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Post by GWR 101 on May 18, 2017 8:08:13 GMT
Hi Pete, that's some wall at 10 metres long. The fact that its only low is awkward because its all bending over so you don't get to do the best bit when its waist high. I always cheat and use old size bricks as there is less to lay, just watch your back mate. Regards Paul
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barlowworks
Statesman
Now finished my other projects, Britannia here I come
Posts: 874
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Post by barlowworks on May 18, 2017 8:31:17 GMT
Yes, mind the back mate. I was a mason/pavior 40 years ago before becoming a telephone engineer (don't ask) and recently helped to build a new compressor house at the club. I had forgotten what grief I used to put my back through on a daily basis.
Go steady
Mike
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2017 14:00:47 GMT
We did a bit of clearing last weekend which left us a bit cream-crackered to say the least. We did a mock up using the old bricks and blocks of which there are plenty at the club :- The idea is to give a bit of a footway next to the upper track whilst leaving clearance for arms and legs on the lower track (which has not been laid yet). The bricks and blocks will be backed with old dense concrete blocks - these are also available on site. Trouble is the wall is at the most remote part of the site. We are thinking of a weekend or two - in fine weather - with a tent and a barrel of beer. Ambulance and Chiropractor on standby. Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
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Post by smallbrother on May 27, 2017 16:55:15 GMT
I took the boiler to the club to pump it up with the test rig to see if my plugging up was successful.
One of the boiler inspectors came to have a look and performed the hydraulic test which was a pass.
It was not going to fail (being a Helen Verrall jobbie) but I am very pleased to have got another step completed.
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Dec 6, 2017 18:22:17 GMT
Some more progress at last!
My brother bought a very nice Bridgport milling machine some time ago which until today had not been used in anger. He is hoping to sell his business and has ambitions to build a GWR Mogul in 7.25" when he retires.
I took the smokebox along to him today and we have drilled the blastpipe hole and bored out the chimney hole. Jobs which were much too big for my equipment.
The local brewery has its Christmas do on Friday so I will pick up some bottles for him as a thankyou. I can down a few pints at the brewery at the same time since the Boss has agreed to pick me up. Joyful days indeed!!!!
Pete.
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Post by GWR 101 on Dec 7, 2017 13:22:36 GMT
Hi Pete, glad to see you are back working on your current project. Should be a very useful engine when finished. Keep up the good work, regards Paul
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Dec 14, 2017 15:54:46 GMT
Well my brother rang me today to say he had finished the smokebox, the door-ring, locking bar, hinges and fitted it all together. He has made a fine job of it too. I swapped him some prize winning beer from the local brewery in Aberdare.
I have sent MJ Engineering an email to see if they can supply the axle pump casting and strap. The eccentric is already on the axle.
This project may end up completed yet!
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on May 18, 2018 7:51:44 GMT
Machining of the axle pump is in progress. We also have a plan for mounting the copper boiler (as opposed to steel which is welded in place) in the frames. I have made the new pin (which I broke due to being clumsy) to hold the reach rod to the Guide block.
The excitement is building! We may yet squeeze in a trial steam-up by the end of 2018!
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
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Post by smallbrother on Aug 22, 2018 14:43:03 GMT
An interesting morning at my brother's workshop.
He has made mounting brackets for the firebox end of the boiler and on mounting the boiler was horrified to see the boiler was distorted around the firebox wrapper. The diameter is about 12" and there is an outwards bulge of at least 1/8" at the centre of the firebox, presumably occurring during the 2 X WP test. Not easy to spot by eye but obvious when you have a straight edge for reference.
Anyway we rang Western Steam who made the boiler 4 years ago. Thankfully, they reckoned it will not be a problem and heat will strengthen the copper anyway.
Thank Gawd for that!
So we are getting there gradually.
Pete.
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Post by builder01 on Aug 22, 2018 16:21:28 GMT
"heat will strength the copper anyway", how does that work? My experience is that heat anneals copper, and is then softer.
David
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Aug 22, 2018 16:51:15 GMT
I suspect that they are using the fact that copper 'work hardens', so they feel that heating (and cooling) will stress the boiler, resulting in work-hardened material.
However, if there is a bulge caused by the hydraulic test, I would feel a tad uneasy, and would probably want to repeat the test to ensure that it wasn't going to fail.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
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Post by smallbrother on Aug 22, 2018 17:10:15 GMT
Yes they said it work hardens. The bulge is 3mm in 300mm presumably after the 2xWP test.
As far as I am concerned it is never going to that pressure again.
We will get it in steam in the months to come and take it from there.
Pete.
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Post by builder01 on Aug 22, 2018 17:57:30 GMT
Work hardening would not be caused by heating and cooling copper, this anneals copper and makes it soft. Perhaps it is the pressurizing and de-pressurizing of the boiler that causes work hardening of the copper.
Work hardening, as the name would suggest, is caused when the metal is "worked", or stressed mechanically in some way. Pressurizing a copper boiler might do exactly that.
David
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smallbrother
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Post by smallbrother on Aug 22, 2018 18:29:31 GMT
Work hardening would not be caused by heating and cooling copper, this anneals copper and makes it soft. Perhaps it is the pressurizing and de-pressurizing of the boiler that causes work hardening of the copper. Work hardening, as the name would suggest, is caused when the metal is "worked", or stressed mechanically in some way. Pressurizing a copper boiler might do exactly that. David Hi David, I am sure they know what they are on about and you have made a valid point about the pressure rise and fall being the critical bit. I was a bit worried but am confident the loco will be fine. Pete.
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stevep
Elder Statesman
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Post by stevep on Aug 23, 2018 9:35:15 GMT
Work hardening would not be caused by heating and cooling copper, this anneals copper and makes it soft. Perhaps it is the pressurizing and de-pressurizing of the boiler that causes work hardening of the copper. Work hardening, as the name would suggest, is caused when the metal is "worked", or stressed mechanically in some way. Pressurizing a copper boiler might do exactly that. David I don't think getting a boiler up to working pressure (150 deg C?) will be hot enough to anneal the copper - but the expansion, and subsequent contraction when it cools back to ambient temperature may well work harden it.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 15, 2018 20:54:40 GMT
Well I am quietly getting ready to mount the boiler. The smokebox is fixed in place and is drilled ready for fixing the boiler. I now have brackets on the footplate ready to support the business end of the boiler.
I now need to tap the bushes in the boiler so it can be fixed to the brackets. The holes in the brackets will be elongated to allow some expansion/contraction.
Lots of other small jobs to do.
Slow progress even by my standards, but I am on a strict fitness routine which has me blowing out of my *rse, and I am literally worn out. (Apparently I now also have osteoarthritis in my ankle and big toe to add to the knees and lower back. No wonder I can't walk properly, and if I don't exercise I will seize up altogether).
Pete.
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smallbrother
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Post by smallbrother on Nov 27, 2018 13:14:49 GMT
Well my time in the gym pumping iron has helped me wrestle the boiler into the smokebox and more or less its final position. I have fitted a band of copper to fill the 3mm gap between the boiler and the smokebox and this was a very tight fit - hence the wrestling!
I can trial fit the cab and saddle-tank and get the support brackets marked out for drilling and fixing.
It's bloody freezing and miserable in the workshop today so that's enough for now - the boss bought our Christmas tree yesterday so I will sort that out and earn a brownie point.
Pete.
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smallbrother
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 16, 2019 14:47:27 GMT
I have posted photos elsewhere of the assembled loco.
I have just given it a trial steam-up. One of the water gauges was leaking quite severely so had to stop at about 20psi.
Will get that sorted and hopefully take it down the club on Saturday for another trial and possibly a little run.
Pete.
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
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Post by smallbrother on Oct 19, 2019 19:57:40 GMT
Took it to the club and got it to 60 psi but by then both water gauges were leaking very badly.
Clearly I have made a mess of sealing them in but nothing new there! Will persevere until I get it right.
The good news is that both injectors work.
So, one step at a time, but getting there.
Pete.
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
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Post by JonL on Oct 19, 2019 20:13:04 GMT
Fantastic Pete.
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