The Sherline Miniature Machinist's Newsletter
Number 7,
Customer Projects: A BB-firing
Gatling Gun Model by Michael Gegere
A
ruler shows the small size of the barrel mechanism—only about 10" long.
This beautifully finished Gatling
gun fires #7-1/2 birdshot about 20 feet. The carriage features hand made wooden
wheels and details like a screw elevation adjustment. The vertical gravity
feed clip holds 60 shots. The wooden display base is about 14" long. A
Plexiglas cover keeps dust off the display.
More on this and other gun projects can be found at www.sherline.com/guns.htm.
Additional projects built on Sherline machine tools can be found on the
Workshop page at www.sherline.com/workshop.htm.
New Products
The Shop
Secrets—Measuring video is now
available on DVD.
P/N
5329-DVD Shop Secrets video now on DVD—The Shop Secrets video by Mike
Rehmus covers how to use and maintain measuring tools in your metalworking
shop. Up until now it has only been available in VHS tape format. Mike has now
released the 112-minute video on DVD. We are now out of the VHS
versions and they will no longer be offered. If you’ve been waiting for it to
come out on DVD, now is your chance. Order P/N 5329-DVD
($40.00—same as before). This video makes a great companion to Mike’s
recently released video on set-up and use of the Sherline lathe (P/N 5335,
$49.95).
Shop
Tip of the Month—4-jaw Chuck Spacer Plate by Allan Marconett
The
chuck plate with slots for the chuck jaws. Photo 2 shows the parts being held,
and Photo 3 shows some finished parts.
Problem: How
do you keep small parts flat, parallel to the chuck surface and not let
them fall into the chuck while you tighten the jaws? Here’s a good way to solve
those problems from Allan Marconett. (See also www.sherline.com/tip42.htm for
more photos.)
Cut a plate out of
aluminum to allow small parts to be machined while being held in the Sherline
4-jaw chuck. The example photos show a brass slide valve being machined, with
packing all around. The plate gives a flat support,
the slots allow the jaws to get in close to the stock being machined.
Holes can be drilled or machined through the plate, as it is expendable.
The plate is a simple
2" x 2" square of 1/8" thick aluminum plate (could be round!)
that may be cut out with a bandsaw. Notches in the support plate keep small
parts from falling into the chuck during setup. It gives a smooth, parallel
support for small parts held in the chuck. Size is unimportant, and
thickness can be changed to fit needs. 0.350" slots are cut in from three
sides to clear the width of a jaw. Allan leaves about a 5/8" square of
material in the center. You can leave less if needed for smaller parts. A
three-jaw version could also be made with slots 120° apart.
Web
site facts
When you visit the home page at www.sherline.com, below the introductory
photo, some brief descriptive copy and the Google
search bar you will see the MAIN MENU section. It is divided into four major
sections to help you find the information you want quickly. They are:
·
Section 1: Machines, Accessories
and Company Information—This section includes links to information about
the tools and how to use them, such as specifications, instructions, exploded
views, videos of the machines in action and help on adjustments and maintenance
as well as contact information.
·
Section 2: Prices and Dealers—Contains
links to price lists for machines, packages, accessories, replacement parts and
cutting tools. There is also a dealer list divided into “Stocking Dealers” who
keep machines on hand for customers to see, regular dealers, mail order dealers
and e-commerce (web) dealers. At the end is the “International Dealers” section
for dealers from around the world.
·
Section 3: Other Sherline
Products—Did you know Sherline made trailer and hanging hydraulic scales,
EZ-Read Bridgeport mill dials or a line of industrial slides and spindles?
Learn about them here.
·
Section 4: Items of interest to
Sherline owners and machinists—Shows, clubs, resources for machinists,
tips, terminology, projects (manual and CNC) and Frequently Asked Questions
pages offer a broad range of knowledge on how to use your tools and fun things
you can make.
Coming
Events
•
Shortly after this newsletter is mailed, Craig will be off to attend the
Western Engine and Model Engineering (WEME) show in
•
Sherline is considering attending the regional National Association of Watch
and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) to be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds in
Joe
Martin Foundation News
• The special Saturday open house held
June 28th was a success, bringing in a number of people who could
not visit the museum during our regular weekday hours. A number of senior
groups from local retirement communities have also discovered the museum and
are bringing group tours filled with retired craftsmen. The recent addition of
51 internal combustion engine models from the collection of Paul and Paula
Knapp has been a large part of the attraction for visitors.
• An electric stair lift chair has been added to the museum so that handicapped
visitors can now have access to the major displays on the second floor.