Gallery, Projects and General > Project Logs
Heron's Aeolipile
Divided he ad:
Well it's been a long (ish ) day and there has been a great result.... Hopefully it will stand the next test?
I spent most of the day with John in his grotto making a form tool and the die for my hemispere making punch thingy me bob....
It went a little like this....
We started with a little instruction into what we would like to achive, John had been planning whilst enjoying his coffee :coffee: it was not to hard to get to grips with, just make a tool to make this happen!!
The tool blank that I had produced earlier in the month was to be re-designed and put to use as a form tool to be used in the lathe.
So here are the pic's and a little description of what was going on....
The tool was held in an arbour and the rear was cut amay to avoid it hindering the tool when inserted into the workpiece.
It was then hardened (I have a little video on this which I will sort out and post ASAP)
Then the tool was re-fitted to the arbour and a tool post grinder was used to grind a 20' relief angle to the rear of the cutting edge
that was then given a little polishing.
A chip breaker was then ground into the front face of the blank and it was cut through slightly off centre (pound coin for size ref') the right hand piece is to be used as the tool.
Then I got to use the surface grinder.... Interesting process of getting a really smooth highly accurate finish in hardened metals. (Some video of this too... I will get them posted soon.)
The tool was then cut again this time the back edge was removed.... A crap 0 cad will be added here ASAP as I forgot to get pic's with the excitement! Sorry.
Now to the die....
A 65x65x50mm Aluminium block was held in the self centring 4 jaw and the front 20mm was rounded off...
This allows easy form tool alignment later and also provides means of clamping the die to the press bed.
A 5mm hole was drilled through the centre and then the centre was opened out to 25mm with a couple of blacksmiths drills.
Then the fun starts.... The first step, increnmental cuts were taken, to rough out the shape of the dome required.
Then the form tool (held in a QCTP holder) was used to create the final shape.
Another video.... Yes I will sort them out ... It's just too late now!!
The final result....
and punch head in position....
We did try a steel version just after this, but as the steel came from a garage door weight and had an unbeliveably hard part in it, it ate a huge chunk out half way down the form tool!!!!! It was working quite well untill super hard bit reared it's head!
So if this doesn;t work for whatever reason.... It's purchase time of some better free cutting mild steel and make another form tool! :bugeye: :dremel:
Well that's it for this evening, I've learnt all sorts of interesting stuff tonight, and used a few machines that I have never had the chance to before.... I know you hate this bit John but Thank you all the same :wave: I'd have not got anywhere near this far without your help and entusiasm :thumbup:
I will sort the vid's out and get them posted ASAP.
I'll also get a few bits made up this week hopefully and then put all this work to the test.
Good night!
Ralph.
Bernd:
Hey Ralph,
Nice bit of "tool room" work you done there with the help of the Bogster. :dremel: :thumbup:
Bernd
Brass_Machine:
John & Ralph... :bow: :bow: :dremel:
Eric
bogstandard:
I would just like to add a little bit to this part.
It is very difficult to operate totally new machinery to what a person is used to, but Ralph took it in his stride and had a go, with me looking over his shoulder like a mother hen.
It was nice just to get back into the shop, to show and explain to someone who has a thirst for machining and fitting knowledge. It took a lot longer than expected, mainly because I had to take pee and rest breaks fairly frequently, plus I was making sure I explained the processes thoroughly.
If it wasn't for the unexpected lump of tungsten hard stuff in the middle of the material, Ralph would have achieved two perfect dies. But now the process has been explained to Ralph in full, I would expect him to be able to reproduce what we did with the ali one in steel in about 3 to 4 hours, and be left with the knowledge that larger or smaller dies like this can easily be reproduced.
I also think I have a convert to my going overboard with DRO's on the lathe. Ralph didn't have to look at the machine dials once. He just let the DRO's guide him along the way. A bit of eyeball setting up of the tool, a little scrapbook calculation, and he was on his way.
Well done Ralph, especially on you teaching me how someone can survive on just plain water and choccies, it has to be seen to be believed. Nearly as bad as my fetish for jammy doughnuts and coffee. But what is life without a bit of shameless indulgence (even though it is bad for you at times).
You are welcome any time.
John
Divided he ad:
Well it was a lot of fun John :D
A tool post grinder and maybe a surface grinder and I'd be able to re-do the work at home.... I could do a bit of a rough and ready version though..... But I think the tool post grinder would be a must!
The DRO's are really easy to use and get exactly what you want from the machine.... When times are not so hard (job secure etc) I'll look to invest I think. Most useful! :thumbup:
Survival.... I'm not to bad at that John, A huge breakfast at 10:30 without too much excersise in between will keep me going for a long, long time.... I wonder why I'm not a rake?!.... Probably all the sweets :)
Can't wait now to get it setup and have a go!!! :D
Eric, Bernd Thank you .... Most of the credit for this bit belongs to Bog's, the loan of your machines is very selfless and trusting :bow:
Enjoy a dohnut (or two!) today if you have any left John.... You've earnt it. :clap:
Ralph.
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