Jerry Allen
11-19-2007, 2:49 PM
Drive wheel problem:
I had a problem with my rotary yesterday.
Somehow the rubber cone drive wheel got loose and I botched a few beer glasses. On occasion I will double etch a glass, and this time it was slipping. The wheel would slip a few degrees when reversing direction.
I tried to tighten the set screws. No luck. I was able to remove all the 2mm set screws on both except one on the rubber drive wheel. I tried everything, regrinding Allen wrenches, mushrooming the end, using CA to lock the wrench in the set screw. Finally I just gave up an drilled it out. Not easy, it was pretty hard metal in an aluminum hole. I will be able to rotate it 90 degrees and drill and tap it for a new screw (there are two). I was still able to use it with one screw today.
In the interim I have the cover off and will post a picture if anyone is interested in seeing the guts.
Clamp Fixes:
I also found that the thumb clamp and the screws on the bottom were too loose. The clamp wheel always seemed to slip easily and awhile ago I had readjusted the screw and nut on the rubber bumper which improved it a lot. But it still rocked when the clamp was applied. Today I noticed that the screws on the bottom that hold the slider were quite loose and I adjusted them. The slide now works way better, clamps tight and does not rock.
Chuck:
I decided to design a Longworth type of chuck, or something more useful and accurate than the rubber wheels. I'll post it when I'm done if it seems to be worthwhile. Might be awhile.
I had a problem with my rotary yesterday.
Somehow the rubber cone drive wheel got loose and I botched a few beer glasses. On occasion I will double etch a glass, and this time it was slipping. The wheel would slip a few degrees when reversing direction.
I tried to tighten the set screws. No luck. I was able to remove all the 2mm set screws on both except one on the rubber drive wheel. I tried everything, regrinding Allen wrenches, mushrooming the end, using CA to lock the wrench in the set screw. Finally I just gave up an drilled it out. Not easy, it was pretty hard metal in an aluminum hole. I will be able to rotate it 90 degrees and drill and tap it for a new screw (there are two). I was still able to use it with one screw today.
In the interim I have the cover off and will post a picture if anyone is interested in seeing the guts.
Clamp Fixes:
I also found that the thumb clamp and the screws on the bottom were too loose. The clamp wheel always seemed to slip easily and awhile ago I had readjusted the screw and nut on the rubber bumper which improved it a lot. But it still rocked when the clamp was applied. Today I noticed that the screws on the bottom that hold the slider were quite loose and I adjusted them. The slide now works way better, clamps tight and does not rock.
Chuck:
I decided to design a Longworth type of chuck, or something more useful and accurate than the rubber wheels. I'll post it when I'm done if it seems to be worthwhile. Might be awhile.