Author Topic: Monitor Steam Engine  (Read 222003 times)

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #435 on: February 06, 2016, 07:24:49 PM »
Thanks Don.
With the threads stripped...I guess it's being used as a tommy bar now.  :lolb:
Well I'll have to address that.

Finished drilling and tapping one end of one cylinder.
For the next 3 sets I think I'll put some double-stick tape on the bottom. Less chance of the cylinder rotating on the table.

Had a comedy of errors...

When I started to tap the 1st hole, I grabbed the 8-32 tap and what? Way too big for the hole.
What gives? So I pulled out the 8-32 tap that I'd just bought. What? Much smaller than the older 8-32.
What in the world? Checked the markings on the new tap and the box. Looks like 8-32.
Checked the table for tapping drill. #36. Huh? I'm pretty sure I drilled with a #29.
Checked the drawing...4BA or 6-32. 6? Well that would explain the #29.

Oh good grief. I got mixed up with the die holder and tried to use the old 8-32.
And the 8 on the new tap box is actually a 6. Even the 6 on the tap itself looked like an 8.

Tiny type. Eyes are going.

So all is good. But boy did I scare myself.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #436 on: February 06, 2016, 07:28:09 PM »
For small threads, I do like Zee mentions, hold the tommy bar in one hole on the die holder, and clamp/release the headstock with the other hand.

? What do you mean clamp/release the headstock? I just turn it. (The chuck.)

Let's say I have some rod in the chuck that I'm going to thread.
Die holder goes onto the tailstock.
Start threading...
Whether I turn the die holder or the chuck...what's the difference?

Now I have a mini-lathe. I can wrap my hand around the chuck...basically turning it like a die holder.
Hm...I don't even know how to clamp the headstock.

Confused. And it's not even stinking hoppie time.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18554
  • Rochester NY
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #437 on: February 06, 2016, 07:40:37 PM »
For small threads, I do like Zee mentions, hold the tommy bar in one hole on the die holder, and clamp/release the headstock with the other hand.

? What do you mean clamp/release the headstock? I just turn it. (The chuck.)

Let's say I have some rod in the chuck that I'm going to thread.
Die holder goes onto the tailstock.
Start threading...
Whether I turn the die holder or the chuck...what's the difference?

Now I have a mini-lathe. I can wrap my hand around the chuck...basically turning it like a die holder.
Hm...I don't even know how to clamp the headstock.

Confused. And it's not even stinking hoppie time.

No difference in result. On my chuck, it is easier (for me at least) to hold the chuck/part in the headstock with left hand (what I meant by 'clamp'), turn the die holder with tommy bar in right hand, then let go with left hand, pull tommy bar back with right hand to starting position, and repeat. Easier for me that way with 3-jaw chuck, since on the sherline it is so narrow.  For larger threads that need more power to move, I'll put tommy bar in the fixed part of the chuck, move that back/forth with the left hand on that tommy bar, and turn/change holes with tommy bar in right hand on die holder. I think we were in violent agreement using different words for same end result!   :cheers:

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #438 on: February 06, 2016, 07:44:28 PM »
On my chuck, it is easier (for me at least) to hold the chuck/part in the headstock with left hand (what I meant by 'clamp'), turn the die holder with tommy bar in right hand, then let go with left hand, pull tommy bar back with right hand to starting position, and repeat.

That's exactly what I do. With or without the tommy bar.

Thanks.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Online Dave Otto

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4693
  • Boise, Idaho USA
    • Photo Bucket
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #439 on: February 06, 2016, 07:57:33 PM »
Hi Zee

Yes I'm still watching you from the shadows  :lolb:

I knurled my die holder and I'm able to run all but the larger threads while holding it by hand. The knurls are not sharp and when I let go and it spins in my hand, it doesn't seem to remove any skin. :Lol:
I did make a special holder for the large dies (5/16-1/2) with a nice spider handle on it.

Glad to see you are still getting some shop time and making good progress.
Dave

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #440 on: February 06, 2016, 08:17:41 PM »
Now that I read Chris and Zee's descriptions of how they use a die holder on their lathe, I appreciate that my earlier advice was a product of the size of my lathe.

With a lathe the size of mine turning the chuck by hand against the resistance of the belts, countershaft and motor is not very easy.  The easiest way would involve using the clutch every time I want to move the chuck.  Hence, for me, rotating the die holder through complete revolutions is the easiest solution.  But seeing how they do it, I can appreciate that only one tommy bar is needed. 
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #441 on: February 06, 2016, 08:25:57 PM »
Yes I'm still watching you from the shadows  :lolb:

Come out, come out, wherever you are.  ;D
Or rather...thanks for the warning.  ;D

I knurled my die holder and I'm able to run all but the larger threads while holding it by hand. The knurls are not sharp and when I let go and it spins in my hand, it doesn't seem to remove any skin.

Yeah no problem with my purchased die holder. Your die holders really look quality.

I'll still have to watch out for the screws on the double ended die holder; as Marv mentioned.

Marv...That's certainly something for me to keep in mind when I move (and I will) to a larger lathe/mill. Procedures used with the mini won't necessarily apply.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #442 on: February 06, 2016, 08:36:50 PM »
For all you folks with limited Z-room...

Drilling bolt hole circles for six holes using coordinates is particularly easy.  You only need to calculate three numbers...

r = bolt circle RADIUS, i.e. bolt circle diameter divided by two.

Calculate

a = r * cos(60) = 0.5 * r
b = r * sin(60) = 0.866 * r

Then drill holes at each of these (x,y) locations...

(r,0)
(a,b)
(-a,b)
(-r,0)
(-a,-b)
(a,-b)

If you don't have a DRO, use dial indicator(s) to establish the offsets, thus avoiding the backlash issue. (That's what I do.)

There's a program on my page (BOLTCIRC) that will calculate coordinates for any number of holes but it's overkill for a problem this trivial.
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

fcheslop

  • Guest
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #443 on: February 06, 2016, 10:30:58 PM »
I find this tool very useful, may take some adapting for youre lathe but well worth the time
http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/Spindle_Driving_Handle___Myford_Lathes.html
It works on the same idea as a rawl bolt
cheers

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #444 on: February 06, 2016, 10:33:00 PM »
Oops.

This is what you get when you have brain farts, lapses in attention, straying from process,...in general being  :facepalm:

Wiping the table down after the first side...thus wiping my registration mark was a bad idea.
The double stick tape was a bad idea. It was easier for the cylinder to rotate when I clamped. I think it got worse as more WD-40 was used during drilling.
Forgetting to check the registration of the side of the cylinder to the mark I made on the table after every 60 degree rotation was a bad idea. Probably the worst of them.

The 1st three holes are spot on. The 4th I think close enough.
The 5th was way off but I hadn't noticed.
When I started the 6th I had the 'oh crap' moment.

But I was lucky. I shouldn't have been. But I was. The last two holes were so far off I could redo them without hitting the bad ones.

You can see the two pair. One near middle top and one to the right. Actually three. The one left of middle I hadn't drilled. That was the center drill when I said 'oh crap'.



And those scribe marks? A poor attempt (albeit successful) to ensure the holes on one end match the position on the other end.

As I said, I was lucky. There's very little room for lucky in this hobby.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #445 on: February 06, 2016, 10:36:31 PM »
I find this tool very useful, may take some adapting for youre lathe but well worth the time
http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/Spindle_Driving_Handle___Myford_Lathes.html
It works on the same idea as a rawl bolt

Interesting idea. Might work on the mini. Would have to use an expanding mandrel I think to attach the handle to the rear of the spindle.
Wonder how easy it would be to feel what's happening at the chuck.

Hm. Would require using my left arm to twirl the handle.
I'm not always friends with my left arm.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

fcheslop

  • Guest
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #446 on: February 06, 2016, 10:45:42 PM »
Its is just an expanding mandrel with a pin that make it self releasing although thats just a luxury
Thats the advantage of been sinister handed :Lol:(cuddywifter)
Well worth the effort making one I use it often for threading

Offline mklotz

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2620
  • LA, CA, USA
    • SOFTWARE FOR PEOPLE WHO BUILD THINGS!
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #447 on: February 06, 2016, 10:48:39 PM »
When Vati saw me do stuff like that he would mutter something that sounded a lot like, "Schusselig Stümper".  Maybe we need a new Post-It - Sei nicht Schusselig".
Regards, Marv
Home Shop Freeware
https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #448 on: February 06, 2016, 10:51:29 PM »
Its is just an expanding mandrel with a pin that make it self releasing although thats just a luxury
Thats the advantage of been sinister handed :Lol:
Well worth the effort making one I use it often for threading

Oh I see. The mandrel can just stay in place.

I hope the evil is limited to your hand. Don't let it spread.  ;D
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline zeeprogrammer

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6811
  • West Chester, PA, USA
Re: Monitor Steam Engine
« Reply #449 on: February 06, 2016, 10:57:37 PM »
When Vati saw me do stuff like that he would mutter something that sounded a lot like, "Schusselig Stümper".  Maybe we need a new Post-It - Sei nicht Schusselig".

Had to look that up.

Scatterbrained bungler.

Yep...it fits well with today's bungling.

More interesting to me was "Vati". I used that as a kid...I did not know (or remember) it was spelled that way.

Really makes me wish I knew my German better. Such a shame. Mom is German. I lived in Germany for a few years as a kid.
Spent loads of time with my German grandparents in Munich.

If you don't use it...you lose it.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal