Photo request, anyone with a MAP arm out there?

S

setlab

Joined
Apr 11, 2012
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134
If it's OK to post some close ups. I'm gutting my homemade grinder and beefing it up, on my to do list is to make a MAP arm for it. I was wondering how the MAP arm tool rest is mounted to the arm itself, how it spins and tilts. My Google searches only come up with pictures of the top of the rest, can someone take some pictures of the bottom?
 
Thanks Bladsmth. I figured it out, I did find another picture that was helpful too. I'm just wondering now if that is a 1" round bar under the work rest? If that were the case it would only leave .25" of material on the 1.5" tool bar, does that sound about right? I would hesitate to drill a hole that big thinking it might weaken the assembly.

I'm also wondering why Michael decided to weld nuts onto the articulated arm rather than tapping the holes? I'm guessing it was a production time saver? Or would using nuts be a stronger clamping force then tapping into the mild steel parts?

tools3.jpg


along with

map4.JPG
 
setlab said:
I'm also wondering why Michael decided to weld nuts onto the articulated arm rather than tapping the holes? I'm guessing it was a production time saver? Or would using nuts be a stronger clamping force then tapping into the mild steel parts?

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Did you read the whole 20 page thread ?


Go ahead and do that.


Some parts may use left hand threads and welding on nuts is simpler than tapping them.
 
No, I haven't waded threw all 20 pages yet. I'll have to find some time to do that. Thanks.
 
I think there were some opinions that this whole unit was too heavy. The toolrest itself is very unique and versatile but the accumulation of steel made it very heavy. And there were issues with the positioning loosening up if there was too much downward pressure. Just wanted to pass that on.
 
Doesn't loosen up with down pressure. That why it has left hand thread at the joints. Tightens as you push down.
 
Jesse Latham said:
Doesn't loosen up with down pressure. That why it has left hand thread at the joints. Tightens as you push down.
Click to expand...

12345678910 said:
Correct

All you have to do is read the thread

w1.jpg
Click to expand...

I was commenting on the ORIGINAL design. The redesign solved these problems. I was attempting to point out the original design issues so that anyone trying to create something similar would not reproduce the original design.
 
Just a comment, and why I never got one of Michael's MAP arms:

While one tool that does it all is nice. specific dedicated tools usually work better. A group of four or five dedicated tool arms will be easier to make than one complex articulated arm. make a nice rack for your tool arms and make one for any task you think you will be repeating. In many cases, a "general use" arm with tapped holes will work with just changing of the work rest on it. It only takes a minute to remove two or three cap screws and change the plate.
Installing a second arm slot on a grinder is a good way to get more versatility from your grinder.
 
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Personally I like how Travis did his grinder(TW-90 grinder) it seems very easy, very light, and can do most any thing and doesn't need a whole new arm for each new one(I am only speaking from looking I have not actually used his or something like the wilmount).....
 
I completely agree with Stacy. Having multiple arms with different setups can be so much faster to change over than to keep changing the configuration of one arm. I spent quite a bit of time coming up with an arm I thought would be really versatile, and it is. Problem is, I've got it set up for one particularly complex task and don't like to change it.

Bob
 
I guess having multiple arms would be the easier thing to do. That's still a possibility, but the cool factor of the MAP arm is winning out.
 
Why is it no longer being made? Could be price. Could be lack of demand. Too heavy and ultimately less useable than originally thought?

There are many MSP owners on these forums. I wonder if they would chime in if they still use it.
 
I made one quite similar, left hand threads and all. My rest fastens on differently and has an additional vertical adjustment. I do not use it much but I don’t use any rest much. I found on mine when adjusting, I have to use two wrenches on each joint. Maybe the original does not require that. I only use it when there is no other option. Jess
 
I have built four different work rests this year for things I wanted to do but did not have the manual dexterity and control to do them without a steady rest. One rest is welded, one rest is all aluminum. and the other two are bolted steel. All of them work pretty well but what I have learned is that the rest should be solid and strong but with the lowest mass necessary. I talked to maker recently who used a map arm but now says it is too darn heavy. I have no experience with this arm so cannot say but I have been using various rests with my projects and I like the idea of different rests for different tasks. The nicest rest I have seen recently was built by Ranger Bob for his grinder. He has two receptacles for tool arms and his rest looks rock solid. A second tool arm receptacle will probably be my next solution. I found the most desirable characteristic for a rest is vertical movement and so am making a new extra long cylinder for a 4 x7 1/4 steel rest. Lastly I want a rest that uses only one wrench or adjustable handles. Just my opinion.
 
I have been using one of Michael's MAP arms for a number of years. Wouldn't trade it for anything.

It is built like a tank, it is heavy duty in addition to being just "Heavy".

I use it for flat grinding on my platen and for refining the profile on my wheel.

Your mileage may vary, but I am a simple man and like simple solutions.

Robert
 
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