Member postings for Brian H

I built a Poppin many years ago to run on lighter gas. It worked very well and still does. My 10 year old son also built one (must admit with a bit of help) and that also worked.

My first set of taps and dies were a LAL boxed set bought 50 years ago when I was an apprentice. I have replaced a couple of taps through wear and breakage but otherwise the set remains in regular use.

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 05/05/2016 08:08:33

Hello James and welcome. Its nice to know that not everyone wants a shiny far eastern cnc machine. Please let us have some pictures after the clean up.

I can recommend 'Ashfield Springs' near Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. They have an on-line cataloque, are very helpful on the 'phone and will often let you have the odd spring as a "free sample", especially if you can collect.

I think that a lot of us will also have fingers crossed for you on Sunday Ron.

The grade of aluminium will make a difference too. Ordinary soft aluminium can be difficult to get a nice finish on but the heat treatable ones such as 2014(I think!) are much nicer to work with.

Found on ebay, there may be others, price £78

Air receiver, compressed air tank 50 litre price includes VAT

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 07/04/2016 19:54:09

I don't know if this helps:

Hours:

Definitey worth it even if you don't need repeatability.

Agree with Jason. I'd bore the hole and turn down the boss if it's not yet to size then clamp it down on the mill to cut the dogs.

Please let us know how you get on and don't forget; it's not simple until you know how to do it.

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 05/04/2016 15:10:31

As apprentices many years ago, we had to make our own scrapers out of old files and once the foreman was happy withe quality of them, we had to learn how to use them. The company made large industrial and marine engines with journals in the 10" to 15" range. We weren't allowed to practice on bearings that were to be fitted at the works but instead we scraped in bearings that were to be supplied as spares.

These were scraped in to a mandrel with a thin film of red lead and when to size we had to scrape a criss cross pattern that, we were told, would retain enough oil for initial starting. This criss cross pattern had to look really good as this was what the customer saw on receipt.

I also have the type with a side arm but find it a real pain when you have to wind it back, especially on a long thread.

I'm OK with Whit threads though as I recently bought an American die holder that uses 4 tools similar to the ones in Coventry die heads in 3/16" to 1/2". When it gets to the end of the thread the tools can be opened to allow the die holder to be removed.

I don't know what to say Ron except that you cannot be far off reaching the end.

Wishing you all the best and some better luck.

Regards

Bran

Many old brake drums were made of CI but, for example, Austin Seven ones from about 1935 were a steel pressing. A quick rub over with a newish file should reveal what a brake drum is made from.

Although I have built copper boilers using a large Bullfinch burner, I would additionally use a small oxy-acet nozzle for stays inside a firebox in something like 3 inch.

Although its a mistake to use too much localized heat, it is difficult using too little heat.

The flux is also important; I always use Tenacity No 5 because it is made to withstand prolonged heating.

I was interested in the suggestions to use Vermiculite and rockwool, I've always packed jobs with firebricks, broken ones are especially useful for filling in small gaps.

A good source is firms with heat treatment facilities, especially ones doing aerospace work because they have to reline their ovens frequently and the scrapped bricks are useful.

A small 3 legged hone would do the trick. These can be bought cheaply from ME suppliers or local car accessory shop.

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 29/03/2016 10:12:24

My first clock was John Wildings English Regulator clock. I intended making the case myself but I'm no woodworker so I contacted a cabinet maker in Cromford, Derbyshire who made one out of light oak.

Edited By Brian Hutchings on 29/03/2016 10:15:13

I'm sure a lot of people, including myself, hope that you are on the home, winning straight and will be able to move on to the rest of the engine.

All the best, Brian

So glad it seems to be going OK at last. You must have the patience of Job!! All the best for the next part.