Shed Matters 3

[Stanley]

I had a false start with the steam pipe, I tried to re-use a scrap piece but it was drilled too large and when I threaded it it was too delicate. So I started again with a piece of scrap rod that came out of an old workshop and was black. I often wonder how old some of this material is!



Here we are, we have a steam pipe. I had some stove tasks to do and so didn't crash on with the standard, there is no rush. I sorted the stove which has been in all night and I shall keep it that way today.

[Stanley]

The temperature in the shed is just over 7C. Sorry kids but that's too cold! This is because I am running the stove in the front room and it knocks the CH out.....

[Stanley]

All local difficulties overcome and I am back in the shed again. I need to drill a lot of tiny holes in the stand. Here we go!







Lots of tiny holes drilled that had to intersect. As well as these I remembered the oil hole for the crankshaft and the holes for the screws that will fasten it down



Then I have a little job, make two plugs 5/64" X 3'32". Deep joy! I am ready to do it tomorrow. These are to blank off the passages drilled from the top of the stand.



This is knocking off time. All the holes are drilled in the stand. There is still work to do but that's for tomorrow.

[BobH]

Yes, it’s a wise man who knows when to knock off. A good days work there.

[Stanley]

We're not on piece work Bob.
Here we are making my tiny plugs.



I made the last adjustments to size using a diamond file and offering the stand up.



When I had a fit I drove the stand on to the peg and than cut it off with a Junior hacksaw. If you can do this you know it's a fit!



Here we are, passages plugged and the plugs held in by being an interference fit.



Next we need a small knob.....



And it needs to be knurled. This tool is the most useful and effective I ever made, works like a charm and doesn't put any pressure on the workpiece.



Knocking off time. The enormous size of the knurled knob meant that though complicated it was easier than the plugs!

[Stanley]

An even more enormous bit of metal... This is a spare lid for a 2" bore piston, I'm not going to need it for that so it is going to become a base for the wobbler. It's going to be a paperweight and conversation piece so it needs a stand. Nice, some straight turning!



Outside jaws fitted to the chuck and I set about making some muck.



Here's where I ended up, we have a stand. Now it needs to be fastened to the stand. That's for tomorrow.



But not before I had a clean up, can't leave Mrs Harrison smothered in cast iron chips.

[Stanley]

Only an hour in the shed, I have to go to the Co-op at 07:00. I want to fasten the standard to it's new base. So, I marked the holes and drilled for 6BA set screws.



Then some very careful tapping, so easy to break these small HSS taps! I confess, I used a slightly larger tapping drill than the one recommended. We're only holding the engine down on the base!



The set screws fit but do they agree with the holes in the standard?



A bit of easing one hole with a needle file and then yes, all of them entered and are tightened down. I shall have to grind the bottom side off, the set screws protrude slightly. That's for tomorrow!

[Stanley]

First thing I have to do is grind off the bits that are sticking out. Then I set to and built the engine which wasn't a big job as everything slotted together beautifully.



Then came the moment of truth, I fastened it down on the surface plate and simply blew down the steam pipe. I must have got all the passages right because there was no hesitation, it just went like the clappers!



I covered the base with cloth to protect polished surfaces



It now becomes part of my clutter! Someone will treasure it when I die.
Now I have to decide what to do next. At the moment I'm considering another 10H like Bob built. I have made a couple in the past but given them away. Doc's Carol has one and so does my great grandson in Australia. I'll give it a bit of thought......

[chinatyke]

Another good looking model, well done. I hadn't realised it was so small, it makes your carronade look huge.

[Stanley]

Too small China, I shall go and have a furtle and find something a bit bigger!

[Stanley]

Not with any great enthusiasm but I've just thrown £175 at a 10H from Stuart's. I haven't got one and it will keep me off the street corners! I got the expensive drain cocks as well Bob.....

[Stanley]

There will be a slight shed break until the castings arrive, it won't be long. I expect them before the end of the week......

[BobH]

I’ve been doing a bit of paint on the duchess before refitting the boiler ready for hydraulic test. Today I must go to the track and return the boiler test pressure gauge. It has been stored in my workshop all winter to protect it from frost. We lost a good gauge a few years ago when it froze up and this year we have had a couple of burst pipes in the hut. We need to re-align the piping so that it drains better. Over the years it has come loose from the wall. Replacing a damaged pressure gauge is not straight forward as we need to get it calibrated and there are fewer places doing that these days.

[Stanley]

Have a look at what I have just posted to Sue.... I have a Budenberg Test Gauge as well.

[BobH]

Stanley, that is a very nice piece of kit. We could certainly put it to good use, thank you. That range is higher than we have at present. It would allow us to test model gas tanks which we can’t do at present.

[Stanley]

Talk to me about delivery. How about the Vulcan Pump?

[BobH]

Oh, yes please to the Vulcan pump. I will set us up a complete second test system that is capable of going up to 450psi. That will cope with small gas tanks as well as boilers. We think that the pipes on our current system are only rated to 400psi and being old they could fail anyway. At least on a hydraulic test a pipe failure only means that we might get wet.

[Stanley]

Ready when you are Bob.....

[BobH]

Thank you Stanley. Sue will be in touch but it will be a couple of weeks.

[Stanley]

Did you get the PM I sent?

[BobH]

I have found it now and replied. I can’t find the email that would have told me that I had a PM. It isn’t in any inbox, spam or junk box, very strange.

[Stanley]

Bob, they show up in the menu line below the banner at the top of the page. You don't get any email to tell you it's there. I've sent you one back.
I think you'll be OK now and test needs will be catered for. Thing to do now is make sure they don't get frozen!

[Stanley]

Later, word from Stuart's that the 10H engine has been dispatched.

[Big Kev]

Bob, they show up in the menu line below the banner at the top of the page. You don't get any email to tell you it's there.

I do...

[Stanley]

You must know something I don't Kev



Look what turned up today, same day it was dispatched....