- Joined
- Jan 22, 2011
- Messages
- 8,031
I have a request for all members involved in Horology. It's been a fascination of mine for a long time. Many years ago, I was able to visit an oilfield customer of mine who ran their own micromachine shop, with certified Horologists on board, and involved in making very specialized instruments that were used in the downhole measurement packages. I met some of them, and got a brief tour of their facility. It was remarkably clean, as might be expected, and full of every sort of machine necessary to produce virtually any sort of miniature component. In their spare time, they build all the dial and test indicators, along with special tools, for the QC department. Among the downhole products was a particcular piece that caught my fancy. it was ~3/4" OD and probably 5 inches long. I was told that the internal part count was well over 500 pieces. That impressed me. Since then, I have had the desire to try my hand at small part manufacture.
In that vein, I have looked for a watchmakers/jewelers lathe for some time now, and they simply aren't available in East Texas. We just don't build small parts.....at least for the part of the oilfield in my area, or in my shop. So, instead of buying, I am seriously considering designing and building my own. I have a few features in mind that I would like to incorporate, but what I would really like is for all you guys that own these type of lathe to take s many pictures as possible from all angles so I can get a true feel for the proportion, and perhaps as importantly, the design aesthetics. I can build one that i perfectly functional, but the seldom seen artistic side of me won't be satisfied with that. I want it to exude classic design and machine beauty.
I will design the mechanicals, but I really need pictures to guide me on the rest. Any and all help will be appreciated. This will take a considerable amount of time, as it is no small task, but I will take whatever time is necessary to achieve my goal.
I thank you in advance.
In that vein, I have looked for a watchmakers/jewelers lathe for some time now, and they simply aren't available in East Texas. We just don't build small parts.....at least for the part of the oilfield in my area, or in my shop. So, instead of buying, I am seriously considering designing and building my own. I have a few features in mind that I would like to incorporate, but what I would really like is for all you guys that own these type of lathe to take s many pictures as possible from all angles so I can get a true feel for the proportion, and perhaps as importantly, the design aesthetics. I can build one that i perfectly functional, but the seldom seen artistic side of me won't be satisfied with that. I want it to exude classic design and machine beauty.
I will design the mechanicals, but I really need pictures to guide me on the rest. Any and all help will be appreciated. This will take a considerable amount of time, as it is no small task, but I will take whatever time is necessary to achieve my goal.
I thank you in advance.