Milamber Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 Wow - is this for real? do you guys really build this stuff? amazing!I thought I was pretty handy working out how to align an equatorial mount!Keep it up.Ed Sadly I only get to play *some* of the time - the rest of it the machine is trying to earn a living! Mind you, as I was running tihs cycle this afternoon I kept asking myself how I got so lucky 8) It really is great to have these toys available and even better to share the fun too! I have a party tomorrow night but I should be able to get close to finishing most of this before I go, assuming the ptfe turns up! (If not I can use nylon for testing purposes!)Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beamish Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Arthur that already looks super sexy and well *sigh* This is what I should have done instead of going to University. Seriously.Karlo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroman Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 This is a PowerCentre KM80 Rob, a wonderful bit of kit about the size of a small caravan I also have the Mazak SQT10M which is a 3 axis cnc lathe - first lathe I ever had that I can turn square parts! (on purpose I mean ) Has driven tooling in the turret - great fun!ArthurWill it work with AutoCAD files? :love4: hint, hint,hint, lust,lust,lust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 *sigh* This is what I should have done instead of going to University. Seriously.I went to Uni too WH... got me a BSc(Hons) in Computer Science. When I left I worked 6 months at NU then got a job as a despatch rider for a year Will it work with AutoCAD files? :love4: hint, hint,hint, lust,lust,lustPossibly... it will run full 3D cycles if need be. I only bought it about 3 months ago so the OS is pretty up to date Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkis Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 1998 MAZAK SQT-30MS CNC LATHE w/SUB-SPDL & LIVE TOOLING This baby is on Ebay for only £61,000. or $125,000US Goodness knows what the shipping costs would be, plus VAT, plus Import duty. I think Astroman should buy it, then we could have Arizona breaks on a regular basis. Two plusses here, get to learn how to operate this baby, then drink in those Arizona desert skies at night.Oh, there's a third perk, drink AM's booze. Somehow I think the third will be the problem one. Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Warthog Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 Are you a scotch drinker, AM? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 26, 2007 Author Share Posted October 26, 2007 I have been known to sample the odd Drambuie WH, why? Malts do little for me - I prefer the spiced offerings... they have a little more character Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Warthog Posted October 26, 2007 Share Posted October 26, 2007 I was asking Astroman, who has the observatory in Arizona. I'm a scotch drinker, and If I go to Arizona, I'll bring some. :drunken: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroman Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Yeah, I can afford a CNC machine. No problem. I'll take it out of petty cash. >faints dead away<Not a scotch drinker, nor anything else if I behave, but I do enjoy company. Any booze of mine you drink, you'll have Rosie to answer to. :nono: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonCopestake Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Nice bit of kit arthur; are these for sale when the r&d is done? What are you using to hold the eyepiece solid in the shaft, brass compression ring?Like others, I want a CNC lathe too! Have you thought about selling time? Seems to be a market! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Gordon - this is a DIY focuser for another project I'm working on rather than an Ambermile thing - though if it works out I may reconsider I will make stuff if people ask - the same as if anyone wants stuff made or wants to come to the workshop for a play themselves they are welcome (within reason and the machines' capabilities of course!).Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonCopestake Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Dont tempt me! I have the plans for a GEM somewhere hehe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Well, I nipped to the workshop this morning and set about the body to add the final touches (if only...)Pic 1 - milling the holes for the focus shaft and bearings.Pic 2 - Shows the little ptfe pads (the proper stuff not arrived yet... )Pic 3 - First test of the assembled thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Pic 1 - Looks good eh? Pity it didn't work as planned The ptfe just has not got a low enough friction coefficient-thingy so it's hard to start the tube moving if the adjustment is sufficient to stop it moving on it's own...Pic 2 (I know, Rubbish focus - forgot to press the closeup button) Plan B - which was plan A until the ptfe idea... I will need to start over to do this right I think. No matter, the program is in the machine now and I only have to spiffy it up a bit Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonCopestake Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 So is it back to roller bearings then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 I think so Gordon - with ptfe brakes Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GordonCopestake Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I think you'll get better performance from roller bearings than from PTFE friction bearings. You need that "buttery smooth" action (what ever that means!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkis Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 I have to say I am disappointed the Teflon bearing model has failed. Does the spindle slip on the flat, or does it lock up? What about another Teflon pressure pad applied to the spindle from below? Or, have you abandoned the experiment entirely now.? Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 27, 2007 Author Share Posted October 27, 2007 Ron - the moment needed to get the tube moving was too much, the spindle spun on the tube rather than starting it moving. A little finger pressure started everything going but that's not good enough. Pity, but as I said, it looks like it's back to the roller bearings an a ptfe break/tensioner.Arthur Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie Posted October 27, 2007 Share Posted October 27, 2007 Arthur i am sure that what ever method you decide to use that focuser will be a cracker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 Arthur can I order the 2inch version in Skywatcher Blue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew* Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 beautiful project, Arthur! It's fascinating stuff what you do.Out of interest, (if you don't mind my asking) if you were to make one specially for someone what would you charge?Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barkis Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 beautiful project, Arthur! It's fascinating stuff what you do.Out of interest, (if you don't mind my asking) if you were to make one specially for someone what would you charge?Andrew I guess questions like that are better asked via PM's. I would venture to assume. Ron. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Milamber Posted October 28, 2007 Author Share Posted October 28, 2007 ... especially since I have no idea of the answer Possibly cheaper than a Moonlite is about as close as I can come... sorry.ArthurPS - Skywatcher blue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew* Posted October 28, 2007 Share Posted October 28, 2007 I guess questions like that are better asked via PM's. I would venture to assume. Ron. Right you are, Ron. And cheers Arthur.I was just curious!Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.