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Post by Deleted on Sept 21, 2015 11:15:31 GMT
Hello, I built my first of 9 locos over 50 years ago, my second project was a Dore Westbury milling machine (still going strong). Built 8 traction engines up to half size. Made patterns for more half of these (self taught from books). Built 30 copper boilers, can weld but not to steel spec. Built several locos and a steam lorry,locos mostly narrow gauge from my own drawings all original (no freelance). Never used laser cutter. I am still a M/E but not as much as I am now disabled. Albert That's an impressive list Albert and I take my hat off to you sir, as Steve has pointed out perhaps I came over a little strong when describing the working of steel sheet easy, it is simple in technical terms but takes a keen eye and steady hand to do well. I have a pet hate of repetitive work, drives me crazy... probably due to getting bored doing the same thing over and over again, yes you can stack sheets to profile but when looking at the laser parts for Andrew's build it's clear to see that to do all of a certain item in one go is impossible due to their vast number, this doesn't just have to be with cutting steel (any metal) sheet though, it can also be with machining multiple items too. . For example I know that i have yet another 12 shock absorbers to make for 4472, they are very time consuming with a total of 32 on the locomotive/tender, if I had the ability to machine code and had access to CNC i would probably make use of it, alas i don't so will have to do it the hard/long way. The question is, is this any harder than going CNC?...well in some respects 'yes', not taking away the skill involved to draw up the items in CAD but purely as not only do you need to make an item by hand, brazing, machining and filing to size but you also need to make multiple items all the same size... So yes I fully appreciate the work done by those like yourself who do everything by hand but i wouldn't for one second take anything away from those who choose a different, faster method of construction..If parts appear on the market that are suitable for my own build such as scale backhead fittings rest assured i will make use of them, especially if they add that little extra in detail as do the castings that Adam (cro) is producing today. Cheers Pete
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44767
Statesman
Posts: 529
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Post by 44767 on Sept 21, 2015 11:36:35 GMT
I've said it before but my view is that we are all project managers. It's up to us how we spend our budgets of time and money and use of our own skills versus someone else's. We all make models; engineering in all its forms is just a means to an end. Andrew had done all the design for these laser cut parts himself, scaling them from works drawings and making them work in this scale. And laser cutting is much more like gas cutting than hack sawing and filing ever will be!
What a great start you've made Andrew. Keep it up.
Mike
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Post by alanstepney on Sept 21, 2015 11:50:41 GMT
I am sure that the day will come when we can hold a photo up to a screen, and out will pop a completed locomotive. But, that certainly wont be in my lifetime, and meanwhile, we are getting better and more accurate models made using todays latest technology (mainly by the youngsters among us!).
Whilst it is good to see the old skills preserved, it is also good to see people using what is now available. At the end, it still produces a working locomotive.
So, lets see a mix of techniques, old and new, and just enjoy the hobby, no matter what machinery we actually use.
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Post by gall335i on Sept 21, 2015 13:12:46 GMT
Aliitle more, This Tender brake hanger bracket was done on a manual milling machine using a rotary table and calculator!! Tender wheels, LWC Tender Spring hanger bracket LWC cast Tender Horn Guide. LWC cast buffer stock Thanks Andrew.
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jma1009
Elder Statesman
Posts: 5,901
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Post by jma1009 on Sept 21, 2015 21:58:18 GMT
hi andrew,
i think that given the complexity of the 9F frames and stretchers and drag box etc i think you have done the right thing in 7.25"g in getting these parts and lots of other parts laser cut. how on earth you managed to do the drawings and work out the sub assemblies is beyond me and you deserve considerable credit for this design work, and would easily offset any 'exhibition marks' you would lose through obtaining 'ready made' laser cut parts.
ive driven both 3.5"g and 5"g 9Fs. the 3.5"g versions have sparkled more than the 5"g versions ive driven. a 7.25"g version is going to be quite a beast!
very impressive, and good luck with the project!
how is your Elidir?
cheers, julian
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Post by Cro on Sept 21, 2015 22:16:42 GMT
hi andrew, i think that given the complexity of the 9F frames and stretchers and drag box etc i think you have done the right thing in 7.25"g in getting these parts and lots of other parts laser cut. how on earth you managed to do the drawings and work out the sub assemblies is beyond me and you deserve considerable credit for this design work, and would easily offset any 'exhibition marks' you would lose through obtaining 'ready made' laser cut parts. ive driven both 3.5"g and 5"g 9Fs. the 3.5"g versions have sparkled more than the 5"g versions ive driven. a 7.25"g version is going to be quite a beast! very impressive, and good luck with the project! how is your Elidir? cheers, julian What gets me Julian is he does it all in 2D, now this may sound silly but I would struggle to know its all right in 2D I have to see them in 3D - I find that so much easier so yes credit for getting them right as I know I'd make a mistake if I had to work that way. A friend of mine recently rolled the smokebox for his Duchess which is a Semi and he drew it in 2D cad with ALL the rivet holes in place and the cut out in the front to bend the nose down for the slope and all we did was role it, bend it and solder it. He then pushed in the CNC'd front ring he had done, again all in 2D CAD and everything lined up....I need it in 3D! Also you haven't driven my 9f yet Adam
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Post by Tel on Sept 24, 2015 9:30:50 GMT
Hello, This as far as I am concerned is not model engineering, Just buying parts and putting them together. As a m/e the skill is in making the parts, not just sticking them together and then claiming ---I built this? Will you build the boiler? I do not think so. Albert Different strokes for different folks Albert - you are a little out of line here.
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Post by gall335i on Sept 26, 2015 22:22:10 GMT
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Post by ejparrott on Sept 27, 2015 9:14:10 GMT
Nice job, there's still a lot of work to do gluing them together and them tidying them up though! Interesting to me to see some of these bits in the real, helps me with doing the drawings for David's 5" version, some of the drawings take some working out!
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Post by gall335i on Sept 27, 2015 9:27:02 GMT
Thanks.
Indeed it will take me a while to finish, I'll keep the photos coming for you. must admit when I was drawing them from the works drawings it took some thinking! Would like to have cnc parts done like david is doing but the size of these it would need a big chunk of metal, haha. Which one are you working on atm? will do that one next for you to see.
Andrew.
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Post by ejparrott on Sept 27, 2015 9:38:50 GMT
I've lost track of where we've got to, David's been a bit occupied! He'll be along shortly I'm sure
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Post by vulcanbomber on Sept 27, 2015 10:27:09 GMT
Currently, machine time is being devoted to the 4 Horizontal Stretchers, I've mostly drawn the vertical stretchers either side of the driving axle and the engines rear drag box but the lack of machine time or rather time to machine, along with the 3000 other jobs I'm doing at the minute means I have little motivation to finish these drawings off.
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Post by gall335i on Oct 21, 2015 22:10:58 GMT
Well a month on from first post, see the results laser cutting can give and in such a short time!! Seen here at my club ready for our open days Friday / Saturday. More to come soon. Andrew.
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Post by gall335i on Oct 25, 2015 21:26:34 GMT
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Post by joanlluch on Oct 25, 2015 22:16:03 GMT
Very very impressive Andrew.
And a clear evidence that laser cutting is a real time-saver provided you have CAD drawn plans.
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Post by noggin on Oct 26, 2015 19:51:19 GMT
well you are not married,as that loco is going to leave one hell of a dink in that carpet,
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Post by ejparrott on Oct 26, 2015 20:28:55 GMT
Believe it or not, he is!
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Post by gall335i on Oct 26, 2015 20:29:08 GMT
Haha, yes I'm married mate, she was away for the weekend and TBH didn't leave a mark, was to quick taking them!
Andrew.
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Post by andrewsleigh on Oct 27, 2015 21:59:41 GMT
beautiful work, yet mind bogglingly complex
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Post by gingerneer on Oct 28, 2015 19:40:20 GMT
Just the frames are impressive. Very neat how had all the parts on a fret so none of the smaller bits got lost.
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