----- Original Message -----
From: "DoN. Nichols"
Newsgroups: rec.crafts.metalworking
Sent: Sunday, August 31, 2008 7:07 PM
Subject: Red-neck lathe v2.0


Johshua Rose.

A Google search on just the book title found this as the first hit:

http://digital.lib.msu.edu/collections/index.cfm?TitleID=274

I will put it on the list. I have just printed out over 100 pages on "How to
use a lathe". That should keep me going for a day or two.

Hmm ... depending on how much you need, you might look at the
price for a 6' length of 360 brass 3/4" diameter. I get it from MSC
from time to time. Last time I bought that it cost me $29.02 per bar,
and I bought three of them for future needs. Hmm ... that was back in
2003, so it certainly will cost more now. But still, compare that with
the cost of enough of those candlesticks to make up six feet -- and this
is a free machining brass.

At about 25 cents a candle stick it is hard to beat.


The starting current will be a lot higher than the current to
keep it running. Hmm ... can you hook a large electrolytic capacitor
across the supply to take that first surge? Something like 2000 to
10000 uF?

I think it has one already. They are pretty standard on these regulated
supplies. I shall look into it in a few days in more detail.

I am measuring the current with a clamp meter and it does not even get up
to
1 Amp. However, the protection is probably faster than the meter
response...

Which clamp-on meter? Many of them will only measure AC
currents, not DC.

This one does. Sears 82369.


Hmm ... back when he was still around, "Teenut" would answer the
question of how to get a patina on brass by saying "Cat pee!". In
particular, bury it in the cat's litter box for a few days.

Ah, but was it green, blue, red, brown or black? My guess is green is
probably right as I am doing nearly the same. Without the cat. Today I was
trying two different methods. I shall know tomorrow which one works better.

I used to be able to do blue but I have not tried for some time.

Michael Koblic,
Campbell River, BC