Stepperhead

The stepperhead is a sophisticated multi-mode machine made by Alan Jackson. In other words, it's both a lathe and a milling machine but it can also perform some functions not available on either. The video below shows one of these operations, spiral milling.



As well as CNC control of the cross slides etc the headstock can also be raised for large turning operations and rotated with a stepper motor for dividing operations such as gear cutting.

I first saw this at the model engineering show at Ascot last autumn, it's also been featured the Model Engineers Workshop magazine June 2009 No. 151.

Setting up a workshop shed

Over the last couple of years, I've written a few articles on how to setup your garden shed as a workshop. Here's a summary of all the topics you might need to think about when designing your workshop.



Storage and furniture

Storage is one of the key requirements for a workshop, you need to ensure that all your tools and materials are easily accessed. Shelves and peg boards are good for storing items that regularly used, drawers take more effort to create but allow better organisation, cupboards are good for the bigger items. You'll also need to think about a bench to work on and specialist areas such as a hearth if you wish to participate in welding, brazing or heat treatments. A foldable workmate like bench can add flexibility to your arrangements if you use your workshop for different activities.

Shelving
Small Drill Drawer
Large Storage Drawer
Slimline vs full depth drawers
Workshop Workbench
Building a hearth

Electricity supply

Unless you've managed to get your workshop powered by a treadle or belts you are going to need an electricity supply. Here's some links to show how to do this safely.



Laying a cable down the garden
Simple Electrics
Details of Workshop Electrics

Safety

If you can't work safely then you aren't going to be using your workshop for very long. Here's some thoughts on some of the different safety issues to consider.

Chemical Safety
Electrical Safety
More Electrical Safety
Fire Safety

Repairs and British Weather

One key issue with the UK is the weather, you can guarantee rain and damp in your shed. Ventilation helps with damp, heating can help but gas or paraffin heaters give out water which can make the damp issue worse. Maintenance of your shed to keep it water proof should not be put off and periodic repainting is a good idea. Remember that plastics can deteriorate in the sun so those on the sunny side may need replacing more often.



Recladding the shed
Problems with damp?
Rust and Antirust paper

Security

I've not got any specific articles on this but things to consider are: can people see all your expensive tools through the windows, can the windows be easily broken or removed? How big a lock? Too big might encourage thieves, a motion detector attached to a light might discourage casual thieves, are your hinges secure or can the pins be removed easily, do you want to alarm the shed or will it just go off every time the neighbours cat lands on the roof? Do you want to have additional security in the shed such as locking up your ladder? Are there tools in the shed that could help a burglar enter your house?

Does you household and building insurance cover your shed contents or do you need specialist insurance?

Answer to Mechanism seen on the tube

It would appear my puzzle was a little too easy. Mike Morgan was the first to spot that it was "some sort fancy upmarket clasp on a bag?" followed by some lady readers of the workshopshed blog who new exactly what it was.



Yes, it was in fact a George Gina & Lucy carabina clasp from one of their canvas handbags. The clasp can be open or closed with on hand and the lower part has an adjustable strap for tension, their cable guy and Xciting Kanji designs in grey or tobacco colours are sufficiently macho to carry your sailing gear or tools in. They are not cheap however so if you see your plumber or electrician turning up with one of them you can guarentee your going to be getting a large bill.

I'll leave the puzzles to the experts, for a more challenging puzzle you can visit Richard Wiseman's Friday Puzzle

Mechanism seen on the tube

On the way to work this morning I saw the above mechanism whilst travelling on the London underground.

Any guesses as to what it is?

International Shed of the Year

The winner of the International Shed of the Year is a Workshop. "The Shed" owned by Chuck Witmer of Scale House Design is a large timber framed design with reclaimed materials such as IKEA glass shelving for the windows and other materials from Community Forklift a supplier of surplus, reclaimed and recycled materials.

Chuck uses his shed for woodworking and a painting studio. Guest can stay on the sleeping loft.

More pictures of The Shed

Desert workshop

Thanks to Michael Janzen I found John Wells and The Southwest Texas Alternative Energy and Sustainable Living Field Laboratory (aka The Field Lab). As you can see it's pretty remote so anything needed has to be transported in or used from the environment. Water is collected from the rain and solar panels and wind turbines provide power.

The purpose of the lab is to adopt a 21st century pioneer's lifestyle, live off grid, experiment with alternative energy and any other project John and friends feel like doing.

John's got slightly more serious cooling issues than I have in the workshopshed as the temperatures in the Texan desert regularly go over 100°F. So he has successfully built a "Pepino Swamp Cooler" which uses rain water and solar panels to cool his workshop.

You can follow the exploits of the field lab on the Field Lab Blog.

I hope to have some kind of active ventilation in the workshopshed. I'll be looking at the swamp cooler in more detail and also Forest Cook's Solar Circuits. Forest's given me some ideas about ensuring my fans have enough current and don't burn out.

Miniature Workshops

I like to think that the Workshopshed is a small workshop but it's no where near as small as these two:



The Science Museum has a minature steam powered engineering workshop as photographed by Nic Brown.



David Brookshaw makes some excellent 1/12 scale tools such as the above work bench.