Shed Matters 3

[Stanley]

I filed and polished the two crosshead guides and then measured and marked them for the 5BA clearance holes for the bolts that will fasten them to the crosshead slide on the bed. Then I found the six bolts I shall need. Tomorrow I have a clear rite into marking drilling and tapping the be for the guides. We have another small but accurate move towards a finished engine. Right now the task is breakfast.

[Stanley]

I think I'm getting the hang of this game..... I have just had a lovely hour in the shed. I knew exactly what the goal was and how to get there. I put witness marks on the guides and the bed to identify the two sides. Then I mounted the bed under the pillar drill and drilled and tapped for the 5BA bolts which hold the guides on to the crosshead slide. Quiet accurate work using the guides as templates and the result is a bed complete with crosshead guides! Another small but accurate step forward. Now for breakfast.

[Stanley]

The next job is to make the crosshead. This is because at this stage we have unrestricted access to the slide for measuring and fitting. The first stage was to mill the generous piece of stock supplied down to square and the correct overall dimensions. Another small step forward and a good 45 minutes. Now for breakfast.

[Stanley]

This morning I have spent an hour carefully refining the crosshead stock, finding a 5/16" cutter for the slots and sharpening it and measuring and marking. Then some careful cuts leaving enough metal to allow for hand filing for a perfect fit. Another quiet accurate step forward. Now I deserve my breakfast.

[Stanley]

Half an hour of hand work filing and shaping the crosshead until it was a snug fit in the crosshead slide. Then I marked to hole for the con rod pivot pin and drilled for it. I shall use a 2BA bolt and cut one down to size. Then I set up for cutting the slot in the crosshead to accept the small end of the Con road. That was enough for this morning, another small accurate step forward. Now for breakfast!

[Stanley]

This morning I cut the slot for the small end of the con rod and rounded the end of the crosshead just because it looks nice. Another small but accurate move forward. I am ready for my breakfast.