Machining parts for Mike B

 Just some more components, I made for Mike B.

Aluminium hex bar, drilled both ends and tapped with an M6 thread.

Enough so that if it needs the overall length to be shortened, it can be.

First picture also has part of the second component I had to cut to length, drill a 4mm dia hole in one end, with a milled corresponding flat length on the other end.

Shoulder hubs - Aluminium - Paul’s R2 No2

Paul is building a second R2 and had a semi finished pair of shoulder hubs. They were correct O/D, thickness and had four holes in, but were heavy, about 1.5kg!!

His friend wasn’t able to do more than this as his company was closing down. I offered to do my best bit of milling at my work.

First hub, was a very time consuming process. One which if I had thought about first, as I did on the second hub, I should of turned out the inner diameter to the required larger diameter, on the lathe, THEN got to work on the millers rotary table!

Above picture, show how much material had to be removed. Using a manual milling machine, means you having to do everything by hand lol.

Thankfully using the lathe sped up the process for the second hub.

Final weight of each was 1KG.

Next project...... Dome Bag 1.1

(5.4.19)
Going to event's with two domes can be a bit tricky, and also my garage seems to attrack dust. So I came up with this idea to protect (from dust) and be able to carry a dome easily.

And the 'Dome Bag' idea was created.

I did have a plan....but this first attempt was basically a test/WIP as I will eventually need another bag for the other R4 dome. Oh and maybe another for my R0 dome, but that's still being upgraded, so no rush to take that to any events.

Step 1: The Base.
I wanted there to be a padded surface as the dome connect with the body and this edge could get damaged. Now, this wouldn't stop damage if the dome where to be dropped, but a slight knock or bump would be ok.

I drew around the base of the dome, with the intention of cutting an extra bit larger for the side foam padding to sit on.......but due to distractions & thinking two steps ahead.....I forgot. So the foam diameter is the same size as the dome's outer edge.....that it's supposed to protect.

Next I drew around this foam base & cut out the material to cover it, like a cushion. The material is just a single fitted bed sheet, costing about £6. Remember, this is just to offer some protection from dust, the actual structural strength comes later on in this build.

I pinned and using the sowing machine, stitched the two panels together, inside out, then turned them the right way and squeezed the foam panel inside.

Step 2: The Side. The next step was the side protection. I measured a height that would protect the upper edge of R5's dome, above the holographic, engine turned tape panels.
The material's was cut long enough to wrap around the faom to hold it in place.

The second smaller piece was used as a guide for the turned over piece of material. I almost messed up again, by not allowing extra material for the fold.

I did however, mess up on the actual height of the material needed to cover the side height of the dome and also the top section......more about that 'upgrade' later.

Using my daughters sowing machine, and re-learning on the go, lol, I managed to stitch a half decent straight line along the edge of the panel. I didn't want it to be loose, allowing the padding to move, so I got this right and it fits nice and tight.

So far this is all going as planned.....hahahaha......

R5-D4's metallic 'machine turn' neck tape

UK builders have struggled to find this and from reading up, most have had to import it from the USA, at addition cost.

R5-D4's silver 'machine turn' tape

A fellow member asked me for info on my tape and where to get it from.
After explaining my luck a few years ago, I decided to look for the elusive 'machine turn' material!

USA builders can find the supplier....... Tape Planet [click for link]

And this place has it in sheet form over here in the UK.

Update, fellow club member was VERY happy with this!