Alexander Master Toolmaker (FP1 Clone) Rebuild.

[pressbrake1]

I use Stuart’s micrometer blue. That doesn’t mean it’s the right thing as getting some training end of month. I’m just making this up based on you tube stuff

I think they are all good but need using differently. The oil based is easy to lay on too thick and not get accurate reads. I’m only roughing here so doesn’t matter yet

That’s what I use
I tried the YouTube influenced water based and dykem but don’t like it.

 

[Colin H]

That’s what I use
I tried the YouTube influenced water based and dykem but don’t like it.

That’s good to know thanks. I like oily as I’m used to the feeling. It’s a bit messy but then anything fun usually is

 

[Pete.]

I use Diamant Tuschierpaste. I know Pressbrake doesn't like it but I do. It's similar to stuarts beng oil based but comes in a much larger tube. The stuarts in a tin is a bit of a sick joke. Last one I bought was leaking even before I received it.

 

[Colin H]

I use Diamant Tuschierpaste. I know Pressbrake doesn't like it but I do. It's similar to stuarts beng oil based but comes in a much larger tube. The stuarts in a tin is a bit of a sick joke. Last one I bought was leaking even before I received it.

Thanks Pete, one of tubes of Stuart’s is like that. A dry paste inside and a blue, oily toolbox drawer on the outside

 

[Pete.]

If you find that your blue is a bit think to spread get some thin oil like 3-1. Squeeze out a blob of blue and put the tiniest drop of oil on it then roll it out.

 

[Colin H]

If you find that your blue is a bit think to spread get some thin oil like 3-1. Squeeze out a blob of blue and put the tiniest drop of oil on it then roll it out.

Thanks for that, also find if it’s really cold I have to massage it around a bit to get it going, then a guaranteed itchy nose begins

 

[ukracer]

Thanks for that. I worked my way up from this to a Hurco VM20i with 4th axis for my workshop business but got rid of all recently. Easier ti make money selling ice to eskimos than CNC machining

I’m now back to doing the machine rebuilds and making things for hobby and managing projects for day job (Yea that’s as boring as it sounds).

Interesting comments.....

 

[Colin H]

Interesting comments.....

In what way? Not often I’m called interesting

I just found the basic CNC work was race to bottom as a sub-contractor. Offer something niche like tiny parts, massive parts or your own products then it’s great. General machine shop I found was same hourly rate as I could earn contracting with no overheads hence stopping.

Although could just be I had wrong customer base and wrong approach.

 

[ukracer]

In what way? Not often I’m called interesting

I just found the basic CNC work was race to bottom as a sub-contractor. Offer something niche like tiny parts, massive parts or your own products then it’s great. General machine shop I found was same hourly rate as I could earn contracting with no overheads hence stopping.

Although could just be I had wrong customer base and wrong approach.

I was under the impression a CNC lathe or mill would make money.
But yes it might be your customer base or approach.
I can't make money either..

 

[Colin H]

I was under the impression a CNC lathe or mill would make money.
But yes it might be your customer base or approach.
I can't make money either..

Make 3 times more money on jobs like these I just finished. Repairing the failed work of laser robots!

 

[Colin H]

@pressbrake1 One of those ham fisted students you were talking about! Knew I should have hand scraped with all those edges!

 

[Colin H]

Well I have started work in the dividing head / rotary table as the first things I want to make in the machine are watch case parts (a very old project I never finished).

He she is in all her patina

And here from the other angle

I need to make a 1.75” x 8TPI back plate for this to then mount my 5th Axis, self centering vice. This should cover most work I will do on this machine to be honest.

Other option is a MT4 back plate with drawbar thread

The thread isn’t common in UK and is used on smart and brown but also led to believe the grizzly in US use them so probably the Chinese machines here also?

 

[Martin-Sy]

The thread isn’t common in UK and is used on smart and brown but also led to believe the grizzly in US use them so probably the Chinese machines here also?

Thread form may be different. 55 degree Whit vs 60 degree US

 

[pressbrake1]

If you find that your blue is a bit think to spread get some thin oil like 3-1. Squeeze out a blob of blue and put the tiniest drop of oil on it then roll it out.

Rub it in with lint free wad!

 

[Martin-Sy]

Oh, I think you're in luck.
This has been in my box of 'things that might be useful one day' for about 30 years.

It's a bit rusty but the register measures 1.75 and it's 8tpi.
Yours if you can make use of it.

 

[Richiew]

1.75" by 8tpi is pretty common. 55degree on Boxford lathes and 60 degree on Southbends. Plenty of both doing the rounds.

 

[Seadog]

Too big for a Boxford.

 

[Richiew]

Sorry, my mistake. Those are 1 1/2" by 8.

 

[Pete.]

Sorry, my mistake. Those are 1 1/2" by 8.

But would make good donors for the job...

 

[Colin H]

Oh, I think you're in luck.
This has been in my box of 'things that might be useful one day' for about 30 years.

View attachment 388324


View attachment 388325


It's a bit rusty but the register measures 1.75 and it's 8tpi.
Yours if you can make use of it.

Thanks Martin,

That would be really useful. I’ll drop you a PM later to see what you want etc.

Cheers