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You're right actually :roll:. Brain fade moment.

Not sure where I got the hydrochloric from now, I have about 4L of the stuff.

Yes, that is a fair point. Contamination is your enemy. To be honest I have probably only done that more towards the end of the process.

When I actually blow with compressed air it is usually when...

Ah Ok.

Sorry it didn't work out for you. As I alluded to, generally I've found Birchwood Caseys stuff works crap to the point of being misleading and falsely represented. The truoil is ok though,...

That was actually the factory red dot. If it wore off I was just going to dot it on again at the end with red automotive acrylic lacquer that I had handy, but I didn't need to. It stayed put just...

I haven't blackened any brass sorry, but it seems that sulphur is a favourable component to achieving this. In fact Birchwood Casey makes a Brass Black solution. I have no idea if it works well or...

This technique is called rust bluing and has been used on firearms for 100+years. Pretty easy to do as you say, just labour intensive.

I use a wipe on solution of a mix of hydrochloric acid...

I'd put service and support above most things.

I'd personally go with H&F if I had the choice, now I've never dealt with them with machines but I figure you've probably got a better chance of...

Yeah it did come with one (Metric) but my ER32 MT3 chuck is imperial :doh: , I made a draw bar previously to suit the hercus lathe headstock, which is too short for the X3. It's not a big deal to...

Yeah agreed.

I don't know if the sand would have been an issue, it isn't an oil bath in the head just the greased gears living up there in space. I did what I could to wash it out and I'm happy...

I've done it. Worth it for piece of mind IMO. It's a bit of a chore but wasn't that big a deal. I was most concerned with the chance of grit/sand in the gear box and bearings. There was loose sand in...

Nice press.

I'd love to buy one if I can ever find one and at a reasonable price. I have just the job needed for one and need the bigger work area/bite. I've been abusing my vice for the job but...

Thanks for your comments again PDW.

Yeah I realise that measuring over pins would only give me an indication at that point, not which side might be out but it was enough for me to determine how...

Hi Cba.

Mine is Optimium branded, I assume genuine. I have heard rumours however that small volume sellers often get the stock that doesn't make the cut for the large volume sellers. Not sure if...

Thanks for the comments and support PDW and Kyrn, it is appreciated.

Its been a little while since I played with it so I forget some of the details. If I recall the nod was ok and the head rotates...

I have both mills. A Sieg X3 and the Optimum BF20L.

I've actually never used the X3 and its still sitting there, I bought it with other stuff in a sale.

The BF20 I have has been a nightmare....

Been there Steran50.

Do a search for BF20L mill from Ausino Engineering Supplies to see my problem, but I essentially get what you observe on my mill. My mill is an Optimum, but they are identical...

The answer is easy.

Take a part that is the colour you want to match to Bunnings paint section, the sample area only needs to be less than a 5c piece. Something small and flat is best.

They'll...

Good luck with that.

I've got an near copy of this mill, an Optimum BF20L. Bought from Ausino Engineering Supplies in Melbourne - shipped to me in Tassie - that there is the biggest issue, if I...

Nice work.

For a moment there when I saw the first breech plug I thought that was the one you made and I panicked a little at the small number of threads that would have been retaining that...

Very nice. I suspect its worth my while having a go at that and its a nice little project.

Thanks.

Yeah I bought an el cheapo ratchet T handle from Nubco. Heap of poop, hence why I would be reluctant to buy any no name brand one in future. My guess is anything with a decent name on it would...

Some good info here. Like many, I am due to upgrade to better taps.

What I notice, particularly in the cheap sets is that the handles also are absolutely rubbish.

So does anyone have any...

Not trying to being rude, but if you are going to post links to youtube videos it would be really helpful if you also posted some brief description about what the video are actually of. Your post...

That's the guy, sells on gumtree too.

I know you said that you may be prepared to deal with minor issues on the Chinese machines, but just be aware that sometimes they are MAJOR issues. And that...

If you come across Ausino Engineering Supplies or Liw818 via Ebay in your search for Optimum gear, please take my advice and keep looking. Do not deal with this guy.

If buying a chinese machine...

I have the same problem in the same location on the countershaft of my Hercus 9a. I suspect that it is a combination of the belt to motor being perhaps a little too tight, but then it might have...

Holy holey batman!!

That's amazing :doh:

The T-nut blank isn't hardened. Very quick and easy job on a mill, should only take a few minutes.

Regarding the tapered parting blade, yes that's fine in your holder. That taper is side relief...

I reckon I've broken down a dozen or more printers now for the shafts. As you say, it machines beautifully and I've made a bunch of stuff with them.

Any idea what the alloy is? I've heard it might...

Thanks Ben, yeah we'll see how it goes.

I don't rate my chances but I'm trying to get everything aligned and go through the proper processes so that I can try and make a successful claim through...

RUN FAR AWAY FROM THIS SELLER!!!

Through round about means I ended up buying an Optimum BF20L mill from what turned out to be this guy, but from his Coburg store not via ebay. I thought I would be...

As mentioned, if it has a start capacitor it could be that.

If it doesn't have a start capacitor it could be the start windings that have burnt out, but the run windings are ok.

Or, if it has...

Wow, that's nice.

I have the same problem on my QCTP from CDCO in the states. Its just annoying that they are wonky when trying to adjust them and you do wonder how the hell they got them so off line. But anyway.
...

I bought a pack of shim stock from RS Components. Not sure if that helps, but it was among the cheapest that I could find at the time in the size that I needed (300mm).
...

I've been looking at this 45 degree face mill:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170941291273?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

There are some cheaper ones on ebay from HK and China,...

Just looking at your pictures, your spindle bearings needs their lower oilers. Don't run your lathe dry or you could gall/damage your spindle and bearings.

You could buy them, or just fashion...

I'm by no means an experienced machinist and a lot of what I do is trial and error so take that for what its worth, but I did try a few different tools that I had ground and some cut better than...

Interestingly, this topic came up just before I was going to buy some M14 Grade 8.8 bolts to make some hinge pins for a rolling block rifle I'm rebuilding.

I was wondering if I'd be able to...

Hi Baron,

Looking good.

No chance that disk could come free from the shaft is there? That would get exciting quick. :o

But I was more going to post on the geometry of the HSS tooling. Its...

Good thinking.

Never thought of doing it like that. I can see myself making something similar.

It's going to take a bit of guts to let it do its thing the first few times though :rolleyes:
...

Yeah, me too.

Rigidity is something I knew would be limited, but the quill retracting wasn't something expected to look for either. I doubt my lock will be sufficient to hold it so may end up...

Been my Gumtree experience too. I've bought quite a few pieces off Gumtree and generally been ok when doing the buying. However, selling is a different matter. Like you say probably 90% time wasters....

Do you mind if I ask what you bought?

Take this for what its worth.

I haven't seen the C6 or the AL250g in the flesh, but I did look at an AL50g at the local Nubco. I had a bit of a play with the AL50g and I was pretty unimpressed in...

Are you after any parts that are missing? I have a Model C parts lathe here if you need a V belt cover for example.

Send me a PM. :2tsup:

I'll be in the market for a 50mm face mill myself soon. From reports, on these smaller machines, the 45 degree face mills are the best option unless you need to mill up to a shoulder.

Just...

A couple of little recent lathe projects.

First one is a multi roller head for a peristaltic pump at work. The pump came with a 4 roller head (one on the left) and we found it was pulsating too...

Ah, Baron.

I've got a BF20L (same mill) that I'm having a hell of a time with too. I haven't got time to write a full reply here at the moment because I have to go out.

But basically I'm...

Or use electrolysis :2tsup: