Thread: What would make a good demo?

Eight or so years ago TAD made a promotional video which included a few of the machines in my shed doing things for background footage. At that stage I had a shaper, now moved on, which (as we all know) are fascinating things to watch. I've been trying to think what I could set up that would provide 'action shots' of around 5 to 10 second that would make a positive impression on people, typically who may not have a technical background. The video is normally shown as part of our PR efforts, so to service clubs, schools and so on. (Plenty of others do woodwork and welding, so background footage of those someone else will supply). Some thoughts are

• Slab cutter on the mill (lots of big chips tumbling off)
• Ball turner finishing off a ball
• Making some sparks on the surface grinder
• Doing some helical milling perhaps?
• Boring head sweeping a large (external) diameter

I'm accustomed to what processes looks like and am usually more interested by finishes or nice fits rather than demonstration shapes, sparks and streams of chips but we need action!
Can anyone suggest other operations that look impressive to the non-technical (and don't look silly to those in the know...)?

Michael

Hi Michael, a couple of things I thought of would be cutting a screw thread, particularly where it's a smooth section and behind the tip shows a thread (or part there of), another thought is of turning a rough looking bar into a smooth finished bar.
To me something like that would be impressive.. after all these years, it still fascinates me!!!
Kryn

G/day Michael, I kinda like the old hercus drill pushing an 1 1/2 or 2" drill bit through a chunk, good smell and visual with the oil burning off the swarf and bit and the sound is pretty cool also.

Hi Michael
Machining a cylinder head?

Roger

Originally Posted by KBs PensNmore

... would be cutting a screw thread, particularly where it's a smooth section and behind the tip shows a thread (or part there of)

I did think of that one but was not sure - might have to experiment to achieve that effect

Originally Posted by shedhappens

...I kinda like the old hercus drill pushing an 1 1/2 or 2" drill bit through a chunk, good smell and visual with the oil burning off the swarf and bit and the sound is pretty cool also.

No smell on video though.

Originally Posted by rogerbaker

Machining a cylinder head?

I am trying to keep it to operations likely to be done as part of a typical project. I've never been asked to fit a donk to a wheelchair, but an interesting idea


Michael

I would have to agree with screw cutting a thread, boring a hole ,flycutting and milling a slot

Hi Michael,

As already mentioned, fly cutting looks awsome, as does helical gear cutting and screw cutting. I love the SG but I'm not sure it creates as much of a visual as the others. Still good to include though. Actually, you have to include your cylindrical grinder, that's really cool.

What about an action shot of pressing a bearing onto a shaft?

How about some flame hardening shots? The colours of the falme are cool. Maybe I just like fire?

Simon

Hi Michael,

I think any slab/face milling, even normal heavy turning in slow motion look great.
Watching a close up of the chips fly off are impressive.

Many of the promotional videos from insert manufacturers often now show metal cutting in slow motion.

Spiro

If you have any CBN inserts on hand, turning hardened steel is pretty spectacular...