Search results

It is obvious that Rains either works for or owns a business in China , this type of advertising occurs on several of the forums that I visit. Dan.

I had a meltdown accident early on with my kiln which left a conductive film on parts of the lining. This caused shorting of the coiled elements so I changed them for the sheathed type. I bought mine from a specialist supplier in Liverpool but infact they could be sourced from old electric...

I use sheathed elements in my burnout kiln , these are rated for a maximum temperature of 850°C which is perfect for the maximum requirement of 725°C. Dan.

Hi Bosworth and welcome , I am just down the road in Nuneaton if you need anything. Dan.

Cast iron gears were used for many years in the water and steam driven mills of the early industrial revolution. Lubrication was by tallow and water. Every year the mills would close for 2 weeks and teams of men would inspect the gears and take off the shiny high spots with chisels. Payment for...

Not exactly sure what you are asking but eccentrics usually need adjustment so I use 2 grub screws set at 45° to each other. Crank shafts are normally made to a press fit or silver soldered. My experience with epoxy glues has found mixed results and joints that are constantly under stress...

Welcome fellow Brit , need any help for tools etc drop me a note. Dan.

I bought a set of holders and inserts for my Boxford lathe(British made Southbend clone) from Bangood. The holders needed about 1/16" milling off to bring them to centre height , the inserts seem to be ok. I have bought several items from Bangood some have been good and some awful. Dan

Hi Steve and welcome, where are you from (in the UK) I am in Warwickshire and can help if you are close. Dan.

As the headstock and bed are cast in one piece with the bronze mandrel bearings in split adjustable housings it is unlikely that a new part would be possible . There were many small lathes intended for hobby use that were made to this pattern between the wars, and of the few I have owned or...

I don't suppose depleted uranium is available :eek: Dan.

The exhaust steam passes into a closed condenser where it is cooled by cold water. The cooling of the steam produces a partial vacuum in the system. Air that has been released from the boiling water is removed by an air pump. The condensed water is pumped back into the boiler through non-return...

Please explain what R30 actually is , how does it's thermal character compare with water ? When you say "water tube boiler" this can refer to different types including flash steam so please ...more detail ! Dan.

For investment casting work, vacuum is required during the powder/water mixing stage, and suitable vacuum pump should be capable of reaching a minimum 27"Hg well before the the 4 minute mixing time is finished. Filled moulds need to be fully vacuumed in less than 2 minutes It follows that the...

It is quicker and easier to change the contents of a drill chuck than those of a collet chuck , that is the only benefit ! Dan.

Investment powders have a worktime and it is very important that the manufacturers stated worktime is adhered to. The moulds are subjected to great stress during the de-waxing and burn out stages of heating. The expansion and contraction, that would cause straight plaster of paris (the base of...

Hi Mark , you have had excellent results for a first attempt ! The little balls sticking to the castings are , as you know , are caused by air bubbles. The bubbles can be held in place by static and are very difficult to move even with good vacuum and vibration. They resultant metal spheres are...

Colin that is a good question , being a leaded free cutting steel most , including me , would say no, but a web search will turn up other opinions saying yes. Best idea is to try it out and post your experience here. May I ask if the part/parts you are making need a hard wearing surface why not...

Nah it's 44" dia and 3/16 thick wall ! he was going to machine it from a solid bar but it was a bit wasteful .

I believe Brian said the piston was cast iron , and it will not require heat treatment so , if it must be ground then I would leave just a couple of thou on the diameter and grind dry. I really believe that a good enough job could be done by turning and polishing with emery cloth on a flat...