Member postings for John Billard 1

I recommend that you paint the tyres to match as it looks so much better (that goes for hand rails too). I doubt that a Horwich Crab ever had an exhibition finish in full size.

With best wishes and good luck with the build.

John B

Thank you for asking, Bill. This is a big job for me and I think it is a good idea to gather as much information in advance particularly as mistakes can be costly. One can never stop learning. And others on the forum might find it useful. I will continue to consult with our inspectors.

Kind regards

John B

Many thanks for all your responses so far. That looks very useful particularly from David.

I am indeed a club member and I am in regular contact with our boiler inspectors.

With kind regards

John B.

I am in possession of a Western Steam boiler kit for my 5 inch Claud to be built with a round top boiler.

It is a long time since I made my Rob Roy boiler and I am seeking advice on the latest thinking on the sequence of construction. A current book recommendation would also be welcome.

Any advice would be appreciated.

John B

Thanks Jason

I emailed Mags UK and have had a reply to say the binders will be replaced.

John B

Dear Neil

I called customer service as advised to be told that I should speak to their contractor Mags Uk on 01795 662976. I have spent several times for about half an hour this morning on this number "on hold" with no response. Frustration again.

Can you advise of a way round this? They are treating ME readers very badly if this continues.

Thanks

John

I ordered three ME binders off this site last week. Today I received three binders titled "RCM&E Radio Control Models and Electronics" hardly matching my ME collection going back to 1969.

Will I have a refund on the return postage - and my train fare into my nearest Post Office - our local one having closed as the host shop went bust?

Not the end of the world but frustrating.

John B.

Thanks Neil. As a friend has pointed out think of slide valves and pistons in cylinders . He observes that cast iron is the only metal that can be run together. Obvious really.

Kind regards

John B

Using the castings I have available for a 5" loco is it acceptable to use cast iron for both horns and axleboxes?

Best wishes

John B

I have had a refurbished Super 7 in in part exchange in the last couple of years and made sure I visited the company before purchase. I would recommend the same.

I can say that the machine has fully come up to expectations and Myford have been very helpful. The lathe was delivered to my workshop in Berkshire and set up efficiently. The staff are very helpful and we must be grateful that the brand is being kept alive with a top quality product.

John B

I didn't mean to be exclusive regarding our steam ploughing; any enthusiast is welcome!

It was just pleasing to have no child, dog or other person jumping on the moving rope or trying to be too interested in spinning gears.

If anyone wants to have a real go we in the Steam Plough Club are organising a Hands On to be held on 1-2 September near Uppingham, on the Rutland/Leicestershire border. The cost is £150 for the weekend (plus £20 SPC membership if not a member) and will allow full access, under expert tuition, for participants to drive the engines and work the implements. We plan to run three sets with ploughs and a cultivator.

There are a limited number of places available at the time of writing.

Best wishes

John B

Edited By John Billard 1 on 21/05/2018 19:42:25

I have been steam cultivating today with a pair of 1917 Fowlers. Perfect day, no onlookers to bother with, just among friends in the glorious Sussex countryside.

John B

I agree with Muzzer about the usefulness of DRO. My work is now first time accurate and repeatable, having installed it on my Super 7, and I wouldn't be without it now. So much so that I have now put DRO on to my Dore Westbury mill that I built very many years ago. It is transformed and I surprised myself as to how accurate the machine remains.

Kind regards

John B

Dear John

Many thanks for the offer of the Claud castings.

I am departing from the Martin Evans design quite a bit in that the driving wheel he specifies is too small by about half an inch. I presume that yours is the same? There being nothing else suitable I have made a pattern ready for casting. Equally the bogie wheels, I have investigated the Blackgates version but find that the tyre width where it joins the spokes is too thick and there's no way round that. Fortunately I have a pattern I made for another project available that will do.

But thank you for the kindness.

With best wishes

John

I am fitting DRO to my Dore Westbury mill that I made nearly 35 years ago. X and Y axes in place and nearly there with the Z.

John B

Edited By John Billard 1 on 07/04/2018 22:10:30

I realise that we've gone off-topic regarding new Myford but perhaps the company deserves a magazine feature? Then maybe some of these suppositions can be laid to rest.

Best wishes

John B

The Fobco was new old stock. I was told it came from a Manchester college but it was never used. I had to clean off the original anti rust goo put on by Fobco and the chuck key was still held in its housing with its perished rubber band. Came with a British Jacobs chuck.... I am still running it in.... I know that I am a lucky boy....

Best wishes

John B

I purchased a refurbished Super 7 last year from Myford exchanging my older machine. I visited their premises twice to see how things are going and they were nothing but helpful. The new lathe was installed and set up shortly after by their staff. All done very efficiently. I am very pleased with the new machine.

I saw no evidence of a "Chinese" connection and I think that these claims should be verified before going on to this site.

As an aside when I was at Myford they sold me a new Fobco Star drilling machine for £275 which I think shows their veracity.

For all their attributes "old Myford" are no more. The new owners should be congratulated in allowing the name to continue.

Kind regards

John B

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Thanks again Julian

Looking at the Ashton worked example the difference is that I have a much shorter connecting rod at 7.44" compared to the worked example of 10.25" (Presumably the worked example refers to a six coupled engine or similar unlike my 4-4-0).

So far I am getting wildly out valve events so far on the simulation and I have to admit that my ancient O Level geometry is struggling a bit!

Don Ashton's work is superb but not particularly user friendly for my level of thought. Any pointers would be appreciated.

With kind regards

John

Thanks, Julian, very helpful.

John