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Post by parker3 on Jan 10, 2011 19:58:34 GMT
Hi, I have been given a set of castings to make this engine as a Christmas present. As any one had problems with the quality of there castings ?. The beam (brass ) is very rough and will take a long time to get any thing near the Finnish you would expect it to be. Entablature is in very much the same state and one of the side profiles has been ground away so part of it is non- existent. As you all know castings are not cheap and sometimes difficult to make but in this day and age they must be able to cast them better. So back to my question, "has any one had problems with there castings ". Attachments:
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Post by alanstepney on Jan 10, 2011 21:38:40 GMT
It does appear that many castings are not the quality one used to expect.
About all you can do is reconcile yourself to a lot of file work to get them to the shape you want.
In fact, once you get started, it doesnt take as long as seems likely at first.
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Post by parker3 on Jan 10, 2011 22:47:33 GMT
The trouble is that they have removed the profile of the casting along the top edge. (cannot file if it's not there).  |
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
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Post by jasonb on Jan 11, 2011 7:39:08 GMT
JB Weld or plastic metal may be the only option, should soon be able to build up the offending area.
You say you were given the castings, if these were bought new for an xmas present then you could try asking for the supplier to swop the casting.
Jason
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Post by Jo on Jan 11, 2011 11:03:51 GMT
Reeves should swop the castings. Having said that I gave up after 18 months waiting for my replacement beam for Lady S (the two halves on the original did not line up!) thankfully I had not sent the original to them for the "swop".
Entablature: It should be relatively easy (easier I suspect than getting a replacement) to mill the top of the entablature where the profile should be and solder in a new piece of brass that will allow you to file/mill it to size.
Jo
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Post by parker3 on Jan 11, 2011 12:35:41 GMT
Now that seems to be a good idea about the soldering of a strip.
If you have not had any satisfaction from Reeves after 18 months then there is very little chance for me.
The beam casting is also rubbish, being so rough on the vertical web that I will have to mill it also.
Must make sure that I ( or any one I know) do not purchase any thing from them again and look forward to having a word with them at an exhibition.
Which brings up an other question.
I will need the Governor gears, does any one know where I can obtain them ?.
Thank you all for your response to this post and I would welcome any comments you may have on building this engine via a PM.
Gerry
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Post by Jo on Jan 11, 2011 16:04:42 GMT
The Governor bevel gears used to come as part of the casting kit. but you should have no problem with getting them from Muffets or any gear supplier as they are only 40DP gears (24 & 32 teeth).
I am happy to answer any queries on building the engine. One thing you need to do is to start looking for some 1/16th sq BMS, as it is no longer available and it is needed for the both eccentric rod and the valve rods.
Jo
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
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Post by jasonb on Jan 11, 2011 16:27:28 GMT
I think you will have a job soldering to that iron entablature, I know its possible to silver solder but its not easy as the cast iron needs bringing upto heat carefully.
As its just a cosmetic part that needs righting the epoxy method I suggested above will be a lot easier, if it were a stressed part then adding new metal would be the way to go.
Jason
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Post by Jo on Jan 11, 2011 18:45:08 GMT
Jason,
Good news the entablature is gunmetal casting not Cast Iron.
Jo
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
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Post by jasonb on Jan 11, 2011 19:05:12 GMT
Must just be the colour of the pic, in that case soldering a bit in will be a good solution.
J
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Post by Tel on Jan 12, 2011 7:18:52 GMT
Regardless of whether you rely on a replacement or not. I'd certainly be letting them know about it, in no uncertain terms.
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Post by parker3 on Jan 12, 2011 11:03:08 GMT
Good day all,
Just to keep you up to date. I have just received an e-mail from them to send the casting back and they will inspect it with a view to replacing it, which I will do to day, recorded delivery.
So I will keep you posted on the results.
Going to find a Jiffy bag now, thank you for all your advice and to the who's who run this club for there hard work in maintaining it.
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Post by parker3 on Jan 14, 2011 15:34:27 GMT
Hi Jo,
Thank you for your advice about the 1/16" square bar.
I have located a person who as quite a number of lenght's 13" long.
He is not sure if it is silver steel or not because it is well oiled.
If any member is looking for this bar I can send details on how to contact him.
Will keep you posted on the casting development as and when I hear from them.
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Post by parker3 on Jan 30, 2011 11:54:59 GMT
Hi,
This is an update.
I have now received a replacement entablature which, though not perfect will I think clean up with some work.
In the mean time I have tried to machine the flywheel.( cast iron ) Again not what I would have expected from a a well known supplyer. The spokes bend out, towards the hub, which mean that in order to keep the outer rim in line, I have had to machine most of the hub away in one side and leave the other longer to compensate, not very good for a model which I hope to display at an exibition.
Perhaps I am a bit too critical and all the castings I have purchased from other companys have been of the best quality but one thing is for sure I will not buy any thing from them again.
Will keep you posted on its progress, I am sure that I will be asking for your help (Jo ) in the comming months.
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Post by pneumatician on Feb 9, 2012 15:04:38 GMT
Having dealt with them some years ago when in Birmingham my friend and I popped in to see the new premises.
We were not really impressed by our reception or the display and quality of goods. They exhibited little empathy to the Model Engineer. The attitude being what you see is what you get like it or lump it. We lumped it and decided to buy elsewhere.
Very nice pub down the road though.
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Post by parker3 on Feb 9, 2012 22:18:37 GMT
Thank you Pneumatician for your up date.
This is a company who say they are " The worlds largest stockist ".
Perhaps they should spend more time inspecting the standard of service and the quality of good's they sell. Remember the old saying, " You can sell anything once but not the second time"
I, for one, will not be buying from them again.
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Post by Jo on Feb 10, 2012 8:35:50 GMT
Just to encourage you, here is a couple of photos of my Lady S:   Jo |
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Post by jgb7573 on Feb 10, 2012 9:19:25 GMT
Nice!
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Post by Tel on Feb 10, 2012 9:27:48 GMT
Lovely work Jo
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Post by Jo on Feb 12, 2012 19:40:17 GMT
If any one is interested there is a set of Lady Stephaine castings on Flea bay at the moment.
Jo
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