17 Aug
2011
17 Aug
'11
12:17 p.m.
Funny you should mention clock makers and their workshops, that was
Well, horology has been an interest of mine for many years. It is my
intention to make a clock sometime (that's a real mechanical clock, of
course, I've made plenty of electronci ones already).
Some may fall off their chairs at those pics, but in
some cases you
just cannot do the work in a way some HS person may think is safe.
Same applies to electronic reapirs, of course. I had a run-in with a
safety officer who objected to any bare wires/contacts at all, even those
carrying 5V logic singals -- and this was in a research lab. You know as
well as I do that it's impossible to desgin something if you can't connct
a 'scope to any point you want without having to unscrew a covr, connect
the probe and screw the cover back again. But anyway...
eg we hand turn with a graver, the wheel cutter is a wonder with the
open and above rubber belt/rope
I don;t have a wheel cutting engine (I would use a dividing head on a
milling set-up). I do have some specialised clock/watch tools, like a set
of hand-bowed turns., jacot tool, mainswring winder, staking set, etc.
Not terribly useful, but I acquired an old, valved watch timing machine.
It's quit an interesting piece of electronics and combines 2 of my
hobbies :-)
but sticking fingers in it was safe (ish) because the
friction is very
low and just causes a stall (uses stored energy in the spindle)
Quite apart from the fact that uou know not to stick your fingers in a
running amchine tool. I've used plenty of tools here that could inflict
serious injury, but they don't becasue I know what they are capable of
and take care.
Mind you I really must rememebr that the flutes on a slot drill are
cutting edges, and taht it's a bad idea to pick on up by said flutes,
even when stationary....
Back in the old days a few cuts and bruises were the
best way to teach safety.
I am incluned to agree with you. You can make things too safe IMHO.
-tony