Member postings for John Harris 1

Absolutely agree. The boiler is 40 years old, but a work of art and professionally built.So, the intention is to bit a backhead cladding that reflects the quality of the boiler.

Thanks, John

Help please. Can anyone explain how the firebox door is fitted to a Boxhill locomotive. I have a very nice boiler, professionally built in the 1980s, which is about to be tested and looks as if it will pass without. However, there are no bushes fitted for attaching the firebox door and its catch - ref sheet 5 of the drawings. Can anyone advise how this can be done.

With many thanks, John

Anyone able to provide information on Reg Chambers, a model boiler maker of the 1990s. Jacky - Blackgates Engineering - has supplied some very useful. Particularly interested in when he stopped making.

With thanks, John

Thanks Brian and Bill. Seems it's got a good pedigree.

Can anyone provide information on Morewood Model Engineers Ltd.

I have a very nice professionally manufactured copper boiler for a 5in gauge Boxhill made by them with the test certificate dated 24 October 1984. The boiler was tested hydraulically to a pressure 200lbs/psi. As to quality, it could have been made by a watchmaker - it's a work of art in it's own right.

I have no information on Morewood other than the test certificate which was printed by a commercial printer.

With thanks, John Harris

Thanks. Have just looked at their website and they do have a UK distributor.

Hello Roger

Many thanks. This looks more in my range. Will get a copy of Harold Hall's book. Importance is to be able to touch up tools on a regular basis, and if it can be done without purchasing a Royals Royce option all the better.

Again thanks, John

Hello

Moving up to accurate tool sharpening. Have come down to two options which both on the face of it do exactly the same - Warco UNIVERSAL TOOL & CUTTER GRINDER v Hemingway;s Quorn Mk 3. One, in theory, comes ready to grind, the other needs a few hundred hours of work before its ready to sharpen the first tool. Is there any advantage with the Quorn Mk 3, other than get it right and you have a Royals Royce machine. And is the Warco a sound, robust machine as it seems to built under a number of guises, but is ready to go.

Third option is the Hemingway's Worden Mk3 Tool & Cutter Grinder which requires some work but is not a major project and is nice and compact, but seems very pricy compared with the Quorn.

I will be sharpening all types of lathe tool, milling cutters, slitting saws and drills.

All advice welcome. Thank you.

John

Hello br

Many thanks for the information. The engine belonged to my father and was intended for a flash steam plant but there was damage to the valve chest which I have subsequently modified, hopefully sympathetically. Just found photographs on Yahoo.

Any further information would be welcome, particularly drawings.

Again, thanks

Many thanks to JasonB and br.

Also fortunate to have a complete set of original Henley castings for the No 9 including the governor and what seems to be a feed pump. Bedplate had a lug missing but now repaired and will not noticed once painted, and a number 10 with reversing gear.

In addition a very old Stuart 180 sits on the shelf - might be pre war. \it has been stripped and cleaned, pistons refitted but I know very little about this so any info on this engine would be much welcomed. It very much resembles the Sirius.

Again, thanks

Hi

Can anybody help. I'm trying to complete a ST 'Real' vertical steam engine from 45 year old castings that came from ST when they were at Henley. The castings look complete. I have a copy of Andrew Smith's book of the same period, but this lacks a complete set of drawings. Firstly, is ST still trading and, secondly, has anyone a set of 'Real' drawings - happy to purchase either originals or a copy.

All help much appreciated.