Darren picked up his reworked lathe yesterday, leaving behind a little bit of bench space. But at the same time Stewart very kindly donated a die filer for my workshop, as he had no use for it at the moment.
We had covered it up with tarps yesterday, ready for my friend to come tomorrow and lift it into the shop. Unfortunately, I couldn't wait, and with the help of a sack truck, got it into the shop and up onto its new home.
This is no ordinary workshop flimsy die filer, but a real professional jobbie. The attached ticket said January 1966, and I have no reason to doubt that date, only to say that this machine looks like it has hardly been used. This is showing it off with the detachable u-shaped arm.
A side shot showing how the detachable arms fit into a socket.
Opening the drive belt cover reveals it has two speeds, I suspect one is faster than the other
A very original name, typical of the 50's and 60's, also proudly showing it's provenance.
This is the fully dovetailed and jibbed, sprung loaded tension head. I have incorrectly fitted it with a small round file, it's true use is to hold the top end of a hacksaw blade or Abrafile type blade. To keep it under tension to prevent breakage.
There is also an adjustable hold down bar to prevent the job being lifted from the table during the back stroke of the blade.
A tilting cast iron table, allowing tilt 10 degrees either side of vertical. It doesn't need to be any more, as this was used to put the release taper into the die or mould that was being cut. For the use I will be using it for, 45 degrees would have been perfect. Maybe I can look to see if that can be extended a bit at a later date.
The main ram of the unit, with the built in holding clamp sticking up from the oil filled gearbox.
If you look at the top right of the shot, under the table, it looks like there should be something to be mounted in that position. I would imagine it is some sort of table top guide to allow for the filing or cutting of straight lines. Nothing came with the machine for that, but with a little imagination and work, I am sure I can knock up a guide fence to go on there.
This is the bit I should have fitted. It has a hardened roller for the file to be pressed against to stop it flexing, and also another hold down bar
DOES IT WORK?
Sure does, this was a couple of minutes on a 1/8" thick brass plate.
A machine built like this doesn't have owners, just custodians. It will surely outlast a few people, it is built like a battleship.
All it needs is an NVR switch, and it will be ready to go into production.
As Stew knows, he has given it to the workshop, not me, and if ever he needs the use of one, it will be here, ready and waiting.
This benchtop is the only space I have left in my shop for machinery, so when my lathe toolholders and chuck jaws are found new homes, the only bit left will be for a CNC benchtop mill. Then the workshop should be truly universal. Except maybe for a tool and cutter grinder, a bigger bandsaw, an hydraulic press etc. etc.
A very happy and appreciative Bogs
