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Thread: Flag pole WIP.

  1. #1
    Join Date
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    Default Flag pole WIP.

    I have been asked a number of times how we do some of the long stuff that we do so I thought a Work in Progress might answer some of the questions.

    The job is to turn a 9 meter flagpole to replace one that broke.

    The Victorian Ash timber was laminated by Timber Engineered Structures and then machined to 210 x 210 MM by Premier Wood Machining Services.

    The flagpole is 9 metres long with bottom 4 metres left square and the taper finishing at 90mm at the top. The taper is to run from the square and not a shoulder as we normally do.

    We normally load these into the lathe from the end door but the weather has been that lousy here that we would have had to wear Arctic survival suits if we had opened that, so we opted to load it the way we do 5- metre posts by bringing it in through the front door suspended in the centre by the jib put across the tines of the fork lift.

    I have never loaded a post this long this way and was a little unsure it could be done but nothing ventured, nothing gained.

    Before loading though a little preparation was needed.

    We set the post up on trestles across the workshop using the jib on the forks to bring it in. Our workshop is 11 metres from the lathe to the door so not much room to spare.
    Attachment 175313

    While Anne-Maria sanded the excess glue from the ends I prepped the lathe. This consists of cleaning all excess stuff (flat surface syndrome) off, cleaning and oiling the bed to allow the 70kilo tailstock to slide effortlessly out to where it was needed.
    Attachment 175315
    Anne-Maria then centred the ends.
    Attachment 175314

    We reattached the jib and got ready to put it in.
    Attachment 175316

    The method is as follows:

    We bring it in on the fork lift and attach the lead (headstock end) block and tackle.
    Attachment 175317

    Whilst moving forward with the fork the lead block and tackle moves down the gantry and the post swings away from the fork.
    Attachment 175318

    We keep moving forward until the post is at right angles to the fork.
    Attachment 175319

    When the post is over the lathe we attach the tail block and tackle.
    Attachment 175321

    Disconnect the jib and hopefully it all hangs on the block and tackles.
    Attachment 175320

    It just made it in with about 300mm clearance to spare.

    Now we just put it in the lathe like any regular piece of timber with one difference.

    While the timber is just resting in the centres on the points we start the lathe and bore the drive spur into the timber so that it has a positive seat.
    Attachment 175322

    To be continued. Time elapsed 1.5 hours.

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  3. #2
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    Thats cool hope to see your workshop then I'm in MLB
    In November
    DANGER!!!!
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  4. #3
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    Default

    Very interesting. I just assumed flagpoles were shaved and whittled to shape.
    .
    I know you believe you understand what you think I wrote, but I'm not sure you realize that what you just read is not what I meant.


    Regards, Woodwould.

  5. #4
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    Takes me back ! it's been a number years since I used to do big stuff

  6. #5
    cookie48 is offline Old Fart (my step daughters named me)
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    That would be great to see live. Looking forward to the rest of the WIP

  7. #6
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    This will be good to watch.
    Pat
    Work is a necessary evil to be avoided. Mark Twain

  8. #7
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    What is the twisting torque like when it starts to rotate and how do you stop it sagging along it's length?
    Dragonfly
    No-one suspects the dragonfly!

  9. #8
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Woodwould View Post
    Very interesting. I just assumed flagpoles were shaved and whittled to shape.
    Some still are but we have always turned or machined them.

    Quote Originally Posted by dr4g0nfly View Post
    What is the twisting torque like when it starts to rotate and how do you stop it sagging along it's length?
    Because of its size there is very little twisting torque and only about 1/8" sag.

    All will be revealed in the next episode.

    Sounds like a Sattaday Matinee.

  10. #9
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    Very interesting WIP . I'll have to keep it in mind for next time I'm asked to make a 9m flagpole Mind you, getting it to my lathe would be easier as my shed is only 2m deep Might be a bit left hanging out the window though.

    I'm amazed at the lack of flex and centre support. Does the fact that it's laminated help with that?

    Cheers,
    Dave
    ...but together with the coffee civility flowed back into him
    Patrick O'Brian, Treason's Harbour

  11. #10
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    Default

    Watching this one.

  12. #11
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    Interesting WIP
    Thanks,
    Might pull up a stool and sit and watch this one - who's got the anzacs (sorry we're in Vic, who's got the ripple cake )

    I see you're using the short bed for this one

    PS: I note that TL hasn't finished those chess pieces yet.
    Last edited by Sawdust Maker; 7th July 2011 at 10:26 AM. Reason: add PS
    regards
    Nick
    veni, vidi,
    tornavi
    Without wood it's just ...

  13. #12
    Join Date
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    Some people have fun jobs.
    Also watching.
    Those were the droids I was looking for.
    https://autoblastgates.com.au

  14. #13
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    I was going to ask the same question as dr4g0nfly. With that asked I'll watch.
    I make things, I just take a long time.

    www.brandhouse.net.au

  15. #14
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    Nothing to it !

    I adapt the same methods when I want to turn a pen.

    Allan
    Life is short ... smile while you still have teeth.

  16. #15
    Join Date
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    Victoria
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Allan at Wallan View Post
    I adapt the same methods when I want to turn a pen.
    By my calculations, this piece contains about 7330 pen blanks (not allowing for kerf)

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