Question 1

Tig Torch Recommendations?

Accepted Answer

Hi,I'm finally tired of having to let the air-cooled torch on my LincolnSW-175 tig cool off.  I'll build the radiator/pump for water coolingmyself, but which torch are people liking these days?  At 175 supposedamps, I don't imagine needing "the best", but some guidelines orfeatures to look for would be very helpful.Thanks,--Max

Question 2

Mill or lathe?

Accepted Answer

This question is probably akin to: "How long is a piece of string?". However, having done as much research as I reasonably can and with no local resources to fall back upon I feel compelled to ask this here:If you had to equip a small workshop dealing mainly with hobby manufacture of small parts, space being at a premium as well as finances, would you:a) Buy a lathe firstb) Buy a mill firstc) Buy a combination machineThen, of course, the question is which ones. Here is a current crop of lathes available on EBay:?ViewItem&rd=1&item=230280828454&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=013?ViewItem&rd=1&item=360080330081&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=023?ViewItem&rd=1&item=220269782539&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=012Forget for a moment issues like shipping from Australia etc. I guess I am trying to get a better handle on what I should be focusing on in future. I tried to find courses locally on either milling or lathe but without success.For instance if I understood some of the recent threads correctly, a...

Question 3

Clear coat on steel

Accepted Answer

I want to paint bare new steel with a clear coat. The metal needs tobe seen in its raw state. The item will be exposed to weather. I havetried three different products so far and none lasted more than 3 dayswithout rusting. I understand that no coat will last forever but whatis the best option?Michael Koblic,Campbell River, BC

Question 4

What size plasma cutter?

Accepted Answer

I am getting a new plasma cutter.  I have decided on HyperTherm ONLY.  I have a Victor smoke wrench for big stuff now, and am considering this for small stuff, including some 20somethingish gauge paintlock, which I shall shape into sculptures and works d' arte.I was wrestling with what size to get.  I tend to overbuy on stuff, but I think with this, I can go with what I need.  The larger ones need more air, hence bigger compressor.  It already looks like I'll need a compressor to go with this anyway.  There is a huge difference in price for each jump in capacity, so one of those jumps could easily pay for the compressor.  I would be doing a lot of cutting, so wonder if a 30 would be hearty enough for high duty cycle.  Or would a 45 be better, or just overkill, which I like?How about used units?  Are gently used units a good risk?  Is there a lot that goes out on these things when used correctly?I would have to say that one with 3/8 capacity would do the work I want to do, and for all...

Question 5

Tool Holders

Accepted Answer

I am currently researching which tools holders would best suit my needs. The majority of what I machine is either aluminum or plastic. Typical part size would fit in your hand, although I imagine I'll be forging into slightly larger parts once the vmc gets here. At the moment the range of tooling I use is .5 DIA and under, with .032 up to .250 more like the norm.  Much of it is relieved diameter tooling for that wonderdul 6+loc:1dia necessity. I've decided to go after er11 collet chucks.  I've looked at Kennametal (I forgot who makes those) and Parlec in the J&L catalogue and it's a no go for this size.  Lyndex and Command both make an er11 chuck that looks as if it would fit the requirements.  Chances are I will probably also pick up some er16 or er20 collet chucks, as well. I'd also be interested in anyone's experience with the slightly extended variety of tool holders offered by most companies.  I am talking about a 4.5 inch vs. 2.5 inch length or similar.  Is there an exponential...

Question 6

what epoxy do you use to join delrin parts?

Accepted Answer

I've got some delrin parts that need joining... what do I use to doit?  I heard there was some special epoxy for joining Delrin but Idon't have a name or supplier.  Anyone?Thanks,Mike

Question 7

Best epoxy for High powered rocket building ?

Accepted Answer

I've been using the West Systems fast epoxy kit and I have been veryhappy with the results. Pumps, exact mixing ratio, less mess.But Giant Laep contends AeroPoxy mixed 1 to 1 is better and cheaper.Andy Wohner uses System3  5 min. What are your views on this importantsubject?The Rocketeer

Question 8

What type of lock would use this key?

Accepted Answer

Hi,At the link below is a pic of a key that belonged to my late father. I'm wanting to learn what type of door/cabinet/safe normally uses this type of key, and any comments about the date-range.Visible markings are "Independent Lock Co.", and "Fitch[burg]...". I understand this is ILCO, but from an earlier time.The key should be pre-1975, and may go back to the 1950's or so.I'm not a locksmith, but I understand some basics of lock types and such.Pete

Question 9

Convert TIG/stick to MIG?

Accepted Answer

Hey -So, I have an AHP 200DX (TIG & stick), but there are times when I wish I had a MIG machine. I seriously don't have the room for both.I understand why MIG is CV and the others are CC, but I'm wondering whether I could whack together a circuit (been a professional circuit whacker for something over 40 years) that would measure the output voltage and convert that to an appropriate signal to apply to the circuit coming from that current adjustment knob.The circuitry should be pretty simple, and the implementation should, as well. What I don't know is whether this is going to work, and I'm not really in need of yet another project, but if it's as simple as I think it might be...So does this sound like a thing worth pusuing, or is it just plain nuts?I await your answers.

Question 10

lathe chuck scroll lube?

Accepted Answer

The Net abounds with answers to what to use, all different, ranging from way oil to antiseize to powdered graphite. Dry molybdenum disulfide in some expensive form seems to be a preferred answer for the scroll which is exposed to chips.I ordered the 6-jaw after reading many positive reviews of Sanou chucks. The general opinion appears to be that they are precisely machined but the manual ops of deburring and cleaning them may not have been as careful. Pix of opened chucks suggested that they aren't tricky to strip and reassemble, as long as every part goes back where it came from.How do you maintain your lathe chucks?

Question 11

tinning steel

Accepted Answer

I am making a fuel tank for a reproduction Briggs and Stratton Motorwheel. I intend to use 2 1 lb Coleman propane bottles, with thebottoms cut off, tig welded together with a steel filler neck also tigwelded in. My problem is keeping the inside of the tank from rustingand I came up with an idea - don't know how feezible it is. I am thinking of putting some Oakley 95 tinning flux in the tankafter sandblasting it, and before finishing the weld then heating thewelded tank to about 700F and rotating it while maintaining heat tototally flow the tinning flux over the entire surface. After cuttingout the opening in the filler neck I would tin the inside ofthe fillerthen flush out any remaining flux - leaving the entire interior of thetank tinned and protected  from rust - basically like a terne coating. 1.7 oz of tinning paste is $12.99 mini CanaBucks  Can't think of a simpler lower cost source for a half galloncylindrical duel tank - although this isn't exactly a SIMPLE one. Imade a...

Question 12

Machining Aluminum Dry

Accepted Answer

First off let me emphasize I firmly believe based on hearsay, direct knowledge, experience, and the opinions of experts that a flood of water soluble cutting coolant like (but not limited to) SC520 and water is the magic sauce.In my journey to that conclusion I tried a variety of other options from standing there for hours with a spray can of WD40, to crappy little home made mist systems, to brushed on cutting oil, to air blast, to vortex tubes, and even ran flood *transmission fluid for a while.  Flood transmission fluid was the best until I went to flood water soluble coolant.As I bragged shamelessly about in another post I finally got around to buying another CNC wood ripper.  Wood Ripper 2.  Wood Ripper 1 has been disassembled and the parts stacked out of the way for some time.  Like with Wood Ripper 1, Wood Ripper 2 was not intended to be used with metals.  Atleast not initially, but now some of the projects seeping into my front brain involve sheet aluminum.  I suspect some...

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