V-Blocks

I started making theses matched pair of V-Blocks in 2014 I had to ask Ken a friend who has a mini mill and tilting vice to finish them off for me. He did a great job for what I shall use them for. We did a DIG test and found a .004 discrepancy along a round bar, the bar may not be true so I will do it again on a known true bar or flat/square.

I used the 6x4 bandsaw to rough cut the V's, I machined the side slots on the Myford ML7 using my vertical slide mill. It just doesn't have enough travel for me to have done the final cuts. Yes i could have cut it in half and done it that way but the idea was to stretch my machine to its limit.

Marking out I use a Perm Marker and scribe.

 The end was drilled centre of the two V's full length for form a relief area for the cutters and for square stock. I also drilled a pilot hole in each block this was to facilitate a 5/16W Cap bolt to secure them to T nuts but I decided not go ahead with that. 

Below the set up using the vertical mill for the hold down slots to be cut.

Ken's work was having a clear out and he dropped this beaut universal vice around sadly its to big for the Myford and would get little use on the pedestal drill. Ken has it and used it to finish off the V-Blocks.

The vertical cuts being done on the 4x6 bandsaw removing the waste.

 First one done I left enough to be machined hence the cut not being online.

 The finished V-Blocks below many thanks Ken first use not far away.
Blocks have been stamped to show matching ends.

Oberon Steam & Sturt Wood School Open Weekend February 2016

 Once again we visited Oberon Steam Fest its been a few years since we had our last drive out there. We normally have a far more important event our grandsons birthday but it was celebrated during the week.

Below a FlexClipper as it leaves the grounds.

Diorama's 

 A very nice Chinese miniature Cabinet.

Got to catch up with an old friend work mate from yeas back meeting Dave and his wife Marrisa and their four children. Got time to drool over his shed and what was in it.

 I spotted this up in the rafters its for cutting Ice Blocks or for  cutting bails.

Dave during the day rang to say he had some logs for me although not Walnut as first described this beautiful Cherry will be much appreciated and used for something special. The Cherry tree had come down at Jenolan Caves it used to be at the south end of the main building. In my days when taking coach tours of school children there in season i would pinch Cherries off the tree. 

My only purchase a neat little pop rivert consatina unit.

On Sunday although Saturday was a long day we decided we were fit enough to head down to Mittagong and Sturt Wood School for the second day of its Open weekend. One display was this magnificent Tool cabinet made by Pheobe (the lady in blue), full of Colon Clenton hand made tools.

These fellows as well as myself all in awe of the whole unit, unfortunate I did not take a photo of the Sassafras book matched doors.  

A Few Odd Jobs & Fixes

There is always those jobs which crop up and need attention, quick fixes, repairs and something new required quick.

Over the last few months we have had our share both of us separate and together.

These are some I have tackled over the past few months.

First off is total replacement of the footman/treadle on Sue new wheel I never like the finished foot rest or support.

 

Below a quick clamp handle repair. I like these quick grip clamps BUT often the handles snap at the screw hole (I have one to make new handle for) or the handle just spreads the sides and pops out. I driller a 5mm hole through and used a machine screw dropped a bit of CA on the nut so it does not come undone when in use or thrown about.  

 

A quick new English Oak Chopping Board for Sue her Jarrah on slightly smaller than she wants for particular work. Whom i to deny such a request when I get to enjoy the end products of her knife wielding.

Turnig Tools and Storage Box

For the last few years my turning tools have been stored in 2 plastic buckets the larger 10lt one has/had PVC tubes in it to separate the tools and bring some order and ease of getting them out. An increase of replacements of a bowl gouge by two and a number of home made and some specially made by friend Neil for specific jobs meant it was becoming over crowded. Difficult to get tools out the smaller 5lt bucket had the midi tools stored I wanted a simpler combined storage.

Before the corner looked like this.

The box is ply with tongue joints more PVC tubs cut and now the corner at the end of the lathe is cleaner more user friendly and easier to access the tools.

 Now the corner looks like this. I have some more PVC tubes to add to it yet, but all tools midi and standard plus special tools all in a handled box.

 

These are two of the tools made by Neil a Hook tool which I made the handle for Neil welded the parts together.

 The Hook and shaft are Stainless Steel. I have used three grub screws to retain the shaft and marked it for length with in the tube/handle. Ken machined a flat along the shaft so the grub screws hold better.


The Swan or Goose neck deep hollowing tool used on all three Norfolk Pine projects. The steel shaft fits into a handle I had already although Neil had machined a section so it could be fitted to a wooden handle. It is shown here with four stainless steel knuckles, I found this to be to cumbersome so removed two for now. I have already made another cutter out of an old broken hex key.