The Home Machinist!

Just my 2 cents worth I do prefer the paper magazines, but do appreciate the digital versions. One nice thing with Model Engineer and Model Engineer Workshop Magazines is that while they are expensive for us in N.A., if you are a subscriber you also get the digital version. Maybe our local mags coul...

My gun taps finally came in this morning. In about half an hour I tapped the required 48 holes. I just couldn't convince myself to use a speed higher than 180 RPM but I think a lot higher wouldn't have been a problem. I flooded it with the same oil I use on my pipe threader which was a bit messy. Ev...

Thanks for the info. I'll pick up or order some gun taps this afternoon. John

Thanks Dick, I'll keep that in mind. As far as the tapmatic unit it's a well made piece of aquipment. I have no complaints there,which leaves ME. Don't like that one. While waiting I went to the shop and Checked things out a bit. The lowest speeds I could get on the drill press was 122RPM. The 10-32...

Thanks for the reply. The material is common hot rolled sheet. I would probably be useing soliable oil but that's a variable. The holes are through. I would really like to know what are realistic spindle speeds. Also what type of taps? Thread forming? Machine taps? Sorry I know I'm asking a Lot but ...

Cleaning the shop I found I had A tapmatic Tap driver. I don't know how long I've had it - (decades?). The experience using it couldn't have been good looking at the broken 1/4" tap still in the chuck. I have a job coming up where I have to tap 48 10/32 holes in 1/4" plate for a neighbour....

Thanks guys for the reply's. What had tweeked my curiousity was an old drawing for a very squat full size boiler. it just looked to me that without some sort of arch that the flames would travel a long way up the tubes, but I didn't realise that with a large number of small tubes that the heat would...

Could someone enlighten me. If in a firetube boiler where all metal exposed to the products of combustion must be protected by water on the opposite side to prevent burning, how are the upper section of firetubes in a vertical boiler (Steam Space) thus protected. Thanks John

Bill Shields wrote:strange, I always climb mill, even with dovetails.

best to get the exact desired size that way.

Needs a nice, rigid setup and care, but no chance of over-cutting.

Just curious Bill, but why would climb milling give a more accurate

Dimension? Thanks, John

Check out the following link. I've had one for years. costs me 15 cents everytime I plug in the kettle. John

http://www.degreedays.net/kill-a-watt-meter

There is also the problem of metal cuttings being oily which if the collector is used for other purposes such as wood sawdust, can lead to spontaneous combustion possibilities. I speak from experience in that regard. John

In regards to foul language my Uncle always told me that it was the attempts of an infantile mind trying to express itself. That stuck in my mind for decades. However when working with cattle and you get trampled kicked and otherwise abused, swearing is fair game. John