Recent content by Downwindtracker2

All profs want to hear is their own BS repeated.

A welcome from the Fraser Valley. The current 12x36 are an outgrowth of the Austrian Maximat 8". When they were 10"copies they were a better lathes than the original Austrian. I kept a daily check on Craig's list when I was searching for machines. Now you have to add Facebook. Good luck in...

Ian Bradley wrote a book on shapers, " The Shaping Machine " . His machine was sold in the UK as an Acorn. I think that was the AMMCO. The book itself is expensive on Abebooks, but there are downloads kicking around. I just used my printer for Chapter #5 , Additions. Power downfeed would be nice.

I have not turned any, but have drilled a fair bit. We liked using a Speedbor bit for counterboring for weld on buttons. When I used the drill press I ground negative rake onto the bits.

Good Morning guys, a follow up. The availability of soft aluminum oxide grinding wheels is pretty limited. I simply gave up on them. Instead I ordered CBN wheels. The wood turners love them for their HSS chisels. I have a General 26020 wood lathe that I picked up cheap at an auction and HSS...

I lofted through school, a 51% was a perfect mark., unless I had an interest in the subject, then it was me learning about it on my own. It all changed when I met my wife and I got glasses. Back to shapers. I was working in Tumbler Ridge in small machine shop. It didn't pay much ,but I was...

In second year, I realized if I continued I would end up at best, teaching history in High school. That certainly didn't appeal to a rangatang like me, so I quit and picked up a trade. I was working with very smart guy, "Lee, you're really smart, how come your are here? " He answer was "So long...

My 6" shop-built is made of steel. The clapper box is as well. On the factory machines, the pin is tapered and removable. In my reading, they made a big deal about it. I haven't checked mine.

Whitworth threads were the world standard in the late 1800s. From my college study days, Whitworth threads out side of the strange 55* angle are a good design, the metric and the improved UNC threads both followed his design. As millwrights we have had discussions about thread design, at least...

I feel foolish, I didn't think to change my order of threading.I can use the crappy die for the short action end.I'll push with the tailstock. I need a section of the rod smooth for easier extraction from the epoxy bedding compound.

I was making some inletting pins for glass bedding three different systems. One end is threaded to match the target system and the other end 1/4' UNC for a wing nut , both sets are 1/4". The 1/4"x 32tpi, a special fine, went great. Both dies are KBC house brand made in Poland. However, KBC...

Congrats, welcome to the shaper club. A shaper size is determined by size of a cube it can work. If your re machining an internal spline, a shaper specialty, how often are you going to need more than 7" ? Shaper vise if it came with one for sure. As a Canuck fan, I have been watching too many...

Millwrights change bearings, that is our bread and butter. Thrust bearings wouldn't have as much lateral resistance as the very simple deep groove 62xx. That is likely one of the whys of the fairly light duty construction. The short distance and a the sloppy thrust bearing would degrade your...

You build a much more scuukum motor base than the original maker of my shaper and I did.

My wife has ordered from Baltic Abrasives for diamond lapidary wheels for her rock and gem club. Though the prices are in Euros, they are still a good deal less than the American Diamond Pacific. The club grinder/polishers get a lot of abuse. I know because I get " Honey, could you look at xxxxx"