Member postings for Peter Venn

Its just typical nanny state rubbish.

To start with if the girl in the picture on the link had used her other hand and been turning round to look over her shoulder as they advocate she would definitely have missed the cyclist coming towards her from the front! Maybe they think people approach from the back more than the front! 😂😂😂

Is it a given that the smoke box for 5 inch gauge engines should be constructed of 1/16 steel plate or can 1/16 copper be used instead? The smoke box I'm constructing is not a simple round that can be cut from tube, but requires to be formed as a D and copper is easy to mould when annealed. After all copper is used for the rest of the boiler construction as well as the fire box.I would be interested in the thoughts of the experts.

I watched a good video last week showing an interviewed by Harry Metcalf (of Harry's Garage fame) on the work JCB have done on hydrogen engines for their plant. It seem this is the way to go but the hydrogen does have to be produced so that bit needs to be carbon neutral He suggests that even existing diesel engines could be converted and the video shows a large JCB digger working very well on hydrogen at the test quarry.

https://youtu.be/19Q7nAYjAJY

I have recently sauced some stainless steel fasteners from Acme Stainless which is a small family run business in Lincoln. They specialise in motorcycle restoration but I was very struck by the quality of their products when I ordered some 5/16 BSF nuts bolts with washers. They do half nuts and nuts which Amish chamfered only on one end including Whitworth. The quality of machining is excellent .

I have absolutely no attachment to this company but I think their website is worth a look and I was certainly impressed by the quality of their products.

Thank you to everyone who replied to my query about airbrushes below. I have got the message that an airbrush may not be up to the job for 5" gauge due to delivering enough paint to maintain a wet edge and also the viscosity of enamel paints.

I have a further question about air compressors which were mentioned in the replies. Although I have a small air compressor as I stated delivering up to 40 psi, I also have a larger Tiger Airmaster compressor from Machine Mart rated at 2.5 HP and delivering 9.5 CFM. Would this be adequate to drive a small HVLP spraygun? The compressor is actually a pretty beefy machine! If so I will purchase such a spray gun.

I am currently about to start painting parts of my 5 inch gauge Adams O2 tank engine. I have been researching the subject and clearly want to spray paint where possible. I have got Christopher Vine's book entitled "How (not) to paint a locomotive" but I'm getting more confused than ever! Mr Vine dismisses airbrushes out of hand and only refers to them in one five line paragraph in the entire book, saying that he did not use one. This seems a little unkind to the airbrush fraternity! I have an airbrush with a small compressor which delivers 23L of air per minute at up to 4 bar. It seems to spray quite well using 2K etch primer on some trial scrap sheet and I don't see why I can't see any obvious reason for not using it for most of the work on the engine. I cannot find any information on the Internet about using airbrushes for slightly larger areas of work.

Is there a limit to the recommended area that can be painted effectively with an airbrush? Mr Vine suggests buying a semi professional paint sprayer such as the DeVilbiss one but these are approximately £350-£400 which I am loath to spend. I would appreciate any information and technical expertise.

Thank you very much for your reply Nigel. I am so glad that it is not just me being stupid. I think I might try using the sanding lever to operate the drain cocks because I agree with you that the sanders would never work anyway and they seem rather pointless but obviously the outside needs to be there for the cosmetics. I am not familiar with Bill van Brocklin drain cocks but I will do a little research.

By the way I was most impressed by your article in model engineer regarding the T-sections and I will certainly consider a similar plan (unless you want to rent me your jig!) Kind regards Peter

I'm currently building Don Young's 5" Adams O2 and I've got as far as constructing both of the side tanks which are completed and reread for final soldering. The right-hand tank an auxiliary lever mounted on it in front of the reversing lever to operate the drain cocks. I've drilled the holes in the tanks for the fulcrum and keep plate but now I come to assemble it this lever will clearly foul the reversing lever and the rods will also interfere with eachother. I have looked at one example that was displayed at the Midlands in 2016 and the builder seems to have left off this right-hand drain cock lever and I presume he is using the sanding lever on the left hand tank to operate the drain cocks. Has anybody else had this problem and if so could they contact me to advise what they used as a solution? I've measured and measured and everything seems to be in the right place so I think it is an error on the drawing.Thanks for your help

Edited By Peter Venn on 18/03/2021 08:42:00

I am building Don Youngs 5" Adams O2 'Fishbourne' and have reached the boiler stage. I intend to get this professionally made. There was a thread here in 2015 about UK boiler makers recommending Western Steam (who appear to be the Rolls Royce but waiting list 2 years!!) GB boilers (recommended) and Chedder Steam (uncontactable).

Does anyone know of any other professionals I should short-list for 5" boiler work before I contact Western or GB?

Thank you

Dr Peter Venn

Can anyone help me please? I am building the above and having difficulty with the brake cranks. All machined as per plans but don't seem to line up properly. Can anyone help who has already built one please? My mobile number is ******************. Thank you. Dr Peter Venn

Edited By JasonB on 01/12/2018 19:34:28