Member postings for AndyP

Steve, that sounds like Precious Metal Clay from Mitsubishi which I think is only available in Silver and Gold. A competing product, Art Clay, does exist in Copper and Bronze forms.
It is a very expensive way of getting a metal object. It will shrink during firing and the finished item will be porous.
Baking is at 970 deg C so rather more kiln than oven.
Casting is great fun and melting in a small electromelt furnace and casting into something like Delft Clay could easily and safely be done in a flat.

Andy

Only just seen this question and it is what I do !

Yes anneal, as described by John above, your usual flux will do fine. A good rule of thumb is to anneal for every two sizes growth of the ring, a UK size is roughly 1mm on circumference.

You should be able to take a plain 9k band up several sizes with a slow tapered mandrel and a rubber or nylon or hide hammer, since you don't need the whole range of sizes on the mandrel turning one becomes quick and easy, I have made several for specific jobs.

If it is a wide band, say 6mm or above, then keep reversing it on the mandrel so both sides end up the same size. I like to do this job in front of the customer and dispel the myth that what jewellers do is difficult and therefore expensive.

Take Care
Andy

One list of errors here and another wordier one here both cover the relevant gotcha.

Andy

I am building one as a first loco, runs on air !

If that is the error that means the valve rods don't line uo with the gear then snap - cranked adapters on the end of the valve rods solved mine.

There is a thread covering a working gas fired Rob Roy here

Neil,

My little electric has a rotary pot for speed, DPDT switch on the loco for forward/reverse, I find the pot is really a two handed job so not ideal, it also means the youngest driver can throw the switch at full speed for some dramatic effects!

Our club loco has a sprung lever throttle which is very nice to drive and if you drop the controller the loco stops!

Loco looking excellent btw.

Andy

Spot on David, Thank you

Andy

It is on mine David, ie8 on XP sp3 so nothing unusual. I suspect the dodgy software is reserving width for the full size of the first image.

Andy

What Ian said.... but 2 minutes on Google came up with :-

Anglia Precision, Peterborough, 01733 703230

Rivercircle, Peterborough, 01733 315101

Qualitetch, March, 01354 658787

Personally, I built one, but thats probably because somebody said I couldn't, or it might have been shouldn't

Andy

I use the Chester version of this mill with the Arc Euro long table added - best move I made. I must echo all Mike's comments, I promise I will do some of his mods, probably locking screws first.

I have done all the milling for a Rob Roy on it as well as numerous tooling projects, not broken a gear yet but then I don't try and take big cuts. I like it so much I bought it a full set of er25 collets and collet chuck for Christmas.

As with all machines, mills especially, expect to spend the same again on (absolutely essential) extras.

Andy

Google is your friend ! try this

The first photo looks like a square thread to me, a white background would help a lot, if you offer your cutting tool up to the original thread does it fit well?

Andy

Or it could just be the other end of the block !