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Post by Ginettag20 on Aug 6, 2004 12:53:32 GMT
Dear Friends Hello I am a new member of the group. My interest are mainly making scientific instruments, old machines, electronics and restoring valve radio's. I spend all day designing equipment for picking up trains and test rigs, so I don't really have much interest in modelling trains when I get home. Hoping to pick all your brains and get some practical workshop tips. I have just bought a Warco minor mill drill. I have never used a milling machine before and wondered if anyone can pass on any pearls of wisdom that are not contained in the books. I was also thinking of building my own coolant system using a old pond pump, Has anyone else built their own system ? Regards Christian My Home site www.christianfletcher.org |
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Post by alanstepney on Aug 6, 2004 21:27:56 GMT
I believe that several people have experience with the Warco, or its close relatives.
Suds pumps can be made out of many things, ranging from gravity-feed, to complex pumps.
Car windscreen washer pumps have frequently been used, but I prefer washing machine pumps.
With many model engineers, the word "free" is of major interest when sourcing parts.!
Pond pumps should work OK, and I note you said "old", so welcome to the association of scroungers!
As for electronics, you will find that many model engineers are also electronics enthusiasts, and some (that includes me) play around with valves and valve equipment.
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Post by Ginettag20 on Aug 6, 2004 22:02:20 GMT
association of scroungers, I think that you hit the nail on the head there, But I am a yorkshire man after all...
Have you come across those very cheap mist generators that sit in a dish of water they are sold very cheaply in Maplin Electronic shops. Maybe they could form the guts of a mist lubrication system.
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Post by alanstepney on Aug 7, 2004 1:11:32 GMT
I'm not sure that those mist generators would be man enough for the job. It depends what cutting fluid you are using, and conventional suds might be OK, but if you used one of the newer cutting fluids (the ones that you use neat), they might be too viscous for those little pumps. The easy way to get a mist, assuming you want one, that is, is to use compressed air. It only needs a small amount of liquid, and doesnt need much air either. The actual mixing is simplicity itself, and could be "knocked together" out of the scrap box. I prefer a flood of coolant, which is why I use pumps from washing machines. Being centrifugal pumps, they can have the output restricted to whatever flow one wants, without harm to the pump,.... and they are free.! www.alanstepney.info/events.htmlModel Engineering events page |
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Doug J
Active Member
Posts: 20
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Post by Doug J on Aug 10, 2004 11:07:32 GMT
My advice would be to think carefully about whether you really need a proper coolant system. I have used a Myford VMB (about the same size as your machine) for a number of years and have never missed such a system. I use a dab of neat cutting oil on steel and a quick spray of a WD40 substitute (99p in the supermarket - works a treat) on aluminium , with cast iron cut dry. The result is a clean machine which stays rust free and no coolant sloshing about all over the place.
Doug
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Post by Tel on Aug 10, 2004 12:21:21 GMT
I'm with you Doug - mostly cut dry but when needed a small amount of coolant applied from a jar with a brush
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Post by Ginettag20 on Aug 10, 2004 12:47:29 GMT
I think that you are correct about just using a brush or spray can. I have used this method on my lathe for many years with good result. But a simple suds system for free could be an interesting project. Having used the mill for the first time on Saturday there may be something to be said for keeping you hands out of the cutting area. My first milling experience did not go very well and I have started a new thread.
Regard Chris
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