When Strange Noises are Heard

During the sanding of the Steady rest I heard a strange noise from the drive area of the Bench Drill. A quick check and I could see a tightening of the V belts was in order but didn't do it.

When drilling the angle for the steady the chuck grabbed and stopped spinning, that was it time to do the necessary maintenance. I guess I was very lucky as when I loosened off the motor the front and rear pulley grub screws had come loose and the rear belt had de-laminated. 

The grub screws was an easy fix with requirement to lengthen the flat area on the motor shaft to allow the pulley to drop further down and into better alignment. The drill press was second hand and I had had it for some time without any trouble.

The new belts were obtained from BCS Bearings and Belts at Moorebank fitted and now running much quieter and  smoother.

The damaged belts

 The new ones fitted

Time For a Rest

You'd think that after four weeks of the dreaded Flu and Pneumonia, rest would be the last thing I'd want due to winters chill's and the worst in many years.

The type of rest this time is a Steady Rest for the Nova lathe. A steady rest gives support to between centres turning it stops flexing of the item being turned, it also acts as an end support for such as deep hollowing of vases etc where these are mounted on a face plate or in a chuck.

The link to the PDF is one of many designs which can be found on the net. It was this one I based my build from as it is designed for a Nova. I changed the two lower arm angles to rise up towards rather than as in the PDF horizontal.

I have designed my own in metal tube but that will be a build at a later stage.

The whole process took me far to long, over four weeks but I nibbled away and did what I could when I could. You'll notice the vast array of mark out lines this was stuffy head syndrome.

The frame is marine or CD ply which I picked up for just $1 each the pieces were approx 500x600 best $4 I spent. These were from the Hunter Woodies when visiting Rolly Monro's demo. The two layers are glued with PVA after cutting out the centre's on the bandsaw and shaping the out side. I used the drill press and sanding bobbin to sand internal and external faces of the sides.













I then handed it over to Alan for rounding over the edges on his router table at that point I just didn't have the strength to handle my hand held router.

About a week latter I hand cut and chiseled the rebates for the arms recessed to 10mm to accommodate the arms and help keep them stable. The three arms are made from Merbau, which were off cuts from something else. The arms I routed one was free hand not a good thing to do! the other two were done with a guide in place which kept the cut straighter.

I had some left over 2X50x50x150x6 angle these were drilled 5/16"X8 for use as the base support and mounting brackets and a  1/2' hole for the locking bolts. Two pieces of flat 8mm thick cut and drilled 1/2"  to which a 1/2" bolt will be tack welded and become the locking plate.














 I had a few knobs about two 8mm and one 5/16" these will secure the arms in place.

The wheels are off a pair of in line skates I bought cheap, $10 a bargain being the wheels alone at stores are now closer to $30 a pair.

Painted the angle black, a double coat or WoP on the frame and arms this morning.
I have to yet tack weld the 1/2 bolts and find new shaft bolts for the wheels to be mounted the original axle shaft bolts are just a little short.

 I will trim the bolts so they are flush with the nuts which will avoid accidents.

Updated 2nd September
 
I was able to tack the1/2  bolts on the plates which hold the frame to the ways early this morning prior our visitors from Melbourne arriving. The plates were cut so they can be dropped into the lathe bed anywhere and rotated to allow them to tighten to the underside.
This reduces the need to remove the two banjos and the tailstock.

I found the original axle bolt to short to mount the wheels and in my stash from my old wheelchair I found three just right with washers and Nyloc nuts to suit fitted tested on the chuck and a light sand to smooth away the rough surface on the wheels from their previous use.

 

Unlike some which are real flashy show pieces with wheels that flash while spinning mine is just a simple looking steady rest it'll do me for the work I do.

Myford ML7 T-Nuts

Recently I purchased a clamping set from RDG-Tools UK  as well as a number of other items, everything else was all in fine order but the clamping set T-nuts were not.
One was missing and none of the T-nuts would fit the T-slots on the Myford ML7, an email to RDG - Tools had them send a 2nd clamping set out at their cost along with a couple more things I ordered. Once again the T-nuts although a complete set would not fit the slots. Photos below.

Ken a good friend had some time up his sleeve so he offered to make two lengths which made sixteen T-Nuts, using the nice big Bridgeport mill he has access to. This was a great time saver for me as I was on doing other things and then the flu etc hit knocking me  off my feet for a few weeks.

The T-Nut length prior drilling

Drilled and marked ready to be cut.

Cutting in the 4x6 metal bandsaw approx 1" lengths.

Using T-Nuts to keep the  vice level as well as a block to allow clearance of  the vice and the blade guide. I will have to one day take about 1/4" off the vice side of the blade guide block as it interferes with the vice jaw constantly when at close quaters.

The T-Nuts cut.

Test fit in comparison to the one from RDG Tools.

Below and left front of shot are the black metal cast T-Nuts from RDG-Tools they are made in India note the swept up slide edge and thickness of the lower section compared to those Ken made which fit.

The photo below shows the variety of faults from drilled and tapped holes which were not centred. The variety of shapes of the bottom slide area.

 Side by side left the RDG supplied T-Nut and the one Ken made which fits. Note the black one behind upside down which has chambered  lower edges while others were rounded.

 

Many thanks Ken there's nothing like true Englishman made even if it was made here in Australia for quality and fit.

A Little Late

Sue spent quite some time making this  all hand spun cardigan for son in-law John's birthday. Due to a number of factors he was handed it a little late.

The wool for this cardigan originally came from John's step mother's stash of fibre and it turned out to be very suitable for the purpose.

The cardigan is knitted in a basket weave looking stitch pattern and was worked in one piece to under the arms. The sleeves were knitted separately and a gusset was worked under the arm for more flexibility then all three pieces were worked together to the neckline.   It was then a race to find buttons to suit.

Getting A Handle On It

A few years ago I was made a tool for deep hollowing by an old engineer Ted Edwards. Ted was a founding member of Cumberland Woodies at Blacktown in Western Sydney. Ted had used a Stainless piece 16mm and approx 500mm long, he then ground half of the end of the shaft away allowing a flat surface to fit a Carbide Cup cutter which is approx 10mm dia.

I never got around to fitting a handle to this in the last 5 years it does an excellent job when it comes to hollowing and a nice finish can be obtained.

Back on April 27th I had an opportunity to go up to Newcastle to the Woodturners Of The Hunter club and see an excellent world class demonstration by Rolly Munro.
From 9am till 5pm that day I was glued to my seat watching him with his well designed tools their uses and his artistic talent. A great day.

The Hunter club put on an excellent spread at lunch time so good we only needed a light dinner when we got home. Meal consisted of  cold meats, hot chicken legs, and lots of good healthy salad. All this had been organised by Paul Brinkley a true Wood Nut.

I  indulged myself  in buying two of Rolly Munro's round Carbide tools smaller than the one Ted had made.

I got side tracked told you I had to "get a handle On It"

Again no handle so as the needs of the handle to suit myself the diameter of the tool handle in particular it was best to make one. I had a piece of ideal Aluminium tube at home I had scored from a road side clean up. This was off a kids Pogo Stick, I stripped it down kept almost everything as it was a quality item and material. 
The main shaft I had envisioned to use as the handle for the tool Ted Edwards had made. The shaft Ted made being 16mm and Rolly's 19mm didn't pose a problem as I could turn down and drill the two insert holders for each end. 
Drill and tap M4 and M8 HT hex bolts to hold the 19mm dia insert in place on one end, on the other end I decided to use the aluminium clamp as well as an M8 HT hex bolt to secure the 16mm shaft end. I do have a quick release but I feel the physical size and possibility any slight knock of the leaver would have it come undone.  The tube is approx 500mm long and 25mm diameter.

I have yet to test the tools out in the new handle will post a report when I do.

This is similar to all three Carbide tips.

Machining one of the inserts

M8 hole drilled and view of the clamp

M4 holes drilled and tapped these hold the insert in as the clamp on this end will be removed

Rolly Munro tool inserted

Close up

Test fit of the Ted Edwards 16mm dia shaft

  I had to ream out this end as a bur had been created when drilling and tapping not allowing the shaft to slide right through the insert.

All drilled and fitted

 Some shots from Rolly Munro's demonstration back in April.

Bianca's Baby Doll's Bed Part 2

Part One here

With spring in the air and some finer days I/we have been able to get more done. Last sand and final coats or Wipe On Polly glue the base in. Over the last few days Sue/Nana has been at the sewing machine making the mattress, pillow and quilt.

Added a bit of Bling also.