Member postings for Kevin Murrell

Agreed about MK Metals. Metals4U have always been great for me.

I have sexy new hearing aids from SpecSavers. They pair up using Bluetooth to my phone which is great. I can watch videos etc without bothering anyone else. It's also clever on the phone with the other caller sitting inside my head! Not cheap and they run through batteries. Re-chargable was an option, but I already have enough I forget to recharge as it is.

Dear all

No doubt an issue many have faced! My new mill (Sieg SX3.5) is arriving on a pallet soon. I need to mount it on the stand in my workshop/shed. I thought of an engine hoist, but surely the legs are going to get in the way? I suspect the shed ceiling wouldn't support a hoist? Is my best option finding three big lads and simply lifting it?

Thanks in anticipation of some good tips!

Kevin

Just to finish this off. New workshop now built and everything has survived!

I used ACF 50 with a sprayer.

Now to clean everything off and align all the kit again. Actually something I enjoy!

Kevin

Hi all

I need to move my WM14 mill in the back of my car. I dont have the space to build a frame or some other support. Even with the head right down it's quite top-heavy.

Can I remove the head complete with motor? (Something is stopping it, but I haven't looked properly yet.). Will I get it back on afterwards?

Kevin

Dear all

As part of the house move, the workshop and tools need to be packed away and into storage for a few months. The lathe and mill I can manage, but all the tools, cutting tools and models (some built and some in progress) will need to be packed into large plastic crates. What can I add to the crates to prevent rust??

Kevin

Thanks Chaps. Quite relieved as it's such a nice fit and I didn't want to muck about with it!

Hi

I am building a Stuart No 1 from castings. The piston has about a 2 thou clearance and feels very smooth in the cylinder. The piston rings when squeezed enough to fit into the cylinder have a gap off a little less that 1mm between ends. (The No 1 has a 2" diameter piston).

It certainly moves in the cylinder - although a little snug. I do expect to run it under steam. Am I going to have a problem when it all gets hot?

Thanks

Kevin

Hi all

I have looked at all the usual suspects, but can't find a source of these. Not keen on the slotted ones as it's too easy to damage. Any pointers would be appreciated.

Kevin

Many thanks all.

Can I ask David George 1 what is the exact blue colour used on your engine? Looks very smart!

K.

Dear all

Just completed my Stuart Half-Beam and it's time to paint. Frankly I am fed up with my usual green, black, and the occasional bit of red!

Can anyone offer suggestions that have worked out well?

Pink and lilac are out of the question! Obviously needs something that suits the period.

Thanks all

Kevin

Brilliant - thanks chaps!

Kevin

Just wondering if anyone else has bought this item? Bar is OK and drilled with two holes at 90 degrees apart. Came with three single point cutters, but there is no means of securing the cutters in the bar. Myford being less than helpful! You wouldn't think it was difficult to return a phone call!

Doesn't everyone start with a Stuart S50 engine - from castings of course? Lots of youtube videos of course, some better than others. i would recommend 'Learning Turning' as a very good tutorial.

Dear all

Cock up on my part, but I could excuse myself as I was interrupted during the machining. Anyhow, I have drilled the centre hole in the beam off centre. It is drilled to 3/8" and should end up as 1/2". It's just about 1/8" off centre.

What are my options? I thought about using the mill and rotary table to open up the hole, but centred, to more than 1/2" and then fitting a brass bushing and then drilling that (on centre) to 1/2". Or perhaps mounting the beam in the lathe and using a boring bar to produce a centred hole.

Any advice gratefully accepted. Kevin

Dear all

I have been asked to repair a beautifully made Scissor Clock (built from Wilding's book). Frankly, it's beyond me. The scale is way to small for me.

I am looking for an amateur expert to do this work and of course I will pay all expenses. Ideally 'down south' as I am in Guildford.

Regards and thanks for reading, Kevin

Dear all

Below is 'the usual way' of securing thin brass straps around a boiler (or condenser in this case). It's pretty ugly and I usually try to hide them out of sight.

Is there a better way of doing this? I was thinking along the lines of a very small jubilee clip arrangement soldered to the ends of the straps.

Regards all, Kevin

Dear all

I am not sure if this engine is completely original or based on a published design. Can anyone identify it? Possibly not obvious from the images but it stands about 100mm high.

Thanks, Kevin

Same problem here! I put a coffee and a choc-ice in before coming to work and now all I have is brown sludge!

Indeed - it's a Stuart 501 It was in horrible condition when I got it, but stripped it down and removed (carefully) the asbestos panels. One cock-up was painting the side panels and I didn't use heat resistant paint! It bubbled up and fell off! Stripped down again and repainted with very high temp paint and all is well.

(I have a big 504 boiler and that is being paired with a No 9 and a No. 1 - hopefully there is sufficient pressure and volume to power both?)

K.