Skip to main content

Burrell Front Axle and SmokeBox.

Following a visit to the midlands model engineer show, I purchased the material for the front axel. Probably EN8  - 3/4" steel and perhaps twice as long as I actually needed. As it is sold by weight from college supplies it was a good price. 

 The wheel-bearing material was easier to source. I found a bit the right size and it looked to be a good hard-wearing bronze. The reamer confirmed this when it tried to ream the center to the right size. Since I also reamed by hand in the lathe using just a spanner and both hands to rotate the chuck. As I was only able to find 1 piece though then I turned to a company local in Birmingham, after a follow-up email, it seemed the cost of the postage was prohibitive from using them. 
So Flebay it was, and a piece of SAE660 at a great price and it turned up in a couple of days.
This was considerably easier to machine than the previous one but looked the same, I hope my engine doesn't do a Fred Dibnah where he used a cheap/free unknown source material bearing to find it turned into brass slurry when in service!!


Still working on the door, a friend on traction talk sent me this CAD sketch of the points I was unsure The center portion of the ring and the outer detail, this is useful because the drawings are confusing and even though I've built another engine I'm still learning.

Even youtube comes up trumps sometimes I was watching a video about friction turning on a faceplate so I tried it. 
Before I was getting a nice machining finish until I got to the outer surface where chatter marks could be seen, on the unsupported part. But when the hole thing is squashed onto the faceplate more support is achieved and the finish improved 100%. 
I'm actually using a special TIP insert tool I was given free to try from  GreenWood Tools that is very hard and one that is especially for cast Iron.   Both proving to work really well.  
  


Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

1" Minnie Traction Engine By Stephen Meredith   Background Working Progress (Gears) Front End Parts Following the completion of a small marine steam engine "Trojan Engine", I decided to tackle a larger project. Having visited various shows and the model engineers Exhibition, I decided to buy the Construction book for building the popular 1" scale 'Minnie' traction engine. The initial workshop experience was limited but keen to learn, and research has enabled me to get it this far. A s can be seen, this is basically finished well almost, it steams, and runs well a few tweaks are needed but tweaks don’t make piles of swarf. The intention was to show the engine and run it, at rallies but what I really wanted was a capable engine that could pull an adult or (me) on a field. This engine was, therefore, a stepping stone to be able to tackle the engine I wanted. After research, I bought a set of drawings for the Plastow 3” Bur...
Post a Comment
Read more

Bridgnorth Mini-Gala Featuring Traction engines.

 Bridgnorth Mini-Gala Featuring Steam Road Miniatures. (Pictures from Saturday 1/11/25)  Bridgnorth Mini Gala: End of Season Steam Inspiration Bridgnorth once again marked the close of the running season with its Miniature Steam Gala , a compact but characterful gathering of miniature road vehicles, steam lorries, and traction engines . The event has become a highlight for enthusiasts, and this year’s display was every bit as enjoyable as before. My attendance was unplanned — much like the previous year — but that seems to be part of the charm. What began as an impromptu visit quickly turned into another opportunity to watch a fine collection of engines in steam. The station car park was once again transformed into a working yard of miniature traction engines, all hissing, chuffing, and radiating warmth against the chill of early November. It’s a real credit to the owners and crews who take the trouble to bring their engines out at this time of year. Keeping steam up in unp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Midlands Model Engineers Exhibition 2023.

  Midlands Model Engineers Exhibition 2023. This year’s Model Engineers Show 2023 was a huge success! All four days of the show were fantastic with exhibitors and visitors alike enjoying plenty of opportunities to purchase items, learn and explore the very latest in machinery tools and model engineering. The 2 exhibition halls were abuzz with vibrancy, excitement and anticipation. I went with a usual shopping list, and a few parts that I had organised from suppliers to take to the show for me for collection and postage saving opportunity. Centre piece if the show for me, a huge amount of work in this engine and the builder, sadly no longer with us, only finished it last year.   A fantastic selection of Loco's on display and also a good number of Traction engines both engines in steam on the parade field, but also a number of static models in side. It appears this year whilst there were still a few suppliers missing, there were a good number of static displays to improve t...
Post a Comment
Read more