Hi,
In another thread yesterday I boldly stated that nothing other than an emergency would prevent me from spending time in the garage this morning. Get up have breakfast; don't switch on the football AKA BBC news; Bron would answer the phone; don't log on; say NO to callers wanting something for nothing or starting with "can you just", don't open any mail etc. etc in fact just get into the garage and blow the world?
Well; please blame me for today's terrific wind and storms. I had breakfast and fought my way into the garage at 7:30; I thought both garage doors would end up in Scarborough being buffeted so much by the howling wind; the car was driven out and parked on the drive then another fight had the doors closed; I was bitterly disappointed though if this was all the weather could throw at me for being so selfish as to want just a few hours of quality time on my own pottering in the garage; where was the cloudburst at least whilst I restored the Graduate I had both high wind and driving rain against the doors for days on end?
The wind was whistling and howling up the valley and at this time of the morning it was still a black hole outside as seen through the door windows in a picture below. With the CD player playing my favourite sixties songs I set about making the new main-shaft for the bandsaw. What joy it gives me to be able to switch lights individually right over where I'm working; the lathe was well lit up for a change. Because I'm converting the garage into my workshop lots of materials and tools have been given new homes so it took a while to get everything together.
I'm used to big industrial sized lathes and at first felt annoyed by the restrictions imposed upon me by the tiny Clarke lathe; this lathe is actually a beauty now with its new more powerful motor installed but having to use a spanner just to lock the tailstock in place; how quaint? I had just enough 5/8" Diameter bar stock (BMS) to make the new shaft of but it would take some fiddling to get it to run perfectly true allowing me to centre the tailstock end allowing a dead centre to be engaged; I wasn't in a hurry and finally with the bar running true I could start reducing it's size. First problem was the threaded end; checking the original with the thread gauges proved the thread to be 3/8" Whitworth; drat it I don't have a suitable die; the nearest I have is 9mm which is an odd size so then I wouldn't have a nut?
I could have drilled and tapped for a 10mm set screw but this would weaken the shaft at the bandwheel mounting? After a while I decided to reduce to the original thread size and hopefully will be able to buy a Whitworth die at Rufforth? Next was to reduce for the bandwheel; both these being easy tasks but a lot of care is needed because to blink would result in an under-sized and scrap shaft which I already had in the original. Again I had trouble finding a suitable end mill for milling the keyways so chose the nearest and will adapt the key to fit. I thought it very strange that the original shaft had a long keyway running right into where the bearings are located so I modified this adding just a keyway for the bandwheel. The original shaft also had a wide "flat" to engage the pulley locking screw? I'm using a taper-lock pulley but as I was already set up I added a keyway in this area.
The original shaft also had a shaped retaining collar which to a novice would appear part of the shaft it being turned from a single bar section; this collar was actually pinned very neatly by a taper pin which was punched out; again a novice might resort to pounding such a pin with a hammer and punch wondering why it won't release; many of these pins are tapered so if it doesn't release being punched one way turn it around and try again. I didn't have the correct taper drill so I drilled at the larger diameter through the shaft then drove the taper pin back home; I could have simply added a circlip groove but the collar is lightly loaded so saving me cutting the circlip groove.
With the collar located the shaft was once again set up in the lathe and the collar machined true.
As I looked at the garage doors from the inside I couldn't make out if it was just a waterfall or lots of snow bouncing from them? The bin men arrived so I had to break off to take the wheelie bin to the rear of the bungalow before it blew away. In spite of the weather I enjoyed my session in the garage this morning and now have a brand new shaft which was a pleasure to make even if the Clarke lathe was slow going. The home made keyway cutting jig was copied from a "YouTube" video so not of my design but it was extremely simple to make costing me nothing other than offcuts and it is highly accurate whilst being simple to set up and use. This new main shaft cost very little by way of money; I buy BMS in 24" lengths and like to have a small selection in stock so a 7" length would not cost a great deal but to have a new shaft made even one this small would bring tears to my eyes and a hole in my pocket; even a lathe as small as the Clarke will produce top class work with a bit of practice and patience. For anyone with a bit of lathe experience making a shaft such as this is most satisfying and straightforward to do; to a lathe novice though it is a different story?
WOW; a full morning in the garage without any hassle or interruptions; this is most rare. I knocked off for dinner with the intention of resuming work in the afternoon. We had dinner and as we looked out of the kitchen window we hear a very loud noise on top of the fierce howling wind and at first couldn't decide what the noise was; as I checked the front rooms Bron came to me and said something terrible has just happened? The noise was one of our huge conifers breaking; this conifer must be at least 50' tall; about ten years ago a very large section broke away in powerful wind landing right up the rear garden causing no damage other than lots of work to remove it. Now another large section had broken free but this time landed across the garden hanging up in other trees and laurels; I'm not going near this until the wind drops as it is highly dangerous and when I do eventually go to sort it out I'll take extreme caution; such trees command the highest respect.
I was about to do the washing up when the power failed; the electricity had been cut; a few moments later it flashed on again and at 12:55 it totally expired. Well I did say I seldom get any peace each time I want to enjoy some quality time in the garage; now the conifer is down demanding attention and a power cut prevents any garage activity; we waited and waited and found it galling that we could see power on at the other side of the valley; the wind was still trying to blow the bungalow over and it was the usual black hole; out with the candles and wait some more; at 4:40 the power finally came back on by which time it was fully dark outside scuppering any more garage activity for the day.
Every time I try to do something I want to do which I'm interested in something or someone spoils it but today because I was so determined and in the garage by 7:30am I succeeded in making the shaft so I can at least chalk today up as a success; what's tomorrow going to bring?
Bron and I feel very sorry indeed for the people who have lost their lives due to the storms today and for the thousands now without power or having to abandon their homes because of the high tide which is forecast to bring more misery with flooding; my problems are indeed small compared to what these people have to endure.
Just as I finished typing this we have been plunged into total darkness again with another power cut; only a few minutes this time but enough to fully wind the big key in my back to the limit. It knocked the clocks out again; and at first I thought I had lost this post but managed to retrieve it. The security lights are on but the street lights are out no doubt due to the extended power cut this afternoon; why these regular power cuts only affect our side of the valley is a mystery. Retirement isn't fun living here we even have to fight our way up the lane because the utility companies are forever digging the lane up; so far 18 weeks this session by Yorkshire Water. We love our bungalow but are not allowed to enjoy living in it. I'd better post this before it disappears yet again. (I've saved it just in case).
Kind regards, Col.
What a life; yet another power cut; will I live long enough to post? I'd better post and edit any errors once the electricity company gets its finger out?
In another thread yesterday I boldly stated that nothing other than an emergency would prevent me from spending time in the garage this morning. Get up have breakfast; don't switch on the football AKA BBC news; Bron would answer the phone; don't log on; say NO to callers wanting something for nothing or starting with "can you just", don't open any mail etc. etc in fact just get into the garage and blow the world?
Well; please blame me for today's terrific wind and storms. I had breakfast and fought my way into the garage at 7:30; I thought both garage doors would end up in Scarborough being buffeted so much by the howling wind; the car was driven out and parked on the drive then another fight had the doors closed; I was bitterly disappointed though if this was all the weather could throw at me for being so selfish as to want just a few hours of quality time on my own pottering in the garage; where was the cloudburst at least whilst I restored the Graduate I had both high wind and driving rain against the doors for days on end?
The wind was whistling and howling up the valley and at this time of the morning it was still a black hole outside as seen through the door windows in a picture below. With the CD player playing my favourite sixties songs I set about making the new main-shaft for the bandsaw. What joy it gives me to be able to switch lights individually right over where I'm working; the lathe was well lit up for a change. Because I'm converting the garage into my workshop lots of materials and tools have been given new homes so it took a while to get everything together.
I'm used to big industrial sized lathes and at first felt annoyed by the restrictions imposed upon me by the tiny Clarke lathe; this lathe is actually a beauty now with its new more powerful motor installed but having to use a spanner just to lock the tailstock in place; how quaint? I had just enough 5/8" Diameter bar stock (BMS) to make the new shaft of but it would take some fiddling to get it to run perfectly true allowing me to centre the tailstock end allowing a dead centre to be engaged; I wasn't in a hurry and finally with the bar running true I could start reducing it's size. First problem was the threaded end; checking the original with the thread gauges proved the thread to be 3/8" Whitworth; drat it I don't have a suitable die; the nearest I have is 9mm which is an odd size so then I wouldn't have a nut?
I could have drilled and tapped for a 10mm set screw but this would weaken the shaft at the bandwheel mounting? After a while I decided to reduce to the original thread size and hopefully will be able to buy a Whitworth die at Rufforth? Next was to reduce for the bandwheel; both these being easy tasks but a lot of care is needed because to blink would result in an under-sized and scrap shaft which I already had in the original. Again I had trouble finding a suitable end mill for milling the keyways so chose the nearest and will adapt the key to fit. I thought it very strange that the original shaft had a long keyway running right into where the bearings are located so I modified this adding just a keyway for the bandwheel. The original shaft also had a wide "flat" to engage the pulley locking screw? I'm using a taper-lock pulley but as I was already set up I added a keyway in this area.
The original shaft also had a shaped retaining collar which to a novice would appear part of the shaft it being turned from a single bar section; this collar was actually pinned very neatly by a taper pin which was punched out; again a novice might resort to pounding such a pin with a hammer and punch wondering why it won't release; many of these pins are tapered so if it doesn't release being punched one way turn it around and try again. I didn't have the correct taper drill so I drilled at the larger diameter through the shaft then drove the taper pin back home; I could have simply added a circlip groove but the collar is lightly loaded so saving me cutting the circlip groove.
With the collar located the shaft was once again set up in the lathe and the collar machined true.
As I looked at the garage doors from the inside I couldn't make out if it was just a waterfall or lots of snow bouncing from them? The bin men arrived so I had to break off to take the wheelie bin to the rear of the bungalow before it blew away. In spite of the weather I enjoyed my session in the garage this morning and now have a brand new shaft which was a pleasure to make even if the Clarke lathe was slow going. The home made keyway cutting jig was copied from a "YouTube" video so not of my design but it was extremely simple to make costing me nothing other than offcuts and it is highly accurate whilst being simple to set up and use. This new main shaft cost very little by way of money; I buy BMS in 24" lengths and like to have a small selection in stock so a 7" length would not cost a great deal but to have a new shaft made even one this small would bring tears to my eyes and a hole in my pocket; even a lathe as small as the Clarke will produce top class work with a bit of practice and patience. For anyone with a bit of lathe experience making a shaft such as this is most satisfying and straightforward to do; to a lathe novice though it is a different story?
WOW; a full morning in the garage without any hassle or interruptions; this is most rare. I knocked off for dinner with the intention of resuming work in the afternoon. We had dinner and as we looked out of the kitchen window we hear a very loud noise on top of the fierce howling wind and at first couldn't decide what the noise was; as I checked the front rooms Bron came to me and said something terrible has just happened? The noise was one of our huge conifers breaking; this conifer must be at least 50' tall; about ten years ago a very large section broke away in powerful wind landing right up the rear garden causing no damage other than lots of work to remove it. Now another large section had broken free but this time landed across the garden hanging up in other trees and laurels; I'm not going near this until the wind drops as it is highly dangerous and when I do eventually go to sort it out I'll take extreme caution; such trees command the highest respect.
I was about to do the washing up when the power failed; the electricity had been cut; a few moments later it flashed on again and at 12:55 it totally expired. Well I did say I seldom get any peace each time I want to enjoy some quality time in the garage; now the conifer is down demanding attention and a power cut prevents any garage activity; we waited and waited and found it galling that we could see power on at the other side of the valley; the wind was still trying to blow the bungalow over and it was the usual black hole; out with the candles and wait some more; at 4:40 the power finally came back on by which time it was fully dark outside scuppering any more garage activity for the day.
Every time I try to do something I want to do which I'm interested in something or someone spoils it but today because I was so determined and in the garage by 7:30am I succeeded in making the shaft so I can at least chalk today up as a success; what's tomorrow going to bring?
Bron and I feel very sorry indeed for the people who have lost their lives due to the storms today and for the thousands now without power or having to abandon their homes because of the high tide which is forecast to bring more misery with flooding; my problems are indeed small compared to what these people have to endure.
Just as I finished typing this we have been plunged into total darkness again with another power cut; only a few minutes this time but enough to fully wind the big key in my back to the limit. It knocked the clocks out again; and at first I thought I had lost this post but managed to retrieve it. The security lights are on but the street lights are out no doubt due to the extended power cut this afternoon; why these regular power cuts only affect our side of the valley is a mystery. Retirement isn't fun living here we even have to fight our way up the lane because the utility companies are forever digging the lane up; so far 18 weeks this session by Yorkshire Water. We love our bungalow but are not allowed to enjoy living in it. I'd better post this before it disappears yet again. (I've saved it just in case).
Kind regards, Col.
What a life; yet another power cut; will I live long enough to post? I'd better post and edit any errors once the electricity company gets its finger out?
Happiness is a wreck of a cabinet to restore.
