't have to configure it for that.

i was at first daunted somewhat by it but as I get further into it I am finding it easier to use. It is worth giving it a try but at £900 a pop it is a big expense like alot of CAD/Cam softwae seems to be.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Took an old, defunct printer to bits to liberate some material. Got covered in ink. Became thoroughly unimpressed with build quality of printer.

cheers

Bill

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Muzzer,

I replied to your posting on my phone hence the lackof propper spacing here and there. I have just had a look on my laptop to see if I could find any manual in the programme, there is a short cut to the user manual but no sign of a PDF file containing it. I will have a look at the sofware disc when I get home and see if I can locate it there,

Regards,

Bob

[Clive HartlandParticipant @clivehartland94829]

I have just finished replacing the piston seal in my Diana Mod. 75. What a kerfufle with the 2 cogs that connect the front and rear piston. ( Recoilless air gun)

Just been outside now in the cold to sight in the telescope which i had to take off for the work to be done. It is a trifle low in the MPI but I can adjust for that. Look out Squirrels as we are inundated at the moment and they are wrecking the bird feeders. all up and down the road.

Clive

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

> Took an old, defunct printer to bits to liberate some material. Got covered in ink. Became thoroughly unimpressed with build quality of printer.

As an ingineer you should be impressed by how incredibly simple they can make printers that give such good results!

Neil

[Bob RodgersonParticipant @bobrodgerson97362]

Hi Muzzer,

I managed to find a user manual from the Sprutcam USA website. It is for version 7 and the most current version is version 9, however there isn't a great deal of difference between the versions. Sprut is a Russian company and sometimes translation is a little bit off but in comparison to some manuals that I have seen from the far east it is more than adequate. When I get home I will load up the printer with paper and knock out a copy.

[Bill PudneyParticipant @billpudney37759]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 31/01/2015 18:43:51:

> Took an old, defunct printer to bits to liberate some material. Got covered in ink. Became thoroughly unimpressed with build quality of printer.

As an ingineer you should be impressed by how incredibly simple they can make printers that give such good results!

Neil

Not in this case Neill. It was slow, noisy and over complex. Yes it did work, but not as well as it should have done. In any event, it's gone to a much better place.

cheers

Bill

[charadamParticipant @charadam]

Reassembled a Union 1/2" pillar drill that I collected yesterday.

Now I need to source a new drive belt – I don't suppose anyone knows the size?

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

If you get stuck, you should be able to estimate the required length using a belt length calculator. Something like this. You need to know the section (size) of course but that isn't difficult to figure out.

I bought some timing belts, taperlock pulleys and vee belts from these boys in Hampshire and they seemed pretty reasonable.

Murray

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Belt length calculator? When did bits of string become obsolete?

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