New Years Eve day I'm heading up to a friends shop to fix a few computers and run across a 'Die Filer' for sale. Since I'd been eyeing the MLA filing machine kit (http://www.statecollegecentral.com/metallathe/MLA-18.html) ever since seeing one at another guy's shop, and it was pretty cheap, I snagged it.
As near as I can tell from reading the old sources, strictly speaking this isn't officially a Die-Filer, but a Bench Filing Machine; while the difference is fairly small, the former are usually larger, while the Bench Filers are typically smaller and simpler with a shorter stroke and often no overarm. That's good for me. I rarely have need to file dies, but often want to file other things.
The table on this one is about 8" square and the stroke is about 1.5". It's made by "Postel" of Minneapolis, MN (well, the casting says "POSTEL MPLS, MINN")-- there is scant information I've been able to find on the internet; mostly old references to eBay listings, but never mind; it's a pretty simple creature--- turn the crank and the spindle goes up and down. Some of the eBay listings claim it's a scroll saw, but they all seem to be the same chunk of cast iron. The table adjusts for tilt in two axes via thumbscrews underneath. Obviously I'd have to add a motor and make some files for it.
Since I had a spare 1/3 HP motor gathering dust I figured I'd use that. All I needed was a V-belt pulley for it..
Now for a minor rant. It seems like every time I go into a 'Big Box' "hardware" store lately, I get irritated by the near-complete lack of useful items. Today was a double shot. First not only do neither Lowes nor Home Depot carry V-belt motor pulleys of any sort (they will first direct you to the rope pulleys, then lawn & garden), but the V-belts they do have are specially labeled for lawnmowers and $25+ each! Fueling my irritation yet further was the knowledge that Tractor Supply carries all manner of motors and pulleys and belts, so obviously there is a market for them... except the nearest TS store is at least 15 miles away. So I get the bright idea after striking out twice to hit up an auto parts store. Hey, fan belts weren't that long ago and alternators sometimes still have V-belts.... so in to the counter (unless you want chrome gee-gaws and colored lights, there's nothing you want on the open shelves) and ask "I need a V-belt pulley". "For what car?". "I don't really care. 1/2" belt, 1/2" shaft; alternator pulley, fan pulley, whatever". "I don't know where anything like that is, if you don't tell me what car it's for, I can't find it" ??? ??? ??? Finally they get the "manager" over and he manages to produce, after considerable exertion.. an idler pulley, and claims it's all they have, which I seriously doubt, but have exhausted all my patience for incompetence by now.
It's no wonder we're a disposable culture now if you can't get basic items to make things with. Rant over.
So, Plan B-- make a pulley.
A quick Google gives me this link http://metalwebnews.org/mr-tools/pulleys.pdf. A nifty 1954 'Duplex' article on making V-belt pulleys (nb: snag a copy now if you might ever want it.. these kinds of articles have a tendency to disappear), even giving some useful angles for the size I want to make (at this point I still have no idea what the 'proper' speed for this thing is, so I figured 'small' was what I wanted pulley-wise). Buut... the article strongly suggests using 'cranked' tool bits, so half the angle can be cut without running into the chuck. Wait a second.. I have some of those that came with my old 1930's Sheldon lathe that I chucked in the back of a drawer as soon as I got the QCTP for it. Dust one off and wow, look at that, the bit in it (been there since well before I got it) is almost exactly ground to the shape I need. Things are looking up. Until I try to put the Armstrong into a QCTP holder on the new lathe. Crud.. too tall, won't fit. So much for using the new 12" lathe. Back to the dusty drawer and the 1930's leather flat-belt Sheldon. Off with the QCTP and on with the lantern toolpost. Cruise around all 50 oil cups with the oil can. All I need is to do this between centers with an overhead belt drive and I'd really be kicking it old-school!
Anyway, returning to the land of color photos
whack out a chunk of Al, cutout the middle of the v-groove with a parting tool, swing the compound around to 16 degrees and cut one angle, then angle the other way and cut the next. Reset the bit height as needed. Drill and ream for 1/2" shaft. Kinda peaceful with the quiet slap slap of the old leather belt and max speed of 350 RPM. A big change from the new gear-head 12". I get reminded what chatter is like too
D&T for a set screw and clean up-- voila, pulley.
I made a base of a rejected computer case, and mounted the filer and motor
Now all I need is some files. This isn't as easy as you'd expect at first glance. Die filers and Bench filers cut on the downstroke. A typical file tang is at the wrong end for a filing machine. In addition, the files need to be straight, without taper. Two strikes against your typical file.
Sometimes die-filer files are available on eBay and at a very few machine supply places for fairly high prices. Pretty much nobody uses die-filers commercially anymore, so demand is very low. Bench-filer files are even rarer. The MLA kit comes with some sources for files and instructions on converting them to pull instead of push.
My initial plan was to get some tapered files, break off the tapered part (most only taper for half their length or so), and grind and solder a pull end opposite the tang (this is basically the MLA method as I understand it). But, while otherwise cursing the uselessness of Home Depot, I did discover something interesting in the tool aisle. The cheap files aren't tapered! I assume it's a cost saving measure by somebody in China that doesn't know any better, but it's good news for the die-filer fans. Here's one such set:
All I had to do was install a 1/4" mounting piece. On the round file, it was a simple matter of whacking some 1/4" OD brass tubing over the end (this filer takes 1/4" round shank tools and has a set-screw to tighten them)
The tang-end is the upper end in the picture. I broke it off once I decided on a good length for the file. I've yet to convert the 3-sided and flat files, but I'm guessing some dinking around with my T&C grinder will be needed, followed by some epoxying or soldering. I may get into the needle-files for some other shapes as needed. Marv suggests making a bushing to reduce the file hole for tiny work and I may do that someday as well.
Here's an overview of the whole setup-- obviously I need to cover those motor openings from loose filings soon.
One with the front cover off to show the guts:
... and the money shot:
Using this is very easy on thin stock. It cuts very controllably. I'm happy with it.
As near as I can tell from reading the old sources, strictly speaking this isn't officially a Die-Filer, but a Bench Filing Machine; while the difference is fairly small, the former are usually larger, while the Bench Filers are typically smaller and simpler with a shorter stroke and often no overarm. That's good for me. I rarely have need to file dies, but often want to file other things.
The table on this one is about 8" square and the stroke is about 1.5". It's made by "Postel" of Minneapolis, MN (well, the casting says "POSTEL MPLS, MINN")-- there is scant information I've been able to find on the internet; mostly old references to eBay listings, but never mind; it's a pretty simple creature--- turn the crank and the spindle goes up and down. Some of the eBay listings claim it's a scroll saw, but they all seem to be the same chunk of cast iron. The table adjusts for tilt in two axes via thumbscrews underneath. Obviously I'd have to add a motor and make some files for it.
Since I had a spare 1/3 HP motor gathering dust I figured I'd use that. All I needed was a V-belt pulley for it..
Now for a minor rant. It seems like every time I go into a 'Big Box' "hardware" store lately, I get irritated by the near-complete lack of useful items. Today was a double shot. First not only do neither Lowes nor Home Depot carry V-belt motor pulleys of any sort (they will first direct you to the rope pulleys, then lawn & garden), but the V-belts they do have are specially labeled for lawnmowers and $25+ each! Fueling my irritation yet further was the knowledge that Tractor Supply carries all manner of motors and pulleys and belts, so obviously there is a market for them... except the nearest TS store is at least 15 miles away. So I get the bright idea after striking out twice to hit up an auto parts store. Hey, fan belts weren't that long ago and alternators sometimes still have V-belts.... so in to the counter (unless you want chrome gee-gaws and colored lights, there's nothing you want on the open shelves) and ask "I need a V-belt pulley". "For what car?". "I don't really care. 1/2" belt, 1/2" shaft; alternator pulley, fan pulley, whatever". "I don't know where anything like that is, if you don't tell me what car it's for, I can't find it" ??? ??? ??? Finally they get the "manager" over and he manages to produce, after considerable exertion.. an idler pulley, and claims it's all they have, which I seriously doubt, but have exhausted all my patience for incompetence by now.
It's no wonder we're a disposable culture now if you can't get basic items to make things with. Rant over.
So, Plan B-- make a pulley.
A quick Google gives me this link http://metalwebnews.org/mr-tools/pulleys.pdf. A nifty 1954 'Duplex' article on making V-belt pulleys (nb: snag a copy now if you might ever want it.. these kinds of articles have a tendency to disappear), even giving some useful angles for the size I want to make (at this point I still have no idea what the 'proper' speed for this thing is, so I figured 'small' was what I wanted pulley-wise). Buut... the article strongly suggests using 'cranked' tool bits, so half the angle can be cut without running into the chuck. Wait a second.. I have some of those that came with my old 1930's Sheldon lathe that I chucked in the back of a drawer as soon as I got the QCTP for it. Dust one off and wow, look at that, the bit in it (been there since well before I got it) is almost exactly ground to the shape I need. Things are looking up. Until I try to put the Armstrong into a QCTP holder on the new lathe. Crud.. too tall, won't fit. So much for using the new 12" lathe. Back to the dusty drawer and the 1930's leather flat-belt Sheldon. Off with the QCTP and on with the lantern toolpost. Cruise around all 50 oil cups with the oil can. All I need is to do this between centers with an overhead belt drive and I'd really be kicking it old-school!
Anyway, returning to the land of color photos
whack out a chunk of Al, cutout the middle of the v-groove with a parting tool, swing the compound around to 16 degrees and cut one angle, then angle the other way and cut the next. Reset the bit height as needed. Drill and ream for 1/2" shaft. Kinda peaceful with the quiet slap slap of the old leather belt and max speed of 350 RPM. A big change from the new gear-head 12". I get reminded what chatter is like too
D&T for a set screw and clean up-- voila, pulley.
I made a base of a rejected computer case, and mounted the filer and motor
Now all I need is some files. This isn't as easy as you'd expect at first glance. Die filers and Bench filers cut on the downstroke. A typical file tang is at the wrong end for a filing machine. In addition, the files need to be straight, without taper. Two strikes against your typical file.
Sometimes die-filer files are available on eBay and at a very few machine supply places for fairly high prices. Pretty much nobody uses die-filers commercially anymore, so demand is very low. Bench-filer files are even rarer. The MLA kit comes with some sources for files and instructions on converting them to pull instead of push.
My initial plan was to get some tapered files, break off the tapered part (most only taper for half their length or so), and grind and solder a pull end opposite the tang (this is basically the MLA method as I understand it). But, while otherwise cursing the uselessness of Home Depot, I did discover something interesting in the tool aisle. The cheap files aren't tapered! I assume it's a cost saving measure by somebody in China that doesn't know any better, but it's good news for the die-filer fans. Here's one such set:
All I had to do was install a 1/4" mounting piece. On the round file, it was a simple matter of whacking some 1/4" OD brass tubing over the end (this filer takes 1/4" round shank tools and has a set-screw to tighten them)
The tang-end is the upper end in the picture. I broke it off once I decided on a good length for the file. I've yet to convert the 3-sided and flat files, but I'm guessing some dinking around with my T&C grinder will be needed, followed by some epoxying or soldering. I may get into the needle-files for some other shapes as needed. Marv suggests making a bushing to reduce the file hole for tiny work and I may do that someday as well.
Here's an overview of the whole setup-- obviously I need to cover those motor openings from loose filings soon.
One with the front cover off to show the guts:
... and the money shot:
Using this is very easy on thin stock. It cuts very controllably. I'm happy with it.
