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Re: Broke the tap, Grrrrr.
Victoria Welch
On Tuesday 03 April 2007, born4something wrote:
It sure was![ ... ]Eureka! Great feeling when a broken tap is sorted! Trying to get around that to bore out the center more screwed up my boring bar and I am still trying to figure out how to hone it down on the diamond lap - it looks right but doesn't seem to cut as before. I had the impression that carbide would remove the part of the tap sticking down into the bore - apparently not. Cost me a few PCB drills to figure it out, but one pays for education one way or the other :). Hopefully that is indeed traumatizing :). Painful lessons are the bestHopefully there will not be a next time to experiment with thealum :-). learned? Color me optimistic anyway :). Very very true!All's well that ends well and I learned a bunch in the process!Can't hope for much better. Hey here's a laugh for you. I dropped into the local BunningsSounds like Lowe's yesterday, I asked about alum at the service desk and spent 5 minutes telling the sales droids that "Yes, I have looked on this isle, that isle and the other isle and that one too" Finally I suggested he look up "alum" on the computer in front of him. Seemed to surprise him that he could do that. Where *do* the get these people?!??!? Sigh... Thanks & take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "90% of the politicians give the other 10% a bad reputation." -- Henry Kissinger |
Re: Broke the tap, Grrrrr.
Victoria Welch
Hi Mick,
On Tuesday 03 April 2007, Michael Walter wrote: Hi Vicky,Sigh, sure did :-(. Problem is at my current level of ignorance / inexperience I really don't know what a good one is. Is spending $10+ for one from, say Enco, a "good one". Sigh, much to learn - the more I learn the more it becomes obvious how little I know :-). I have an ulterior motive for replying to you! WhereI faked it as I went along :-). Initially (in my ignorance and nativity) I thought I could just get one, tape the button down and chuck it up :). After the folly of that thought train became obvious I knew I needed something that would allow me to center it. Not sure where the idea for the mount came from, probably the mechanical center finder hacked to hold the laser pointer (I got mine stuck in a end mill holder and had to pull it apart to get it out - it was hollow for the spring connecting both center and edge ends, just make it bigger to hold the laser pointer :-). Some of the commercial ones out there are contained in something similar so I am sure that provided some inspiration. The initial idea was optimistic on the bored out center diameter, I do need to update the drawing of it I posted to reflect that. With the variance from straight on these things, it became obvious really quickly that I needed much more room to move the stuffed-up-the-snout laser pointer around in it to actually get it to center. Glad all I had was a 1" round to work with, anything else would have been too small I think. HTH! Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself. There never was a democracy yet that did not commit suicide." - John Adams. |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Victoria Welch
On Tuesday 03 April 2007, rancerupp wrote:
Vikki, I'm sure I missed it somewhere along the way but would youFound them at a "Dollar Store" I just happened to see as I was running errands. I don't even remember the name but I do remember where it is :-). These abound here in Seattle (popular because cost of living is so high here :-). Bargain Bin, 99 cents store and probably 100 other names. Really cheap Chinese stuff and ?almost? all of it sells for under a dollar. After wandering around in several of them and never finding any laser pointers, I got bright and asked if they had them at this last one and he had a whole case of them behind the counter :-). HTH! Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 ¡°He who does not punish evil commands it to be done.¡± --Leonardo Da Vinci |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Victoria Welch
Wow, what a pile of messages to wake up to :-)!
On Tuesday 03 April 2007, Ian Foster wrote: G'day Vikki,Upon the recommendation of John at GadgetBuilder I tried the pinhole in a piece of kitchen aluminum foil which works really well to improve the original spatter beam. As for attachment, I used rubber cement on the end of the laser pointer and the back of the aluminum foil - sorta like contact cement but removable. You can see this at the second entry under the temp stuff, specifically: I've got an idea to improve on this using what is essentially a single hole paper punch and the PCB drills. I got email from John that has some pointers in it for improving this, but haven't done more than skim it at this point (only starting on the second cup of coffee here :-). To Others:MUCH better pricing than what I found, which was the impetus for using the cheap laser pointers. BTW I am NOT pushing Jaycar. I find their sales staff more uselessSounds like Radio Shack here (aka: rat shack, the floor sweeping store, "How is your cell phone service" store, do you need batteries store...) only somewhat better ;-). Where is the {some part} usually results in the deer in the headlights look until you remind them they have a computer to find out from. Etc. ... Better get off the soap box before I get exiled to another group!:-), I usually rant a bit coming back from a desperation run to rat shack, problem is that the have it locally - overpriced, almost always clueless sales droids, not great quality, but it will do when something MUST do. Heh, I'l shut up too lest we have to start a 2 person group over it ;-) LOL! Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things" --Antoine de St-Exup¨¦ry |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
G'day Vikki,
When you first reported on your laser edge finder developments you said the beam size was disappointing. I take it from your pictures that you have managed to narrow the beam. Did you use a lens or a pin hole? How have you kept the focusing device in place? To Others: In Oz and now the UK Jaycar are selling Laser diodes with collimating lens AUD9.95, or another module for AUD13.95. The forward voltage of the diode is 2.3 volts so it could be powered from two AA cells through a dropping resitor. Contact me it you need details. BTW I am NOT pushing Jaycar. I find their sales staff more useless than those in machine tool stores. What is it about these kind of people? (Other electronics stores are almost as bad, except for Tandy) They act like they are doing you a favour by letting you have some precious item from their personal collection. Haven't they heard of up selling? "Do you want Fries (batteries) with that?" A few questions about the customer's project would open up sales opportunities. Thankfully I know enough (apart from the latest gizmos) to intimiddate them back!!! I'll write to Jaycar management. Better get off the soap box before I get exiled to another group! One good turn deserves another. Regards, Ian |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Malcolm Parker-Lisberg
Andrew
The pound shops have a laser level for ?1, uses 2 x AAA cells. It is a spot laser shining through a prism to give a vertical line and has the push on, push off switch. see ebay item 170097006100 andrew franks <andyf1108@...> wrote: Malcolm, the little brass-mounted laser units are available from Maplin here in the UK, at about ?11 (add your own switch and 3v power source). The stock number is LE07H. Not as cheap as the US Dollar Store, but maybe worth a look? Andy Malcolm Parker-Lisberg <mparkerlisberg@...> wrote: A much smaller centre finder can be made by removing the laser diode and mounting it at the end of perpendicular crossed flexures, rigidly mounted at the other end. Only two adjusting screws are then required, set at 90' to each other, giving independent X and Y adjustment, as the non adjusted setting screw slides across the flexure as the other screw is adjusted. The lasers in the cheap laser levels have push on push off switches and brass mounted laser diodes rather than PCB mounted diode. This has been on my 'to do' list for two years. Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...> wrote: Hi Folks, Got it together and almost calibrated tonight: Under temporary working stuff - First entry: first prototype. Initial results are encouraging! Ended up having to bore it out more since these $1 laser pointers do not have a vaguely centered beam. Kinda pleased. Will sit down and finish the calibration tomorrow, was kind of worn out tonight. Getting it close was a lot easier than I expected it to be. Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "Walking on water and developing software to specification are easy as long as both are frozen" - Edward V. Berard. --------------------------------- Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --------------------------------- Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] --------------------------------- Bored stiff? Loosen up... Download and play hundreds of games for free on Yahoo! Games. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
andrew franks
Malcolm, the little brass-mounted laser units are available from Maplin here in the UK, at about ?11 (add your own switch and 3v power source). The stock number is LE07H. Not as cheap as the US Dollar Store, but maybe worth a look?
Andy Malcolm Parker-Lisberg <mparkerlisberg@...> wrote: A much smaller centre finder can be made by removing the laser diode and mounting it at the end of perpendicular crossed flexures, rigidly mounted at the other end. Only two adjusting screws are then required, set at 90' to each other, giving independent X and Y adjustment, as the non adjusted setting screw slides across the flexure as the other screw is adjusted. The lasers in the cheap laser levels have push on push off switches and brass mounted laser diodes rather than PCB mounted diode. This has been on my 'to do' list for two years. Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...> wrote: Hi Folks, Got it together and almost calibrated tonight: Under temporary working stuff - First entry: first prototype. Initial results are encouraging! Ended up having to bore it out more since these $1 laser pointers do not have a vaguely centered beam. Kinda pleased. Will sit down and finish the calibration tomorrow, was kind of worn out tonight. Getting it close was a lot easier than I expected it to be. Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "Walking on water and developing software to specification are easy as long as both are frozen" - Edward V. Berard. --------------------------------- Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. --------------------------------- Inbox full of unwanted email? Get leading protection and 1GB storage with All New Yahoo! Mail. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
Re: H/L Gears
JD
Thanks So much!!
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Chris Wood" <chrisw@...> wrote: gears on the intermediate shaft are still plastic so there is somethingto break. They are the easy ones to replace.mini mills.while cutting steel.. Many Thanks |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Jeff Demand
John,
If you are looking for 11.4mm x 5mm button cells (**357, **44, *76 depending on the chemistry and drain) Radio shack sells 6 volt "n" sized batteries which contain 4 cells. They might even offer the choice of alkaline or silver oxide, it's been a while. Not as cheap as your pointers but might be fresher. Jeff * REPLY SEPARATOR * On 4/3/2007 at 5:48 PM John wrote: The $1 pointers are available from (wait for it) your local Dollar- Demand Designs Analog/Digital Modelling & Goldsmithing jdemand@... - |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Malcolm Parker-Lisberg
A much smaller centre finder can be made by removing the laser diode and mounting it at the end of perpendicular crossed flexures, rigidly mounted at the other end. Only two adjusting screws are then required, set at 90' to each other, giving independent X and Y adjustment, as the non adjusted setting screw slides across the flexure as the other screw is adjusted. The lasers in the cheap laser levels have push on push off switches and brass mounted laser diodes rather than PCB mounted diode. This has been on my 'to do' list for two years.
Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...> wrote: Hi Folks, Got it together and almost calibrated tonight: Under temporary working stuff - First entry: first prototype. Initial results are encouraging! Ended up having to bore it out more since these $1 laser pointers do not have a vaguely centered beam. Kinda pleased. Will sit down and finish the calibration tomorrow, was kind of worn out tonight. Getting it close was a lot easier than I expected it to be. Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "Walking on water and developing software to specification are easy as long as both are frozen" - Edward V. Berard. --------------------------------- Be a PS3 game guru. Get your game face on with the latest PS3 news and previews at Yahoo! Games. |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
The $1 pointers are available from (wait for it) your local Dollar
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Store :-) These stores have slightly differing names but they're common now. Sometimes they keep the pointers behind the counter and you have to ask for them. The pointers include 3 batteries of the type used in my DROs so the pointers are slowly accumulating in my shop... John --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "rancerupp" <rupps@...> wrote:
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Re: H/L Gears
Here's a kit that replaces the spindle gears with metal gears. The gears
on the intermediate shaft are still plastic so there is something to break. They are the easy ones to replace. Regards, Chris Wood LittleMachineShop.com <> The premier source of parts and accessories for mini lathes and mini mills. 396 W. Washington Blvd. #500, Pasadena, CA 91103 (800)981-9663 * Fax (626)797-7934 ________________________________ From: 7x12minilathe@... [mailto:7x12minilathe@...] On Behalf Of JD Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2007 10:13 AM To: 7x12minilathe@... Subject: [7x12minilathe] H/L Gears Is there anywhere I can buy Metal High/Low gears for the 7x12 mini- lathe? If not where can i get the regular ones? Mine stripped while cutting steel.. Many Thanks jonathan |
Re: Rocking tool post shim
Yeah, I'm sure it is not, but I just thought that a Woddruff key might be used as raw material if one was so inclined to make your own rockin' holder. I use carriage bolts to make old style squre-headed bolts by turning off the rounded head, without using a mill (which I don't have yet!). Just thinking out loud. Ron. Keep makin' those lovely chips!
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---- thb201 <hudakjm@...> wrote: I have one of these tool holders and I doubt that the rocker section |
Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!
Vikki, I'm sure I missed it somewhere along the way but would you
mind telling me where you got the $1 pointers? Thanks. :) Rance --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...> wrote: do not have a vaguely centered beam.was kind of worn out tonight. Getting it close was a lot easier than Ias long as both are frozen" - Edward V. Berard. |
Re: When is a Sieg not a Sieg? THE DIFFERENCES MATTER
--- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Ian Foster" <fosterscons@...>
wrote: I bought my lathe from Taig Machinery P/L in Canberra. A completeI really must look him up, but he's in a part of town I almost never visit so it takes some organising. Whilst my machine looks like a Real Bull, who knows?I've been watching that listing - by my calculations ozmestore has been shifting about 1 a week for at least the last 9 months. The price was AUD655 up until only a couple of weeks ago. Even without the steadies and TS chuck, its very tempting.... Cheers, Andrew. |
HF - Special Order - 8x lathe
druid_noibn
Hi All,
It seems HF made it official ¨C you can buy the 8x lathe 44859 as a Special Order item though their stores. Several members noted they were able to do this using the 30% of coupon. My local store said no a couple of weeks ago. I was told (e-mail) that "The special order program was offered for a limited period only." I am not sure what HF is up to but, it might be interesting to keep this in mind. Maybe HF will list the X3 mill and maybe, just maybe, a good coupon will also be available. On a separate note ¨C Cheers for HF ¨C after 20 weeks, they said they actually shipped the replacement screws for the lathe rests purchased Sep. 06, delivered damaged in Nov. 06. There is potential here <smile>. Take care, DBN |
Re: Broke the tap, Grrrrr.
Michael Walter
Hi Vicky,
Sorry about the tap,but you did learn a valuable lesson concerning cheap tools.. I have an ulterior motive for replying to you! Where did you find the design for your centre finder? Thanks and regards Mick. Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...> wrote: Just to share the fun. Got my laser edge / center finder holder all turned and bored out and started drilling and tapping (4-40) for the set screw / power switch holes. Went along nicely up until the final one (9th) where the tap broke. Nothing gets it out :-(. And of course it is one of the lower (critical) ones :-). I tried the 4-40 tap out of my little kit from the auto parts place and it promply turned itself into a corkscrew :-). Broke too, but it was soft enough not to shatter and I was able to get it out with vice grips. Sigh. I suppose that this isn't a real big deal since this is a "proof of concept" thing and I can rotate the holder 45 degrees and put in a new set. Lessons learned: When wrists get tired from doing the tapping - take a break rather than switch hands and cheap taps are a total waste of time and money (now I know what a cheap tap is :-). Only a minor setback as I now have the holder itself worked out and can easily enough duplicate it. Not a bad day! Take care, Vikki. -- Victoria Welch, WV9K/7 "Windows, another fine product from the folks who brought you edlin." -- Unknown --------------------------------- New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive emailing. Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus: play games and win prizes. |
Re: Broke the tap, Grrrrr. (Drifting OT)
Hey here's a laugh for you. I dropped into the local Bunnings
Hardware down the road looking for a tap. As a hardware chain theyin the self serve settup) they called the rep from plumbing. I startedToo late John, Bunnings took over Hardware in SA years ago. I bought my Frost taps from there the other day, good price. (Frost are OK quality) In SA the Bunnings stores have a tool section with its own checkout partitioned off from the main store . I have bought a lot of things from there eg the AUD13 drilling vices, reasonable quality drill bits etc up to my bench grinder and drill press. They don't sell "engineering" tools. You had better get used to Bunnings, they are owned by West Farmers who have made a strong bid in for Coles! One good turn deserves another. Regards, Ian |
Re: Broke the tap, Grrrrr.
Hi Ellis,
Naw. If you knew Bunnings you wouldn't even ask for a self cutting tap. Even the thread cutting kind was a long shot. But I could sure use a skyhook next time I get my 4WD stuck in desert sand with no trees to winch off for a hundred miles! Got any 4 ton ones? John --- In 7x12minilathe@..., "Ellis Cory" <ellis103@...> wrote: taps (I couldn't find them in the self serve settup) they called the rep from plumbing. I started for the door before I had to explain it all again....... used here in the UK to plumb in an outlet, say for a washing machine, without switching off water. A bracket is clamped around the pipe and the tap assembly is screwed into the bracket. A cutting edge on the face of the tap cuts into the pipe and seals it at the same time. Many years ago, a friend of mine at a youth camp decided to play a trick on one of the kids and sent him to a local store for a 'sky-hook'. Unfortunately, we were in rock climbing country and a sky-hook is the name of a piece of equipment. I try and make sure we are all talking about the same thing now !!! Ellis |
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