Stan Bray – författare

The accumulation of odds and ends of bar and rod is inevitable with any lathework, but rather than throw them into an ever-growing scrap-box, why not turn them into useful little tools to simplify and speed up future work? In this book Stan Bray describes twenty-two simple but useful adjuncts to the tool kit for bench and lathe use, none taking any more than 3 to 4 hours or involving special materials, yet each able to save considerable time in use as well as aiding accuracy. You may not see an immediate need for some of them, but once made it is surprising how often they will be used. There is also the satisfaction of turning what might have been wasted into something useful and the knowledge that money has been saved.

Basic Lathework thoughtfully explains all aspects of the lathe and covers the selection of a machine and its construction, from modern types of machines to more traditional models. All aspects of tooling, machining operations – including general machining, taper turning, threading, and boring – are described in depth for a full understanding of the extensive capabilities of a lathe. Author Stan Bray pays particular attention to modern applications, such as the conversion of power supplies from single to three phase, and the use of digital equipment to improve efficiency. It is suitable for beginners with no knowledge of lathework, and to those who are more advanced and want to improve their skills. With expert advice on steadies, tool height, how to use cutting fluids, mandrels, and more, you’ll be able to use your lathe to its fullest potential.

Revised and newly updated, Making Metal Clockworks is an introduction to horology for the complete beginner. Explaining the terminology and general forms of clock construction, you''ll learn about the necessary tools, materials, and methods and understand everything from and the layout of wheels and escapements to the making of wheels, pinions, pendulums, and so much more. With insightful details of how to make specialized items and advice on the most suitable materials for their construction, this is the perfect introduction to the fascinating world of clockmaking.

Milling is the process of cutting away material - usually, but not exclusively, metal - by feeding a piece of work pas a rotating multiple-tooth cutter. The cutting action of the teeth of the millign cutter provides a fast method of machining, and the machines surface may be flat, angular, or curved. The surface may also be milled to any combination of shapes.

In this follow-up to Making Small Workshop Tools (Workshop Practice Series No.14), the former editor of Model Engineer's Workshop magazine presents another collection of fifteen invaluable additions to the model engineer's armoury of tools and equipment. This practical collection covers benchwork, the lathe and milling operations and includes marking-out and machining aids plus a simple filing machine and an unusual milling vice. Fully dimensioned drawings, descriptive text and photographs accompany each project in the book.

Stan Bray introduces the fascinating world of horology to the complete beginner. This book explains the terminology of the clockmaker and provides general details of clock construction including layout of wheels and escarpments, a number of the latter being described. Making of wheels, pinions, escarpments, plates, pendulums, weights, cases, hands and faces is described. The necessary tools and equipment are described with details of how to make specialized items and choice of most suitable materials for their construction.

The evolution of the compact, or portable, lathe has brought many a model engineer's life-long ambition to reality. No longer regarded as the scaled-down variant of the long-established permanent workshop machine, they are purpose-designed tools of remarkable ingenuity in their own right. Compact lathes (such as the Unimat III, Peatol, Shearline and Cowell range) are inexpensive, self-contained, adaptable to a broad range of machining techniques and ideally suited for beginners and those with working space restrictions. Stan Bray's comprehensive introduction to the subject covers the technology and the components, the machining operations and facilities which will enable the novice or experienced operator quickly to reach full proficiency and achieve the highest standards of lathe work.

This book provides all the information any ship modeller interested in powering a model boat using live steam will need. It offers both the basic theory covering the steam power plant and fully detailed drawings for the construction of simple and advanced steam engines, boilers and ancillary equipment. There has been a huge growth in interest in live steam-powered model boats in recent years but modellers have endured a dearth of practical construction drawings for suitable steam plants. Here, the author covers many types of engine from simple oscillating cylinder types to piston and poppet valve engines and the application of radio control to the management of the boiler and engine. The projects (which all include detailed scale plans) include simple single cylinder oscillating engines, multiple cylinder oscillating engines, single and multiple cylindered slide valve engines, piston and poppet valve engines, boiler construction and heat sources, control units, reversing systems, radio control valves, and the mounting of engine and boiler units into model boats.

This latest volume in the Workshop Practice Series presents a general overview of the grinding, lapping, honing and polishing of metal, as well as the materials used to make grinding wheels, belts and papers. The uses of various machines and grinding mediums are described, including the off-hand grinder, modern miniature hand drill/grinders and toolpost grinders. There are also instructions for making a small barrelling machine and other suitable devices.

In this book long-time model maker Stan Bray describes the construction of a range of uncomplicated miniature steam engines, for construction by the model engineer.