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  1. Just a Sparky

    Need help selecting a cutter grinder.

    I'm looking for a solution that will allow me to re-sharpen endmills (teeth and flutes) and drill bits. The ability to handle HSS lathe tools in a square collet would be a nice bonus, but that's not something I can't already manage with my bench grinder on the infrequent basis that I need a...
  2. Just a Sparky

    Gluing/epoxying cast iron?

    Looking for a quick, low-temperature, low-strength fix to bond cracked cast iron. I like to collect and restore old electric motors dating back to the beginnings of the electrical age. Occasionally I'll run into one with a crack inconveniently located along one of the oil sumps. Some motors...
  3. Just a Sparky

    Lathe DRO retrofit - single axis vs dual?

    Debating different options for improving my ability to quantify carriage movement on my 13" South Bend. Presently I just use a 2" travel dial indicator clamped to the ways which registers on precision flats on the carriage. This works fine right up until I have a part with precise longitudinal...
  4. Just a Sparky

    Bench grinding wheel recommendation

    Looking for a quick and dirty recommendation for a wheel to chuck into a new bench grinder. Too much on my mind and too many projects out right now to drop everything and thoroughly research grinding wheels and their myriad part numbers & characteristics. Just need someone in the know to...
  5. Just a Sparky

    Leather vs synthetic flat belts

    Looking to order a new flat belt for my 13" South Bend. The one I've got in it now is a bit long and I've run out of adjustment to take up the slack. Before I re-order from the same supplier as before, I'd like to learn a little more about the different material options available out there...
  6. Just a Sparky

    Thermal engineering: Sizing a plate-type heat exchanger?

    Brainstorming some ideas for constructing a poor man's compressed air dryer and aftercooler. One of the ideas which has stuck so far is buying a used plate-type heat exchanger on the cheap. Garden hose to supply naturally chilled water, compressed air in on one side, water trap on the other...
  7. Just a Sparky

    Powermatic MVN spindle rebuild - or not?

    I messed about with the spindle in my MVN the other day. Adjusting preload and adding grease. Ended up adding too much grease. Now the bearings are churning grease and getting hot. Can't seem to find my IR thermometer at the moment but at 2000 RPM the spindle heats up to the "uncomfortable...
  8. Just a Sparky

    Making custom seals for an old high pressure CO2 valve?

    Just asking to see if anyone here has experience with cutting rubber and selecting the right type of it for sealing high pressure CO2. I've got an old high pressure CO2 valve which predates the modern use of O-rings for sealing valve stems and seats. Instead it relies upon a gland type seal...
  9. Just a Sparky

    Wire-mesh type safety goggles?

    I just stumbled across these while looking for a fresh pack of safety glasses this morning and it got me thinking: Pyramex Safety G9WMG Right away it is obvious that they will not protect against fine particulate dusts, so they're no good if you're machining cast iron or red metals. But for...
  10. Just a Sparky

    Setting up a worn-out motor armature in a steady rest.

    Got a semi-hypothetical learning question here. Suppose you've got an old motor armature with a damaged output shaft. Chewed up so bad the key seat is barely recognizable but the motor [for whatever reason] is still valuable and worth keeping. So you want to turn down the shaft to the next...
  11. Just a Sparky

    Entry-level plasma cutters for up to 1/2" thick mild & stainless flat & tube?

    Entry-level plasma cutters for up to 1/2" thick mild & stainless flat & tube? Not sure if this is verboten or whether it will instantly devolve into a bashing session, pissing match or political debate, but going to try nonetheless... Would you guys be able to recommend a solid, relatively...
  12. Just a Sparky

    Brunner No. 542 restoration

    Here's my Brunner #542 compressor before and after a lot of work: Patent dates on the motor place the machine somewhere between 1903 and 1914. Just waiting for some roller chain and a sprocket to get it pumping. Maybe I can upload a video if there's any interest.
  13. Just a Sparky

    Mystery motor ID

    Any guesses? I PMd the seller for nameplate photos but haven't heard back yet. (The one on the left.) The vibe it gives off is almost like an odd fusion between Century or Allis Chalmers and Wagner.
  14. Just a Sparky

    OT for sprinkies: Glass vs mechanical fire sprinkler heads?

    Just a bit of curiosity for anyone in the know. I've always wondered what the rationale is when choosing between glass bulb type and mechanical type (fuse link, solder pellet, etc.) fire sprinkler heads to protect a space. What sorts of characteristics do each have that makes one type more...
  15. Just a Sparky

    Compressor pump ID request

    Just posting to see if anyone in the know can ID this NOS air compressor pump for me. Ultimately I'm just looking for an RPM spec. If I can't find any literature on it then I'll go with the modern de-facto standard of 700-900 RPM since it's got more of a 50s-80's aesthetic to it than the truly...
  16. Just a Sparky

    Leaky Chicago couplings

    I'm having issues with some Chicago style (2-lug) air hose connectors. These guys: The connectors themselves seal up fine at the gasketed interface, but the interlocking style clamps all leak like sieves - even the factory-assembled 1" hose that I've got. I'm talking 10 horse pump running...
  17. Just a Sparky

    Cutting fluids for droplet lubrication

    I'm looking to set up a droplet lubricator (a.k.a. "FogBuster", et. al.) on my mill to help with chip removal and tool lubrication. Not so concerned with cooling as I don't do high speed machining or deal with hard materials. What sorts of lubes work best for these systems? Is it necessary to...
  18. Just a Sparky

    Dumore 5G parts interchangability

    I'm looking at a Dumore No. 5G tool post grinder a fairly low price. It includes some stones and pulleys, but is missing two of it's three interchangeable spindles. I'm wondering if I can obtain and use ordinary No. 5 spindles with this 5G, or if I should simply pass and look for something...
  19. Just a Sparky

    I.D.ing Greenfield threading dies

    Picked up an old Greenfield pipe threading kit a while back for a steal of a deal. Almost entirely complete for 1/2" NPT through 1-1/2", except the dies and collar for 1" pipe are missing. Posting here to see if anyone has stumbled across one of these oddballs before and could give me a style...
  20. Just a Sparky

    Cracked crankshaft repair?

    I got the worst possible news earlier today from the crankshaft shop grinding my compressor crank. Magnafluxing revealed a crack in the flywheel-side bearing seat, about half an inch outboard of the bearing race itself. Is there any way to save and use this crankshaft? These haven't been made...

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