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Post by simplyloco on Dec 21, 2020 16:38:15 GMT
I am going to paint it!
I know that there are a few Majors out there with a polished column, but the real ones didn't have one, so I'll paint it. If I can achieve a similar paint finish to my Stirling then I will be very happy! I have loads of 2K Gloss Green left, and some POSCA lining wouldn't go amiss either... Jim, how will you do yours? John
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 22, 2020 20:52:31 GMT
I'm not painting the column...This afternoon's job was to finish the column. I was going to paint it, but looking at the examples that people seem to admire most it looks like I'm polishing it and painting the contrasting bits 2k Satin Black. Twelve years in the Royal Engineers taught me how to polish things properly! The column top was oversize by 2.5mm on one side, causing the entablature to extend beyond its support strut alignment position. As I said it's a right dog's breakfast... Successive filing, some emery cloth and finally some Solvol Autosol! Supporting the column end with a 8mm drill bit to get it level. The EMCO V10P table isn't the biggest but I can usually get away with it! I now have to trim the entablature to size, both in thickness and width, but at least it is in the right place now. However, the supplied strut is too short so I need to make a better one! I have to do something with the cylinder cap as well!
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Dec 22, 2020 22:55:48 GMT
You could always coat it with clear laquer to stop tarnishing. Looking good John.
Tim
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 22, 2020 23:00:28 GMT
You could always coat it with clear laquer to stop tarnishing. Looking good John. Tim Hi Tim. That is my intention, using the same 2k clearcoat I used on the Stirling. John
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 23, 2020 14:54:49 GMT
Cylinder Cap and GlandThis item was in a pretty sorry state: no attempt had been made to profile the neck, and the gland seats were missing in both bits! Getting in there to do the neck was a bit tricky, but my recently discovered profile tool made it a lot easier, moving the tool post around to accommodate the cuts. I had to grind some relief on the LHS of the tool, and nearly went too far as it is s**t metal... This what it now looks like. There are a couple of tiny inclusion marks but some people need little things to pick at! Very happy so far. On the beast, showing off the reprofiled cylinder rim.
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Post by Jim on Dec 23, 2020 21:54:58 GMT
You have done a superb job on there John which makes me all itchy to get back to working on mine once the rail motor is completed. Thanks too for the good ideas for machining a tricky casting in the column. It's a heavy bit of cast iron to set up.
Have a great Christmas
Jim
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 23, 2020 22:29:04 GMT
You have done a superb job on there John which makes me all itchy to get back to working on mine once the rail motor is completed. Thanks too for the good ideas for machining a tricky casting in the column. It's a heavy bit of cast iron to set up.
Have a great Christmas
Jim
Thanks Jim. None of it is difficult, just be careful for your fingers! Merry Christmas. John
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Dec 24, 2020 10:31:19 GMT
It appears you have polished your end John!
Tim
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 24, 2020 10:41:44 GMT
It appears you have polished your end John! Tim Well, I did spend rather a long time polishing my column! John
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 26, 2020 14:54:27 GMT
Entablature is much worse than I thought!Two hours in the workshop today: kept me off the celebration stuff! Over width, over height, too thick on one side - beam gap is 25 thou undersize- and very uneven casting lines. Clamped directly to the table, machined evenly both sides. Clamped to the table for the height adjustment on both sides. My vice jaws wouldn't open enough! Leaving the machine settings as they are and moved the clamps. No lumps! I took the opportunity to run the cutter down the offending inside surface. Much better, but I might machine the casting line nearer the join. The cylinder fettled up nicely too!
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Post by Jim on Dec 27, 2020 1:09:22 GMT
Your problems with that castings sound the same as mine John. I must say I'm finding your pictures of your build very useful and will be refering to them regularly when I get to the Beam Engine. There's also a series on the same engine that has been running in ME that also has some interesting ideas, I prefer yours though.
Cheers
Jim.
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 27, 2020 9:50:04 GMT
Your problems with that castings sound the same as mine John. I must say I'm finding your pictures of your build very useful and will be refering to them regularly when I get to the Beam Engine. There's also a series on the same engine that has been running in ME that also has some interesting ideas, I prefer yours though.
Cheers
Jim.
Hi Jim, and a Happy New Year to you. I've machined a fair number of Stuart castings, and they have all been of good quality. This entablature is definitely a bit scruffy, but yesterday I machined out the dugouts and fettled the rounded ends to improve the appearance of the casting. A coat of primer improves matters, and I can't wait to see it in black satin!
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Post by shedman on Dec 27, 2020 10:16:09 GMT
John looking good, not sure this helps but I made the smaller ME beam engine a few yeas ago and documented the build with photos. You can see them here
Graham
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 27, 2020 10:29:01 GMT
John looking good, not sure this helps but I made the smaller ME beam engine a few yeas ago and documented the build with photos. You can see them here
Graham
Thanks for this Graham. I made the Stuart beam a couple of years ago so I've had some practice already! John
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 27, 2020 16:37:02 GMT
2k Satin Black TryoutWell, it's a bit shiny for my taste, and I might do another well thinned coat to reduce the gloss, but I'm tempted to declare it's a 'Major' improvement over what went before! Mind you, it would be nice to achieve something akin to this masterpiece! www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hT8ujN2G3o&feature=emb_logoJohn
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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 Dec 27, 2020 19:23:22 GMT
The black looks spot on to me John, between satin and gloss. 👍
Mike
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Post by simplyloco on Dec 27, 2020 19:34:11 GMT
The black looks spot on to me John, between satin and gloss. 👍 Mike Thanks Mike, second -and third- opinions are welcomed! John
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,906
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Post by JonL on Dec 27, 2020 19:39:30 GMT
I think the older Stuart castings are better than the newer ones, quality control seems lacking now (I think they changed foundry or something?). I munched a cavity full of sand on one casting I was trying to machine on my 10H, and the bed had chilled and was like trying to machine diamond. To their credit they did replace the castings I had issue with each time, but not with any great urgency.
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Post by Jim on Dec 27, 2020 21:10:08 GMT
I think the problem now too is that smaller foundries where once common are now far less so to a point where it's problem out here in finding a foundry that will do small jobs in small numbers.
Jim
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Post by jon38r80 on Dec 28, 2020 16:42:33 GMT
I like the black, it will look good with red pinstriping
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