Author Archives: Michael Slater

Tiny nibbles

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Michael Slater

Maintube jig mounted to my vertical mill Been taking tiny nibbles at the big project of setting up and using my Sputnik mitering hardware. Over the weekend I mounted the rotary table to the bedway of the mill,  setup a … Continue reading →

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Ass-puckering

Posted on March 6, 2011 by Michael Slater

No idea how to do those giant jumps.   This is apparently an Urban downhill race in Chile called the Valparaiso Cerro Abajo. (Could never happen in 100 years in Singapore or the USA) Looks like any pause along the … Continue reading →

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Ready to use my frame jig again

Posted on March 5, 2011 by Michael Slater

I finished the stand today.  The bolts I bought were too long (but not threaded), but I also had bought 2m of M8 all-thread, so I use that for a temporary de jure, permanent de facto solution. The stand seems … Continue reading →

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Got my torch back

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Lincoln repaired my broken PTA-17 torch for $107.  I had them replace the head with a PTA-17F, which has a flexible neck. I welded the attachment point for my jig onto another steel plate and drilled holes for bolts. … Continue reading →

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Crossed Eyes

Posted on March 2, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I bought a jewelers’ visor today with a set of different magnifiers.  I tried to use them to remove a metal splinter in my pinkie.  I tried the highest magnification, but it was excruciating because I had to nearly … Continue reading →

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Unspeakable Weekend

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Michael Slater

Ugh is all I can say. Yes, those are dirt-rings on my neck. Been grinding.  

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Magnesium MVB Condensed

Posted on February 21, 2011 by Michael Slater

Did another headtube badge sample tonight.  A mild steel “S” in my favorite font, Magnesium MVB Condensed(*).  Took me about 20 minutes of sawing and I only broke one blade.  There are a two defects from haste, but I can … Continue reading →

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Snap your fingers; snap your neck

Posted on February 19, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I was making good progress on the tower of my jig stand today when the head of my Lincoln PTA-17 TIG torch snapped off.   The flexible copper hose that links the supply line to the torch fatigue-failed.  I … Continue reading →

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Great new tool: a Jeweler Saw

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Michael Slater

A few days ago I bought a saw and some fine metal blades from a professional jewelry manufacturing equipment shop over in Tiong Bahru.  The catalog is really interesting to read — so many specialized tools. My purchase was cheap: … Continue reading →

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First things first

Posted on February 16, 2011 by Michael Slater
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Feet Finished

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Michael Slater

Spent four hours at the shop tonight, and finished the foot of the jig stand.  I welded a 1/2″ plate to connect the two feet and braced it with some rectangular tubing.  Then I tapped M8 holes for the four … Continue reading →

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New Bicycle Project?

Posted on February 15, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I watched a WQED video on an annual Thanksgiving bike race around Pittsburgh’s thirteen steepest hills.  Looks sort of fun and would be an excuse to go to the USA for Thanksgiving. Cannot recall the last time I was … Continue reading →

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Welding my feet

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I welded about 95% of the caster feet rails for my jig stand this afternoon.  Those four plates are piloted to take an M8 tap for bolting in the casters.  The casters are mounted close to the edge of … Continue reading →

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Whoa… THAT’s a steadyrest

Posted on February 13, 2011 by Michael Slater

  A huge collection of photos from a 1960s(?)-era British naval machine shop.

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Clearcoated and now curing

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Sulaiman applied the final clearcoat to Ling’s frame Friday and now it must cure for a week or two so that when I build up the bike I don’t mar the paintjob. He really saved my butt, repairing some … Continue reading →

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Cutting Steel

Posted on February 12, 2011 by Michael Slater

My Sputnik bicycle frame jig is huge and weighs a lot.  I need to build a rolling stand to hold it.  I ordered some mild steel plate and rectangular tubing to build it.   I have no excuse to not … Continue reading →

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How to machine-sew a proper back tack

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Michael Slater

I figured out how to properly execute a back-tack on my Juki DU-1181N walking foot sewing machine.   The critical step that the youtube video didn’t show?  Pulling the top thread and bobbin thread tails back with a little tension … Continue reading →

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Welding Station

Posted on February 6, 2011 by Michael Slater

  Today I tried out the steel slab welding table I made last week.  I filled it with a grid of 5cm X 5cm size M8 threaded holes so that it is easy to firmly clamp down my material.  It … Continue reading →

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‘High Speed Steel’ Messenger Bag

Posted on February 5, 2011 by Michael Slater

  I finished my ‘High Speed Steel’ messenger bag today.  I am pretty happy with the results.  It’s the first instantiation of my proprietary Filz Mk-1 Pattern.   Ling’s bag will be next.  I should be able to execute that … Continue reading →

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