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Post by simplyloco on Jan 5, 2022 14:16:59 GMT
Stuart Major Beam Roughly Assembled before major stripdown for polish and paint! I am changing the fake stone base for a veneered wooden one, so I've roughly assembled the beast to make sure everything works before I strip it all down. There are a few studs and knobs missing, and there is the odd click here and there, but you get the idea! It runs lovely. Well pleased with the result. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Km8WOiylC0&t=1s
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Post by Jim on Jan 6, 2022 7:09:17 GMT
The beam engine looks fantatsic John and runs beautifully. Once the rail motor is completed I must get back working on my beam engine.
Cheers
Jim
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Post by keith1500 on Jan 6, 2022 8:12:50 GMT
The beam engine and its motion reminds me of those fine models in glass cases that the London Science Museum used to have on display.
And as a kid you never appreciated the purpose of all the moving, swaying bits.
Nice work.
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 6, 2022 9:08:49 GMT
The beam engine looks fantatsic John and runs beautifully. Once the rail motor is completed I must get back working on my beam engine.
Cheers
Jim
Thanks Jim and Keith. Jim, if you PM me your address I could send you a certain governor component that was lost and then found! John
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Post by Jim on Jan 6, 2022 11:28:18 GMT
That would be great John, thank you very much indeed. PM on the way.
Jim
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 7, 2022 9:18:21 GMT
Hi folks. This is definitely the last picture of the beast before it gets taken apart for final fettling. My green workshop coat used as a background really works well! John
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 10, 2022 16:55:52 GMT
Cylinder Lubricator
This thing would not be complete without the oilers, which I had largely forgotten about. The main one fits on the cylinder, and the top gland has to have a flat machined on it to make room for it. I also had to spot face the rim to provide a flat surface for it to sit on! Here's a few pics. A full days work in this! I made a 3/8" dia. form tool for the ball shape out of 5/32" gauge plate. Machining the gland and spot facing the rim. It's the details that maketh a model! 🙂
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Post by Jim on Jan 11, 2022 3:31:41 GMT
I must remember the oiler for when I get to that stage of completion. You've done a lovely job making that one and as you say it's the details tha makes the model and gives it character and you Beam Engine has that in spades.
Jim.
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 11, 2022 11:02:27 GMT
I must remember the oiler for when I get to that stage of completion. You've done a lovely job making that one and as you say it's the details tha makes the model and gives it character and you Beam Engine has that in spades.
Jim.
Thanks Jim. BTW your little piece of jewellery is Par Avion! 4-7 days.
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Post by Jim on Jan 11, 2022 11:46:07 GMT
Coming by Par Avion you say John. Crikey I think the bloke next door shot one of them the other day, it was swooping his chickens. I shall keep an eye out for the postman. Cheers Jim.
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 11, 2022 17:54:24 GMT
Four little oiler caps waiting for three more bodies. Tomorrow!
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 13, 2022 14:26:09 GMT
Air/Steam Connector I'm not going to run this on steam, but I am going to make a compressed air connection, using a modern push fit connector. I'll also show how I do the lagging. Here's a few pics. First you need some lagging tape left over from work in 1975! The conical gadget is normally used for winding springs in the lathe, but this time it is used to wind the tape. Threading the tape was bit tricky, but some superglue and some thin wire did the trick! I set the thread pitch to 1.5mm, the same width as the tape, and just reversed the feed a few times until I had the desired diameter. I made a simple support bracket from stainless steel. All done, oilers in place, apart from some missing studs! I will be making a new base but that can wait for the warmer weather. Phew!
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 18, 2022 18:44:11 GMT
I mentioned that I was going to make a new plinth and veneer it. Well, I've changed my mind as I found a new colour (Manhattan Mist) from the Plastikote range which should go well with the black/bright scheme and I've used it on the beast. I stripped the old surface, reprimed it, and did the business with the 1 mm masking tape. Now it has dried off a bit I conclude that it is a great improvement on the white plinth! Well pleased. The thing is now in bits being touched up, polished, and gaskets fitted in anticipation of running on compressed air.
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Post by coniston on Jan 18, 2022 21:32:59 GMT
That's a much more appropriate finish John, nice job.
Chris
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Post by Jim on Jan 19, 2022 4:47:49 GMT
An airmail package arrived in the letterbox today containing this beautifully crafted governor actuating arm that John had made then 'lost' forcing him to make another. Sod's Law swung into action the moment the replacement was made to reveal the 'lost' arm in a previously closed drawer. The task for me is to complete my Beam Engine to a standard that does justice to this gem of an actuaing lever. Thank you John for making such a generous gesture. Jim
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 21, 2022 16:41:45 GMT
Finish Painting the Beast!I have a Kite mini spray gun fitted with a 0.4mm nozzle. Run at about 50 psi, 66/33/25 paint/hardener/thinners 2k mix. Airbrushes were designed for inks and thin lacquers and do not deliver (IMV) a thick enough mix to achieve good results. This paint touch dries in about 20 minutes! I'll leave this lot for a couple of days to harden off completely before I remove the paint from the odd shiny bits! The paint job has certainly refreshed the beast!
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mbrown
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,719
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Post by mbrown on Jan 21, 2022 16:46:55 GMT
Looking good!
What paint are you using (i.e. type and brand)?
Malcolm
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 21, 2022 16:57:01 GMT
Looking good! What paint are you using (i.e. type and brand)? Malcolm Hi Malcolm. It's two pack unbranded satin black from our local Autopaint supplier, mixed on the spot. Thinners and hardener are whatever they have available! John www.autopaintlowford.co.uk/
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mbrown
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,719
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Post by mbrown on Jan 21, 2022 17:09:24 GMT
Thanks John.
Although it is a long way ahead, I have been giving thought to painting all those acres of black and bright red on 99 3462.... and finding something better than the enamel I have used in the past.
If I can get a finish like you have achieved on the beam engine I shall be well pleased.
Malcolm
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Post by simplyloco on Jan 21, 2022 17:16:56 GMT
Thanks John. Although it is a long way ahead, I have been giving thought to painting all those acres of black and bright red on 99 3462.... and finding something better than the enamel I have used in the past. If I can get a finish like you have achieved on the beam engine I shall be well pleased. Malcolm The Stirling was painted entirely in two pack, one shade on the tender was colour matched by Autopaint. Now that was a paint finish...
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