Thursday, May 14, 2009

Tools for the Solar powered workshop

After six months of planing how to spend my redundancy money effectively. I have started collecting tools for the Solar powered workshop.

We decided to visit the National Model Engineering & Modelling Exhibition in Harrogate this weekend. We took my two of my youngest Daughters who had a great time looking at all the working Models particularly the tiny working steam engines.

My other half Midge also enjoyed the show with the girls buying all sorts of bits and bobs for her airbrush set-up. The next Model Engineering show will be mid October near Warwick / Lemmington Spa. Well worth a visit. I bought a few small bits and bobs as well.

First Purchase was a Time and Precision Ltd 3 axis x 55mm/2.20inch cubed aluminium positioning stage including stepper motors a steal for £40 with 0.00125 resolution on X & Y at 200 steps or 0.000625 Resolution @ 400 steps. The ideal basis for the baby Bertha project.












Second purchase was a the small Sieg C0 Baby Lathe from www.arceurotrade.co.uk Price £165. Thus solving the frustration of trying to use pedestal drill or Afghan lathe etcetera.

Sieg C0 Baby Lathe

Specifications:
Swing Over Bed 110mm
Distance Between Centres 125mm
Hole Through Spindle 10mm
Spindle/Tail stock Bore 10mm
Spindle/Tail stock Thread M14x1mm
Spindle Speed 100-3800 r pm
Motor Output 150w DC
Cross Slide Travel 50mm
Overall Dimensions 440x270x210mm
Weight (net/gross) 13kg/22kg
Standard Equipment:
50mm 3 Jaw Chuck, Dead Centre, Tool kit



Third purchase and slightly unplanned was a Micro Mill also from www.arceurotrade.co.uk £125.

This completes the mechanical hardware required for Baby Bertha.

Sieg Model X0 Digital Micro Mill



Features:

* Digital Depth Readout (Metric & Imperial)
* Feed Depth Set-up
* Fine Feed
* Variable Speed
* Highly Accurate
* Chuck Guard








Specifications:
Drilling Capacity 6mm
End Milling Capacity 6mm
Throat 165mm
Max. Chuck to Table Distance 205mm
(with spindle extended)
Spindle Stroke 40mm
Spindle Taper JT1
Spindle Speed (Variable) High 0-5000 rpm ±10%
Low 0-3600 rpm ±10%
Motor Output 180w
Overall Dimensions 165x275x460mm
Weight (Net/Gross) 15kg/20kg


JT1-ER11 Milling Collet Chuck Set with 6 Collets

The collet set required for Milling purchased from Chester Ltd for £29