Member postings for Bob Unitt 1

I used to have a boss called Mike Lock, a really nice chap. I often wonder happened to my old office colleagues (I worked for Lucas back in the 70's and 80's).

Found it, added it to my albums :-

I have a file of which component is described in which issue somewhere, I'll see if I can find it for you.

Try The original publisher, or google engineering in miniature back issues for other sources.

There's a full series of construction articles in Engineering in Miniature, in these back-issues :-

1981 November & December

1982 All issues

1983 January

I can't see your photos as it requires me to log-in.

I couldn't find that setting in Thunderbird, how did you do it ? Is it a global preference, or is it per account ?

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 12/02/2022 14:55:22

Whatever wood you choose, cut it oversize initially, then leave it in the room you're going to display the ship in for at least 2 weeks before cutting to final size. This will give the wood a chance to stabilise at the temperature and humidity it's going to have to exist in in its final home.

Thanks guys, all done now after 3 attempts - those belts don't join easily, do they ?

If anyone else is making a Lady Stephanie and intends to use the Mamod belt, the length you need is 7.375 inches.

Thanks for the info. I have at least 1/2" jockey-wheel adjustment on a length of about 5" - will it be sufficient to make it fit closely but not stretch, and use that adjustment to get the tension right ?

Thanks. The guy I bought it from said that once it was screwed together it was impossible to unscrew - is that not the case ?

I had a similar problem with a model cannon I made to live on the mantelpiece, people tend to pick it up to look at it and the steel components suffered badly from corrosion by sweaty fingers. I painted it over 10 years ago with Rustins Metal Lacquer, since when there's been no corrosion whatsoever.

I've acquired some Mamod drive-belt (the screw-together kind) for the governor on my Lady Stephanie, to replace the elastic band used currently. I have no idea of what length of belt I need, so how much tension should there be on the band once it's fitted ?

The Mint 'rollback' is timeshift, I think.

Hi (also) Bob

Thanks, I have some Nitromors here somewhere, so I'll give it a try. Does it need re-etch-priming, or can I paint direct onto the stripped surface ?

I have the same painting-location problem as you, but my SWMBO does disappear across the country to her mother's for the day, every so often...

Bob

I had paint problems on my Lady Stephanie too, not a very smooth finish at all (applied by brush). Having discussed it with a friend who's an experienced model-railway scratch-builder we came to the conclusion that I should have done it in the house, not the workshop - too cold and humid out there; and that I should have thinned it a lot more and put more coats on. Phoenix paints seem to require more thinning than Humbrol or Revell - not a problem now I know, but it was the first time I'd used paint of that particular brand. I've also bought myself an airbrush for the next model, so another skill to learn...

I'll leave it as it stands for now, but eventually I'd like to strip and repaint some of the larger flat pieces - what's the best non-mechanical way of stripping enamel paints off brass ?

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 24/01/2022 11:49:19

I'm a believer in Evapo-Rust, which turns the rust into a black deposit without attacking the underlying metal, green Scotch-brite then removes the deposit leaving a clean metal surface.

Incidentally, for those that don't know (I didn't till I started turning wood), there are different grades of ScotchBrite with different grits, see - https://www.thetonerooms.com/threads/scotchbrite-grit-chart.3674/

For lightly-rusted small intricate parts I used Evapo-Rust followed by a fibreglass brush, although I'm not sure how abrasive that would be on a slip-gauge.

I've used the poor castings anyway, on the basis that I wanted to finally finish the damn thing ! My painting technique leaves a lot to be desired too (got an airbrush for the next model)...

But today I finished her (after only 25 years), and she runs a treat on air. . I found an elastic band that works as a temporary governor belt until I get a proper one.

I still have to make her a proper base and some ancillary pipework, once I've done that I'll post some pictures here.

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 13/01/2022 20:34:00

Posted in error

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 12/01/2022 18:22:25

Thanks for the link, but they don't have anything big enough in the profile I need (1.2mm round). I need a diameter of between 50 and 60 mm (or thereabouts).

Edited By Bob Unitt 1 on 12/01/2022 16:36:30