tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
Most stationary engines are on a trolley, hence I though I should make a set of Whippet trolley wheels. As it happened we visited Wimpole Hall and there in the farmyard were some vehicles that might give some inspiration. The design that feels more in keeping with a trolley wheel is the one on the … Read more
What are CNC holding tabs? Coming from a world of manual machining this is all new to me. However, when you start machining parts from sheet materials you will inevitably end up creating islands. With rotating tool bits these islands don’t just float away. At first I created these tabs manually by dividing the perimeter … Read more
I bought this radius end mill from Arc Euro Trade. The shank is 12mm diameter, the radius is 3mm. Which when I purchased this as a one-off I thought would be the most useful size. Why do you need this when you can create the same with a file and some patience? Well, this allows … Read more
This article on squaring stock is from Alan at Woody’s Workshop. The process is primarily designed to square a piece of stock ready for the cnc. However, it could be used for general machining as well. Assume the stock can be represented by the following shape with each side numbered as shown. The numbering is … Read more
I know this will change as it has in the past, but as of now this is My Top 10 Milling Cutters. Well, let’s get this correct, I only machine as a hobby and so don’t even have 10 makes of cutter. However I will list my experiences and explain. 1. Milling Cutters Store In … Read more
I saw the Milling Cutters Store 3 Flute Slot Drill on Instagram and as I was in need of some new 6mm slot drills I ordered some. Previously I’ve been buying Rennie tools 2 flute carbide cutters. They work really well, but it was time to try something new. The cutters arrive in the normal … Read more
This low profile clamp idea came about as I wanted to machine a large plate that was too large for the milling vice. I thought that two pieces of bar stock, clamped to the table with compliance in one of the bars that could then be loaded with grub screws thus applying a clamping force … Read more
For my gas engine from a steam engine (Transitional Engine) I needed a frame made from I-beams. As you cannot buy these I decided to make them from rectangualr section mild steel. The overall section of the I is 1/2″ wide and 3/4″ deep. The first stage was to slot drill each side of the … Read more