will it,won’t it

I am looking for my next project and am considering E.T.Westburys Aveling road roller in 1 1/2” scale, which is powered by a 1”bore x 1.125” stroke ic engine.My question is, would it be capable of pulling an adult or is it just too small?

On a really smooth tarmac surface you may just be lucky to get it to move you but the lack of grip from the rollers will probably be the limiting factor. Some have been made with lower gearing which would help the engine and also had modified gearbox designs that do away with the friction material so little chance of slip.

Although 1.5" scale the original was quite small so you will only have a model about the size of a 1" Minnie so even unloaded it will struggle on anything other than a really good surface. Probably one of those models where you put on some steering lock and start it off to run in circles.

The build series used to be available on the net but I have not looked recently and castings can be had from Engineers Emporium.

J

Jason, do you know of any video clips or details of running rollers? I can find ones of the engine alone but not a complete on.

If I ever get my diesel to run I intend to build it into a tractor using similar dimensions and drive to the ETW roller.

We used to own a full size Aveling DX8 roller, it was a lovely machine to drive.

I too came to the conclusion that a 1½" model would not be capable of doing much work, and so decided to make a 3" scale version back in the 1980's, I got as far as finding the thick walled tube to make the rolls from. However because of other commitments it never came to anything and those embryo rolls ended up as planters in a friends garden many years ago.

I still have an original Aveling General Arrangement drawing for the roller somewhere in the loft.

Phil

Thanks for reply’s. I think you chaps have reinforced my concerns regarding practically of this model. 3” scale sounds very practical but my workshop equipment would rule that out. I just liked the idea of an i.c.engine as a change from steam and clocks! but never mind, i’m sure something else will turn up to trigger my enthusiasm for the next project. Many thanks.

Roger, I've not seen one running either in the flesh or on video, it's a model you see very few of, infact you don't see many rollers of any description.

The nicest one I have seen was made by Alan Suttie in the US and was the centre fold in an issue of MEB mag a few years back, as you can see it is quite small

Edited By JasonB on 07/02/2018 13:29:46