First efforts of a UK newbie

[gus]

With steel I had trouble getting a good surface finish until I started using Tapmatic cutting fluid instead of WD40 or whatever oil; started using the tailstock center to support the work (too much overhang and deflection) and used this lathe tool to remove the last two or three thou of metal;

http://www.gadgetbuilder.com/VerticalShearBit.html

Easy to make and works great on steels of unknown heritage....

Cheers Garry

Hi Garry,

Welcome to the Tapmatic Club. I use both 'all metals except Alum'' and 'Alum only' with good results and finishing. Parting with a sharp cutter and dobs of Tapmatic has not given me any tool breakages. I use parting blades from LMS.

Bought China equivalent oil for steel cutting. Results quite good. Tapmatic Oil
is very expensive. I use a small brush to dob tool and job.

 

[Swesson]

Is this the stuff? https://www.cromwell.co.uk/LPS7271550A

 

[Lawijt]

Yoy did a great work already. For cutting brass or aluminium I use WD40.
If you want too build a other steam engine , you can try the engine from Steve's workshop. It is more work & more turning , but mine looks good & runs really good.
Here a link for the plans:

http://www.steves-workshop.co.uk/steammodels/simpleoscil/simpleoscil.htm

Barry

 

[don-tucker]

That's a nice one Barry ,I wouldn't mind making one myself
Don

 

[don-tucker]

Had to do it Barry made one over the weekend,it's in finished projects ,a good choice for someone starting out. Don

 

[Rivergypsy]

Nice looking engine - well done

Just from personal experience, Tapmatic is blinding on ally, but I don't rate it for steel at all. For me Rocol does an infinitely better job. And brass? Bone dry with zero rake inserts, or if you take care and go gently, positive rake carbide.

 

[Swesson]

Thanks for the positive feedback guys. Barry I think that one is going to be my next project I've got my new mill coming this week so I will be able to use that a bit as well. I'm getting really confused about cutting oil Rivergypsy you're not helping, what's Rocol???
I hope to have the wobbler finished by the end of the week I hope it runs but if it doesn't I'll just carry on with lessons learnt and try again.

 

[Rivergypsy]

Hi,

This is the stuff :- http://www.rocol.com/products/search/type:brand/brand:rtd and I'd go for the following...

RTD liquid - turning/drilling/tapping on mild / stainless / bronze / etc
RTD Cleancut - the same for ally
RTD compound - tapping on anything nasty, it really is good stuff.

 

[Swesson]

Thanks RG I've got some on the way from Amazon £25.

Rigged up air to the wobbler today and to my shear joy it ran. It needed a spin with my fingers to get it going and it only runs for a few seconds before stopping but it runs, i'm more than delighted.

 

[Cogsy]

Congrats on getting it to run. I'm sure with a little tweaking you'll improve it's run time. I'm reasonably sure (99.9%) that wobblers aren't self starting so you will need to give it a flick to get it to go. Enjoy the moment, you'll never forget the feeling of your first runner!

 

[Swesson]

So here it is running, I'm quite pleased. I think my next project will be the one suggested by Barry. I want to concentrate a little more on the finish next time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KyNwazLj_E

 

[danstir]

Congratulations!!! excellent engine.

 

[gus]

Hi Swesson,
Very well crafted and runs well.
Must be very happy with your first running engine.
We share your joy.

 

[bazmak]

Congratulations and glad to see your enjoying yourself.Its a pleasure to hear from newbies
especially when things go wrong as they do,and you bounce back in undaunted
O the the joys of youth.Keep up with your never say die i can only improve attitude
Regards barry

 

[Swesson]

Congratulations and glad to see your enjoying yourself.Its a pleasure to hear from newbies
especially when things go wrong as they do,and you bounce back in undaunted
O the the joys of youth.Keep up with your never say die i can only improve attitude
Regards barry

"Youth" thanks Barry you've made my day I'm 42. I know that's not really old but I haven't be referred to in that way for quite a while.
Thanks everyone for their positive comments.

 

[Rivergypsy]

Nice one - well done!

 

[motoseeya]

I don't know if youll like it but I use 1 part cutting oil and 2 parts wd40 and does a nice job for me and I like wd40 on my machines it is a water displacement and keeps my machines from rusting my shed is not heated.