mbrown
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,713
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Post by mbrown on Feb 16, 2021 0:19:41 GMT
Sounds just the job. I might get a few metres to try out. It will be a while yet before I need to lag the pipes in anger!
Much obliged.
Malcolm
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Post by ettingtonliam on Feb 16, 2021 12:04:42 GMT
I thought 'just the job' too, because I'll need to lag the long exposed exhaust pipes on Locomotion. Then I started thinking 'this is waxed cotton, how will it stand up to being used on hot pipes?'
Any thoughts, anyone? Otherwise its back to string painted black.
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,902
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Post by JonL on Feb 16, 2021 15:24:16 GMT
Try looking for waxed lacing cord; we were still using it at Boeing when I was there two years ago. They used white and black, not sure about the black but the white was apparently Kevlar based
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 16, 2021 18:07:59 GMT
Try looking for waxed lacing cord; we were still using it at Boeing when I was there two years ago. They used white and black, not sure about the black but the white was apparently Kevlar based That's what I'm using: the reel is at least 48 years old!
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Post by ejparrott on Feb 16, 2021 23:06:40 GMT
Enjoying your updates John, looking forward to that first run, pretty soon now me thinks! I have a set of castings for one of these too, to do with Erica when she's older.
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 511
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Post by timb on Feb 17, 2021 9:42:06 GMT
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 17, 2021 16:54:31 GMT
Main Steam Valve
Some people buy a 3/8" globe valve for this job, but I'm too mean and they look cheap anyway, so I'll make a proper one! It's made from 7/8" brass and has an insert which isn't easy to decipher from the drawing. However, I've sussed it and today I made the valve body. I do not bother with spherical ball tooling as a file is cheaper... I'll make the insert and spindle tomorrow. An insert drops into the main body, but I forgot to take a picture! If you understand sectional drawings then you won't need it... Cut roughly to shape with a parting and button tool. Always supported by a revolving centre if you know what's good for you! Nearly at the required shape. I have some 8" Vallorbe files bought specifically for shaping brass. They are never used on steel. Drilling 5/16" after some energetic sanding down to 800 grit. Parting off still supported by the revolving centre. My military background shows here. Bullshine baffles brains! Isn't Solvol Autosol wonderful? The valve is supposed to go up by the throttle valve, but that's a bit daft to me so it will sit here feeding the throttle along the base. The eagle eyed will notice that I have completed the dummy studs on the cylinder top. Much nicer!
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 511
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Post by timb on Feb 18, 2021 11:48:34 GMT
I wonder what the Flat Earth wallies call this type of valve?!
Nice bit of shiny there John!!
Tim
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 19, 2021 17:38:25 GMT
More work on the Steam Valve: it's a tricky little bugger! Valve inner body and gland completed but not worth recording the work. The operating shaft was straightforward, and I was glad I had my mighty mini revolving centre for support! However, the two MS pillars were not responding to my 8BA die so I swapped to 303 stainless and changed the threaded end to 2mm, of which I had a new die. It worked! Notice the revolving cup centre: very handy! The handwheel is just another 'part on a stick' and was again, straightforward. I reduced the size a little from the 1" specified. Drilling and embellishing on the FB2. This was enough for today, I still have to make the big hole in the valve body, do the cross beam and shape the gland. It might be quite pretty when it's finished!
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Post by Jim on Feb 19, 2021 20:27:05 GMT
Lovely work John and reminder for me to get back working on my Beamer when I've completed the railmotor. I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses files for jobs the experts say should be done with special tooling. The valve looks brilliant .... along with the rest of the model.
Jim
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 19, 2021 22:40:38 GMT
Lovely work John and reminder for me to get back working on my Beamer when I've completed the railmotor. I'm glad I'm not the only one who uses files for jobs the experts say should be done with special tooling. The valve looks brilliant .... along with the rest of the model.
Jim
Thanks Jim. I'm finding this project really satisfying, and I'm looking forward to comparing notes on your beamer! John
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 21, 2021 17:13:58 GMT
Finished Steam Valve.
No progress pics on this as it was just tedious little bits like the gland shaping, drilling and tapping, and I decided to use studs in the valve flanges instead of the specified clearance holes. I also sunk the insert right through the valve body, soldered it in and shaped the bottom into the sphere. Anyway, it's starting to look like quite businesslike!
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 22, 2021 17:16:49 GMT
Thanks for the Appreciations guys, they help a great deal.Lagging today, but my nuts are too big to join it all together!😱 I'll have to make up some smaller ones to clear the cladding, which needs another layer to smooth things out a little. The drawing calls for the valve to be perched next to the throttle valve, but this arrangement is clumsy to my eyes, and a compressed air connection would be 'up in the air' so to speak. Far nicer to run the steam pipe alongside the base plate and put a 'Quick Connect' at the end.
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 511
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Post by timb on Feb 22, 2021 17:19:28 GMT
No laughing matter when your nuts are too big!
Tim
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 22, 2021 17:24:16 GMT
No laughing matter when your nuts are too big! Tim On a serious note, I've been there! About 15 years ago I found myself in hospital with a Hydrocele. A quick 'Day Case' operation and I was able to walk properly again!
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 511
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Post by timb on Feb 22, 2021 17:54:29 GMT
Had to look that one up, sounds painful and a bit scary!
Tim
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Midland
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,870
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Post by Midland on Feb 22, 2021 19:31:41 GMT
No laughing matter when your nuts are too big! Tim Can't see nuts being too big, might be able to see one nut if he put his presence forward! Love D
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terryhowlett
Active Member
Actually retired (almost as planned) in late 2019.
Posts: 47
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Post by terryhowlett on Feb 22, 2021 20:25:30 GMT
This beam engine is such an impressive looking beast John, and to your usual very impressive standard of workmanship of course!
I also had to look up Hydrocele ........ eeek!
Terry
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Post by simplyloco on Feb 24, 2021 20:58:19 GMT
I used the 'Find Centre' on my Easson DRO today for the first time, what a feature! I'm doing the straps in pairs for the con rod, and using the same technique later for the parallel motion, and the DRO is coming into its own... I'm starting to think that she's worth it...
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Post by GWR 101 on Feb 24, 2021 21:13:29 GMT
John, looking good as always and a great display of craftmanship. Regards Paul
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