Northumbrian Build Thread

[peteh]

Got in trouble today - forgot we were taking my daughter to the uni open day so less done than hoped

Having said that the steam chests have been hollowed out so there was some progress! Marked out for the valve gland ready for my next session. Being very careful at this stage (and slow) ;D

At least it is starting to get a little warmer and lighter in the evenings now. Next weekend is our club run day and the weekend after (Father's Day) my wife and I are rogaining, so I need to try to get out in the shed in the evenings!

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[doubletop]

Pete

I'm still watching your build. Its getting to that interesting point but you seem to have other things taking up your time at the moment.

We're on the edge of our seats waiting for that first run. No rush though work at your own pace.

Pete

[peteh]

Thanks for the interest Pete, Unfortunately too many things to do at the moment, also the weather is not helping. By the time I have got home and had tea it's already dark and cold - Hoping that the weather will improve when spring arrives !

[peteh]

I have stuffed up the slide valves big time - turned the cross side clockwise, not anticlockwise, - bu**er. I have some thick walled phosphor bronze which I can use to make a new one so don't have to wait for a new casting. However I also broke the 2mm end mill.
I put it down to standing up all morning at our clubs public running day. By the time I got home and had lunch I wa pretty knackered and probably shouldn't have started. Oh well, gives me more chances to use the mill later

[modeng2000]

Sorry to hear that Pete, been there!

John

[doubletop]

Pete

That's a bit of a bu88er, hopefully the shed is away from the house and neighbors.

If it's any consolation the other day I was doing some machining and was conscious the tip of the slot drill I was only a few thou off my vice jaws. Dinner was looming and it had to happen, I shifted the Z axis rather than the X now I've a 1/8" indentation in my vice jaws. I don't like messing up tools.

Pete

[peteh]

As it happens the shed is at the end of the garden, the 'neighbours' that end is actually the start of an industrial area, so no one can hear me scream during the evening/weekend

Luckily I had already put an order in for some more small mills. I guess I could use a 3mm one as it's only the straight section that has to be in correct position.
Got to see the Taxman Wednesday evening and then Friday my wife and I are leaving for a weekend rogaine (leaving the kids at home!), Not really the essence of Fathers day which will be on the 2nd Sept for Oz and NZ). Looks doubtful that I will get anymore done until the week after that.

[peteh]

or even the week after ...

Bl**dy storms took a fence down last week so that had to come first, and then my wife 'reminded' me about the fence dividing the garden into 'dog' and 'no dog'. I've had all the panels for ages so decided I had better get stuck in. Half up now, but did give me a good excuse for a new tool (read toy?) - a nice laser level from messr. Bosch, including a tripod with same thread as camera bodies, all for $129, So really I got a free camera tripod
Will have to finish the fence next weekend - can't help but feel that 5 work days to 2 weekend days is in the reverse ratio to what is needed

[philh1]

Good morning everybody.

I have just joined the system and I am thinking of building a version of Northumbrian. I am considering some experimentation with the newish fangled technology - waterjet cutting - of the frames to save wear on my elbow. Does anybody happen to have the frames as an electronic file?

[peteh]

Hi Phil,

I have the frames in Autocad DWG, along with several other parts. I had these laser cut so you may need to amend the sizes to end up with the correct size. I'll have to check but I think I had to offset the sizes by 1.5mm. The files are at work (I'm a draft by trade) so will check tomorrow for you.

On another note I have finally managed to find some time today after moving a load of pavers for my mother-in-law, and have finished the major machining of one of the slide valves just the top slot and chamfer to do.

[peteh]

Hi Phil - and any others wanting to use!

Zipped Autocad 2008 DWG file of frames (locomotive and tender), Trailing and driving Horns, stretchers, firebox support, eccentric straps and a few other mild steel sheet items. I found that with the laser cutting, which hardens the edges of all cuts, including holes, not all of these were useful at the end of the day, but I could fit them all in at the minimum cost of the cutting so they were effectively free extras. These files are 'to size' with no offsets for the cutting method.

Pete

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[peteh]

;D
The too do list is getting shorter and today was a public
holiday here in Oz so finally managed to get to see the inside of my shed again.

As can be seen I have finished both slide valves. I have also finished filing the valve rods (not shown) to suit the slide valves.

I have now started on the steam chest covers and the drilling through of the steam chests. My machine vice is too small to also include the cylinders

Now, who can spot the not so deliberate mistake luckily I believe it to be recoverable. ;D

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[doubletop]

Pete

We are paying attention. I keep up with the forums on the bus on the way home from work but its not always that convenient to reply.

I can see the error but not too hard to rectify, especially as the problem doesn't extend to the cylinder.

Keep going, not far to that run on air.

Pete

[peteh]

Managed a bit more time today inbetween laying pavers

The error was the exhaust holes were not central to the two flange bolts. The second cover and chest have been completed OK. I have also drilled and tapped one cylinder

[peteh]

Managed a few more hours today and managed to do nothing wrong ;D
As can be seen in the attached photo I have finally got around to blanking off the exhaust passage way holes in the side of the cylinder block, as well as finalising all of the drilling and tapping of the steam chests for the valve gland (shown) and the steam inlet (other end). Only thing to watch out for here was that on the steam chest drawing there were only centrelines for these holes, implying central position on the ends, however the plan is definately off centre. On consulting the overall cylinder plan however it can be seen that it is 9/16 from the bolting face.

Piston rods have been cut but yet to be threaded and I also have to draw up the exhaust flanges to size. I will then just stick the drawing onto the steel to give the shape/size.

My copper pipe was posted coiled - how does one straighten this? If it was wire I would stretch between two pliers to the elastic point, but that would deform the ends of the tube. Any ideas?

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[NickM]

Hi Pete

I have found that the easiest way to straighten coiled copper pipe is to cut it to a bit over the required length, get it as straight as possible by hand and then roll it between two pieces of flat, rigid board; I use two pieces of 18mm MDF about 700mm x 300mm. You need the boards to be longer than the piece of tube so you roll it all at once, not a bit at a time.

The copper is usually annealed before it is coiled so it should straighten quite easily.

If you have any hard bits anneal it again by heating to dull red. You can air cool or quench in water, doesn't make any difference.

Cillit Bang cleaner and a green pan scourer will remove any discolouration caused by the heat.

Regards

NickM

[peteh]

Thanks Nick,

I'll have to try that method when I'm ready for the exhast pipes. They are external so need to look right (and straight!)

[doubletop]

More from the bus, stuck in traffic. I had the same problem. 1/4" pipe so while you are working it between the boards ease a length of silver steel down the bore. It. Will be nice and straight then.
Pete

[peteh]

Thanks for that Pete, I was thinking along those lines anyway

With the lighter evenings I have managed to thread the piston rods and also prepare the piston blanks - threaded and parted off to thickness. I will locktite onto the rods tomorrow after degreasing and then can do the turning to size after that has cured.

[peteh]

Well it's been a busy few days (read evenings!) in the shed. I was given a QCTP by a club member over a year ago but at the time was not keen on doing the modifications to match lathe and tool post. I have now bit the bullet and also made a tool height gauge to speed setting the tools to the centre height. The bolts in the picture will be replaced by grub screws once I get some.

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