Messages

8471

General Mach Discussion / Re: Mach Workshop at Cabin Fever Expo

« on: December 08, 2008, 10:37:39 AM »

Hi Guys,

I would love to attend but the seminar is a little too far away for me to travel but I wish you all a good time.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.


Regards, Tweakie.

8472

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: DC-Drive on my Taig mill

« on: December 08, 2008, 08:15:51 AM »

Excellent machine and conversion also very professional video, I thought I was watching Star Wars !.

Regards, Tweakie.

8473

Show"N"Tell ( Your Machines) / Re: These guys copied my "MechMate" . . . . . .

« on: December 08, 2008, 08:12:09 AM »

I wish I had the space for one.

Regards, Tweakie.

8474

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero

« on: December 08, 2008, 08:06:31 AM »

Well said Jim, I agree 100%.

However, the printer port is fragile - a few mA in the wrong direction by accident and poof.
It's a bit like entering a construction site without wearing a hard hat, now nobody is going to drop a brick on your head are they but is it worth taking the risk ?.
Or like surfing the internet without a firewall, you are not going to get a virus are you but will you take the risk ?.

Regards, Tweakie.

8475

General Mach Discussion / Re: Auto Tool Zero

« on: December 07, 2008, 01:08:26 PM »

Hi Olf20,

I have learnt from experience that anything connected to the computers parallel port must be passed through an opto-isolator first. Opto-isolators are usually incorporated on the breakout boards or driver cards - connect through them and not directly to the LPT lead connections.

I have already destroyed one computer connecting a defective coolant switching relay circuit bought on ebay. I am now over cautious.

Regards, Tweakie.

8476

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 07, 2008, 12:40:17 PM »

Hi Marcel,

Thanks for your reply it has given me more food for thought on the skills issue.

I think your cubes are something else and they do require a great knowledge and skill to design and make - you are being too modest.

Regards, Tweakie.

8477

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Lithopane

« on: December 07, 2008, 04:18:05 AM »

Hi Kent,

I think the bone for Logan is just perfect. If he doesn't like it he can chew it !.


Regards, Tweakie.

8478

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 07, 2008, 04:04:00 AM »

Hi Guys,

When I was freeing the center cube, I had machined 5 sides and it looked as if the cube was still attached at all 8 points. I seriously considered Marcel's suggestion of the epoxy but decided to have a go at the final face anyway (impatience on my part). I was quite surprised when the cube dropped free and of course I was extremely lucky not to ruin the whole thing and break the cutter. You have to have luck in this world. If I ever make another I will certainly use supports for the inner cube when final machining.

The cube was polished by hand using 'T-Cut' and a piece of cloth folded round a flat needle file. The polishing took longer than the making.

                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am still not sure about this skills issue. I really don't think that a 'CNC machine operator' needs to have engineering skills (some knowledge yes but skill no). But does a program writer need engineering skills ? (again some knowledge yes but skill no).

Coming back to this cube - if the programs have been written then surely anyone could make it whether they have skill or not.

I would be really  interested in your comments on this folks.


Regards,  Tweakie.

8479

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 06, 2008, 09:19:41 AM »

Hi Rich,

Nothing was holding the center cube in place, it did just drop away. I was holding my breath though.


Tweakie.

8480

Show"N"Tell ( What you have made with your CNC machine.) / Re: Another Turner's Cube.

« on: December 06, 2008, 08:16:37 AM »

Sorry, I missed a photo in the above sequence.

This is the point where courage or faith in your programing is required. Total conviction.


Tweakie.