28-07-2011, 09:43 PM
Alan Beckett recently quipped:
I explained that the collects were already housed in a little wooden box that seems as old as the lathe. As I had nothing more to add, the thread fizzled out, though as and when the lathe gets put to use on tasks that are relevant to radio, I'll post details.
So why am I writing this now?
See Alan's last sentence above!
I'm sure that Alan meant it as a throwaway jocular quip, and that's how I took it, thinking nothing more about it.
However, the other day, a packet flopped through my letter box and landed on the doormat. To my surprise and delight, it was a nameplate for the collet box of my little Lorch lathe! I can't begin to imagine how much effort goes into making just one letter, let alone the whole nameplate. The surround was also cut from one sheet of brass, fixed to the baseplate, along with the individual letters, then the whole nameplate sprayed black, and when dry, the letters and surround in relief had the paint removed, were polished, then lacquered.
It's yet another example of Colin's handiwork, which calls for a combination of skill, patience, ingenuity, and a great deal of time - the most precious commodity that we have. I think to have the motivation to tackle anything like that, I'd have to be part of the escape committee in Colditz, making door keys!
I've now fitted the nameplate to the box, and have attached a couple of pics, which speak for themselves.
I should add that along with the nameplate came a greetings card and lovely bracelet which Colin's wife Bron had made as a gift for my wife.
So, a sincere thank-you to Colin & Bron.
Quote of the day:
'Friendship'
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.
(Albert Camus)
David
(14-07-2011, 09:41 PM)AlanBeckett Wrote: Your lathe is usually used with collets, and they turn up regularly on eBay. You'd better make a nice comb jointed box for them - See Col for a suitable brass plate
Alan
I explained that the collects were already housed in a little wooden box that seems as old as the lathe. As I had nothing more to add, the thread fizzled out, though as and when the lathe gets put to use on tasks that are relevant to radio, I'll post details.
So why am I writing this now?
See Alan's last sentence above!
I'm sure that Alan meant it as a throwaway jocular quip, and that's how I took it, thinking nothing more about it.
However, the other day, a packet flopped through my letter box and landed on the doormat. To my surprise and delight, it was a nameplate for the collet box of my little Lorch lathe! I can't begin to imagine how much effort goes into making just one letter, let alone the whole nameplate. The surround was also cut from one sheet of brass, fixed to the baseplate, along with the individual letters, then the whole nameplate sprayed black, and when dry, the letters and surround in relief had the paint removed, were polished, then lacquered.
It's yet another example of Colin's handiwork, which calls for a combination of skill, patience, ingenuity, and a great deal of time - the most precious commodity that we have. I think to have the motivation to tackle anything like that, I'd have to be part of the escape committee in Colditz, making door keys!
I've now fitted the nameplate to the box, and have attached a couple of pics, which speak for themselves.
I should add that along with the nameplate came a greetings card and lovely bracelet which Colin's wife Bron had made as a gift for my wife.
So, a sincere thank-you to Colin & Bron.
Quote of the day:
'Friendship'
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead.
Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow.
Just walk beside me and be my friend.
(Albert Camus)
David
