Marv Klotz's Utilities

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• In the UK, model engineers are experiencing an ever increasing (and depressing) incidence of stolen models. To this end, Andy Clark and Myke Baigent have set up a Lost Models Directory web page. Should you consider buying a model of unknown or sketchy provenance, check there first. They accept data on stolen models from locations other than the UK. Be sure to visit their Home Page and check out the other services that are being provided. From said page I located:
• Charlie Dockstader's (freeware) simulation of Valve Gear on the Computer I'm not into locomotives so I didn't explore it but some of you may find it useful.
• Check out the Metal Web News and from it visit the ASME Engineering Software Database where, if you're into firearms, you can find QBALL, a ballistics tool that looks very interesting.
• METALWORKING.COM, associated with the news group, rec.crafts.metalworking (if you're an amateur, this IS the place to lurk for useful hints), is worth a visit. They endorsed my efforts here by providing a link to this site - my thanks.
• For those of you who prefer to maintain the program data files in WWW (Wacky World of Windows) space, I can't recommend too highly Alan Phillips' Programmer's File Editor (PFE 1.01). He spent a lot of time thinking out how a REAL editor should work and produced an exceptional tool. It's completely free and unrestricted, as well. It can be configured to open files in read-only mode so it makes a tamper-proof file reader for keyboard head-bangers. If you program, you can't live without it.
  Update 10/25/99: Sadly, it would appear that further development of PFE has ceased, although the last version is still available from the Winsite archive via the URL above.
• A very useful resource for information about materials, metallic and otherwise, is the MatWeb: Materials Property Database.
• Lots of info on metals at Watlow's Properties of Metals
• A wealth of Copper Pipe Data
• More taper dimension data than you'll probably ever need: Standard Tapers Also useful are Scott's Collet Specifications and R-8 Specifications and a collet identification resource
• All the information you need to build pulleys for toothed belt drives can be found at York Engineering
• Want paper patterns for laying out fishmouth joints on piping? IHPVA has a Windows (ugh!) program to generate them.
• HSMs in the Southern California (Torrance) area who are casting about for a club with like-minded individuals need to visit SCHSM
• Peter Forbes has a number of unusual British threads documented on his page.
• Disassembling and servicing a Jacob's chuck can be problematic. Go to the company's Jacobs Chuck - Service & Repair page for instructions.
• Here's some information on Albrecht chuck repair. Also an exploded view of this most useful tool.
• Detailed drawings and discussion of building THE HILSCH VORTEX TUBE, a machinable device that takes compressed air in and produces hot and cold air with no moving parts. A great way to produce tool cooling air if you have a (substantial) compressor in the shop. In addition, Exair sells them.
• Ever tried to explain the operation of an engine to someone who doesn't have a mechanical background? Wouldn't it be nice to have an animated sketch of the engine to use as a teaching aid? Matt Keveney has put together a nice selection of very clever animations of gasoline, steam and Stirling engines.
• Looking for parts for those 7x10 imported mini-lathes? Try Chris Wood's Little Machine Shop
• A collection of Metalworking Web Sites
• A wealth of good metalworking reference data is available at Tom Martin's Shop Swarf site.
• Grade Markings and Mechanical Properties for Steel Fasteners
• Lots of good material can be found at the Modern Machine Shop Online site.
• Type L Long Taper Key Drive Dimensions
• Rollie's Dad's Method of Lathe Alignment

  How to Make Springs

  Bill Littlejohn has written a freeware gcode manipulator that some may find useful.

  The Craftsmanship Museum has pictures of some exquisite models and engines to inspire you. Sherline, makers of fine miniature machine tools, hosts this inspirational page.

  If you need a free DXF drawing viewer, a good compromise is the one supplied by

  Fastcad. Only about 3 MB to download and has a good set of features.

  More than you probably want to know about so-called

  wire gage 'standards'.

  Michael Rainey, an engineer and programmer in North Carolina, has written a freeware Windows program for machinists. It incorporates too many useful functions to describe in detail here. Whatever you do with metal, I'm sure you'll find it helpful. I was very impressed with the time and effort he's put into this program - so much so that it's one of the few Windows program for which I have a shortcut on my desktop. Download it

  from his archive and give it a try. Michael, like I, is looking for feedback on his efforts. If you find it useful (and you certainly will), send him a note with your comments, criticisms and suggestions for added features.

  Richard Williams, who supplied some of the programs on this page, is building his own

  sextant and has graciously made his plans available to others. This is a serious drum micrometer design for a real mariner. It needs to be since Richard intends to use it to sail the open seas.

hits since 10 November 1998