raff35
Junior Member
Posts: 32
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Post by raff35 on Jul 29, 2008 4:55:17 GMT -5
As I stated in another thread I bought myself a lathe a little while ago and I decided to do a pre apprenticeship course in mechanical engineering (one of the good things about running my own business, I can take time off when I want)
It runs full time for 13 weeks with over half of that time spent in an amazingly equipped workshop.
I havent counted them but I would say there are 30 plus lathes and mebbe 20 milling machines plus a fully equipped welding area. I am going to NMIT (northern melbourne institute of technology) which is the best equipped engineering training centre in my state.
Unlike some other tafes I contacted the staff at my school are open to bending the odd rule to create classes for people. It is now possible to do all the schooling required for an apprenticeship without being employed, I can then apply for an apprenticeship if I like and will only have to be an apprentice for 18 months and I will be fully qualified.
They also do a thursday "hobby" class which is mainly older blokes who are restoring some kind of vehicle. They basically let people have access to all the machines in the workshop.
Ok so after all that needless information I have a favour to ask. I need for you guys to give me some ideas for stuff to make.
I am going to do a set of rearsets and then maybe try a rear hub to fit a disc brake on wire wheels. What else would you guys suggest?? I am happy to try to make absolutely anything.
Cheers
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Post by solo2racr on Jul 29, 2008 9:40:54 GMT -5
If you want a bit of a challenge, make some triple clamps.
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Post by marlon on Jul 29, 2008 20:55:20 GMT -5
Hey raff, how about some fork braces (I've already got one...)
But if you were doing a hub for a rear disc on the spokes, let me know. I don't like drums all that much.
And when are you coming along to a 500 club meet?
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Post by mattb on Jul 29, 2008 22:32:16 GMT -5
NMIT!! My old stomping ground! I left school early to study music there (Collingwood), then left that course halfway through to go to the prestigious VCA...which was sh*t by comparison!!! You can get a d**n fine education at NMIT if you get the right people. Ideas? How about a light-weight strong replacement for the SR's centrestand? I'd buy one off you at the right price  and so too, I'm sure, would others. Also, what about another side stand that goes long so that you can keep the bike pretty upright for doing full body weight kick starts when the thing is hard to start, without needing a centre stand. Great for servos! Matt |
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Post by marlon on Jul 29, 2008 23:41:03 GMT -5
You went to VCA matt? Shit, you must have been a good drummer!
My girlfriend managed to get in, after trying her whole life to study there. She got in playing bass and realised it was just... shit... before dropping out. Funny you should say that about NMIT - I've heard their music courses are absolutely exceptional.
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Post by milkman on Jul 30, 2008 0:39:21 GMT -5
Sounds great Raff, would be interested in something like that myself - but i'm still paying off the degree "everyone" said i needed but i dont really use!
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raff35
Junior Member
Posts: 32
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Post by raff35 on Aug 1, 2008 2:55:13 GMT -5
Marlon,
For some reason I thought the sr500 club met on the last thursday of each month (the same night as the melbourne scooter collective meeting) But now that I have discovered that it is on the last tuesday I will definitely make the next one, it is on the same night as my tig welding classes but it will be worth missing a night to meet up with fellow sr500 people.
At the moment I am in the middle of doing the required pracs for my course (parrallel clamp and various other little doo dads, but my teachers have said that I can start on my own projects as soon as I finish all of the pracs.
I am definitely going back there next year to do my advanced diploma and cert 3 (as well as various other classes im interested in)
The thing I really love about this school is that even though they have to make money they are more than willing to bend a few rules to make room for people who want to learn. I just found out yesterday that they have a bead blaster and various other great stuff and as long as I dont act the fool I can get access to stuff.
One dissapointing thing is that they sold off ten or so Sheraton diploma lathes last year for $1500 and I missed out., my own little lather at home looks like a tonka toy compared to the stuff they have at school.
Every thursday they run hobby classes for those who wish to use the machines at school, I am forever looking over at all the retired blokes wondering what wonderful stuff they are making.
Matt, when you talk about a side stand that is long enough do you mean one that is adjustable?? I reckon I could turn something suitable up without too much trouble. I havent picked up my SR yet so I dont know what I would be basing it on, is it the same as the side stand on an XT500?
As for triple clamps, I would be able to make them to fit different forks I assume? Are they made from steel or aircraft aluminium?
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Post by solo2racr on Aug 1, 2008 10:51:52 GMT -5
As for triple clamps, I would be able to make them to fit different forks I assume? Are they made from steel or aircraft aluminium? The stock lower clamp is steel where as the stock upper clamp is aluminum. Since you would be machining them from scratch, you could do anything you wanted. The only limit would be your imagination. |
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and so too, I'm sure, would others. Also, what about another side stand that goes long so that you can keep the bike pretty upright for doing full body weight kick starts when the thing is hard to start, without needing a centre stand. Great for servos!