Author Topic: My playpen  (Read 20266 times)

Offline tangler

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My playpen
« on: April 14, 2013, 12:04:24 AM »
As promised, here are a few pics of my unfeasibly tidy workshop,  an 8ft 6inch x 11ft 3inch partitioned off section of the garage:





I made the central bench for making musical instruments. It's weighed down with cast iron dumbell weights so it doesn't shift when I'm planing and scraping wood but can be moved around when used as an assembly bench (tool dumping area).  The green pattern makers vice can be bolted through a hole in the top when required.

The mill is a Sharp Mk II, retro fitted with VFD and DRO.  It can be converted to horizontal mode (which I seldom use) and also has a slotting attachment (which I've never used).



The early 1970's Myford has a third party power cross-feed and now has 3 phase VFD
 


One of the accessories I use surprisingly often is the hand turning rest



The dividing head is to the Timmins design but modified for direct indexing with 24 holes or by using the plates etc. from the HDA





A few more tools, a tilting table - note what happens with insufficent hold down when milling



A Eureka backing off device and some gear cutters



Finally, the pillar tool with sensitive drill



All the kit's there so now to start making it mucky again...

Rod





Offline steamer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2013, 12:17:47 AM »
Sweet shop!....Thanks for showing that to us!

Dave
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Offline Kim

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2013, 12:45:13 AM »
Great shop! And very tidy!  You have a lot of nice equipment there in a very small space.

Looks like a great place to enjoy some quality time :)
Kim

Offline steamer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2013, 12:54:29 AM »
Tangler,

I notice you have a small drill press and the pillar tool.....Do you think they are complimentary?

Is it sensitive enough for really fine drilling?

I have a need for the tapping attachment...as well as the staking, and the punch...but I wanted to know how the drill behaved.

Worth the effort?...compared to the small drill press?

Dave


"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Don1966

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2013, 02:04:26 AM »
Nice shop Rod, you have us here envious of your tools. I am still in the process of completing my Hemingway divining attachment. I love your Pillar Tool and I do have all the casting and kit for it just have to get the time to build it. Did it take very long to complete it and do you have the staking attachment also?
I also have the Myford Super 7 lathe and love using it. Also have the VFD to install on it when time permits. Thanks for showing us your shop.

Don

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2013, 02:09:25 AM »
Nice "playpen" Rod!!  Thanks so much for sharing the pictures. I am envious of having such a nice space to work in as well.

Bill
« Last Edit: April 14, 2013, 09:37:59 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline larry1

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2013, 04:56:21 AM »
Rod,  Great shop,  Great machines.      larry
larry, southeastern kansas

Offline tangler

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2013, 11:20:16 AM »
Guys,

Of course I wish I had more space, it would be nice to have a separate wood working shop - what you can't see is the large woodworking bandsaw pushed into the other part of the garage that houses the push bikes and a tandem (which encroaches into the workshop to the left of the brown door).

 

I use the pillar tool mostly for tapping.  The drill press has a bit of slop in the quill so the pillar tool drill is much better for small drills.  By carefully following GHT's instructions you end up with a very nice precise and sensitive machine.  The speed can also be quite a bit more than the drill press.  I was looking for a dedicated motor and ended up with the cheapest grinder I could buy which runs at 3000 rpm, with the current motor pulley top speed is about 4500 but this could easily be increased.  I'll probably mount a pig tail for a polishing mop on the other end of the motor spindle.  My mill has a rising table but no quill.  I've toyed with the idea of making an attachment for the drilling head so I can mount it on the mill to make co-ordinate drilling easier.

I don't currently have a use for a staking tool but I have made a pair of rivet snaps and a holder for number/letter punches.

Thanks for taking an interest,

Rod

Offline steamer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2013, 03:35:45 PM »
Thanks for that Rod!   My "new" mill has a quill and a good top speed, but I haven't tried really small drills yet....perhaps I should.

Though I have always been infatuated with that pillar tool.....and with all the capabilities.....I may build one anyway!

Dave
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Damned ijjit!

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2013, 04:00:53 PM »
Dave,
Let us know how the tiny drills do on your new mill. Someone we know bought a small variable speed Micromart drill press and fitted an Albrecht 0-1/8" chuck to it for sensitive drilling. It works. Of course there are quite a number of Aciera sensitive drilling machines on the 'Bay.
Mosey

Offline steamer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2013, 04:06:39 PM »
Will do Mosey...

I found plans for a drilling attachment to go onto an Aciera F3 a while back....A machine that also doesn't have a quill.

I've attached them here....perhaps they would be food for thought on other quill-less machines.

"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2013, 05:03:33 PM »
Beautiful shop Rod. Thanks for the invite. I do enjoy seeing shops.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline CliffH

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2013, 05:29:11 PM »
Lovely shop, Rod.
The downside is when I look at mine...so, not back to the drawing board, instead, off to the workshop and see if I can get some order into it
CliffH
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Offline Bake915

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My playpen
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2013, 06:39:26 PM »
Hi Rod

Very impressive setup you have.  Could you tell me more about your drill press/tapping setup?  Im not familiar with it, is it from a kit that you made?  Manufacturer?  Vintage?  I could use something like that in my shop.  Thanks, for taking the time to put it up!

Offline steamer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2013, 08:00:20 PM »
The Universal Pillar tool is a device cronicled in Model Engineer by George H. Thomas...many years ago...and is still pretty popular

Hemingway carries castings and drawings in the UK

http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/Universal_Pillar_Tool.html

and in the States...
Martin model and pattern

http://www.martinmodel.com/MMPtools-subfiles/Pillar/tools-pillar.html

Martin carries two versions of the unit...1 with a longer arm.

The best write up I've seen on the subject was done by Home Shop Machinist actually, and is in "Projects" II I believe....if you call Village Press, you can get the issue.  Very nicely done write up with drawings and blow by blow set ups.

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #15 on: April 14, 2013, 08:30:47 PM »
There was a nice casting kit for a pillar tool for sale at Cabin Fever, but I don't know which one it was. It wanted to follow me home.
Mosey

Offline tangler

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #16 on: April 14, 2013, 08:35:37 PM »
As Dave says. 

Plans and building techniques are available here: http://www.teepublishing.co.uk/books/in-your-workshop/workshop-techniques/

Rod

Online Jo

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #17 on: April 14, 2013, 08:36:05 PM »
It wanted to follow me home.
It only wanted to follow you home  :naughty:

You need to try some feminine charm on these casting sets  ;) Ok I see you might have a slight problem with that  :shrug:.

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #18 on: April 14, 2013, 09:29:50 PM »
You need to try some feminine charm on these casting sets  ;) Ok I see you might have a slight problem with that  :shrug:.

Unfair. Unfair advantage.
You've got the charm and obviously not afraid to use it.
We are left with bribery and begging.  :'(
Although I've found a bit of willingness to dance helpful...but that's just another form of bribery and begging.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline b.lindsey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #19 on: April 14, 2013, 09:45:03 PM »
Hey Mosey, the Martin folks will be most happy to make one appear at your home I bet. It is a nice looking tool.  Sorry I missd you at the show.

Bill

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #20 on: April 14, 2013, 10:02:09 PM »
I managed to put all of my purchases except 1 in my top pocket, so she didn't see much until we got home. The big brass bar was a steal, so it didn't raise any hackles either. 20lbs of casting might just have caught her eye, don't you think?
I did meet may of the social outcasts though, Cheapo, the King of Bling (Stan), and others, but I missed quite a few others.
My charm is legendary, and I don't have to wear a skirt, like some we know.
There will be a follow-up to my test of my new HSS inserts shortly, in which we will see why the experts are always touting that over carbide, and why we should just shut up and listen to them.
A memorable expo.
Mosey
Now, it's down to the dungeon to make perfect parts!

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #21 on: April 14, 2013, 11:05:44 PM »
You must have hit the Warner folks too...as did I, but knew going in I wanted a #1 kit (1/4" shanks) for the Sherline. Will look forward to hearing how you like the HSS inserts.

Bill
« Last Edit: April 14, 2013, 11:08:58 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #22 on: April 14, 2013, 11:21:18 PM »
I never allowed them to make eye contact, less I end up like Stan, who had to pay commercial rates on the Turnpike coming home. But, I know where they are.
Sorry I missed you.
Mosey

Offline Bake915

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My playpen
« Reply #23 on: April 15, 2013, 06:55:39 AM »
Thanks for the info on the pillar tool Dave.  I have boxes full of old HSM magazines that Im working my way through.  Ill have to look for the write up and order a kit.

Online Jo

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #24 on: April 15, 2013, 07:52:49 AM »
20lbs of casting might just have caught her eye, don't you think?

My charm is legendary, and I don't have to wear a skirt, like some we know.

I would have definitely noticed 20lbs of castings taking residence in the house. ;D

Strangely enough I don't wear a skirt either to these do's, I have been known to drop in on a local trader with my skirt suit on and that clearly has had a lasting impact. But he is a married man so I am perfectly safe there  ;) 

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #25 on: April 16, 2013, 10:17:39 PM »
safe because he's a married man???

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #26 on: April 17, 2013, 02:16:11 AM »
Listen to Mosey Jo. There are those among our gender that are happy to " marry " as many as are willing. :old:

Yo Redneck
Eric

Offline Don1966

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #27 on: April 17, 2013, 03:18:05 AM »
20lbs of casting might just have caught her eye, don't you think?

My charm is legendary, and I don't have to wear a skirt, like some we know.

 But he is a married man so I am perfectly safe there  ;) 

Jo

Are you kidding? :noidea:

Don

Online Jo

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #28 on: April 17, 2013, 07:23:52 AM »
Yes safe: because I have moral standards . But sometimes it is nice to know every now and then that someone might still think that way towards you as you get older :naughty:

As for the single ones :stickpoke: :shrug: 

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Mosey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #29 on: April 17, 2013, 12:56:28 PM »
You're safe with me, little girl, cause I'm just an old married man....Ha, ha, ha >:D :lolb: :LittleAngel:

Offline tangler

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #30 on: December 12, 2016, 04:04:30 PM »
A new toy has entered my life which has entailed some changes to the workshop.  When I was a working man I procured a couple of Denford CNC machines (Novamill and Novaturn) for making metallurgical test specimens.  I've been on the lookout for a Denford machine for myself and this little Micromill, based on the Sherline mill turned up on ebay at the right price and close enough to pick up in the car.  It runs the proprietry Denford software, with which I am familiar, and will import DXF files for 2 1/2D milling.  It should also be able to cope with full 3D from Fusion 360 since they have a Denford post processor.  The Denford mill seems to run from a laptop OK via a USB to serial convertor but full testing remains to be done.  I have an old XP desktop with a proper serial interface if I need to fall back on this.

Of course, the problem is that I don't actually have room for this new toy so have had to re-jig the workshop a bit.





I've lost some cupboards which held much of the lathe and mill tooling as well as some bench space so I've been busy making some drawers for my mobile bench from various bits of left over plywood.  These drawers are mounted on simple kitchen type drawer runners.



I've also replaced the drawers in the base of the Sharp milling machine so that they run on ball bearing slides.  They carry a heavy load and are much more usable than they were





Right, back to boiler making...

Cheers,
Rod
« Last Edit: December 15, 2016, 10:29:15 AM by tangler »

Offline vcutajar

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #31 on: December 12, 2016, 02:23:37 PM »
Congratulations on your new toy Rod.  I wish I was so organised as yourself.

Vince

Online Chipswitheverything

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #32 on: December 12, 2016, 08:33:34 PM »
Very impressed by the new dedicated storage, and the neat layout of the revised scheme in the workshop.  Some nice kit lurking in those interesting drawers.....

Dave

Offline fumopuc

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #33 on: December 12, 2016, 07:30:36 PM »
Hi Rod, have fun with your new toy.
Kind Regards
Achim

Offline Roger B

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #34 on: December 13, 2016, 07:36:49 PM »
Nice new toy and a well laid out workshop  :praise2: What make and how big is your rotary table in the drawer?
Best regards

Roger

Offline tangler

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #35 on: December 14, 2016, 01:43:27 AM »
Thanks for the comments guys - I'm pleased to report that the test of a DXF import and subsequent cut using the laptop was successful  :cartwheel:

Roger, the rotary table is a 4" Sharp - they were originally made by the same people as my mill, but by the time I bought it, the rights for the mill had gone to Town-Bent Engineering and the rotary table to R&M Barrowclough.

Cheers,

Rod

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #36 on: December 14, 2016, 04:13:39 AM »
Great looking man-cave Rod...very cozy and well laid out.

Bill

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: My playpen
« Reply #37 on: December 14, 2016, 05:43:50 AM »
Nice shop!

It'd be great to see some close-ups of your new toy when you get time.

Jim
Sherline 4400 Lathe
Sherline 5400 Mill
"You can do small things on big machines, but you can do small things on small machines".

 

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