Search found 100 matches

by Les_S
Wed Jan 29, 2020 11:36 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Pretty good deal for hobbyists
Replies: 4
Views: 4031

Pretty good deal for hobbyists

Hi all, I recently placed an order with Xometry who sells 25 lbs of 6061 AL drops for $55. Shipping is free! Comes in ~18" X 18" X 5" box. I got some nice 3/8 to 6" dia round ~ 10" long except for the 6" dia piece and 1/8" to 1.25" bar stock up to ~ 4" wi...
by Les_S
Fri Nov 01, 2019 11:12 am
Forum: Milling Machines
Topic: VFD buying advice?? mill needs to spin!!
Replies: 6
Views: 17581

Re: VFD buying advice?? mill needs to spin!!

Totally agree with Bill's advice. You don't need the original pulley to run it the first time but I would get a replacement as soon as possible. You will find that you will have much less torque if you are running your motor at very slow speed with a VFD and your motor may very well run hot because ...
by Les_S
Wed Mar 27, 2019 10:16 am
Forum: Home Shop CNC & 3D Printing
Topic: Thread Milling
Replies: 31
Views: 62722

Re: Thread Milling

Thanks guys - I appreciate the info
Les
by Les_S
Tue Mar 26, 2019 8:43 pm
Forum: Home Shop CNC & 3D Printing
Topic: Thread Milling
Replies: 31
Views: 62722

Re: Thread Milling

Thanks guys. So Glen, I'm guessing that you cut the OD to size and then mill from the top to the bottom and the multitooth tool has the correct taper so the taper widens as it progresses down the shaft? Sorry for the silly questions but what you have shown is really cool! I'm guessing you couldn't d...
by Les_S
Tue Mar 26, 2019 1:15 pm
Forum: Home Shop CNC & 3D Printing
Topic: Thread Milling
Replies: 31
Views: 62722

Re: Thread Milling

Interesting subject! Just curious, I'm assuming that the process for pipe threads would be a little different than the process used for a straight thread. How do you account for the taper? My old Heidenhain controller will do helical interpolation so I'm anxious to get a cutter and try it out! Thank...
by Les_S
Thu Dec 13, 2018 1:04 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Model trains
Replies: 6
Views: 4309

Re: Model trains

A few years back I bought a Bachmann G scale train from Hobby Lobby, as Mr. Ron suggested, to go under the tree. it was a really nice steam train, for not a lot of money, and being big G scale worked very well under the tree until it occasionally came under attack by the family cat. If you can't get...
by Les_S
Tue Feb 20, 2018 1:41 pm
Forum: Lathes
Topic: PM1236 arrived
Replies: 13
Views: 15655

Re: PM1236 arrived

Congrats! I have the same machine and it has served me well. I had a few minor problems initially but those were all resolved quickly by PM. I have since converted mine to a 3ph motor and VFD and haven't looked back!
by Les_S
Thu Sep 08, 2016 11:41 am
Forum: Milling Machines
Topic: advice/opinions on a new x45 clone
Replies: 24
Views: 14910

Re: advice/opinions on a new x45 clone

Hi Dave, I have the predecessor of the PM-932 and it has served my needs pretty well so far. Mine does not have a motor to move the head but that would be a great option. The head is pretty heavy and cranking it up and down gets old really fast. Power down on the quill is a really nice feature for b...
by Les_S
Fri Mar 04, 2016 12:51 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Drill chuck removal with wedges
Replies: 12
Views: 5991

Re: Drill chuck removal with wedges

Certainly no expert but I've been successful a couple of times now by placing the arbor in about a 3' piece of thick walled PVC pipe with the chuck sticking out the top and then bounced the open end of the pipe on a concrete floor. Arbor popped right out but maybe I was just lucky.
Regards,
Les
by Les_S
Wed Feb 17, 2016 4:28 pm
Forum: Milling Machines
Topic: You must be bored when??
Replies: 10
Views: 7052

Re: You must be bored when??

ctwo, I actually considered building a frequency to voltage circuit for the old Sun tach but the meter movement itself was shot. SABToolmaster, I appreciate the "you know you're bored" list consideration. It was actually a fun little project and most folks that see it say "what the h*...
by Les_S
Wed Feb 17, 2016 11:59 am
Forum: Milling Machines
Topic: You must be bored when??
Replies: 10
Views: 7052

Re: You must be bored when??

I like your tach! I installed a VFD on my lathe and find my tach to be very useful. I bought a tachulator from LMS oldtachrpm.jpg but it just didn't look right so I gutted an old Sun tach that I had in the junk box sun.jpg and now I have a proper looking tach :D newtachrpm.jpg Best regards, Les