Model engineering

[Hamster69]

I started a thread a while ago about my locos and what I was up to. It is here for anyone interested.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I found that after a while we started talking about different peoples engines etc, so maybe a proper model engineering thread for everyone to talk about what they own, built, ran?
I will continue my loco updates when I have a chance.

Tonight I was at the Hatfield and district society of model enginneers or the club as I shall probably refer to it from now on.
A test to this engine was being carried out as I arrived.



Built by one of our members, it is gas fired. It has been built in such a short space of time we really are all so impressed.

Hopefully this weekend may see some free time that I can get up the workshop. I very much want this to happen again soon.

[Dawg]

Good idea - I am somewhat of a novice despite being surrounded by it for 43 years! but I inherited a lot of equipment from my father when he died 7 years ago - he was Chairman of the Wigan society and built 5 locos to varying degrees of completion..

3 1/2" Union Pacific Big boy - 60% completed, now sold.
5" Duchess - 'Sir William Stanier'
3 1/2" Duchess - 'Duchess Of Hamilton'
5" Ajax
5" Sweet Pea

When I was age 12/13, I started the 5" Sweet Pea, however it became apparent that it was a little advanced for me and my interests lay elesewhere - I constructed the frame and machined the wheels - it was the cylinders that I remember 'frying' my mind. Way too advanced for a young lad. Well me anyway..!

Anyhow - here's a selection of photos of the UP Big Boy & Duchess locos - he constructed it from drawing he made himself from hundreds of photos that a friend had taken on a trip to the USA..




His 5" Duchess Sir William Stanier - he had built it 90% complete - I had to get someone to finish it for me - again, he did his own drawings for most of it... ongoing issues with injectors means that it still hasn't run - it steams well though..



I dismantled his 3 1/2" Duchess and repainted it - pictured as I was stripping it...still yet to run again, it was his first engine completed in 1974...

[Hamster69]

What a good start, thanks for the post. Those are some impressive engines. I hope you get to see the duchesses in steam soon.

[silverfoxcc]

Got a 5in LNER B17 on the go. Never got around to taking pics of kit being machined, may have to rectify that. Just milling out the rebate on the expansion link brackets at the moment. Chassis is wheeled, tender about 70% finished, cylinders bored, got the cabwork laser cut by Malcolm High. Boiler is a new s/h ( if you get that) B1 but the same as the B17 had fitted. Used jigs to get the frames set up ok ( hopefully) rather than bolting togther and drilling both, plus you might get errors in the stretcher holes and bingo you have a skew frame with the axles all on the piddle. A few elders have tut tutted at the jig system,but if it was good enough in full size its good enough for me. also knocked up a jig for 120'ing the cranks ( 3 cyl loco with the Gresley/Holcroft 2-1 lever design)
A good forum to subscribe to is this

http://modeleng.proboards.com/

Lots of examples of work in progress on there, esp greenglade with his A3, cro and his scale fittings, '44757' and his BR Standard, springcrocus is doing a 5in Britannia, and Tim doing a Don Young A3. Hours of good ideas there but also enough to make you want to throw yours in the scrap bn and start again!!

Edited by silverfoxcc on Sunday 26th July 13:39

[Hamster69]

Thanks for that fox. I will have a look on there. If you can get some photos it would be good.

[Orcadian]

Hi folks,
Strange, I thought I would be the only one interested in model engineering and cars and bikes.
DAWG, I gave a couple of talks to the Wigan Model Engineers about 10 years ago, perhaps your late Father was there then? I lived in Southport then but have retired to the beautiful Orkney Isles and am still in contact with Brian B from Blackrod who I believe you saw recently. Hope the biscuits are still as good,
Brian reminded me that I have still not finished my 1 1/2" Allchin traction engine, mustn't rush these things, there's still a number of motorbikes in the shed to restore!
Ian

[Hamster69]

That is always the problem really. I have a full time job, I have a track day car and im part of a team restoring classic cars at work but in our own time. So actually getting some model engineering done can be tricky.

[Hamster69]

Attended the club tonight. Three successful boiler tests carried out and one steam test.

[mrmaggit]

Got the Twin Sisters on the track last weekend, bit of a problem with the steam pressure dropping and the fire dying. Be back later.

[Hamster69]

Just home from a lovely evening with two steam engines. The Hatfield and district club showing that when we try, we can have a great time.









All good preparation for a weekend of steam soon hopefully.

[Dawg]

Orcadian said:

Hi folks,
Strange, I thought I would be the only one interested in model engineering and cars and bikes.
DAWG, I gave a couple of talks to the Wigan Model Engineers about 10 years ago, perhaps your late Father was there then? I lived in Southport then but have retired to the beautiful Orkney Isles and am still in contact with Brian B from Blackrod who I believe you saw recently. Hope the biscuits are still as good,
Brian reminded me that I have still not finished my 1 1/2" Allchin traction engine, mustn't rush these things, there's still a number of motorbikes in the shed to restore!
Ian

Hi Ian - my father was Chairman of the Wigan Society until his death in May 2008 - so it's most likely you met him. His name was Geoff Buckley. And mentioning motorcycles, I now have his 1960 Norton Dominator 99.

[blueST]

I've nothing really to add to this thread now, but hopefully I will in the future. I'm about to start having a go at model engineering. I've had a mill for a long time and have recently picked up an old lathe, but only really mucked about with them. I'm going to buckle down and learn to use them properly then start with a simple engine off this site http://www.john-tom.com/html/ElmersEngines.html.

It may be some years before I have a functioning traction engine to show you! Fortunately, my Dad is a retired toolmaker, so I've a good instructor when it comes to using the tools. If anyone knows of any good on line resources for beginners, please share.

[Hamster69]

We had our summer steam up on Sunday. A nice afternoon with good weather. What it's all about really!

video here

[silverfoxcc]

Blue

these two forums are worth their weight in gold

http://modeleng.proboards.com/

and


http://www.model-engineer.co.uk/forums/

Edited by silverfoxcc on Wednesday 9th September 23:39

[Hamster69]

After not a huge amount of interest on here. I have moved our club page to Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/958880634193652/

[silverfoxcc]

I think we should really press the mods for a specific title thread. Not decrying the model car lads, but if a 'take it out the box' hobby justifies its own thread, then surely Model engineering does. it could also encompass ships.aircraft, traction engines clocks the list goes on........Then we could have sub headings and take it from there Look at how many sub heading the TVR brand has, how often the Marcos and Scimitar marques are updated.
I feel that i a dedicatd heading a put in the Lounge than it should take off.

[perdu]

silverfoxcc said:

I think we should really press the mods for a specific title thread. Not decrying the model car lads, but if a 'take it out the box' hobby justifies its own thread, then surely Model engineering does. it could also encompass ships.aircraft, traction engines clocks the list goes on........Then we could have sub headings and take it from there Look at how many sub heading the TVR brand has, how often the Marcos and Scimitar marques are updated.
I feel that i a dedicatd heading a put in the Lounge than it should take off.

I'd vote for you guys to have a dedicated thread, why not ask the mods for advice

I wouldn't mind differentiating between 'open the box and show it' and 'actual build bits work' too

I don't detract from the beautiful miniatures the guys have, and the pleasure they enjoy from them but the 'show yer own' thread title misses a point someplace IMO


Some of those locomotives and steam engines are amazing, I'm in awe at them

[4321go]

What he said! I have nothing to contribute as, whilst I would consider myself "good with my hands", this is on another level. But I lurk with interest!

[BadBob]

I'd also love to see more about people building things and thanks for sharing your model engineering. I hope this thread keeps going.

[ArtDecoEng]

Just moved house and now trying to get the workshop up and running to continue my long term project.



(apologies for my nails!)

Can you guess what this fully working amal will fit?

ADE