Member postings for John Billard

I hope this is the right place to air a minor sore point. That is the description "modeller" for ME readers as in the latest ad for the next issue. We are engineers, not practicing in "modellers" clay, nor are we on a cat walk!

This complaint goes back a long way as I have read that old LBSC refused to use the term "model" preferring the word "miniature".

Kind regards to all - including the editor!

John B

I have used a hacksaw blade suitably ground in a slotted holder I made. Just the job for smaller work especially brass fittings etc. It is easily reground and even in the event of breakage it only takes a minute or so to sort out.

Best wishes

John B

Just to add a word about the overprinted text. I thought that this was a very useful article and just the thing that ME should cover. But the overprint was a distraction as described in previous posts. I'm happy to accept Diane's assurance that this was a one-off.

With great respect to previous incumbents I think that ME is doing very well under Diane's editorship.

Kind regards

John Billard

Just a question Bill. Was your workshop etc covered by insurance? I could not get my normal house insurer to "understand" my workshop so I transferred to Walker Midgley.

Kind regards

John B

I am building a loco using works drawings and it is something I would not recommend for a beginner. Such a person has much to cope with already. And the works drawings would not be much use for holes in frames for things such as water pumps on a Speedy!

Best wishes

John B

Could I add a word of condolence. Its is bad enough having workshops etc flooded but the house etc must be very difficult and long term as well.

I hope that things are not too bad and that you and your family are back to normal as soon as possible Bill.

Kind regards

John B

Surely it would not be too difficult to make? I presume that a whole 12 inch length is not needed?

Best wishes

John B

I'd like to echo the thoughts above.

Regarding traction engines it should not be forgotten that Model Engineer was very important in reporting on the early traction engine rallies of the 1950s and 1960s. It provided information at a time when there were few other publications suitable or willing to do the same. I am sure that without Model Engineer the expansion of interest in road steam would have been that much slower.

Kind regards

John B

Bring back the Burgess BK band saw! Invaluable and convenient for the bench top. I have gone through 1/2" steel plate with mine. I went into a national and popular tool dealer and suggested this and the response was "never been asked for that before, sir"!

Best wishes

John B

Could I suggest a smaller injector for continuous running together with a larger one for topping up? Otherwise they will need constant shutting off. The feed could be taken from a tank on the driving truck if warm water in the saddle tank is a problem.

Best wishes

John B

Thanks, Julian

Yes, you are right (though I think that the screw down type is possibly more easy to make steam tight.) That is why I think that a leak at the regulator valve should be allowed within the spirit of reasonableness.

To blank off the regulator on my Martin Evans Manor design would require the removal of the superheater.

I do not wish to critisise the authors of the boiler code who have done a good job. It is the wide band of interpretation by testers that I think might be an issue.

Kind regards

John

Yes, all great stuff but the question is still not answered clearly. If a regulator has what I would call a fairly minor leak (and is quite usable in service) and the boiler is otherwise sound does that amount to a fail? Some testers are saying yes and I would say no.

I guess the answer is in 10.19 and whether the pressure loss is "unacceptable" How is that word measured? Even a panel of High Court judges probably could not agree! And we arre placing that onus on our amateur testers.

Best wishes

John

Thank you both for your comments so far. Regarding John's comments that most regulators leak albeit slightly I believe that some testers are failing the boiler for this reason and it seems not permitting blanking off.

I can't believe that is the intention of the regulations and this is what I am seeking to clarify.

Kind regards

John

I am hearing that some club boiler testers are including the regulator as part of the hydraulic test and are failing boilers as a consequence. It seems to me that this is quite wrong as the regulator is not part of the pressure system. Some regulator designs are also quite diifficult to make pressure tight for this procedure.

Fortunately my club testers in their discretion do not include the regulator but if they did I would be quite concerned if a carefully maintained boiler could not be cerificated for this reason.

I believe that it should be made clear that the regulator is not to be included in the test. If it leaks it shold be blanked off.

Kind regards

John Billard

Just to add that of course silver solder will be no good for this job. I will obtain some stainless steel superheaters and attach them to the smokebox header end which is of course cooler.

Kind regards

John Billard

I have removed the superheater from my 5" Manor today as a blow started at our public running track yesterday.The superheater is copper but the spear ends have perforated. It is a radiant type.

I propose to cut the endes off and replce them with stainless steel returns. The question is what is the correct silver solder to use for this application?

Thanks in advance for your help.

John Billard

Dear Eddie

That is very helpful, thanks. Just what I need.

Kind regards

John

Can anyone provide me with a reference to the official dimensions and colour of the lining of BR steam Mixed Traffic livery?

Examination of locos in preservation shows differences.

This will be used to paint a 5" gauge engine under construction.

Kind regards

John B

Dear Julian

The enginre has radiant superheaters with cast iron piston valve cylinders. Not sure about the pistons - difficult to check! Do you have a particular use for light and heavy oil?

Kind regards

John

Thank you Julian. I am going to wait till my next steaming to see if I can control the little thing better. Being a newly qualified approved driver at the club track I usually find that any problems are driver related rather than the loco which is well-built - not by me I might add.

Just one final question for now. What viscosity oil do you use? (Sold as "heavy" or "light" - I am using the heavy version).

Kind regards

John