Member postings for Richard Fryer

Thanks all for your replies.

I didn't really want to go for one of the big tool chest of drawer things, because the sort of stuff I want to keep in it would be lost in there.

Incidentally, a bit of internet digging revealed that the Starrett ones were actually made by Kennedy in the states and badged up. Kennedy still make a good range of what im after, but they are pricey and postage likewise.

Think i'll keep my eyes on eBay for a bargain.

Thanks again, Richard

Morning all,

I'd like to buy a steel machinists tool chest but can't find a supplier. I remember 15+ years ago when I was on my apprenticeship wooden and steel versions were available from a lot of the big engineering suppliers, but now only the wooden version seems to be available. I thought the steel ones were made by Starrett but there doesn't seem to be any reference to them on their website.

Can anyone help in finding a supply of these?

Thanks, Richard

Use O-vee gauges, same principle but stay in place on their own.

Good afternoon all,

Wow, I never expected such a huge response, thanks very much. Apologies for the delay, I'm fighting the man flu at the moment, and we all know how bad that is right?

Some brilliant responses chaps, let me see if I can provide some feedback.

Firstly it needs to be a watertight joint, so that rules out any riveting, screwing, stitch welding/soldering.

I have got a TIG welder, which I have been teaching myself to use and have got quite good on carbon steel. I spoke to the welding supplies chap I use for work about TIG brazing after watching a number of online videos on the subject, and he recommended SifSilCopper No. 968. I tried this on some scrap with pretty rubbish results. I found I was blowing straight through the brass before the steel was hot enough, and struggled to get the rod near the puddle before it melted. Plus it gets expensive trying to practice endlessly. The tricky thing with this opposed to TIG welding is that you don't melt the parent metal, so you have no idea if its hot enough until you add the rod, which I find just melts when it gets near the arc.

Originally the frame was all made of steel, but my dad in his infinite wisdom thought we should make the channels in brass, I'm beginning to think it was a bad choice. He's very good at coming up with "helpful ideas" but then it falls to me to make them reality.

I like the idea of soft soldering the steel - brass joint, which I gather works at a lower temp, and reserve the silver solder for the brass mitre joints.

Also I like the sound of Ian S C's idea about tinning the surfaces, clamping them together and then just running the torch along.

For the benefit of the last two posters, I suspect you are referring to a Scammell Explorer since you mentioned it was 6x6, mine is a Pioneer, the wartime predecessor to the Explorer which was 6x4, but a capable beast none the less.

Thanks again chaps, and I look forward to your replys. Richard

Good afternoon everyone,

I hope so of you will be able to help me, with my silver soldering task.

I am restoring a second world war Scammell Pioneer heavy recovery tractor, part of which is making a whole new windscreen frame from scratch.

I have welded up the 25mm x 25mm angle outer frame, but now I need to do two things:

Firstly, i need to solder some 1/2" x 1/2" brass channel into the bottom of the frame to hold a 6" deep pane of glass.

Secondly, I need to make the hinging inner frames from the same 1/2" x 1/2" brass channel.

I suspect the first task will be the most problematic, given that it involves long joints between dissimilar metals. I imagine I need to do it at as low a temperature as possible.

So, I have a few questions:

1) what solder and flux do you recommend?

2) Is the long joint between the brass channel and steel angle going to be possible / a nightmare / very problematic?

3) I'm assuming silver soldering is the best bet, but open to suggestions of other processes.

4) Does anyone want to come help? in somerset.

5) Any other advice / pointers / things to look out for etc.

Thankyou in advance for any help you can lend.

Richard Fryer

Does anyone know where i can get drawings for a scale model of the Napier Deltic engine?

I have found pictures of the excellent model by Clen Tomlinson, i think his name was.

Thanks in advance, Richard