Is this any easier with plastic parts? Is there any easy way to make
molds? I don't want to do it, just curious (modern appliances
usually depend on a single .5 cm plastic cog which of course tends
to break or wear out after a few months' use)
>FOr the record, I have absolutely no interest in firearms...
>
>> Why not? It can certainly be bought, both new and at auctions.
>> I knew a gunsmith who had a mill and a lathe, and that's the main
>> two pieces of heavy machinery you need to make pretty much anything.
>> (Besides the little stuff like welding equipment, saws, etc.)
>
>Actually, you can do a suprising amount with a small lathe (small
meaning
>about 3" centre height, 18" between centres). Including milling. If you
>have a vertical slide on the saddle (and, better still also a vertical
>milling attachment), there's little you can't do that you could do on a
>milling machine. Sure you'll have to work slowly and take light cuts,
but
>you can do it.
>
>To go back on topic, a small lathe will make a lot of bits for computer
>peripherals. Rollers, spindles, pulleys, gears, etc can all be made
>pretty easily. In fact for something like a simple nylon roller for a
>printer, it's actually quicker to turn the part than to try to get a
part
>number from the manufacturer!
>
>The cost of a good small non-CNC (so ideal for one-offs, but not for
>production) lathe would be about \pounds 3000, I guess. Not impossible
to
>have at home. In fact almost all model engineers (the sort of madmen
who
>make steam engines) have such a machine.
>
>Metal casting is also possible at home. You can make the pattern on the
>lathe, make a mould using foundry sand and melt the metal either in a
>coke furnace, or preferably an electricly heated one. Not trivial to
do,
>but not beyond what some people will try. In fact I must have a go one
day.
>
>-tony
>
>
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Received on Wed Aug 26 1998 - 19:04:57 BST