Shop Made Tools

[BMW Rider]

Re: The cut knurler, from 3 or 4 pages back in time:

Moved on to re-purposing orphaned Phase-II bump knurler into a straddle knurler with some 3/4" scrap square stock.
Clamping rod is positioned to allow up to 2-1/4" diameter stock. 1/4-28 threaded. Geometry such that one turn
of clamp screw closes wheel space down 0.060". Added a pin to spring bore to prevent deformation, then added
a small plate to retain the pin. Ooof. Started down that path because did not have material to make a custom hoop
spring that could wrap around arm pivot bolts. Could not put spring at clamp rod and still get 1/8" to 2-1/4" spring action
without work to the original QCTP base to increase the arm pivot spacing.

Tommy bar an after-the-fact addition...thought it would be easier to crank the knurled knob given I made it so large...
so next time, could use smaller knurled knob with tommy bar, or just a nut.

Easier than cut knurler to set up for the random knurl; more forgiving/self centering; better for small diameter knurl,
at least for a terminal beginner like moi.

I've been wanting to get this style of knurling tool for a while. I liked your idea to repurpose the one I have and shamelessly copied it. I did a few minor changes, but pretty much took my design cues from your photos.



I also have been wanting to make a carriage stop for my lathe and finally made this one last week.Not made to hold a dial indicator as I have a digital readout on the lathe, but I can adjust the stop over a small range to fine tune.

[Alistair Hosie]

THE CHIPPING HAMMER'S HANDLE IS 180 deg REVERSED or is the photo back to front? Reversed? or front to back? Very confusing I'd not say. Alistair ps might be upside down?

[Fonzy4140]

Made a "1940's Tailstock Turret" from a Popular Science Article...
Of course I used steel weldments instead for the castings in the article have not been available for 50 years or more!

SEEN @18:37 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMCp_o1E-V8

[mattthemuppet]

You're living the life roger, good on ya!

[rcaffin]

The sheet Al is 5083 alloy: fairly hard for sheet. Not as hard as 7075 of course. Certainly nothing like what is normally sold as flashing. I suspect flashing is probably 1060 Al alloy or similar: that is almost pure 100% Al and very soft. I got the 5083 sheet cheap: the distributor had over-ordered and wanted to get rid of it.

Yes, I chose 4 legs over 3, but I also supply a square of oiled 1/8" ply to serve as a base board on soft soil and snow. I also supply 4 micro-pegs which can stake the stove down for stability, through holes in the board. Boasting of course, but a big advantage I have over large commercial companies is that I USE the stuff myself. I know what works. That's the difference between wild Go-Fund-Me inventions and what works.

No, I have not (yet) got bored with manufacturing. To be sure, it is a different world from physics research, but somewhat to my surprise I found it a huge challenge, especially at the start. As a research scientist I had workshop staff, purchasing staff, technical assistants, a budget (which was NOT my own money), ... As a solo mfr, I had to do everything - and it was far more complex than I had expected. (Secret: ebay is my engineering supply shop.) Also, there is certain satisfaction in sitting there watching a CNC machine running, churning out highly accurate replica parts.

Ski touring, Australian Alps, breakfast time. The stove is a commercial one, because the photo was taken many years ago. A precursor. The weather overnight had been a little noisy, but it was calm and SUNNY in the morning. Two bowls: my wife and myself. What is not to like?

Cheers
Roger