Well boys and girls, I got quite a bit done today. The fact that I loctited the base unit together is kind of a milestone. The base is about 98% completed. Now we are working on the good stuff. :rubbinghands:
I was ready to Loc-tite the rear bar and base ends. I used Loc-tite bearing mount. It has a tensile strength of 4000 psi and is very permanent. It must be heated to 500 degrees to get apart and still won't be easy. They say it is as good as welding almost. I put the loc-tite on the bar ends and in the end plate holes, gave a quarter twist and set the assembly on my surface plate supporting the bars only. This aligns the bars perfectly parallel in the horizontal plane. They are aligned in the other directions by the precision bored holes that were bored with the ends bolted together. The holes have about .001" clearance. The loc-tite set in an hour to handle the part. It will completely cure in 24 hours. This stuff is amazing. After setting up, the base sets level on a flat surface and the micrometer bar "floats " smoothly, just like it should.
)
This photo shows the adjustable bar and the support bar on the bottom side of the base. The support bar is a 3/8" square steel bar bolted to the bottom. The rear sliding body stop sets against this bar to keep the head from falling forward toward the operator. The plans have a fixed stop, but I want mine adjustable so I will be installing a mini version of the rocker arm to be able to adjust this position. That comes a little later.
This is a bottom view of the completed base unit with the adjustable bar, support bar and feet installed. I am using stainless steel button head socket screws for assembly. I think they look "pretty".
This is the end view of the assembled base. The shiny cap on the left holds the micrometer spring in place and the one on the right is just for looks to cover the end of the Loc-tited bar.
This photo shows the adjustment screws for the adjustable bar. The taller one threads into the bar to pull it upwards and the shorter one threads into the end bar to limit the travel. The two combined lock the end of the bar in position. Now, I just know,someone is going to ask me why this bar is adjustable. And " I DON"T REALLY KNOW", I have wondered the same thing for a long time and only a few days ago found what I believe is the answer. I found a document discussing the Bonelle grinder and it makes mention of the "adjustable bar". The rocker arm rides on this bar with an adjustable micrometer stop. the article says the bar is adjustable to grind some sort of angle on tools, but I am still looking for more info on that. I always assumed it was adjustable to be able to get it exactly parallel to the micrometer bar, which is important it is.
Another photo of the adjustable bar and the adjustment screws.
This photo is the complete base assembly with the bars and feet.
This is a photo of the complete base assembly with the sliding base (under construction) mounted to check for fit.
Now the fun stuff begins. MAKING THE WORK HEAD! I rough machined the sliding base unit several days ago. I cut some paper templates for the front and rear plates to check the fit before cutting any steel.
The paper fits so I laid out the steel and went to work with my band saw.
These are the plates rough cut and drilled . That tab on the bottom of the rear plate will be cut off. It is the mechanical limit stop for the work head movement toward the operator. I don't like it so I will be making an adjustable one. I already have it figured out.
I clamped the plates together prior to drilling the bolt holes and used a 3/8" drill to check the pivot hole alignment. It spins freely so I can drill the bolt holes in the plates.
I used my drill pres to drill the bolt holes.
The plates fit perfectly.
AND THE PIVOT HOLES ARE STILL IN ALIGNMENT! :bitingnails
I was worried about this step)
The fellows over at the Quorn site seem to think it takes 600 hours to build this grinder. I don't know, maybe it does. I have 62 hours in it so far. I am keeping a build log for time and also creating a material list as I go. ( I'm sure someone is going to ask if there is one).
Well , We will see what tomorrow brings.