07-12-2011, 07:41 PM
Fear not Col, he was only shaping thin plate. He's a Silversmith really, but joined the Constabulary to keep body and soul together. He made a couple of half suits of armour for a local Amateur Dramatics outfit. One day we'll get a small forge and really branch out. Are you applying for the job of Striker?
I got back to the spindle yesterday - big mistake. In view of the small holes required and my Industrial grade equipment, I decided that a quick and dirty refurbishment on my tiny drill was called for. By the time I'd convinced myself that it wasn't going to be at all quick and I'd reverted to Plan B - putting a little chuck in a big chuck in the Milling Machine - I was frozen to the bone. The good news was that the Mill spindle runs very true, which is more than can be said about my big drill.
So, having thawed out over night I was back on the job late morning. The wind had dropped and it was actually a bit warmer. Also the bit of carpet in front of the bench, fan heater, fleece and thick boots no doubt helped. The rest was just a matter of careful measuring, double checking, sharp centre punch and slow drilling. Bearing in mind Col's stern warning I drilled and tapped first and then opened out the clearance holes. It appears to go together so now I have to assemble it in situ and see what lines up. By the way, they aren't the real screws, just some nice brass ones that I bought.
More later, I hope.
Alan
I got back to the spindle yesterday - big mistake. In view of the small holes required and my Industrial grade equipment, I decided that a quick and dirty refurbishment on my tiny drill was called for. By the time I'd convinced myself that it wasn't going to be at all quick and I'd reverted to Plan B - putting a little chuck in a big chuck in the Milling Machine - I was frozen to the bone. The good news was that the Mill spindle runs very true, which is more than can be said about my big drill.
So, having thawed out over night I was back on the job late morning. The wind had dropped and it was actually a bit warmer. Also the bit of carpet in front of the bench, fan heater, fleece and thick boots no doubt helped. The rest was just a matter of careful measuring, double checking, sharp centre punch and slow drilling. Bearing in mind Col's stern warning I drilled and tapped first and then opened out the clearance holes. It appears to go together so now I have to assemble it in situ and see what lines up. By the way, they aren't the real screws, just some nice brass ones that I bought.
More later, I hope.
Alan
