Hemingway Ransomes & May Mill Engine

After looking around for a second project to follow on from my Stuart 10V, I ordered up the Ransomes & May set of plans from Hemingway. Quality, but somewhat daunting set of plans and very comprehensive build notes. It is clearly a big step up from the 10V, with some new techniques to learn and a lot more complexity. Fasteners are smaller mostly 10BA with some 12BA instead of 7BA. I should however be able to build on the knowledge and experience. gained on the 10V. I have seem one of these running at a local show and it certainly looks the part. Now just have to bite the bullet and order up castings.

Does anyone have any experience or words of wisdom on this or other Hemingway kits?

Thanks in advance

Stuart

If you don't get any response here then Chris over on MEM forum has built most of the Hemmingway steam models so should be able to help. The photos and video on Hemmingways site are of his engines.

I have bought two engine kits from Hemingway. The first was a Westbury Whippet IC engine which I completed without too much difficulty. Quite a bit of thought was required and the aluminium castings were not nice to machine. The second was a Hick's Crank Overhead engine which I looked at and put aside. It is very complex with lots of little bit and pieces and small BA nut and bolts. Also it became obvious that the main castings were slightly undersize. I have thought about making a start on it since I have gained knowledge and confidence.

I did buy the castings for Anthony Mount's Boulton & Watt bellcrank engine. I was impressed with their quality and the quality of the drawings and instructions. I would advise against this particularly engine and choose one of his other engines unless you like the idea of making a lot of small square headed nuts and bolts. There are two books on his engines so you can get some idea what you might buy. Polly Model Engineering sell kits of his engines.

JA