Hello and a part-built blowfly

[springcrocus]

Jul 11, 2018 9:41:42 GMT Lisa said:

Then I thought I'd give it a go in the Taig lathe; the casting hangs out of the chuck rather alarmingly, but it's cutting fine. Once I get the face to size, and the outside of the gland protrusion round and to size I can put the steady on it while drilling/machining the gland itself. I suppose I could centre drill it and support it with a centre for now, but not entirely sure it's necessary.

I would, and I'm not known to be ultra-cautious.

When you get near the root, if it digs in then it's gone. Good luck, however you choose. And nice work to date, quite enjoying your build.

Kind regards, Steve

[Lisa]

So yes, the 'extended centre' was put into use to support the job, giving me space to actually get in there with the tool.
This is now machined to length, and almost to the right diameter, then I'll switch to a steady on the outside of the gland protrusion to finish the job.

Worst thing about using the Taig lathe is that the bench it's on is one I bought when I was 14 or so... its height is more suited to younger me than adult me.

[springcrocus]

Jul 12, 2018 7:49:25 GMT Lisa said:

Worst thing about using the Taig lathe is that the bench it's on is one I bought when I was 14 or so... its height is more suited to younger me than adult me.

Since you're in 'strylia maybe four briX would solve the problem?

Regards, Steve

(Empty ones, of course)

[runner42]

Jul 13, 2018 7:34:54 GMT springcrocus said:

Jul 12, 2018 7:49:25 GMT Lisa said:

Worst thing about using the Taig lathe is that the bench it's on is one I bought when I was 14 or so... its height is more suited to younger me than adult me.

Since you're in 'strylia maybe four briX would solve the problem?

Regards, Steve

Steve,

my guess is that Lisa has grown somewhat and the bench is too low, digging a hole is my recommendation.

Brian

[Lisa]

Only problem there Steve, is I don't drink, and dad's forgotten that he does, so no cans here.
... and I'm not digging a hole through concrete!

Anyway, that's one done, with the valve spindle and O-ring hanging out of it. Rather than trying to poke about with a boring bar in a tiny hole, the square ended seat for the O-ring was formed by simply boring it with a suitably sized end mill. So this just needs the bolting holes drilled, and the gland nut made up.

Just need to repeat the process for the other steam chest casting.

[Jim]

I really enjoy the no nonsense way you're working to complete the loco Lisa. You're doing a cracking job while showing that great things can be done on small machines and some lateral thinking. It's inspiring work.

Jim

[andyhigham]

Just tear the rule book up and do what works.
The Taig/Peatol lathes are a pretty sturdy lathe for their size, it must be the concrete filled bed

[Lisa]

The Sieg lathe had developed a rather nasty amount of backlash on the cross slide, and quite a bit of back and forth 'slop', so I stripped it apart to see what it'd take to fix.


A shim washer made from some brass sheet of a suitable thickness did the job nicely. Once it was all back together it there was no discernible slop, and only about a thou backlash on the handwheel, so that was an easy fix.


Then I used it to make a gland nut, so that's one gland completely done.

[Lisa]

The second steam chest is gradually getting into shape.


As an aside, my pictures may all disappear for a little while sometime in the next week or so; they'll be back, I'm just moving them to a new server.

[steamer5]

Looking Good Lisa!
Nothing like writing a new chapter in the rule book!
Liking the use of the Tangential tool, guessing its the smallest in the range to fit the Taig?

Cheers Kerrin

[Lisa]

Jul 17, 2018 10:15:22 GMT steamer5 said:

Looking Good Lisa!
Nothing like writing a new chapter in the rule book!
Liking the use of the Tangential tool, guessing its the smallest in the range to fit the Taig?

Thanks Kerrin.
As far as I can tell eccentric engineering don't actually sell this version of the diamond holder any more; it's the 6mm tool height version, and it seems they only go down to 8mm now. Though they may still do it for special order? It's a shame as it's an absolute wonder on such a small machine.

[steamer5]

Hi Lisa,
Love mine too! They seem to be far more capable than how I push them. Sharpening is a doddle & because of that far more likely to tickle them up prior to stating a task. setting back up with a laser centerfinder in either the chuck of tailstock makes re-centering easy.I brought the parting tool & just love that as well.
Which tool steel are you using on the cast iron?

Cheers Kerrin

[Lisa]

I think that's the original bit of HSS that came with the tool holder 25 years ago!

[Oily Rag]

Jul 17, 2018 10:23:20 GMT Lisa said:

Jul 17, 2018 10:15:22 GMT steamer5 said:

Looking Good Lisa!
Nothing like writing a new chapter in the rule book!
Liking the use of the Tangential tool, guessing its the smallest in the range to fit the Taig?

Thanks Kerrin.
As far as I can tell eccentric engineering don't actually sell this version of the diamond holder any more; it's the 6mm tool height version, and it seems they only go down to 8mm now. Though they may still do it for special order? It's a shame as it's an absolute wonder on such a small machine.

I would love to get my hands on the 6mm version for my Cowells!

[Jim]

It could be worth dropping Eccentric a line to see if they have the 6mm holders? If they see a demand then they may start producing the range again.

Alternatively is it possible to mill down the underside of the next size up holder to bring it down to just below centre height? I did that with an Iscar tool holder that was too high for my lathe.

Jim

[Lisa]

Jul 17, 2018 22:04:29 GMT Jim said:

...Alternatively is it possible to mill down the underside of the next size up holder to bring it down to just below centre height? ...

It might be possible, but the 8mm uses a ¼" square tool, whereas the 6mm uses a ⅛" square tool. So it'd probably reduce the turnable diameter by a fair bit.

[Jim]

Would it be possible to make up a simple tool holder for the 1/8" square HSS? A rotatable tool post could be angled to give the correct cutting angle. Just a thought.

Jim

[Lisa]

Might do, if eccentric engineering can't/won't supply the 6mm version, I'd be happy to measure it all over for anyone that wanted to make their own.

[Lisa]

That's both the valve spindle glands done, need to finish up the other rear cylinder cover next.



Also, a reminder about my images disappearing; the server changeover is happening tonight, so expect the images to be problematic for the next day or two.

[peteh]

Lovely work Lisa