Member postings for Ron Laden

Well having started model engineering about a year ago and so far only having a mini-lathe I would go with the lathe.

It obviously depends a lot on the type of work but so far I would estimate that the parts I have made or modified on the lathe out number the parts that required a mill by some margin.

Oh dear, I,m pretty sure that the head stock gears in the low range on my mini-lathe have either lost a tooth or teeth. I was parting off yesterday and all was going fine with no problems when suddenly the lathe started to make a loud clicking sound. I can still use the lathe as high range seems fine but turning the chuck by hand in low range I can feel something is not as it should be. I did stall the lathe a couple of days ago and all seemed fine afterwards but I guess the damage was probably done then and yesterday the tooth/teeth finally gave way.

So it looks like a strip down to replace the gears and was wondering if it would be worth fitting metal gears whilst I,m at it. I have read though that the nylon gears are considered by some to be a safety valve and offer some protection to other parts of the lathe...? Also having to go to the trouble of stripping and removing the head stock do I take the opportunity to change the spindle bearings to taper roller or angular contact...?

Ron

Thanks Martin/Emgee

I cant make this Sunday so will probably wait until we are over there in the new year, certainly looks an interesting place.

Ron

Next April we are visiting long time friends who live close to Westonzoyland, Somerset. They tell us that there is a steam driven pumping station there which according to its website it also has the largest collection of working static steam engines, pumps and winches in the South of England. It sounds good, just wondered if anyone had visited.

Ron

Edited By Ron Laden on 03/10/2018 09:09:21

Will do Keith, just thought maybe some are using it and have personal experience of it.

Excuse my ignorance and I dont want to get off track but can someone explain MAPP gas and if it has uses in the model workshop..?

Amazing how buffers transform a chassis

Very nice Jason, beautifully finished even down to the lining on the wheels.

Thanks Jeff, it looks like J-E powered his engine with a motor to test out the mechanics before converting it to steam or at least thats what the video footnote suggests.

Thanks Jason, I have looked at a lot of pictures of the Minnie it would seem that builders all had their own take on the design...a variation on a theme it would seem. Would I be correct in thinking your avatar is a Minnie.

Ron

???

Could anyone tell me if the engine on J-E,s video looks to be a model of an actual engine or more of a homebrew.

IF I decided to build one and its only an if, I think a fairly basic engine would be best as a starter, I know some of the traction engines are quite complex machines. J-E,s model looks to be more of a basic design.

Ron

Edited By Ron Laden on 30/09/2018 11:26:01

John, I would like to see some pictures of your fathers traction engine plus the drum and elevator if you can post them. I do like looking at other peoples work.

Ron

Thanks Paul, I thought that a small number must have been built (most things have) but I have never seen one until Jeff posted the video.

I had decided on a class 22 loco as my next project but I am not so sure now and I am warming a bit towards a traction engine. I will need to do a fair bit of research as I know next to nothing about them, I will see what that throws up before I decide.

Ron

Jeff, out of interest can you remember the scale of J-E,s engine, looking at the video would it be 2 inch, I,m not that familiar with traction engines so difficult to judge.

Ron

Thanks Ian, Neil and Jason.

I have the 1.6mm parting tool plus I will try and find a 2mm blade for the 8mm holder I recently purchased.

Jason, I did find I had to increase the speed with the higher feed rate to get past the lathe wanting to stall, but once I found the balance between the two it worked ok.

Ron

Thanks Ian and Jeff,

J-E,s engine I thought quite impressive, I think I recognised the motor which he had mounted on the top, its a 24 volt 500 watt scooter motor if I am correct.

Interesting..?

I guess this maybe a daft question but has anyone built an electric powered model traction engine.

I know, I know it would probably be frowned upon by many but as people build electric loco,s I wondered if anyone had done the same with a traction engine.

Ron

Well done Andrew, I just tried a higher feed rate and it cured the chatter. I did stall the lathe once but it was a case of balancing the speed with the feed rate and then it was fine.

Many thanks

Ron

Thanks Andrew, I must admit I didnt try that, will give it a go.

Ron