More Minnie Roller

[mackintosh]

As promised a few more pix of the Minnie with new finished tender.

[spurley]

Looking good, thanks for the update. Wish I could make some progress with my projects but I am still working on my daughter's Mini........at least another six weeks work left and I'm changing my job.

Cheers

Brian

[baggo]

Nice one Bob.

Brian, you really must get your priorities right

[Shawki Shlemon]

it is very neat , a job well done . A friend of mine had a minnie , he used to run it on air, running behind it with a air hose . I hope you are going to steam it . Hope to see more of it .

[mackintosh]

Thanks for all your kind comments. Perhaps I should explain some of the build. This being my first attempt I decided from the outset to build a Traction Engine as per Mr. Mason's instructions. So I purchased a set of castings I was so disappointed with them when they arrived. Aluminum wheels and chimney oh dear! the gun metal and cast iron were little better. So cut a long story short the front rolls, rear rims and chimney are made from steel either fabricated or turned from solid. The front forks and saddle are fabricated as are the steering quadrants. In fact the only castings used are the shaft bearings. I soon swerved from my original ethos deciding to go for a roller other additions have been a dummy throat plate to allow for some rivet detail and additional rivets to add some realism to the hornplates. I am putting it down for a month now so I can get my Tich running on air.
Bob

[baggo]

Hi Bob,

RE poor quality of castings - It seems to me that there is a market here for a small specialised foundry dealing with our sort of castings. I am sure some-one could make a good business out of it.

John

[mackintosh]

To true John. I have been told of a good foundry locally called Taylormade Castings (usual disclaimers). Some of the lad's at the club have had wheels and cylinders done in cast iron and are pleased with the quality and cost. If anyones interested 353 Cobridge Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST1 5JP - 01782 261537
Bob

[abby]

I like your roller Mac , and like you said it is a pity better castings can't be obtained. I am building a LBSC "Dot" and was amazed at what was supplied - more material to remove than keep , and with metal prices going through the roof too . I was also disappointed that the range was so small , as there are lots of parts that could be cast that aren't , and lots of detail that could be included that isn't.
My solution was to cast my own bits.
With the help of information given by members of the forums , for which I am very grateful to BAGGO, I now have good castings including several parts that are not originally supplied . I still have much to look at yet - such as the cab , smoke-box and a few bits to add a "more real" look , although I think she's a great little engine , but I would like to fit piston valves and walschaerts gear at some stage.
Heres some of the bits that I now have.
Abby.

[spurley]

Hi Abby

Those look great I take you made the patterns for these yourself? Do the steam ports include the passageways to the cylinder too?

Also what is the source of your material please?

Cheers

Brian

[abby]

Hi spurley and thanks for the comment , the exhaust way is cast in , just needs clearing to size with a drill , at present the steam ways have to be drilled but I am looking at a mod to overcome this , just a bit awkward to do , but should be included in the next batch of castings.
By material source I presume you mean what are they made of ? the upper picture are in silicon brass and the lower in gun-metal although all the parts have been cast in both materials . The dies for the patterns - they are lost-wax castings - were all made in my workshop or that of a fellow interested model engineer. We are casting some more parts on friday and will post pictures - if they work LOL!
Abby.

[AndrewP]

Super looking castings Abby, that valve chest cover is gorgeous Can I echo Brian's request for a source for gunmetal for casting ie where to get it? since melting down old bits seems a bit daft.

Did you use cores for the steam passages? and if so in what material?

[abby]

Hi Andrew I buy my metal ingot from Brookside metals , of Bilston , Wolverhampton but I am not averse to melting scrap if I can get it and know what it is. Clean gun-metal steam and water fittings are fairly easy to obtain and your local scrap dealer will most likely sell you some , small quantities of say 5 kg of silicon bronze you could get from me.
All my castings are lost-wax so no cores are used as such , just the investment cement. I am pleased you like the valve chest cover , there is a logo still to be added to the centre and possibly the bolting holes but we ran off some castings to check on shrinkage allowances. We are aiming to produce to +10 thou on drawing size so that finishing is minimal.
The silicon/copper alloys are a joy to use and equal or surpass model requirements , they have good wear characteristics and are very strong , machine and polish beautifully and have good corrosion resistance too.
Abby.

[mackintosh]

Hello Abby your castings make the things I've been supplied look like tat. I am going to machine my cylinder this Autumn and had visions of fabricating it if it was of poor quality. But having seen your superb efforts I may be seeking advice from you.
Bob
Thanks for your kind comments on the roller.