Member postings for Phil H1

I still have my dads Eclipse hacksaw. I remember first using it when I was about 7 years old. So that is getting on for 53 years old (at least).

John,

This is not meant to come across as insulting but have you tried getting a finer, new blade for your hacksaw and then taking your time in daylight. And by the way, I agree with you regarding daylight. I have an eye defect (corneas) and I find daylight far better for doing this kind of work.

You will whizz through thin steel or anything else in no time. By the time you have read all the answers on here - it would be done.

Phil H

I think quite a few of the model locomotive castings are being bypassed these days. For example, as HowardT suggests, the cylinders are an incredible price but they can be machined from a block of Iron. There are other parts too like the buffers that appear to be easier to machine from bar and the main horns that can be simple strips of BMS.

When it comes to stationary engines (and this is a personal view), I get the idea of trying to machine or fabricate parts that would be detailed castings on the full sized engine where a modeller wants to replicate the various webs and flanges but I don't understand trying to make a block of metal look like an old fashioned, simple stationary engine casting from say the 1950s. I think the small bar stock versions look better.

Br,

If you go back in model locomotive history, castings were available for all sorts of parts - far more than seems to be available now. I have seen very old pictures of boiler outer firebox sections, almost complete bogie sides plus pony trucks etc. Despite their age, the castings really did look quite good in terms of their surface finish and detail.

One description suggested that boilers could be built up using castings, tube and plenty of rivets followed by the higher temperature soft solder to seal all the joints.

I suspect that the brass top type cover for Lions boiler was just a relatively simple, cheap casting back when the engine was designed. As the hobby has declined in popularity, the cost for these types of castings has gone up to a point where it would be better to redesign the Lion boiler. Specially when you are getting a result that is closer to the real thing.

Phil H

br,

Yes, that is why the testing is as it is i.e., pressure test and steam test. And don't forget, if you were that concerned, the casting could be hydraulically tested before it is soldered onto the boiler.

Phil H

br,

Probably not but after the pressure test it isn't realistically going to happen is it?

However, we could do a survey and ask how many cast GM dome bushes etc have actually failed. I bet it is very close to a big fat zero. And they can all be cut out and repaired even if it did happen.

Phil H

Duncan,

Yes, but that is the point. I agree that you might have a snag and there would be quite a bit of bad language but at least it is safe.

Also, looking at the Lion, you could cut it out and re solder if you were that unlucky. But that is one hell of a piece of bad luck and as I said before, many of the bushes on other designs are cast GM. How many have them have really failed during the pressure test?

Phil H

Brian,

But the boiler is subject to a X2 pressure test.

Hundreds of these things have been built and thousands of other boiler designs have been built with cast gunmetal bushes, cast super heater parts and even cast cylinders.

There could be all sorts of reasons why faults could appear without worrying about a ductile metal casting.

Just my opinion. The fears don't appear to be a reasonable justification to redesign the boiler and reject a sound casting unless you feel that the current Lion design is not authentic for some reason.

Phil H

br,

Brilliant. I guess that's why nobody could present any calculations - they were thinking of them warm things with cream and ice cream.

Nick,

I ask because a modified outer wrapper is likely to be two flanged, round top plates 1/8" thick at both ends of the outer firebox and a 3/32" thick outer wrapper. Stays correctly fitted of course.

I have asked this before and never got a satisfactory answer. Just waffle.

Phil H

Perhaps somebody can help here because I am not clear what is wrong with a casting? Castings have been used in pressure systems for donkeys years. Are you concerned about integrity or not sure whether the cast top is really like the old original Lion locomotive boiler?

Nick, I can't imagine why a round top would even require anybody to pick up a pencil to do any calculations. Any calculation would obviously come out saying it is ok. I'd be suspicious regarding the persons competence if he or she asked me to do a calculation.

Phil H

Bob,

Yes. Please do prepare a restoration log it will be really interesting to see how it goes and how bad or good it actually is.

Dave,

That's frighteningly close to how I would have had to describe another lathes into my garage i.e., I found it.

I still hear - Not another machine? How many machines do you need?

Dave,

I think you are safe (your head). I think in this case, I like the idea of taking something that people have already condemned and showing them that it isn't really that difficult - just a bit of patience. Also, it sort of looks bad but rust isn't 'usually' as bad as it looks.

Phil H

Dave,

I would also love to have a go at that but I have a Super 7 already. I agree that a full strip and a good clean up - it would look completely different.

Phil H

Simple spacer, junior hacksaw, chuck the hex head screw in my hand drill gripped by the hex head, file and emery.

Too many times? Is that because everybody else has some kind of record?

I've been called twice and my wife has somehow ducked out all together. However, we both have the same initial and no middle name. If I get called again, I'll nominate her.

Can't you also ditch the Saracen bit and replace with a Viking or Anglo Saxon character. Nice straight swords???

The boat modelling world also have water based resin to cover a thin and friendly to use glass fibre cloth. I think they use it to cover balsa wood or plywood hulls to give them a little bit of 'ding' resistance plus strength of course..

John,

Lots of tips and Ideas but my vote goes to mild steel - it will be fine for home use.

Phil H

The castings I have received from Kennions are very good but I also agree with Dave i.e., apart from wheels (maybe), I would try to use fabrication techniques of machine from solid in the future.

Phil H