Printing The Cross

The print out is rather bad. The flow of molten PLA not consistent. Ruth rejected it and ask for a reprint.

While I was looking at it, a thought suddenly came upon me:

The cross is not a beauty, nor it is even at least pleasant. It is rejected by all, forsaken by God.
It is in that One Act; the act of love. An act so complete that made it so beautiful.

It is in that One Act that we can come boldly in the presence of our Father with no shame & guilt.

He died that we might live. He became poor for our provision. He was made sins so that we can have His righteousness.

This is my Jesus...




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Wongster's Production Has Moved!

Hello all,

There seems to be no update for a while but in fact there are. New posts are now over at my new blog at www.wongstersproduction.com.

Do visit and drop me comments on your like and dislike of the new site.

I'll still be keeping the older content here for reference purpose.

See you on the other side...


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Transfer Screw's Point

I don't know if there is a technical name for the point on the transfer screw that put a little depression on the stock. But I think you know what I am referring to.

This post is not about making the transfer screws as the set I bought is now sitting at the Post Office waiting for my collection. It is about my attempt to make the point like what was shown on Bob Warfield's website (www.cnccookbook) as shown below:


I've been wondering how he did this. What I did before was to have the base of the point (which is basically a cone) equals to the diameter of the rod or screw.

This morning, before leaving for work (I know it's Sunday and it sucks to be working on the Sabbath), I did an experiment. An M6 cap screw was mounted in the 3 jaw with its hand sawn off using a hacksaw. The top slide was turned to the 30-degree mark on the graduation and advanced to make the cut. I tried stopping at around the same Z depth and in no time, I get the result I want:


That made my day!!!

The point wasn't hardened. It works alright on aluminium but could stay sharp for a single use on steel. If you observe the pic above carefully, you'll see that the tip is a little blunt. This pic was taken after testing on both aluminium & steel.


This was when the piece just came off the lathe.

But I still leave for work happily as I now know how it is done.

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Broken Lathe Guard and Noisy Belts

I had a surprise the other morning when I saw the acrylic cover on the lathe broke from its swivel base. I don't remember breaking it during the last session as that will be pretty obvious looking at the way it is broken. 

Anyway, there is a magnet at the swivel base that cut off power to the lathe when the cover is lifted up. It does gets in the way when turning big diameter stock close to the spindle but it prevent accidental touching of the spinning spindle when in operation. 

I wonder if I should replace it or Loctite the magnet on the swivel base to allow the spindle to work without it. Those safety conscious folks may jump with it off but... I don't know. Will think about that.  Anyway, I ordered the replacement and it should be on its way from Germany.

Some noise from within the gear compartment was also heard when the spindle was spinning.  I opened the cover to have a look and saw these:

No, the belt didn't come off the pulley.  I took it off for photo shoot and to cut away the frayed portion.

I'm wondering, given my only 2 to max 4 hours of usage every week, if its too soon to result in these?  I'll still proceed to order the 2 belts in cases of more damage.

Blogging on the new site

I'm trying to make a decision here; to write my blog posts solely on my new site or still update both Blogger and the new site.

The decision would be simpler if I'm able to write once and post on both, pics and words, all at one time.  But so far I've not been successful.  Posting both sites requires quite some bit of work, especially with pics.

What's your preference?

The new site can be found here: www.wongstersproduction.com.

Take a look and tell me what I should do.

Regards,

Wongster

ER32 Collet Chuck - Test Fit

I was rather curious to find out if the recess fits the bore on the spindle flange. Went back to the shop and take everything off and fit the work.

It seems to fit nicely...

Pushing the flange of the chuck to be against the flange with one hand, I tried moving the chuck against the registration boss on the flange. I can feel slight movement and some knocking sound at certain point... boy am I disappointed...


I put on the 3 jaw chuck (without the bolts) and did the same. The slight movements and a little knocking sound was also there.


I measured the gauge with the caliper - 70.01mm.  The registration boss on the spindle flange measures 69.99mm.  That means that the recess is 0.02mm over sized...  No wonder the gauge fits so tightly into the recess of the 4 jaw chuck.  I've to press it in with my hands.  If the gauge is oversize, the recess will also be...


I'll push on till the end to complete this project.  The decision of making another piece will be left till the completed collet chuck is tested.

ER32 Collet Chuck - Recess for the Register Completed

I was up as early as 7am this morning.  Wanted to sleep in on this Sunday morning but just could not.  After washing up and 2 cups of coffee, I started working in the shop.

The job of the day is the recess at the back of the chuck which needs to be precisely done so that it fit the registration boss on the spindle flange without any wobble.  I asked Dave my last couple of questions on the forum so that I've clear images in my mind of how I should carry out this operation.

Not much pics taken as the session was rather short.  I was concentrating intensely when bring the recess to its final size.

After starting a shallow hole with the centre drill and 5mm drill, a slightly larger endmill was used to open up the hole a little more.

The Sherline insert boring tool was used to open up the recess to slightly more than 60mm.  This is to leave some "meat" on the wall of the recess after I get close to the depth.

The gauge made earlier was used to test the recess bore.  It fit nicely but the air within the 2 mating parts refused to let the gauge sit properly.  I tapped it in with the palm of my hand and couldn't get it out after.  It has to be pried out carefully with an allen key.

From another angle.  The shiny part is the gauge.

All done for the recess.  I let it cool before testing it again with the gauge.  I believe the air pocket formed is an indication that the fit is a good one.  I definitely hope so.

The "floor" of the recess was finished off as best as I can.  It feels smooth now but doesn't have the bling shown in Rob's and Dave's pics in the forum.  It makes me wonder if its the camera as mentioned by some other members of the forum. Mmmm... 

Next up, the mounting holes.  The 3 holes are clearance holes for M6 cap screws.  After completing the recess, I suddenly realized that I have forgotten to scribe the PCD for the mounting holes... All is not lost, me think.  I've on order from Little Machine Shop in US a set of M6 Transfer Screws.  The recess will help to locate the collet chuck while I tapped the part to transfer the hole locations.

This is how the set of Transfer Screws looks like, for those whom I tried asking if they're available in SG.

Pic taken from Little Machine Shop.

The threaded portion is to be screwed onto the mounting hole on the spindle flange, leaving the little pointy portion sticking out.  The collet chuck will then be placed onto the flange using the recess as a guide.  It will then be tapped with a mallet to have the hole positions transferred to its back.

But I'm still concern about one thing; will the trapped air causes the collet chuck not seating properly affecting the transferring of hole locations to be off?

I'll know when I received the item, together with a 3" angle plate.

That is all for today.  Have a blessed week ahead with unceasing fruitfulness!  Shalom.