For me the sketch helps me to keep cutting to the right
*number*. I'm pretty dyslexic and in particular tend to transpose digits. So I learned long ago to a) write the numbers down, and the best way to do that is to put them on dimensions of a sketch. And b) to always do the math with a calculator. I figure my HP15C is about as vital to my shop as the six inch calipers are.
Jim
================================================== please reply to: JRR(zero) at yktvmv (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com ==================================================
Never happen. The auction houses will never limit their audience like that, it'll cut into the profits. Remember the more folks the higher the prices. Nice idea though.
You could probably buy the quill inexpensively from ebay or from a dealer. But if you wnat to roll your own you might put in a bronze insert for the threads, that's how my small pratt whitney lathe was done, and it comes out nice. I had to re-make the ram for that tailstock as well. Basically a cylindrical OD nut that fits into a counterbored recess in the backside of the ram, and a roll pin to hold it there.
Never have used paypal, never will. There are plenty of sellers on ebay who will take a personal check, and wait for it to clear at their end. Sometimes it means a trip to the post office to get a money order, sometimes just cash in the mail. But so far I've been pretty lucky and never been stung, at all, from a bad seller. But nobody gets account information or credit card nos. from me.
Jim
================================================== please reply to: JRR(zero) at yktvmv (dot) vnet (dot) ibm (dot) com ==================================================
And I wondered why I had such a hard time in English! :-)
Thanks, Larry. I appreciate your kind thoughts. Nope, no roof yet, but we are covered with a dandy string reinforced visqueen tarp that continues to amaze us. I figured snow would bring it down, but we received 21" of it and it's still standing. Had to keep the outer edges swept clean (it drains inside instead of outside, long story, but it works) so the edges are vulnerable. Center is apparently supported well enough that it didn't collapse. Our only concern now will be if it will withstand the typical spring winds we get here. If so, we dodged a bullet. A roof is almost guaranteed this year. Almost! ;-)
Don't talk to me about transposing numbers unless you want to see a grown (old) man cry. I recall a fixture being turned for Hercules in the late
60's, something like 5" thick, 18" diameter, chrome-moly, with an O ring groove. Print on another (milling) machine, where more of the detail parts were being made. *Should have made a sketch*. I was just removing the piece from the chuck when I realized I'd transposed the groove diameter, cutting it undersized .045". Talk about sweat!
You're very welcome, RJ. It's a pleasure to exchange war stories with those that have walked in the same shoes.
Don't let my song and dance fool you, RJ. I do a lot of this stuff with smoke and mirrors!
Need I say anything more?
I've always maintained that anyone can make chips and *almost* anyone can follow explicit instructions. It's the skilled craftsman that can make functional parts in a timely fashion with a minimum of supervision and information that earns my respect. I've been around enough guys that think they can do the work when they can't that it takes quite a bit to wow me anymore. Damned few can walk the walk.
I worked with one guy that was likely the finest lathe man I've ever known. He was so good and arrogant that he'd make spares for the next operation, secure in the knowledge that others would make mistakes, but he never did. He didn't, and I'm talking aero-space type, tight tolerance work. Like I said, he was likely the best lathe man I've ever met, and by a long shot. It is that level of excellence I desired to attain, and I did my level best to do so. :-)
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