HPA

Quote from: g_kandylakis on Aug 14, 2026, 10:34 PM"drill thingamajig"...

I would very much like one of these small tabletop things. Any ideas?

For serious? They are fairly readily available in the UK, either from eBay or through the auctions. Cost can be from c.GBP150 upwards but usually GBP2-300 depending on age, condition, and so on. Obviously those sources may require some patience while a suitable machine becomes available. Cost will also be affected by any equipment in the 'lot'; a lead screw will allow you to cut threads, a vertical slide will allow limited milling, a quick-change tool post is so nice to use, a Capstan tail-stock in theory provides for considerable flexibility but is only really highly useful for a large quantity of identical widgets (assuming they require lots of tail-stock-able operations). Those are fairly rare and expensive though.  If you've won your national lottery or simply like nice gear, Cowells' micro lathes are around GBP4k (but will match even your level of precision George!). Another well-thought of brand which is still available is Unimat. The cheap Chinese machines can be capable but might need considerable fettling to achieve acceptable performance.

I recently acquired a Pultra with all the gadgets but it lacks a lead screw and a simple way to set up a drive to the milling axis, so I'm thinking that, despite it's precision, it might need to be swapped out. It will be worth thinking about what you want to use it for before searching. That tends to set the equipment you need. Chris is showing us some good examples with a straight-forward setup.

The goto website for background info is lathes.co.uk
Happy to offer specific help if required.
HTH
Nigel

Ah yes... Fokker Gruhlich F.II... A favorite of mine too.

How time flies. Just 9 years ago. Still at this stage.

Much larger than a peanut though.

Will watch with extra interest.


George

It has been some time...

Meanwhile Pete's report has been published in Aeromodeller #1071 (August 2026) and I got a heads up from lincoln that Mike has uploaded his report too on his website

https://www.ffscale.co.uk/page3az.htm.

So, some more summer reading for those interested.

George

Hi Steve,

Thanks...

Well, yes and no, actually.

What I really need is the correct name of a 3mm and 4mm metric thread screw and nut, that one would easily find in a DIY shop in the US. And I have no idea which one that might be. Slightly smaller or larger is ok.

I cannot make this out of the charts, afraid of making a mistake. As easy as it is to read a metric chart for me, so is it very difficult to use a US chart.

George

And I need the dimensions so that I can modify the 3D printed parts for a US version.

"drill thingamajig"...

I would very much like one of these small tabletop things. Any ideas?

What did you do aeroplane wise today?

Today i flew my Westland Widgeon (indoor model) outdoors for the first time.
Also made a few flights with the Pawnee and made a short video:


Cheers, Ramses

Quote from: dputt7 on Aug 14, 2026, 06:12 PMThe plan definitely shows sheeting on the top and I think the extra piece is laid over the top...

Yup.

All I can think of is that it's to provide a 1/16" thick panel for not much extra tail weight to give a rigid/robust mounting point for the fin. Perhaps also allowing the fitting of the fin with the LE offset to port or starboard.

Is it held on by rubber bands? If so, it might be for strength.

Sorry Jeremy, sat here for half an hour trying to make sense of it.  The plan definitely shows sheeting on the top and I think the extra piece is laid over the top, Is that the L.E. could it be to reinforce the L.E. Joint.

 "and the pic of the lady  boarding is from that first flight in 1926."  Wow that's a very agricultural looking machine, I think she was as brave Lady.  Nice start, interesting history.