Entry 17 2nd November
I don't like doing this at all, - disappointing people that is. It is now
no secret locally that my partners problems are extremely serious, getting
worse, and unlikely to improve. For that reason, progress on the MK VII
has been halted for some weeks. I have had other things on my mind.
Entry 16 August 4th
Sorry about this, but my Partners most recent tests proved 'not good' and a
cause for her problems has been found. We are now looking at a lengthy
course of treatment. At least we know now, and can move on with our lives
instead of attending hospitals quite so frequently. As a result of this, I
have revised my schedule for the development of the machine, - I will get there,
but it will take just a little longer. I have already managed to do a
little more... Maybe now my blog entries won't have to be so negative!
Entry 15 July 10
My Partners tests have so far not explained her problems... As the medics keep
checking things, we find more bits of her are OK, - which is a relief, - and
with time, the original symptoms seem to be diminishing anyway; which is a
relief. - So, after the next consultation, if that proves OK, we will just have
to put it down to experience, - and try to catch up again. Now where was
I????
Entry 14 22nd June
Well, its been a bad week or two since I last blogged. My partners health
problems have not gone away... hospital visits now taking their toll on our
time, and a fair amount of looking into space and wondering why us and why now.
Hopefully, after the next set of CT scans things will be clearer, - but just now
there is no progress to report...
Entry 13, 8th June.
Slightly over the week since I last wrote, and something to report at last.
The first of the sub assemblies has been made. This sub assembly has the
depth of cut control incorporated in it, and just to be 'flash', it is screw
adjustable, so any depth can be obtained within the range of the selected cam
profile. Major improvement on the originals. So, now we have a
reciprocating cutter, and a means of causing it to reciprocate... the next bit
is to give it something to reciprocate from.
Entry 12, 30th May.
Little to report... more materials have arrived, some redesigning has been done
to improve functionality, and my partner is still un-well. The Notice
Board got erected, so that is out of the workshop and out of harm's way, - which
is a relief when welding! - the Vicar is pleased. Hopefully, by the end of
this week, I will have something more substantial to report.
Entry 11, 18th May.
This week so far has been a little frustrating. Interruptions to the flow,
(Customers, visitors, urgent mercy dashes to Doctors for my partner...) and a
need for better equipment has slowed things down. The equipment problems I
am handling, - and I am up-dating some of my kit to improve accuracy. When
I was working on the OTD all those years ago, I was happy enough to get a
machine that worked. This time, I am aware of more, and need to make
everything repeatable, and as accurate as I possibly can. Things that I
was able to gloss over before need putting right... you guys won't want or
understand the sources of the 'idiosyncrasies' that the original machines had...
so bear with me, I'm getting there; - slowly!
Entry 10, 14th May
Yesterday, (Sunday) saw me and a pal at a model engineering show, - him looking
to buy all manner of toys, - me looking for inspiration. Bought a couple
of little things that might help with one of the components, - and a few odds
and bits. The weekend has caused a bit of a re-think about one securing
device, - and I hope to crack that today. A customer paid up yesterday, so
the next few days development are funded...
Entry 9. 11th May
Getting on... four masters near completion, - for four of the major components.
Midnight oil again, - but cannot be helped. Photos will be posted when
they are complete, with a description of what they do. Into the workshop
now to do some more...
Entry 8. 8th May
Bank Holiday weekend now over. Not much to report really, began a trial
modelling the some of the components yesterday, today might get the models
refined before making a mould... but the modelling compound takes TIME to dry.
Very frustrating.
Entry 7. May 4th
Getting to grips with the new Lathe, and discovering the delights of having a
milling head. Things that took all day with a file get done in an odd
hour, - with more certainty. Whilst waiting for the materials to arrive I
have started making the first redesigned cutter bodies. These incorporate a spring tension
adjuster and a cutter position adjuster, as well as a cutter holder - so they
are 'deceptively' simple. I have three underway, and some parts for the
fourth. My aim is now to make four machines, not five. One for me, -
(the one with all the bruises and scuffs on from developing the process,) - and
three shiny ones for sale/testing. I can hardly wait to try mine, - how
about you? In the development so far, I have managed to shave nearly a
third of an ounce off the mass of the moving cutter 'train', - so my guesses
about the speed that the machine will tolerate are being revised upwards again!
(Big Gleeful GRIN)
Entry 6. May 2nd
So far this week, some of the materials that I have ordered have come, - but,
inevitably NOT the stuff that I need first! - Sod's Law. However, my old
and creaking Myford Lathe, that I was using in the development has been retired
at last; - I have been given a swap: - for a bright shiny new (Chinese) lathe,
with a built in overhead milling head! This is going to make things so
much easier. With a bit of luck, I might, - IF I don't get interrupted,
begin modelling for the first of the masters tomorrow. I also have
another contact to try for the out-sourced components that I need... Must give
him a ring...
Entry 5. 29th April
... Sunday, and the web still works anyway. Orders for the first
development materials are being processed, so now I wait. The component
designing is done, - as far as I can tell until I try to make everything fit.
Many of the components will be cast in resin, - with Brass filler so that
effectively the components will behave like brass in use. This will enable
me to do the machining only once, and get the components consistent (I hope).
The only worry is accuracy, - but that is a 'suck it and see' problem.
There seems to be a ground-swell of interest in the machine now, so I am
encouraged. Also, it keeps on developing... I feel that with minor
alterations I can approximate some more Rose engine work with it as well: - This
will be interesting... Might need a couple of other interchangeable components
adding to the original list, so at the moment, I am leaving that to stew... but
watch this space!
Entry 4. 27th April
...More midnight oil, but the drawings and parts list are about done.
Assembly details are also about done, - well as far as anyone can during the
latter stages of the designing process. Production and assembly often
throw up their own challenges...
The first flurry of activity on this site seems to be subsiding slightly, - but
there is still a substantial amount of interest for something that is not yet
even visible... I would appreciate comments none the less!
Entry 3. 26th April 2007
...Well, yesterday was a write-off as far as the project
goes... Being main 'Carer' for my aged Mother didn't help... but today I intend
to order the first materials for the development of the components, - should be
delivered Monday I expect. The metal spinning got finished, so now the
handles get turned. Customer for another job due to collect any time, - so
now it's down to the workshop.
Entry 2. 24th April 2007
... Disappointment from the Laser cutting company.
For prototyping they have a minimum charge... and it seems to be per item.
My funds won't run to 117.50 per shot... Also, their batch size for
productions is a tad large... I don't know if I am going to make 10 or 20 or
2000 at this stage, so it is 'back to the drawing board' ('puter) again there.
However, in a flash of unusual inspiration, I have another idea for one of the
major components that shows all the signs (so far..) of being eminently
'do-able' with the kit that I have... so by the end of today, I am back on
track. Midnight oil again, to prove it, and we will see.
The Metal spinning? - better this time than last, - but not quite finished yet.
Entry 1. 23rd April 2007
... The website for the OTD has been active for less
than a week, and is picking up an impressive number of visitors... which serves
to encourage me to more effort to get the machine made as soon as possible, but
development has to be sure as well. Today I made contact with a local Engineering
company with a Laser cutting service who will work from my drawings, so
prototyping will be simplified. Further than that, today saw some more
progress with the component drawing... However, the problems of being a
one-man-band... other work has to get done as well... hey ho... the next set of
decorated 'Victorian' door handles got started... metal spinning tomorrow.
More drawing till 1am again I expect...
