Scratch Build Triple

[dickdastardly40]

I've finally got to a stage where I'm happy to put some links to pictures up on my scratch build. Obviously the hardest part is finding the right sort of scrap. The cylinder head is brass rather than cast. I don't intend to steam it if I ever finish it so have used o seals rather than piston rings. The bed plate will be fabricated up from ally plate and the standards will be ally too.

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Hope this is of interest to someone

Best Regards

Al

[paul]

Certainly of interest to me Al - looks great even though I don't understand what it's all about! Keep 'em coming!

[lancelot]

Hi AL,
how is the ''TRIPLE'' coming along, actually just spotted the pics today, good bit of machining, Will you be just Air running it? as those ''O'' rings might not stick the steam.
All the best for now,
John.

[dickdastardly40]

Hi Lance,

Thanks for your interest, not too much progress lately, our recently minted (5 month) nipper is eating into evening workshop time and haven't had weekend at home or without visitors since.

I bought the plans from Reeves when I lived in Singapore and had access to workshop facilities. I only started it as a vanity to prove to myself that I could still make stuff and hadn't turned into a shiny arsed pen pusher and keyboard stroker.

Due to the difficulties of getting ME supplies there decided to use 'O' rings and of it did run just use compressed air to prove it. As it is made from brass 'scrap' and due to possible de-zincification issues air seemed the logical choice. I could i suppose make replacement pistons to take proper rings but I would rather concentrate on the rest of it.

I have been told there are 'O' rings and 'O' rings such as Viton as well as Flourocarbon which may take higher temps though I'm not sure if I'd try them.

Hope to update as soon as the Wee'uns routine changes to allow him to watch the chuck spin as I have been advised he will find it therapeutic. I would like to also get him used tot he smell of coolant, nutol and WD40.

Al

[lancelot]

been there and done all of that Al, now have five more nippers ''grand children'' poking around the ''shed'' ...all the best of luck,
John.

[abby]

Hi Dick , hope the family is well ! the triple looks great and you could make some PTFE rings pretty easily . You have GOT to steam her and as for de-zincification - does it really exist or is it a myth to sell bronze ?
Abby.

[alanstepney]

de-zincification does exist and can cause catastrophic failure very quickly.
Perhaps the worst thing about it is that the metal, usually brass, can appear to be OK for a long time, then fail suddenly.

That is why there are so many warnings against its use.

[Tel]

Agreed AJ, but I don't think it would be much of an issue with engine parts, only boiler fittings. That, at least, is my experience.

[alanstepney]

Quite true Tel. I was only responding to the comment about dezincification itself.

[dscott]

I have been looking into several 2 cylinder engines for my ultra simple loco and have enjoyed the search, a double expansion may be possible in the future for it.
We have just celebrated 2 years of marrage and have 2 months of peace until a little baby girl comes to join us.

On my Gemma, I used the white O rings and they still work after 20 or so years, though I did spend a long time polishing the bores in the gunmetal cylinders, all the castings for under the ton, still expensive for an ex student even then. I found the bill last week, do we ever get rid of anything!!!

David.