¿ªÔÆÌåÓý

Date

Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Victoria Welch
 

On Friday 13 April 2007, viajoaquin@... wrote:
I recall something about the material through which a pinhole is made
as having to be at least the same thickness as the diameter, in order
to properly "funnel" the lazer down a cylindrical hole. Maybe
drilling a precise, tiny hole through something thick, rather than
using foil, would be worth a try to clean up the dot. Roy
Thanks Roy, will see what I have that will serve in the shop and let you
know how it works out, perhaps slugs from some of the 3/8" round AL
might work.

Just wondering if thinking of this as a waveguide (as in microwave
radio) might be appropriate?!? Hummm....

Take care, Vikki.
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
Experience gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. -- Unknown


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Victoria Welch
 

On Friday 13 April 2007, Ian Foster wrote:
G'day Roy, Vikki, et al.
Laser beams being coherent light will diffract around thin objects;
yes light bends. A thicker a long pinhole would be needed preferably
with non specular reflecting sides. As I Read Vikki's post this
morning I experimented with a laser pointer and a business card with
a pin hole in it. Having the laser a little way away from the card
allowed me to direct a thin beam on to the curtains about 400mm (16")
away. Laser pointers need a larger diameter beam so they can be seen
on a screen; contradictory to what we require for edge and centre
finding.
I was going to grab something thicker and try that based on
recommendations here. I'll probably still putz with it just for
jollies.

Thanks to Vikki's post I looked up the MicroMark link and purchased a
LC/EF on the spot; USD19.95; it will cost me AUD40 by the time it
gets to me in Oz. Thanks Vikki!
Thank you! I didn't even notice that, they dropped the price by $20!
Went back and ordered one myself at that price. We can compare
notes :).

I'm pretty sure I have spent at least that much on cheap laser pointers
so far :-).

Shipping isn't real bad, it is costing me almost $30 here :-).

Thanks for the wakeup :-).

Just for fun I took that junk wood dowel and made myself a nice little
file handle. Not perfect but the next one will be closer :-). I'm
also going to get some better wood next time I am at one of the home
improvement stores.

I tried out using the boring bar holder for the QCTP and it worked, not
ideal I don't think but it sure is simple and easy :). I forget who
showed me that here <blush> but Thanks!

In case anyone is interested, I put the pix up on the machine shop page
(top of projects). Please don't laugh too hard :).



Take care, Vikki.
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
"Theres nothing to writing. All you do is sit at a typewriter and open a
vein." -- Red Smith


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Clint D
 

Ian
what item number was that?
Clint


Ian Foster wrote:

G'day Roy, Vikki, et al.
Laser beams being coherent light will diffract around thin objects;
yes light bends. A thicker a long pinhole would be needed preferably
with non specular reflecting sides. As I Read Vikki's post this
morning I experimented with a laser pointer and a business card with
a pin hole in it. Having the laser a little way away from the card
allowed me to direct a thin beam on to the curtains about 400mm (16")
away. Laser pointers need a larger diameter beam so they can be seen
on a screen; contradictory to what we require for edge and centre
finding.
Thanks to Vikki's post I looked up the MicroMark link and purchased a
LC/EF on the spot; USD19.95; it will cost me AUD40 by the time it
gets to me in Oz. Thanks Vikki!

One good turn deserves another.
Regards.
Ian

--- In 7x12minilathe@..., viajoaquin@... wrote:

I recall something about the material through which a pinhole is
made as having to be at least the same thickness as the diameter, in
order to properly "funnel" the lazer down a cylindrical hole. Maybe
drilling a precise, tiny hole through something thick, rather than
using foil, would be worth a try to clean up the dot.

Roy

-----Original Message-----



Be sure to check out for small mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links






Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

 

G'day Roy, Vikki, et al.
Laser beams being coherent light will diffract around thin objects;
yes light bends. A thicker a long pinhole would be needed preferably
with non specular reflecting sides. As I Read Vikki's post this
morning I experimented with a laser pointer and a business card with
a pin hole in it. Having the laser a little way away from the card
allowed me to direct a thin beam on to the curtains about 400mm (16")
away. Laser pointers need a larger diameter beam so they can be seen
on a screen; contradictory to what we require for edge and centre
finding.
Thanks to Vikki's post I looked up the MicroMark link and purchased a
LC/EF on the spot; USD19.95; it will cost me AUD40 by the time it
gets to me in Oz. Thanks Vikki!

One good turn deserves another.
Regards.
Ian

--- In 7x12minilathe@..., viajoaquin@... wrote:

I recall something about the material through which a pinhole is
made as having to be at least the same thickness as the diameter, in
order to properly "funnel" the lazer down a cylindrical hole. Maybe
drilling a precise, tiny hole through something thick, rather than
using foil, would be worth a try to clean up the dot.
Roy

-----Original Message-----


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

 

I recall something about the material through which a pinhole is made as having to be at least the same thickness as the diameter, in order to properly "funnel" the lazer down a cylindrical hole. Maybe drilling a precise, tiny hole through something thick, rather than using foil, would be worth a try to clean up the dot.
Roy

-----Original Message-----
From: wrlabs@...
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 2:33 PM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

I've done much putzing around with pinhole "lenses" of
various sizes and while they help, they still seem to produce a
huge "dot", well more of an inconsistent sorta kinda blob / smear.
Some of the laser pointers produce a better "dot" than others, but none
I have tried so far (around 5 now) have a seriously good dot.
Recent Activity
20New Members
5New Photos
Visit Your Group
SPONSORED LINKS
Mini lathe
Craft hobby
Jet mini lathe
Live in Style
Want to be Martha?
Tell us why and
be a winner!
Y! GeoCities
Share Your Passion
Join the web's lar- gest community.
Sell Online
Start selling with
our award-winning
e-commerce tools..

________________________________________________________________________
AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.


Re: circuit board diagram

 

G'day Jim.
Have you seen my message #19558? Your comments could be very helpful to
others in getting the best from their lathes.
"Jim RabidWolf" <unclerabid@...> wrote: "No, they are by no means
primative,..."
I agree with your views regarding the quality issue and the country of
origin. It would be very unwise to dimiss the Chinese and their
capabilities. Its been done before and "Pearl Harbour" was the out
come; likewise the WTC New York. (Enough OT)

Thanks for your knowledge?

One good turn deserves another.
Regards
Ian


Re: circuit board diagram

 

There is an improved type of small/mini-lathe on the market that deals with a lot of these points it is made from better materiials, is a little bigger and heavier so more rigid, better finssh and tolrances so it has better accuracy too. The speed control is a bit rudimentary and it does unfortunately cost a little more.

Its called a Myford ML Super 7, yours for a bargain ?25,000 bucks or so plus shipping.

Little outside my league and most others too.

Certainly makes me appreciate the Chinese designners and workers.

Gerry
Leeds UK


From: "Jim RabidWolf" <unclerabid@...>
Reply-To: 7x12minilathe@...
To: <7x12minilathe@...>
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 15:31:09 -0500

No, they are by no means primative, but the quality of SOME of the
electronic componenets leaves a lot to be desired. The capacitors,
especially, are NOT of the finest quality. The later models, while better,
are still not packed with the finest quality. When I replace cap's I use
Nichicon or Panasonic almost exclusively - just changing the caps in certain
areas makes a drastic difference.

By changing out the output transistors with units that not only have a
higher current rating, but a faster turn on time and lower turn on
resistance, you can not only squeeze a bit more power out of them, the
performance is improved. You can literally hear the difference in the motor.

In defense of the manufacturer, they build to spec - what ever the end
seller requests, and they pay for, they get. That is why there are some with
Chinese made controllers and some with American made - it's all in what the
order requires - that includes fit and finish - you can buy anything from a
rough castings set to a very finely tuned unit - don't blame SIEG, et al,
they are merely filling the orders given them.

All in all, the Asisan lathes and mills are a bargain. That being said,
depending on what the distributor ordered, you need to do a bit of fit and
polish to ge the unit within your own specifications and what you're willing
to live with. The factories can turn out any quality and quantity ordered -
if there's a problem, it's generally due to what was ordered in the first
place.

Having worked on so many of the boards, and seen th evolution of them, I
have great admiration for SIEG, et al, and the products they poduce. Like
any thing built - someone may find a way to make it just a little bit
better. Hopefully soon, Uncle Rabid will be moving along to not only repair
the boards, but produce our own, plus more addons to make our little
machines just a little more useful.

Jim RabidWolf
Uncle Rabid ( )
We Repair Electronic Speed Controllers
For Asian Mini Lathes and Mini Mills
"Just Crazy Enough To Get the Job Done"
----- Original Message -----
From: "gerry waclawiak" <gerrywac@...>
To: <7x12minilathe@...>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:46 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I think your right with your general assessment of the small lathes, they
are built down to a budget price that people are prepared to pay as a
semi-disposable item. The big demand is not from dedicated machinists
who
demand a top quality product but for something that is workmanlike and
affordable. Many of the UK importers seem to provide US made boards as
standard which might say something about the standard ones Chinese ones
as
bring a weak point. The Chinese may not be at the absolute cutting edge
of
technology but they are nowhere near as primitive as some people make
out.

Gerry
Leeds UK


From: Michael Taglieri <miket--nyc@...>
Reply-To: 7x12minilathe@...
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:08:32 -0500

I didn't mean to put down Chinese in general. They can do anything they
put their minds to and have their own space program now. But this
particular factory designed and constructed these lathes to sell as
cheap
as possible (which is why so many of us can afford them), and they have
many out-of-the-box flaws. I can understand and largely correct the
mechanical ones, but there are also well-documented areas of
corner-cutting, cheap components, bad solder joints, etc., in the
electronics, an area I don't know much about and (more important), have
no desire to learn more about. I'd rather pay to have this area fixed
right than try to fix it myself and possibly screw up.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"


On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:49:59 +0100 "Hugh" <hughlss@...>
writes:
Mike,
Don't be offended, but I'm going to pick-up on what you said about
the Chinese. If there's one nation of people on this earth that will
give the customer what he wants, it's the Chinese. The average
worker lacks the skills maybe, and, of course, we want their
low-cost goods - but it's not the same thing as not caring about
what customers want. Tell them and they will fix it. I should know -
I import container loads of machine tools and they bend over
backwards to put things right whenever there's a problem.
Hugh
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Taglieri
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I'm beginning to think boosting Rabid's business isn't such a bad
idea.
Uncle Rabid, how much would you charge to take my controller, beef
up all
the crap circuit-board parts and tweak the pots for maximum safe
torque
and minimum safe speed, i.e, the way the Chinese would have done
if they
gave a shit? (And do you need just the controller box, or my
motor
also?)

I'm normally an extremely do-it-yourself kind of guy, but the more
I read
here about adjusting your controller at home, the less sure I am
of doing
it right without frying something. I'd rather let someone do it
who
knows how and stick to the machining that I'm good at.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:17 -0000 "born4something"
<ajs@...> writes:
> Hi Ian,
>
> I'd be talking more to Uncle Rabid before looking to buy a new
> board. He's the local oracle and repairs them for a living. He's

> strangely generous with his advice around here given that he
could
> just play his cards close and boost his business. I think he
> actually likes being helpful! If he can't talk you through he'll
fix
>
> it for you for a pretty reasonable fee anyway.
>
> The other reason for running things past Uncle is that he deals
with
>
> most (all?) the variants on these controllers. Most of us only
> experience one or two of them. Some are FET based and others
SCR.
> Some use relays and others don't. Mine has no relays but those
5-pin
>
> blocks are sounding like 24V coil relays. Two for the coil and
three
>
> for the changeover contact set.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> <ian.fletcher@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John, thanks for the warning. I was unable to get a reading
off
>
> the second resistor so have ordered two. Visually I cannot find
any
>
> damage to the board or components apart from what looks like
> mechanical damage to one of the two square yellow blocks marked

> HR54H-S-DC24V which seem to have 5 legs, which I take to be
voltage
>
> convertors? As you can see although capable of soldering and
> unsoldering small components I am not always able to identify
what
> they are!! If I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new board
are
> they all the same from different manufacturers? I know Clarke
lathes
>
> are more expensive that others and wondered if the circuit board

> would be cheaper from other makers. Thanks Ian
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: born4something <ajs@...>
> > >Date: Sun Apr 01 08:02:37 GMT 2007
> > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> >
> > > Hi Ian,
> > Just a thought. Might not be what you want to hear. If only
one
> > > resistor is burnt out and they are in parallel as a 0.33 ohm
for
>
> > > current sensing then the machine should run, but overload
sense
>
> at
> > > half load. So either BOTH resistors have failed or there is

> > > something else failed too.
> > > John
> > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> > > <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for advice, resistors ordered at cost of ?,?1 so
if
> that is
> > > all that is wrong I shall have saved ?,?84 !! Thanks for
your
> > > interest and support. Ian
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >From: born4something <ajs@>
> > > > >Date: Fri Mar 30 08:07:03 GMT 2007
> > > > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > > > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ian,
> > > > > 66 ohms sounds a bit high. You may have tricked people
with
>
> that
> > > > > space between the R and 66. Electronics types often use
the
>
> > > prefix
> > > > > as a decimal point (like 1k2 means 1.2k-ohms) and when
there
>
> is
> > > no
> > > > > prefix they just insert the base symbol, R. So R66 is
likely
>
> > > 0.66
> > > > > ohms. It's a convenient notation and avoids using those

> little
> > > dots
> > > > > that don't print clearly and are often multiplied when
> > > photocopying
> > > > > stuff!
> > > > > Check the other resistor. If it is 0.66 ohms I'd expect

> quite a
> > > > > reasonable reading in circuit without even unsoldering
it as
>
> the
> > > > > surrounding components are unlikely to be anywhere near
as
> low
> > > as
> > > > > that. If they are, it's likely a failed FET or triac,
> depending
> > > on
> > > > > your model.
> > > > > John
> > > > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks
> <andyf1108@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks as though it might be: 5W = 5 watts, R66 = 66
ohm.
> Not
> > > sure
> > > > > about the J, though - could represent a tolerance (as in

> plus or
> > > > > minus a certain percentage from the marked resistance
> value).
> > > > > However, 66 ohms isn't a standard "preffered" value - 68

> ohms
> > > is,
> > > > > though. Can you unsolder its twin, if it has identical
> markings,
> > > and
> > > > > check it? If it is 66 ohms, you may have to use a couple
of
>
> 33
> > > ohm
> > > > > ones, and connect them in series (though if you use 68
ohms,
>
> > > it's
> > > > > probably close enough).
> > > > > > As to wattage, if you can't get 5 watts from Maplin or

> > > > > somewhere, get the next size up.
> > > > > > I wonder what made it burn out, though? Hopefully, it

> was
> > > > > something simple like a short circuit caused by swarf.
> > > > > > Andy
> > > > > > ftr1d <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi, I have just purchased a 240 volt Clarke 300m
>
> > > with a
> > > > > dead circuit
> > > > > > board. A new board will cost ?,?85 so I am looking to

> repair
> > > it. The
> > > > > only
> > > > > > fault I can see is a blown ceramic block, one of a
pair,
> which
> > > is
> > > > > > marked 5WR 66J and is in R1 position on the board. I
> assume it
> > > is
> > > > > a
> > > > > > creamic resistor? Does anyone have a circuit diagram
or
> can
> > > give
> > > > > me the
> > > > > > specification of the part. Thanks Ian
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > emailing.
> > > > > Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus:
play
> games
> > > and
> > > > > win prizes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out for small

> mills and lathes.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>





-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date:
11/04/2007 17:14





Be sure to check out for small
mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links




_________________________________________________________________
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.




Be sure to check out for small mills
and
lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links





--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.3.0/758 - Release Date: 4/12/2007
11:52 AM
_________________________________________________________________
Match.com - Click Here To Find Singles In Your Area Today!


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Victoria Welch
 

On Friday 13 April 2007, Abby Katt wrote:
I have one of these laser-center finders - best money I spent in a
long time.
So it struck me too. Having more time than $$$ I just thought I would
see what could happen with trying to make one myself.

They're more than just a laser-pointer (which produces a massive
dot),
Yes, they do, I've done much putzing around with pinhole "lenses" of
various sizes and while they help, they still seem to produce a
huge "dot", well more of an inconsistent sorta kinda blob / smear.
Some of the laser pointers produce a better "dot" than others, but none
I have tried so far (around 5 now) have a seriously good dot.

I'm not complaining about the laser pointers not being perfect, I knew
that going in but it would certainly be nice if this did work out.

One of the problems seems to be getting the pinhole aligned, it looks
like it should be easy and the pinhole arrangement itself should help
(it DOES help), but it isn't working to my satisfaction (yet?).

I'm wondering if the circle I can get easily would do? Alignment is an
issue even with 4 equally spaced set screws around the top and
bottom(ish) of the holder. I've spent a lot of time aligning the
device and I can get it *really* close to concentric at a given
distance but it turns into a circle of light much above and below that.
I'm not sure why, but I suspect alignment issues between the unit
itself and the pinhole "lens". The laser emitter on these cheap(!! :-)
laser pointers is a rectangular SMT device and I would be willing to
bet that these are not exceptionally high quality, possibly emitting
more to the sides than the center. Seems that there are a number of
elements to be aligned: laser diode itself, built in collimating lens
and the pinhole lens.

Short of more sophisticated machining than what I have, once the
batteries go west, you start all over again with the alignment
process :-/.

instead they have a *teensy* little hole at the bottom
through which the laser diffuses. The result is a very, very, small
dot (about 0.1mm or less) - this is usually accurate enough to get
you to close within half of this, as you guage the intensity of the
beam as you jog over the edge of the work. Have a black marker handy
and mark the metal first and the dot is reflected less, and thus
appears much smaller.
That helps here too. I was using a piece of the black 600 grit wet and
dry stuff grit side up for that, for initial alignment stuff, it really
helps. Dykum and just a black marker help a lot too, as you noticed,
just don't cover up the scribed lines :-).

A contact tool may be better for milling, particularly CNC-milling,
as unlike the laser the width of the tool is known - and you could
hook the contact sensor to your CNC system, so the computer can
actually hunt for the edges and set coordinates for you.
But, for a lot of tasks, the laser is more than accurate enough, its
certainly very painless.
From what the one that inspired me site has to say, a couple people
using it were able to consistently(?) get a repeatability of 0.0004.
Not scientific by any means, but that would be more than good enough
for a lot of what I do.

And, the laser makes easy something which is not possible with a
touch-probe: setting the center cutting height of your lathe cutting
tool. Just pop the laser in the head/tailstock and align to the beam.
I really do wonder why I fussed around with that sort of thing for so
long before.. :)
Understand that :-)! I'm sure this is doable and probably even usable
as it sits but there is something there that I haven't nailed down yet
that would simplify this far more than what I am doing now.

While this has been fun, if I was getting minimum wage (less gov
bloodsucking) I would still have been ahead just purchasing one :-).
Still it has been educational and provided for some serious thought in
the matter which is always rewarding if not necessarily successful :).

Someone asked which one, I have found two of them so far, leaning more
toward the first if I decide to just purchase one:

(LMS has these).


Take care, Vikki (Still scratching head).
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
"In these modern times, many men are wounded for not having weapons or
knowledge of their use." -- Achille Marozzo, 1536


Re: circuit board diagram

Jim RabidWolf
 

No, they are by no means primative, but the quality of SOME of the electronic componenets leaves a lot to be desired. The capacitors, especially, are NOT of the finest quality. The later models, while better, are still not packed with the finest quality. When I replace cap's I use Nichicon or Panasonic almost exclusively - just changing the caps in certain areas makes a drastic difference.

By changing out the output transistors with units that not only have a higher current rating, but a faster turn on time and lower turn on resistance, you can not only squeeze a bit more power out of them, the performance is improved. You can literally hear the difference in the motor.

In defense of the manufacturer, they build to spec - what ever the end seller requests, and they pay for, they get. That is why there are some with Chinese made controllers and some with American made - it's all in what the order requires - that includes fit and finish - you can buy anything from a rough castings set to a very finely tuned unit - don't blame SIEG, et al, they are merely filling the orders given them.

All in all, the Asisan lathes and mills are a bargain. That being said, depending on what the distributor ordered, you need to do a bit of fit and polish to ge the unit within your own specifications and what you're willing to live with. The factories can turn out any quality and quantity ordered - if there's a problem, it's generally due to what was ordered in the first place.

Having worked on so many of the boards, and seen th evolution of them, I have great admiration for SIEG, et al, and the products they poduce. Like any thing built - someone may find a way to make it just a little bit better. Hopefully soon, Uncle Rabid will be moving along to not only repair the boards, but produce our own, plus more addons to make our little machines just a little more useful.

Jim RabidWolf
Uncle Rabid ( )
We Repair Electronic Speed Controllers
For Asian Mini Lathes and Mini Mills
"Just Crazy Enough To Get the Job Done"

----- Original Message -----
From: "gerry waclawiak" <gerrywac@...>
To: <7x12minilathe@...>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 6:46 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I think your right with your general assessment of the small lathes, they
are built down to a budget price that people are prepared to pay as a
semi-disposable item. The big demand is not from dedicated machinists who
demand a top quality product but for something that is workmanlike and
affordable. Many of the UK importers seem to provide US made boards as
standard which might say something about the standard ones Chinese ones as
bring a weak point. The Chinese may not be at the absolute cutting edge of
technology but they are nowhere near as primitive as some people make out.

Gerry
Leeds UK


From: Michael Taglieri <miket--nyc@...>
Reply-To: 7x12minilathe@...
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:08:32 -0500

I didn't mean to put down Chinese in general. They can do anything they
put their minds to and have their own space program now. But this
particular factory designed and constructed these lathes to sell as cheap
as possible (which is why so many of us can afford them), and they have
many out-of-the-box flaws. I can understand and largely correct the
mechanical ones, but there are also well-documented areas of
corner-cutting, cheap components, bad solder joints, etc., in the
electronics, an area I don't know much about and (more important), have
no desire to learn more about. I'd rather pay to have this area fixed
right than try to fix it myself and possibly screw up.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"


On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:49:59 +0100 "Hugh" <hughlss@...>
writes:
Mike,
Don't be offended, but I'm going to pick-up on what you said about
the Chinese. If there's one nation of people on this earth that will
give the customer what he wants, it's the Chinese. The average
worker lacks the skills maybe, and, of course, we want their
low-cost goods - but it's not the same thing as not caring about
what customers want. Tell them and they will fix it. I should know -
I import container loads of machine tools and they bend over
backwards to put things right whenever there's a problem.
Hugh
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Taglieri
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I'm beginning to think boosting Rabid's business isn't such a bad
idea.
Uncle Rabid, how much would you charge to take my controller, beef
up all
the crap circuit-board parts and tweak the pots for maximum safe
torque
and minimum safe speed, i.e, the way the Chinese would have done
if they
gave a shit? (And do you need just the controller box, or my
motor
also?)

I'm normally an extremely do-it-yourself kind of guy, but the more
I read
here about adjusting your controller at home, the less sure I am
of doing
it right without frying something. I'd rather let someone do it
who
knows how and stick to the machining that I'm good at.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:17 -0000 "born4something"
<ajs@...> writes:
> Hi Ian,
>
> I'd be talking more to Uncle Rabid before looking to buy a new
> board. He's the local oracle and repairs them for a living. He's

> strangely generous with his advice around here given that he
could
> just play his cards close and boost his business. I think he
> actually likes being helpful! If he can't talk you through he'll
fix
>
> it for you for a pretty reasonable fee anyway.
>
> The other reason for running things past Uncle is that he deals
with
>
> most (all?) the variants on these controllers. Most of us only
> experience one or two of them. Some are FET based and others
SCR.
> Some use relays and others don't. Mine has no relays but those
5-pin
>
> blocks are sounding like 24V coil relays. Two for the coil and
three
>
> for the changeover contact set.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> <ian.fletcher@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John, thanks for the warning. I was unable to get a reading
off
>
> the second resistor so have ordered two. Visually I cannot find
any
>
> damage to the board or components apart from what looks like
> mechanical damage to one of the two square yellow blocks marked

> HR54H-S-DC24V which seem to have 5 legs, which I take to be
voltage
>
> convertors? As you can see although capable of soldering and
> unsoldering small components I am not always able to identify
what
> they are!! If I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new board
are
> they all the same from different manufacturers? I know Clarke
lathes
>
> are more expensive that others and wondered if the circuit board

> would be cheaper from other makers. Thanks Ian
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: born4something <ajs@...>
> > >Date: Sun Apr 01 08:02:37 GMT 2007
> > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> >
> > > Hi Ian,
> > Just a thought. Might not be what you want to hear. If only
one
> > > resistor is burnt out and they are in parallel as a 0.33 ohm
for
>
> > > current sensing then the machine should run, but overload
sense
>
> at
> > > half load. So either BOTH resistors have failed or there is

> > > something else failed too.
> > > John
> > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> > > <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for advice, resistors ordered at cost of ???,??1 so
if
> that is
> > > all that is wrong I shall have saved ???,??84 !! Thanks for
your
> > > interest and support. Ian
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >From: born4something <ajs@>
> > > > >Date: Fri Mar 30 08:07:03 GMT 2007
> > > > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > > > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ian,
> > > > > 66 ohms sounds a bit high. You may have tricked people
with
>
> that
> > > > > space between the R and 66. Electronics types often use
the
>
> > > prefix
> > > > > as a decimal point (like 1k2 means 1.2k-ohms) and when
there
>
> is
> > > no
> > > > > prefix they just insert the base symbol, R. So R66 is
likely
>
> > > 0.66
> > > > > ohms. It's a convenient notation and avoids using those

> little
> > > dots
> > > > > that don't print clearly and are often multiplied when
> > > photocopying
> > > > > stuff!
> > > > > Check the other resistor. If it is 0.66 ohms I'd expect

> quite a
> > > > > reasonable reading in circuit without even unsoldering
it as
>
> the
> > > > > surrounding components are unlikely to be anywhere near
as
> low
> > > as
> > > > > that. If they are, it's likely a failed FET or triac,
> depending
> > > on
> > > > > your model.
> > > > > John
> > > > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks
> <andyf1108@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks as though it might be: 5W = 5 watts, R66 = 66
ohm.
> Not
> > > sure
> > > > > about the J, though - could represent a tolerance (as in

> plus or
> > > > > minus a certain percentage from the marked resistance
> value).
> > > > > However, 66 ohms isn't a standard "preffered" value - 68

> ohms
> > > is,
> > > > > though. Can you unsolder its twin, if it has identical
> markings,
> > > and
> > > > > check it? If it is 66 ohms, you may have to use a couple
of
>
> 33
> > > ohm
> > > > > ones, and connect them in series (though if you use 68
ohms,
>
> > > it's
> > > > > probably close enough).
> > > > > > As to wattage, if you can't get 5 watts from Maplin or

> > > > > somewhere, get the next size up.
> > > > > > I wonder what made it burn out, though? Hopefully, it

> was
> > > > > something simple like a short circuit caused by swarf.
> > > > > > Andy
> > > > > > ftr1d <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi, I have just purchased a 240 volt Clarke 300m
>
> > > with a
> > > > > dead circuit
> > > > > > board. A new board will cost ???,??85 so I am looking to

> repair
> > > it. The
> > > > > only
> > > > > > fault I can see is a blown ceramic block, one of a
pair,
> which
> > > is
> > > > > > marked 5WR 66J and is in R1 position on the board. I
> assume it
> > > is
> > > > > a
> > > > > > creamic resistor? Does anyone have a circuit diagram
or
> can
> > > give
> > > > > me the
> > > > > > specification of the part. Thanks Ian
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > emailing.
> > > > > Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus:
play
> games
> > > and
> > > > > win prizes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out for small

> mills and lathes.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>





-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date:
11/04/2007 17:14





Be sure to check out for small
mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links




_________________________________________________________________
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.




Be sure to check out for small mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links





--
No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.3.0/758 - Release Date: 4/12/2007 11:52 AM


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

 

--- In 7x12minilathe@..., Abby Katt <jobshopnospam@...> wrote:

I have one of these laser-center finders - best money I spent in a long
time.
Where did you get it Abby?

Stu G


Re: Deep Hole .218 x 8"

 

Have you considered purchasing rifled barrel liner blanks ?
I do not remember the current best source, but the process is as
follows. - The barrel liner is as I rember 5/16 dia. for 22 cal.
Drill put the barrel proper and epoxy the barrel reliner into it.
Then all you need do is chamber it.
You might find a old barrel which can be cut down and rechambered for
a new barrel.
Have fun and wear eye protection.
ROBB.

--- In 7x12minilathe@..., Brian Pitt <bfp@...> wrote:

On Wednesday 11 April 2007 15:00, taurokm3 wrote:
The material is 4140 Steel, and it will go in the chuck, it would
go
through the spindle, but I have no way to clamp it to the face
plate.
This is going to be a gun barrel. It is .770" diameter and 8
inches long (total), with a tip that is 1" x .950" I am thinking
of
building some v notched clamps out of aluminum that would bolt to
the
faceplate, with notches for the bolts so I can center the stock.
It
has been suggested that I weld a standard bit to a length of
drill rod
with a V and use that, I just don't know what kind of hole that
would
give me.
Thanks
Doug
a v-block or barrel vise clamped to the faceplate should work but
a standard twist drill wont cut straight for more than an inch

I've used half round drills silver soldered to an extension shank
and many many many pecks ,the shank was regular 1018 but drill rod
or "piano wire"
from the hobby shop would be better ,you can find half round drills
here

grind the shank to a 60deg point and silver solder it into a center
drilled socket on
the extension that gives more surface area to hold them together

a couple notes
you don't want to drill it to .218 right off ,drill it to maybe
3/16" then ream it up
to size in several steps something like rough ,semi-finish then
finish size
or just under finish size then lap the last half thou

if you want it to finish to 8" long you'll probably want to start
with a 10-12" blank
the ends will bellmouth on you when you ream and rifle it

for a couple really good books on barrel drilling and gunsmithing
download this cd

its got about everything you'll need

Brian
--
"Nemo me impune lacesset"


Re: circuit board diagram

 

I think your right with your general assessment of the small lathes, they are built down to a budget price that people are prepared to pay as a semi-disposable item. The big demand is not from dedicated machinists who demand a top quality product but for something that is workmanlike and affordable. Many of the UK importers seem to provide US made boards as standard which might say something about the standard ones Chinese ones as bring a weak point. The Chinese may not be at the absolute cutting edge of technology but they are nowhere near as primitive as some people make out.

Gerry
Leeds UK


From: Michael Taglieri <miket--nyc@...>
Reply-To: 7x12minilathe@...
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2007 01:08:32 -0500

I didn't mean to put down Chinese in general. They can do anything they
put their minds to and have their own space program now. But this
particular factory designed and constructed these lathes to sell as cheap
as possible (which is why so many of us can afford them), and they have
many out-of-the-box flaws. I can understand and largely correct the
mechanical ones, but there are also well-documented areas of
corner-cutting, cheap components, bad solder joints, etc., in the
electronics, an area I don't know much about and (more important), have
no desire to learn more about. I'd rather pay to have this area fixed
right than try to fix it myself and possibly screw up.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"


On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:49:59 +0100 "Hugh" <hughlss@...>
writes:
Mike,
Don't be offended, but I'm going to pick-up on what you said about
the Chinese. If there's one nation of people on this earth that will
give the customer what he wants, it's the Chinese. The average
worker lacks the skills maybe, and, of course, we want their
low-cost goods - but it's not the same thing as not caring about
what customers want. Tell them and they will fix it. I should know -
I import container loads of machine tools and they bend over
backwards to put things right whenever there's a problem.
Hugh
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Taglieri
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I'm beginning to think boosting Rabid's business isn't such a bad
idea.
Uncle Rabid, how much would you charge to take my controller, beef
up all
the crap circuit-board parts and tweak the pots for maximum safe
torque
and minimum safe speed, i.e, the way the Chinese would have done
if they
gave a shit? (And do you need just the controller box, or my
motor
also?)

I'm normally an extremely do-it-yourself kind of guy, but the more
I read
here about adjusting your controller at home, the less sure I am
of doing
it right without frying something. I'd rather let someone do it
who
knows how and stick to the machining that I'm good at.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:17 -0000 "born4something"
<ajs@...> writes:
> Hi Ian,
>
> I'd be talking more to Uncle Rabid before looking to buy a new
> board. He's the local oracle and repairs them for a living. He's

> strangely generous with his advice around here given that he
could
> just play his cards close and boost his business. I think he
> actually likes being helpful! If he can't talk you through he'll
fix
>
> it for you for a pretty reasonable fee anyway.
>
> The other reason for running things past Uncle is that he deals
with
>
> most (all?) the variants on these controllers. Most of us only
> experience one or two of them. Some are FET based and others
SCR.
> Some use relays and others don't. Mine has no relays but those
5-pin
>
> blocks are sounding like 24V coil relays. Two for the coil and
three
>
> for the changeover contact set.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> <ian.fletcher@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John, thanks for the warning. I was unable to get a reading
off
>
> the second resistor so have ordered two. Visually I cannot find
any
>
> damage to the board or components apart from what looks like
> mechanical damage to one of the two square yellow blocks marked

> HR54H-S-DC24V which seem to have 5 legs, which I take to be
voltage
>
> convertors? As you can see although capable of soldering and
> unsoldering small components I am not always able to identify
what
> they are!! If I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new board
are
> they all the same from different manufacturers? I know Clarke
lathes
>
> are more expensive that others and wondered if the circuit board

> would be cheaper from other makers. Thanks Ian
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: born4something <ajs@...>
> > >Date: Sun Apr 01 08:02:37 GMT 2007
> > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> >
> > > Hi Ian,
> > Just a thought. Might not be what you want to hear. If only
one
> > > resistor is burnt out and they are in parallel as a 0.33 ohm
for
>
> > > current sensing then the machine should run, but overload
sense
>
> at
> > > half load. So either BOTH resistors have failed or there is

> > > something else failed too.
> > > John
> > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> > > <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for advice, resistors ordered at cost of ?,?1 so
if
> that is
> > > all that is wrong I shall have saved ?,?84 !! Thanks for
your
> > > interest and support. Ian
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >From: born4something <ajs@>
> > > > >Date: Fri Mar 30 08:07:03 GMT 2007
> > > > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > > > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ian,
> > > > > 66 ohms sounds a bit high. You may have tricked people
with
>
> that
> > > > > space between the R and 66. Electronics types often use
the
>
> > > prefix
> > > > > as a decimal point (like 1k2 means 1.2k-ohms) and when
there
>
> is
> > > no
> > > > > prefix they just insert the base symbol, R. So R66 is
likely
>
> > > 0.66
> > > > > ohms. It's a convenient notation and avoids using those

> little
> > > dots
> > > > > that don't print clearly and are often multiplied when
> > > photocopying
> > > > > stuff!
> > > > > Check the other resistor. If it is 0.66 ohms I'd expect

> quite a
> > > > > reasonable reading in circuit without even unsoldering
it as
>
> the
> > > > > surrounding components are unlikely to be anywhere near
as
> low
> > > as
> > > > > that. If they are, it's likely a failed FET or triac,
> depending
> > > on
> > > > > your model.
> > > > > John
> > > > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks
> <andyf1108@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks as though it might be: 5W = 5 watts, R66 = 66
ohm.
> Not
> > > sure
> > > > > about the J, though - could represent a tolerance (as in

> plus or
> > > > > minus a certain percentage from the marked resistance
> value).
> > > > > However, 66 ohms isn't a standard "preffered" value - 68

> ohms
> > > is,
> > > > > though. Can you unsolder its twin, if it has identical
> markings,
> > > and
> > > > > check it? If it is 66 ohms, you may have to use a couple
of
>
> 33
> > > ohm
> > > > > ones, and connect them in series (though if you use 68
ohms,
>
> > > it's
> > > > > probably close enough).
> > > > > > As to wattage, if you can't get 5 watts from Maplin or

> > > > > somewhere, get the next size up.
> > > > > > I wonder what made it burn out, though? Hopefully, it

> was
> > > > > something simple like a short circuit caused by swarf.
> > > > > > Andy
> > > > > > ftr1d <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi, I have just purchased a 240 volt Clarke 300m
>
> > > with a
> > > > > dead circuit
> > > > > > board. A new board will cost ?,?85 so I am looking to

> repair
> > > it. The
> > > > > only
> > > > > > fault I can see is a blown ceramic block, one of a
pair,
> which
> > > is
> > > > > > marked 5WR 66J and is in R1 position on the board. I
> assume it
> > > is
> > > > > a
> > > > > > creamic resistor? Does anyone have a circuit diagram
or
> can
> > > give
> > > > > me the
> > > > > > specification of the part. Thanks Ian
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > emailing.
> > > > > Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus:
play
> games
> > > and
> > > > > win prizes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out for small

> mills and lathes.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>





-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date:
11/04/2007 17:14





Be sure to check out for small
mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links




_________________________________________________________________
Get Hotmail, News, Sport and Entertainment from MSN on your mobile.


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Abby Katt
 

I have one of these laser-center finders - best money I spent in a long
time.

They're more than just a laser-pointer (which produces a massive dot),
instead they have a *teensy* little hole at the bottom
through which the laser diffuses. The result is a very, very, small dot
(about 0.1mm or less) - this is usually accurate enough to get you to
close within half of this, as you guage the intensity of the beam as you
jog over the edge of the work. Have a black marker handy and mark the
metal first and the dot is reflected less, and thus appears much smaller.

A contact tool may be better for milling, particularly CNC-milling, as
unlike the laser the width of the tool is known - and you could hook
the contact sensor to your CNC system, so the computer can actually hunt
for the edges and set coordinates for you.
But, for a lot of tasks, the laser is more than accurate enough, its
certainly very painless.

And, the laser makes easy something which is not possible with a
touch-probe: setting the center cutting height of your lathe cutting
tool. Just pop the laser in the head/tailstock and align to the beam. I
really do wonder why I fussed around with that sort of thing for so long
before.. :)

Regards,
Abby
()

On Thursday 12 April 2007, Michael Taglieri wrote:
Heinlein is to a typical science fiction writer what, e.g., Saul
Bellow is to a typical novelist. In other words, he uses the SF
genre as a setting for discourse in philosophy, sociology, politics.
religion, and many other subjects. Read his masterpiece, Stranger in
a Strange Land, and you'll see what I mean.
I'm quite well acquainted with Heinlein :-) and grok where he was coming
from with a lot of it. I think I have read everything he ever wrote
including the stuff toward the end that got published ONLY because he
was Heinlein (Like Piers Anthony who I am convinced got paid by the
pound :-). One of the first books I read by myself was Starship
Troopers, not at all like the dreck movie that came by recently. I
guess I have a better imagination than hollyweird can project :). He,
probably more than anyone else, is most responsible for the interest
sets that I do have.

Back to the topic, how is a laser edge-finder supposed to work and
what advantage does it have? Suppose you get your final design so it
projects a nice, narrow, crisp-edged beam. What does the beam do
when it touches the edge? Designs that make an electrical contact
and turn on a light bulb when the tip touches the edge seem to have a
clear advantage because they eliminate any need to watch the tool and
see when it touches. With a laser it seems you're back to using your
own judgement, just watching a laser beam instead of a solid object.
How is that better, or does a laser beam actually DO something when
it touches the edge?
Probably easiest to point you at this:


<>

Rather than praddle on about something I am still working toward fully
understanding myself. Two things attract me to it, one you don't have
to stuff your fingers potentially into harms way and you don't have the
potential of breaking something if you are in a hurry or klutzy :).

The one I built works but there are aspects I am still experimenting
with and trying to understand / work out. Fun :-). At the moment I am
working toward beam quality and alignment issues, I'm not happy with
where I am at the moment.

Take care, Vikki.
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
"The people came to realize that wealth is not the fruit of labor but
the result of organized protected robbery." -- Franz Fanon


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Victoria Welch
 

On Thursday 12 April 2007, Michael Taglieri wrote:
Heinlein is to a typical science fiction writer what, e.g., Saul
Bellow is to a typical novelist. In other words, he uses the SF
genre as a setting for discourse in philosophy, sociology, politics.
religion, and many other subjects. Read his masterpiece, Stranger in
a Strange Land, and you'll see what I mean.
I'm quite well acquainted with Heinlein :-) and grok where he was coming
from with a lot of it. I think I have read everything he ever wrote
including the stuff toward the end that got published ONLY because he
was Heinlein (Like Piers Anthony who I am convinced got paid by the
pound :-). One of the first books I read by myself was Starship
Troopers, not at all like the dreck movie that came by recently. I
guess I have a better imagination than hollyweird can project :). He,
probably more than anyone else, is most responsible for the interest
sets that I do have.

Back to the topic, how is a laser edge-finder supposed to work and
what advantage does it have? Suppose you get your final design so it
projects a nice, narrow, crisp-edged beam. What does the beam do
when it touches the edge? Designs that make an electrical contact
and turn on a light bulb when the tip touches the edge seem to have a
clear advantage because they eliminate any need to watch the tool and
see when it touches. With a laser it seems you're back to using your
own judgement, just watching a laser beam instead of a solid object.
How is that better, or does a laser beam actually DO something when
it touches the edge?
Probably easiest to point you at this:



Rather than praddle on about something I am still working toward fully
understanding myself. Two things attract me to it, one you don't have
to stuff your fingers potentially into harms way and you don't have the
potential of breaking something if you are in a hurry or klutzy :).

The one I built works but there are aspects I am still experimenting
with and trying to understand / work out. Fun :-). At the moment I am
working toward beam quality and alignment issues, I'm not happy with
where I am at the moment.

Take care, Vikki.
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
"The people came to realize that wealth is not the fruit of labor but
the result of organized protected robbery." -- Franz Fanon


Re: First prototype of the laser edge/center finder done!

Michael Taglieri
 

Heinlein is to a typical science fiction writer what, e.g., Saul Bellow
is to a typical novelist. In other words, he uses the SF genre as a
setting for discourse in philosophy, sociology, politics. religion, and
many other subjects. Read his masterpiece, Stranger in a Strange Land,
and you'll see what I mean.

Back to the topic, how is a laser edge-finder supposed to work and what
advantage does it have? Suppose you get your final design so it projects
a nice, narrow, crisp-edged beam. What does the beam do when it touches
the edge? Designs that make an electrical contact and turn on a light
bulb when the tip touches the edge seem to have a clear advantage because
they eliminate any need to watch the tool and see when it touches. With
a laser it seems you're back to using your own judgement, just watching a
laser beam instead of a solid object. How is that better, or does a
laser beam actually DO something when it touches the edge?

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 20:18:28 -0700 Victoria Welch <wrlabs@...>
writes:

On Tuesday 03 April 2007, born4something wrote:
[ ... ] Specialization is for insects." -- Robert Heinlein
I love it. Guess I identify too. Haven't done the sonnets. And
I'm
not sure about the dieing bit. But amazingly I've tried the rest
in
one way or another!
Strangely, a lot of wisdom from a science fiction author...

I've also never done a sonnet nor yet died gallantly, but these days
the
opportunity could come at any time :-(.

Just always had a fascination about how things were made and
what
makes them tick :-).
Yep. That's what got me into electronics. Also led me to spending
a
quarter century in a defence research lab designing and testing a
lot of "experimental stuff" that I can't detail. A lot of multi-
skilling.
Those are the perfect (IMO) jobs, paid to play! You were indeed
lucky!

Now what was that about laser edge finders? I think that was the
topic...
Err, I think so :-).

Now that I have all the errands and other required tasks for the day

done (and caught up on mail :-) I can get back into the shop and
play,
err work on the edge finder some more.

Someone passed me a link to one of the commercial edge / center
finders
and it is supposed to be usable from 1-4", what I posted on the web

page was done at 6", not sure what that means, will have to play
with
it some and see.

Fun!

Take care, Vikki.
--
Victoria Welch, WV9K/7
"Sometimes, I think the proof that intelligent life exists elsewhere
in
the Universe is that it hasn't contacted us." -- Rick Lyons



Be sure to check out for small
mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links





Re: circuit board diagram

Michael Taglieri
 

I didn't mean to put down Chinese in general. They can do anything they
put their minds to and have their own space program now. But this
particular factory designed and constructed these lathes to sell as cheap
as possible (which is why so many of us can afford them), and they have
many out-of-the-box flaws. I can understand and largely correct the
mechanical ones, but there are also well-documented areas of
corner-cutting, cheap components, bad solder joints, etc., in the
electronics, an area I don't know much about and (more important), have
no desire to learn more about. I'd rather pay to have this area fixed
right than try to fix it myself and possibly screw up.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"


On Thu, 12 Apr 2007 11:49:59 +0100 "Hugh" <hughlss@...>
writes:
Mike,
Don't be offended, but I'm going to pick-up on what you said about
the Chinese. If there's one nation of people on this earth that will
give the customer what he wants, it's the Chinese. The average
worker lacks the skills maybe, and, of course, we want their
low-cost goods - but it's not the same thing as not caring about
what customers want. Tell them and they will fix it. I should know -
I import container loads of machine tools and they bend over
backwards to put things right whenever there's a problem.
Hugh
----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Taglieri
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I'm beginning to think boosting Rabid's business isn't such a bad
idea.
Uncle Rabid, how much would you charge to take my controller, beef
up all
the crap circuit-board parts and tweak the pots for maximum safe
torque
and minimum safe speed, i.e, the way the Chinese would have done
if they
gave a shit? (And do you need just the controller box, or my
motor
also?)

I'm normally an extremely do-it-yourself kind of guy, but the more
I read
here about adjusting your controller at home, the less sure I am
of doing
it right without frying something. I'd rather let someone do it
who
knows how and stick to the machining that I'm good at.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:17 -0000 "born4something"
<ajs@...> writes:
> Hi Ian,
>
> I'd be talking more to Uncle Rabid before looking to buy a new
> board. He's the local oracle and repairs them for a living. He's

> strangely generous with his advice around here given that he
could
> just play his cards close and boost his business. I think he
> actually likes being helpful! If he can't talk you through he'll
fix
>
> it for you for a pretty reasonable fee anyway.
>
> The other reason for running things past Uncle is that he deals
with
>
> most (all?) the variants on these controllers. Most of us only
> experience one or two of them. Some are FET based and others
SCR.
> Some use relays and others don't. Mine has no relays but those
5-pin
>
> blocks are sounding like 24V coil relays. Two for the coil and
three
>
> for the changeover contact set.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> <ian.fletcher@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John, thanks for the warning. I was unable to get a reading
off
>
> the second resistor so have ordered two. Visually I cannot find
any
>
> damage to the board or components apart from what looks like
> mechanical damage to one of the two square yellow blocks marked

> HR54H-S-DC24V which seem to have 5 legs, which I take to be
voltage
>
> convertors? As you can see although capable of soldering and
> unsoldering small components I am not always able to identify
what
> they are!! If I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new board
are
> they all the same from different manufacturers? I know Clarke
lathes
>
> are more expensive that others and wondered if the circuit board

> would be cheaper from other makers. Thanks Ian
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: born4something <ajs@...>
> > >Date: Sun Apr 01 08:02:37 GMT 2007
> > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> >
> > > Hi Ian,
> > Just a thought. Might not be what you want to hear. If only
one
> > > resistor is burnt out and they are in parallel as a 0.33 ohm
for
>
> > > current sensing then the machine should run, but overload
sense
>
> at
> > > half load. So either BOTH resistors have failed or there is

> > > something else failed too.
> > > John
> > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> > > <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for advice, resistors ordered at cost of ???,??1 so
if
> that is
> > > all that is wrong I shall have saved ???,??84 !! Thanks for
your
> > > interest and support. Ian
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >From: born4something <ajs@>
> > > > >Date: Fri Mar 30 08:07:03 GMT 2007
> > > > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > > > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ian,
> > > > > 66 ohms sounds a bit high. You may have tricked people
with
>
> that
> > > > > space between the R and 66. Electronics types often use
the
>
> > > prefix
> > > > > as a decimal point (like 1k2 means 1.2k-ohms) and when
there
>
> is
> > > no
> > > > > prefix they just insert the base symbol, R. So R66 is
likely
>
> > > 0.66
> > > > > ohms. It's a convenient notation and avoids using those

> little
> > > dots
> > > > > that don't print clearly and are often multiplied when
> > > photocopying
> > > > > stuff!
> > > > > Check the other resistor. If it is 0.66 ohms I'd expect

> quite a
> > > > > reasonable reading in circuit without even unsoldering
it as
>
> the
> > > > > surrounding components are unlikely to be anywhere near
as
> low
> > > as
> > > > > that. If they are, it's likely a failed FET or triac,
> depending
> > > on
> > > > > your model.
> > > > > John
> > > > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks
> <andyf1108@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks as though it might be: 5W = 5 watts, R66 = 66
ohm.
> Not
> > > sure
> > > > > about the J, though - could represent a tolerance (as in

> plus or
> > > > > minus a certain percentage from the marked resistance
> value).
> > > > > However, 66 ohms isn't a standard "preffered" value - 68

> ohms
> > > is,
> > > > > though. Can you unsolder its twin, if it has identical
> markings,
> > > and
> > > > > check it? If it is 66 ohms, you may have to use a couple
of
>
> 33
> > > ohm
> > > > > ones, and connect them in series (though if you use 68
ohms,
>
> > > it's
> > > > > probably close enough).
> > > > > > As to wattage, if you can't get 5 watts from Maplin or

> > > > > somewhere, get the next size up.
> > > > > > I wonder what made it burn out, though? Hopefully, it

> was
> > > > > something simple like a short circuit caused by swarf.
> > > > > > Andy
> > > > > > ftr1d <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi, I have just purchased a 240 volt Clarke 300m
>
> > > with a
> > > > > dead circuit
> > > > > > board. A new board will cost ???,??85 so I am looking to

> repair
> > > it. The
> > > > > only
> > > > > > fault I can see is a blown ceramic block, one of a
pair,
> which
> > > is
> > > > > > marked 5WR 66J and is in R1 position on the board. I
> assume it
> > > is
> > > > > a
> > > > > > creamic resistor? Does anyone have a circuit diagram
or
> can
> > > give
> > > > > me the
> > > > > > specification of the part. Thanks Ian
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > emailing.
> > > > > Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus:
play
> games
> > > and
> > > > > win prizes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out for small

> mills and lathes.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>





-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date:
11/04/2007 17:14






Be sure to check out for small
mills and lathes.
Yahoo! Groups Links





Re: Database of past messages

Chris Bailey
 

Before you put a LOT of effort into this, you might look at this site.



This guy has a util that downloads ALL the messages for a Yahoo group and then stores 'em in a database.

I've purchased this and I have to say I'm VERY happy with it.

Chris Bailey


Ian Foster wrote:


G'day Patrice

Sounds a good idea. BUT ihave looked on the Southbend10k group and
can't find the data base, where is it?

One good turn deserves another.
Regards,
Ian
--- In 7x12minilathe@... <mailto:7x12minilathe%40yahoogroups.com>, "borenson444" <strempe4@...>
wrote:

Hi

I am a Southbend lathe owner that created a database of past
messages
for the Southbend groups a while ago. Since the resource seems to be
useful, I thought I'd maybe try and add one or two new ones.
Metalwork
being my hobby, this group seems interesting.

So I am asking permission from the administrator as well as from
members.

I hope that this message will be moderated to see if it's ok as I
would not want to post something I am not supposed to.

Thanks for your time.

Patrice


Flickr Groups

Mike Payson
 

In case you've never used Flickr, I should probably explain the most
basic steps involved with using it. It's pretty easy, but there are a
couple of things that you'll need to do to make it so we can find your
photos. Just joining the group isn't enough.

First, when you upload a photo, you'll need to add tags. You should
awlays add a tag that includes the group name (ie. grizhfminimill),
plus any other relevant tags. I prefer to run the tag words together
(beltdrive), though you can also surround multiple words with quotes
("belt drive"). The two tags are different, though, so searching for
beltdrive won't find "belt drive", so it's better if we standardize,
or you can add both. Tags are cases insensitive.

After you've finished uploading, tagging, and captioning your photos,
you'll also need to send it to the group for it top show up on our
group page. To do that, just click on the "send to group" button just
above the photo. Choose the appropriate group, click OK & you're done.

If you would like to add an annotation, click on the "add note" button
above the photo. Drag the note that appears to where you want it,
resizing it if necessary, and type your comments.

The photos are automatically scaled when you upload them, so if your
photo is at least 1024x768 when you upload it, it will display on the
main page in a smaller format. If you need to see more detail, click
the "All Sizes" button above the photo.

That's all I can think of now, but hopefully that helps! I know this
sounds like a pain, but Flickr's great interface makes the whole
process pretty simple. After you've done one or two, you'll have no
problems at all.

Mike

On 4/11/07, Mike Payson <mike@...> wrote:
I wanted to let everyone know about three Flickr groups I've created:





Flickr has a number of advantages over the Yahoo photo page since it
has virtually unlimited storage & a very useful annotation feature
(roll your mouse over the photo at

to see what I mean). Photos can also be tagged so they can be
searched. For example, searching for minimill and beltdrive would find
the above photo and the others in the series.

The groups are public, so anyone can browse the photos, but you must
join the group to post photos to it. Not to mention, no more having to
login to Yahoo just to look at a photo!

Flickr is owned by Yahoo, the same username & password that you use to
login to Yahoo groups will work for it as well. I encourage everyone
to join whichever groups apply to you!


Re: Deep Hole .218 x 8"

 

On Wednesday 11 April 2007 15:00, taurokm3 wrote:
The material is 4140 Steel, and it will go in the chuck, it would go
through the spindle, but I have no way to clamp it to the face plate.
This is going to be a gun barrel. It is .770" diameter and 8
inches long (total), with a tip that is 1" x .950" I am thinking of
building some v notched clamps out of aluminum that would bolt to the
faceplate, with notches for the bolts so I can center the stock. It
has been suggested that I weld a standard bit to a length of drill rod
with a V and use that, I just don't know what kind of hole that would
give me.
Thanks
Doug
a v-block or barrel vise clamped to the faceplate should work but
a standard twist drill wont cut straight for more than an inch

I've used half round drills silver soldered to an extension shank
and many many many pecks ,the shank was regular 1018 but drill rod or "piano wire"
from the hobby shop would be better ,you can find half round drills here

grind the shank to a 60deg point and silver solder it into a center drilled socket on
the extension that gives more surface area to hold them together

a couple notes
you don't want to drill it to .218 right off ,drill it to maybe 3/16" then ream it up
to size in several steps something like rough ,semi-finish then finish size
or just under finish size then lap the last half thou

if you want it to finish to 8" long you'll probably want to start with a 10-12" blank
the ends will bellmouth on you when you ream and rifle it

for a couple really good books on barrel drilling and gunsmithing download this cd

its got about everything you'll need

Brian
--
"Nemo me impune lacesset"


Re: circuit board diagram

 

Mike,
Don't be offended, but I'm going to pick-up on what you said about the Chinese. If there's one nation of people on this earth that will give the customer what he wants, it's the Chinese. The average worker lacks the skills maybe, and, of course, we want their low-cost goods - but it's not the same thing as not caring about what customers want. Tell them and they will fix it. I should know - I import container loads of machine tools and they bend over backwards to put things right whenever there's a problem.
Hugh

----- Original Message -----
From: Michael Taglieri
To: 7x12minilathe@...
Sent: Thursday, April 12, 2007 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram


I'm beginning to think boosting Rabid's business isn't such a bad idea.
Uncle Rabid, how much would you charge to take my controller, beef up all
the crap circuit-board parts and tweak the pots for maximum safe torque
and minimum safe speed, i.e, the way the Chinese would have done if they
gave a shit? (And do you need just the controller box, or my motor
also?)

I'm normally an extremely do-it-yourself kind of guy, but the more I read
here about adjusting your controller at home, the less sure I am of doing
it right without frying something. I'd rather let someone do it who
knows how and stick to the machining that I'm good at.

Mike Taglieri miket--nyc@...

Everyone has his reasons.
- Jean Renoir "The Rules of the Game"

On Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:26:17 -0000 "born4something"
<ajs@...> writes:
> Hi Ian,
>
> I'd be talking more to Uncle Rabid before looking to buy a new
> board. He's the local oracle and repairs them for a living. He's
> strangely generous with his advice around here given that he could
> just play his cards close and boost his business. I think he
> actually likes being helpful! If he can't talk you through he'll fix
>
> it for you for a pretty reasonable fee anyway.
>
> The other reason for running things past Uncle is that he deals with
>
> most (all?) the variants on these controllers. Most of us only
> experience one or two of them. Some are FET based and others SCR.
> Some use relays and others don't. Mine has no relays but those 5-pin
>
> blocks are sounding like 24V coil relays. Two for the coil and three
>
> for the changeover contact set.
>
> John
>
>
> --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> <ian.fletcher@...> wrote:
> >
> > Hi John, thanks for the warning. I was unable to get a reading off
>
> the second resistor so have ordered two. Visually I cannot find any
>
> damage to the board or components apart from what looks like
> mechanical damage to one of the two square yellow blocks marked
> HR54H-S-DC24V which seem to have 5 legs, which I take to be voltage
>
> convertors? As you can see although capable of soldering and
> unsoldering small components I am not always able to identify what
> they are!! If I do need to bite the bullet and buy a new board are
> they all the same from different manufacturers? I know Clarke lathes
>
> are more expensive that others and wondered if the circuit board
> would be cheaper from other makers. Thanks Ian
> > -----Original Message-----
> > >From: born4something <ajs@...>
> > >Date: Sun Apr 01 08:02:37 GMT 2007
> > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> >
> > > Hi Ian,
> > Just a thought. Might not be what you want to hear. If only one
> > > resistor is burnt out and they are in parallel as a 0.33 ohm for
>
> > > current sensing then the machine should run, but overload sense
>
> at
> > > half load. So either BOTH resistors have failed or there is
> > > something else failed too.
> > > John
> > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., Ian Fletcher
> > > <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Thanks for advice, resistors ordered at cost of ?,??1 so if
> that is
> > > all that is wrong I shall have saved ?,??84 !! Thanks for your
> > > interest and support. Ian
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > >From: born4something <ajs@>
> > > > >Date: Fri Mar 30 08:07:03 GMT 2007
> > > > >To: 7x12minilathe@...
> > > > >Subject: [7x12minilathe] Re: circuit board diagram
> > > >
> > > > > Hi Ian,
> > > > > 66 ohms sounds a bit high. You may have tricked people with
>
> that
> > > > > space between the R and 66. Electronics types often use the
>
> > > prefix
> > > > > as a decimal point (like 1k2 means 1.2k-ohms) and when there
>
> is
> > > no
> > > > > prefix they just insert the base symbol, R. So R66 is likely
>
> > > 0.66
> > > > > ohms. It's a convenient notation and avoids using those
> little
> > > dots
> > > > > that don't print clearly and are often multiplied when
> > > photocopying
> > > > > stuff!
> > > > > Check the other resistor. If it is 0.66 ohms I'd expect
> quite a
> > > > > reasonable reading in circuit without even unsoldering it as
>
> the
> > > > > surrounding components are unlikely to be anywhere near as
> low
> > > as
> > > > > that. If they are, it's likely a failed FET or triac,
> depending
> > > on
> > > > > your model.
> > > > > John
> > > > > --- In 7x12minilathe@..., andrew franks
> <andyf1108@>
> > > > > wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Looks as though it might be: 5W = 5 watts, R66 = 66 ohm.
> Not
> > > sure
> > > > > about the J, though - could represent a tolerance (as in
> plus or
> > > > > minus a certain percentage from the marked resistance
> value).
> > > > > However, 66 ohms isn't a standard "preffered" value - 68
> ohms
> > > is,
> > > > > though. Can you unsolder its twin, if it has identical
> markings,
> > > and
> > > > > check it? If it is 66 ohms, you may have to use a couple of
>
> 33
> > > ohm
> > > > > ones, and connect them in series (though if you use 68 ohms,
>
> > > it's
> > > > > probably close enough).
> > > > > > As to wattage, if you can't get 5 watts from Maplin or
> > > > > somewhere, get the next size up.
> > > > > > I wonder what made it burn out, though? Hopefully, it
> was
> > > > > something simple like a short circuit caused by swarf.
> > > > > > Andy
> > > > > > ftr1d <ian.fletcher@> wrote:
> > > > > > Hi, I have just purchased a 240 volt Clarke 300m
>
> > > with a
> > > > > dead circuit
> > > > > > board. A new board will cost ?,??85 so I am looking to
> repair
> > > it. The
> > > > > only
> > > > > > fault I can see is a blown ceramic block, one of a pair,
> which
> > > is
> > > > > > marked 5WR 66J and is in R1 position on the board. I
> assume it
> > > is
> > > > > a
> > > > > > creamic resistor? Does anyone have a circuit diagram or
> can
> > > give
> > > > > me the
> > > > > > specification of the part. Thanks Ian
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > ---------------------------------
> > > > > > New Yahoo! Mail is the ultimate force in competitive
> > > emailing.
> > > > > Find out more at the Yahoo! Mail Championships. Plus: play
> games
> > > and
> > > > > win prizes.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
> Be sure to check out for small
> mills and lathes.
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>
>





------------------------------------------------------------------------------


No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 269.2.0/757 - Release Date: 11/04/2007 17:14


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]