Author Topic: Pull My Finger  (Read 7579 times)

Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #15 on: February 24, 2020, 06:30:56 PM »
Hey Zee, a while back I had switched to a different QCTP, and rather than put the plate on the bottom this time I just picked a bit of aluminum angle stock (could start with flat bar and mill the step in it for practice too) that I bolted to the side of the unit. The body of the post is just aluminum, so it drills/taps very easy. This setup works very well too.

I made the slot wider than the body of the screw, which let me just do a straight slot and it still lets the post rotate a bit. The washer covers the gap. On the Sherline t-nuts, the top sticks up just a little from the slot in the table, and the wider slot clears that as well.

Offline awake

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #16 on: February 24, 2020, 08:55:50 PM »
Given the title of this thread, I was expecting to see an exhaust valve on that engine  :thinking:
Andy

Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #17 on: February 24, 2020, 09:06:32 PM »
Given the title of this thread, I was expecting to see an exhaust valve on that engine  :thinking:
:lolb: :lolb: :lolb:

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #18 on: February 24, 2020, 09:59:27 PM »
Given the title of this thread, I was expecting to see an exhaust valve on that engine  :thinking:

There is indeed an exhaust valve but it's remotely controlled.  >:D

Nor is it very stable. An unexpected bump, sudden movement, or startle seems to set it off as well.

Tends to get worse as it ages.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #19 on: February 24, 2020, 10:01:06 PM »
The body of the post is just aluminum, so it drills/taps very easy.

I got my QCTP from LMS. According to their product documentation, it's all steel construction.
I don't know if it's been treated to make it hard or not.

I can always give it a try and see what happens.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #20 on: February 24, 2020, 10:03:29 PM »
The body of the post is just aluminum, so it drills/taps very easy.

I got my QCTP from LMS. According to their product documentation, it's all steel construction.
I don't know if it's been treated to make it hard or not.

I can always give it a try and see what happens.
Ah - I may have been thinking of my original one, made by A2Z (no longer in business), which was aluminum. Give it a quick file test - run the corner of a file on an edge of the unit, if it is hardened the file will skate off. If it digs in, it is not hardened, and should be able to drill/tap it no problem (just stay away from the center where the moving bits are!).

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #21 on: February 29, 2020, 07:33:53 PM »
Very odd (for me).

File seemed to dig in.
Had no problem with center drill.
Went to drilling, got a little over 1/16" in and it won't go any further.
Tried next drill size down. No go.

Thoughts? Hard on the inside but soft on the outside?

Bummer. I have the bracket (modeled after Chris') ready.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #22 on: February 29, 2020, 08:29:27 PM »
Did you hit the internal post?  Picture of where the holes are?

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #23 on: February 29, 2020, 10:28:01 PM »
Did you hit the internal post?

I don't think so. I didn't get deep at all and everything seems fine.
I'll try a variant of Hugh's idea.

In the meantime, I took Marv's idea and made some spacers and mounted a steel plate next to the lathe to mount a magnetic holder for an indicator.
Not sure if it's ideally placed but easy to move.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #24 on: February 29, 2020, 10:31:02 PM »
Did you hit the internal post?

I don't think so. I didn't get deep at all and everything seems fine.
I'll try a variant of Hugh's idea.

In the meantime, I took Marv's idea and made some spacers and mounted a steel plate next to the lathe to mount a magnetic holder for an indicator.
Not sure if it's ideally placed but easy to move.
The only issue with that approach is that you cannot angle the QCTP at all, it locks it to the slot. You could make the plate wider to reach the other slot with a second hole for the other t-nut.

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #25 on: February 29, 2020, 10:52:54 PM »
I'll try a variant of Hugh's idea.
The only issue with that approach is that you cannot angle the QCTP at all, it locks it to the slot. You could make the plate wider to reach the other slot with a second hole for the other t-nut.

 :headscratch:

Not exactly like Hugh's. Attached is what I'm thinking. Should allow for small rotation.

Install the QCTP, push the holder against it, and then lock it down.

No?
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #26 on: February 29, 2020, 11:39:44 PM »
Looks like a good combination.  :ThumbsUp:

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #27 on: March 24, 2020, 10:23:40 PM »
It's hard to believe it's been nearly a month since I posted on this.

Taking care of our grandson abruptly ended last week (kids are in quarantine) and I managed a few parts (despite the calls for gardening help from the other side of the house).
BTW I did heed those calls. I understand my priorities.

Normally I might say "crap!" or "oh poo" but given our shortages I can only say..."it should be fine".

All I managed was some washers and the levers. The levers could certainly be better but at least the boo-boos won't be easily seen.

To recall...the idea was to get a feel of the Sherlines before I convert them to CNC.
On one hand, I'm very impressed. On the other hand, it really takes some getting used to. I miss the DROs and the power feeds. But I keep reminding myself the machines will be converted to CNC.
Everything is small and using the tommy bars and allen keys for everything takes some getting used to.
Had I started with Sherlines, I'd be a happy guy. (I'm not saying I'm not a happy guy.)

There are only two parts where the lathe is needed. Everything else is the mill. (Not surprising really.)
So I suspect I'll be converting the lathe to CNC first.

The biggest learning so far...a problem I've always had...is knowing how tight enough is tight enough. I tend towards being ham-fisted and worry that I'm stripping threads etc.

One question for you Sherline owners...I noticed the pulley/belt system on the mill gets really hot. Enough to burn. Perhaps the tension is too tight?

Stay safe everyone. My kids are under quarantine and we're now at 'stay at home' orders. But everyone is healthy.

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

Offline crueby

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #28 on: March 24, 2020, 11:16:53 PM »
Parts! Woohoo!!   :ThumbsUp:

As for the belt/pulley, it should NOT be getting hot. Either it is too tight, or something is rubbing. Undo the screw that holds the switchbox down, and look inside while turning it over by hand. Something is out of line maybe? Belt is on the same slot on both pulleys, not crossed? Check that the bottom of the switchbox and its screw are not rubbing on the belt. The belt does not have to be super tight. Check that the screws in the two slots on the back bracket are both tightened up, that the motor is not at an angle.

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Pull My Finger
« Reply #29 on: March 24, 2020, 11:48:27 PM »
Thanks Chris. I will check that.  :ThumbsUp:
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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