THE
VOL 35 No.8
APRIL 2005 THE MODELLER
WEB SITE: www.tsme.ca TSME CHAT LINE: tsme@yahoogroups.com
Now there are signs of spring about – the winter whiteness and all its associated tasks and hazards are disappearing down the drain – but don’t stop working on your project – except to bring it on down to our next meeting – and share the progress with your fellow members on
FRIDAY 8 APRIL 2005 AT 8.00pm; usual place -
FOR THIS FRIDAY EVENING’S MEETING, YOU’LL BE HEARING FROM: (as well as, quite likely, some others)
JIM SMALL will talk about Pattern and Pattern making,
RICHARD TROUNCE has some good tips on CNC programming and he’ll walk us through this,
SAM ROTA will give a presentation on his shop, with pictures,
DAVE POWELL will reveal some magic about the 3 Jaw Chuck,
DON CARR will give some hints on Locomotive Boiler Piping, and
ERNIE HILL will bring in and talk about some Case Traction Engine parts
If you have a project you are currently working on, or recently finished – please bring it along and we will do all we can to fit your item into the program.
WHAT’S UP & COMING : MEETING
DATES 13May, 10 June @
UP COMING EVENTS:
THE
IN CASE YOU MISSED THE MARCH MEETING…….with thanks to Art Gordon for taking these notes
RICHARD TROUNCE gave a brief overview of mechanical variable speed drives utilizing adjustable pulleys and described their limitations. The 'PIV' system, totally enclosed and lubricated, using radial grooved adjustable pulleys and steel belts was the ultimate development of this type of transmission. Richard then went on to describe the AC hookup he installed on Don Carr's "Millrite" mill. The system takes 220v AC, converts to DC and then back to AC with variable phase. For best results a 3 ph motor rewound with Class H insulation is recommended at a cost of about $400. Cost of the control package would also be about another $400. In use the system is 'self sensing' as to load and is operating satisfactorily.
RON MELVIN described the making of a back plate for his new 4-jaw chuck. Accuracy being most important the first task was to create a thread gauge replicating the Class 2 thread of the lathe spindle nose. Ron explained the use of thread wires and the data from Machinery's Handbook in making this. Handling the thread wires while taking micrometer readings was described as tricky and needing an extra pair of hands and was resolved by embedding the wires in a wine cork. Total run out is a very satisfactory "less than a thou".
OUR VISITOR, GORD BRUCE, has a set of castings for a 3" bore by 4" stroke "Tiny Power" center crank steam engine that he is planning to install in a boat when it is finished. To this end he has bought a Lodge and Shipley (c. 1906) lathe which is missing the tapered gib in the compound slide, the design of which is somewhat unusual. Anyone who can help Gord in making a new gib, and earn a bob or two in the process, is asked to give him a call.
REMO COSOLO demonstrated his universal milling machine rigged up for grinding and fitted with a saw. The machine, which was started some 30 years ago has 6 speeds and was used by Remo in making bridges for his violins. No castings were used in its construction.
After testing his engine driving an alternator DAVE BOWES noticed there was play in the crankshaft. Failure was attributed to the pin material not being hard enough, and also to the combination of press fit and TIG welding used in the assembly. Dave proposes to use 1144 for the next one and machine it from the solid. It was suggested by some that 4140 or 17-4PH might be a better choice. A description of Dave's engine is now appearing in Home Shop Machinist starting in the current issue. Dave has also donated a copy of his book on the engine to the Society's Library.
GARY ROSE described and demonstrated a controller he has built to give more power to a small CNC machine. It consists of a 3 axis controller board run by a computer to drive stepper motors by a 24v power supply. It has upped the table speed from 4" p/m maximum to a maximum of almost 60" p/m although the use of such speeds is not practical. The software used is TURBOCNC, which incidentally we are told is free. The meeting closed with a brief description by Peter Trounce of a Sherline mill with computer driven CNC programmed for machining expansion links. The system is complete except for a monitor for less than US$3000. Too many sparks and not enough swarf!
TSME WEBSITE
We are looking for someone to maintain the TSME Website – please let anyone on the exec know – if you are interested.
WANTED: by DON CARR: About 15” long piece of Soft Copper Tubing – 7/32” O. dia x 5/32” I. dia
FOR
FOR
Treasurer Art Gordon will accept payment by cash or cheque at the meetings, or in the mail.$30.00 for the coming year. Of course, if there are any difficulties, a confidential word in Art’s ear will take care of things. We don’t like to lose a member for any reason.
If you are joining as a New Member, please provide your: name, address, phone number and e-mail address if you have one, and whether you would like to receive our newsletter, THE MODELLER by email, or by post.