abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Sept 16, 2007 18:45:07 GMT
At last my G1 black5 is starting to look like a loco , it has been almost 6 months since I started serious work and seemed to have not much to show for it but yesterday I machined up the main bearings and assembled the frames for a look. The bearings fit in slots cut in the frames and I was unsure of what sort of fit they ought to be so they went back and forth between the milling jig and the frame until they slid perfectly with little side float and all three axles turn beautifully. The clearance will probably need to be increased for running but I won't know til then. As I am planning to build 100 of these locos the time has been consumed in making jigs,fixtures ,dies and patterns, and several improvements (I hope) from the original LBSC design. The frames were cut from 1/16" black steel on the band-saw and filed to finish , with the bearing slots milled in the lathe but the production models will use laser-cut parts. I hope to test the cylinders under air pressure very soon. I am now on the third cylinder mod but the final alterations are being made to the dies tomorrow and these should be as good as I can get them. My workbench looks like a loco building shop from an old photo with all the spare and part machined bits LOL!
|
|
ace
Statesman
Posts: 528
|
Post by ace on Sept 16, 2007 21:27:58 GMT
Looking good. I have had to re-make the cylinder covers for mine as the original one's appear to have walked off along with my favorite steel rule. Looking at your loco chassis there appears to be like mine at present no cross support member is this correct as with mine it seems to bow in the middle, I am thinking of putting in some kind of support. Your wheels look fantastic, have you painted them before or after machining?. ACE
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Sept 16, 2007 22:30:03 GMT
Hi Ace -the frames are just slotted onto the bearings at present, when assembled there is a cross stay between the leading and driving wheels - you can just see the hole where it fits , the wheels were sprayed before machining with satin black car aerosol about 5 coats. The front cylinder covers carry the motion guide bars and these are proving to be a headache as the guide bars have to fit the cross-head which is cast to finished size, not too bad for a pair but difficult for repeat production.
|
|
|
Post by dickdastardly40 on Sept 17, 2007 8:08:47 GMT
Abby,
Did I read that correctly, 100 locos? Is that as kits or as the finished article?
Either way Blimey! I can't seem to find time to make one of anything!
Al
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Sept 18, 2007 12:19:27 GMT
Its my retirement project Dick, I am making the bits when I have the time and it is not much more work for me to make enough parts for many loco's than to finish one . The parts that can be laser cut are very cheap for 100 off so that is the number of loco's I decided to build , or supply the kits or the parts - finished or just the castings , I may only build a couple for myself and a few for people who have helped me with the project as I have another loco in mind to apply what I have learned about mass production techniques as required for this type of work.
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Oct 6, 2007 18:39:21 GMT
This might be of interest to someone,I decided to cast the front bogie for my black 5 in brass or gun-metal . this is the prototype wax pattern for the casting , It is 3 pieces glued together and I am planning on adding some detail -rivet heads etc- next.
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Dec 4, 2007 22:04:30 GMT
Hi all , had a trial assembly today just to see how things will fit , and to try valve setting. A couple of dummy "wheels" were fitted as I haven't made a quartering jig yet and the real wheels are a pressed fit onto the axles. The cast bogie fits well but I fancy that it might foul the cylinders . Does anyone know how much actual movement it needs ? There are one or two refinements on LBSC's drawings , well several really , not the least is the use of stainless metric fasteners. I hope to have the wheels fitted by the week-end and a first run on air. here's a few pix, hope you like !
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Dec 17, 2007 6:20:34 GMT
Doesn't seem to be much interest in G1 on this forum , shame because as a first time loco builder I had hoped for some outside input. Never mind , as an old work mate used to say "faint heart never f@*^$d a pig !" I wasn't really happy with the driving wheels , some original detail was missing from the spokes, so I have made a new die and the revised patterns are much more realistic , well in my opinion! After a little tweaking and polishing the new die is working first class, and sprueing is much quicker too ! As I had a smoke box cradle casting on the shelf,provided by a well known model company, I decided to use it for now so that I could work out the details for the rest of the smoke box assembly , unfortunately the gun-metal sand casting is not very good (photo) and will not clean up without being undersize,so I have made a die for a lost-wax version and run a few off . I will cast these next session but this cold weather makes it a chore.
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on Dec 17, 2007 9:10:03 GMT
They look REALLY nice. Excellent work !!
As for G1, the main trouble with it is balancing on top whilst its running! lol
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Dec 17, 2007 19:01:36 GMT
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Dec 18, 2007 0:49:49 GMT
Alan,
it has been done. I remember reading an article in ME some time ago about a Japanese enthusiast who built a gauge 1 loco that he drove balanced on a very precarious driving trolley. I'll see if I can find the article,
John
|
|
|
Post by baggo on Dec 18, 2007 1:20:13 GMT
Found it! Vol. 144 issue 3576 :
|
|
|
Post by alanstepney on Dec 18, 2007 9:32:52 GMT
Mmmmmm. Well, thanks for the photo, but not for me.
I'll stick to making the larger models and just look on at the efforts of those who enjoy the smaller guages.
|
|
|
Post by havoc on Dec 18, 2007 21:09:37 GMT
On a raised track you can drive behind a gauge 1 loco of it is heavy enough (and you're not...).
Well, I must say that my project is slipping more and more so it is up to you to keep the G1 forum a bit active. But you're doing great!
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Jan 18, 2008 11:49:11 GMT
Haven't done much as I have had some "earning work" which will take up a couple of months , but managed to make the dies for the beams including the tender , after attempting to braze the ones that I had from Reeves , and finding distortion in the frames, I have decided that screwing together is a far better option , and have included substantial pads in the castings. I have also made a die for the bolsters. These are the first wax patterns from the dies , no castings yet however.
|
|
paul
Member
Posts: 8
|
Post by paul on Jan 23, 2008 21:54:22 GMT
Eeek! I've only just come across this post. Although I'n not especially interested in loco's per se I love looking at close-up's of people's work especially when it's fabricated stuff. Brilliant pics, keep 'em coming please!
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Feb 26, 2008 20:04:56 GMT
Hi all, haven't done much on the loco for a few weeks as I have been doing some earning work , but today I thought I would see if she runs on compressed air. Thanks to Baggo , I set the valves as per LBSC's instructions although I couldn't find a tram ticket. As the wheels are a pressed fit on the axles I decided to use a couple of dummies that I could easily adjust. I rigged up a line from the compressor, squirted some oil down the pipe and connected here she goes on 10 psi. Incidentally there is no packing in the piston or glands and most of the nuts are just pinched up.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2008 2:11:30 GMT
Abby, Fantastic video of gauge 1 esp. Mallard. Are these locos radio controlled ? What a great idea to sit in your deckchair, sipping beer and watching these things whizz round all under your radio control. Good luck with your mass production - 100 down 742 to go. Regards Jim
|
|
abby
Statesman
Posts: 925
|
Post by abby on Feb 27, 2008 17:07:25 GMT
Hi Jimmy , G1 loco's are usually RC and I am hoping to fit a minicam in the cab to get a drivers eye view , just can't find the right one yet ! The problem with web video is getting the engine speed and video frame rates to complement each other , notice the apparent stoppages in the moving parts. I am working on the boiler design at present and hope to have something soon.
|
|
|
Post by havoc on Feb 27, 2008 18:31:34 GMT
RC locs are not that frequent. And I fear it detracts from the main issue: driving the loc. Keeping an eye on the water level, maintaining the burner etc. And then you get batteries to think about!
|
|