2020 POTD Thread Archive

[francist]

I have to give a big shout out to @Buffalo21 for kicking me on to this idea today. It’s not like I haven’t thought about table covers before, but when I do I think of the usual materials guys use — rubber sheet, MDF, plywood, etc — none of which ever really got me into gear. But then I saw his made from leftover Lexan and I had the big “Aha!” moment.

And I just so happened to also have some left over 1/16” Lexan from some COVID shields I made up for my workplace last week. I really like Lexan — in this thickness it cuts easily with a razor knife and cold forms nicely so I can brake it on the D&K. In all of half an hour I was done. Here’s a couple shots in position, I left the protective skin on the one just in case the clear plastic didn’t show so well in the photos. Thanks for looking!

-frank

 

[Buffalo21]

Francist,

Is that an Atlas horizontal mill?? I have a MFC, that I made a vertical head assembly, that uses MT#2 collets with a drawbar. I was doing a lot of small Bakelite parts, using 1/8” and 5/32” end mills, I still use it about 4 or 5 times a year.

 

[francist]

Yup, sure is. It’s a pretty early MF (Serial # 000976) and I use it a lot. Mostly because it’s my only miller . Nice vertical head on yours — I’ve often thought about them but the commercial ones command big dollars. So far I get by.

-frank

 

[Tim9]

Well... been spending last week working on a ball turner. Not that I need one... but just wanted the capability. Kind of screwed up because I didn’t think it through. I was trying to avoid chatter so wanted something that bolts to the cross-slide. Long story short.... kind of a pain tweeking hight plus a pain getting it on and off. Anyway it is what it is. It works but I’m just a little aggravated because I spent a while on it and it’s still not finished. Need a handle on it. Just used a pair if vise grips to test it.

 

[hman]

Here’s a couple shots in position, I left the protective skin on the one just in case the clear plastic didn’t show so well in the photos. Thanks for looking!

"Windex - makes glass so clean, it seems to disappear"

 

[Boswell]

a few weekend days worth of work and a new skill learned (well started learning)

 

[rwm]

" I really like Lexan — in this thickness it cuts easily with a razor knife and cold forms nicely so I can brake it on the D&K. "

What is the thickness? You mean you can just bend it? I always heat it first. Is that unnecessary?
Robert

 

[jwmelvin]

I’ve been working on a frame for a driving simulator. It was my first substantial matching project. I’m making one for a friend too so had to make multiples of each part. Mostly just slots and holes and overall dimensions. And some welding. It’s still a work in progress but it’s usable.

 

[hman]

What is the thickness? You mean you can just bend it? I always heat it first. Is that unnecessary?
Robert

I'll take a shot at answering:

Polycarbonate (Lexan, Hyzod, etc.) easily be bent/folded without heating. I've done it with thin material (~1/16") in my shop, and had it done with ~⅛" by "professionals" while working at HP. It's helpful to allow a slightly gentler than usual fold radius. Frank's covers look to be about 1/16" material.

Acrylic (Plexiglass, Perspex, etc) requires heat, or it will crack instead of bending.

 

[silverhawk]

I’ve been working on a frame for a driving simulator. It was my first substantial matching project. I’m making one for a friend too so had to make multiples of each part. Mostly just slots and holes and overall dimensions. And some welding. It’s still a work in progress but it’s usable.

Where did you source the parts from, like the seat and the pedals? That looks awesome.

joe