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Burrell Traction Engine, The 'PLAN' to get the wheels in motion.

The 'PLAN' to get the wheels in motion. 


My plan outlined in January was to get all the front-end sections completed and standing on its wheels for any shows that may go ahead.

The last few weeks I have been busy making good progress on the front hubs and finally, they are almost complete, apart from the oil holes and fitting the bearings.

In order to keep the work moving and on track I have set out a few dates to try to hit. With each stage, a small goal is reached. I'm actually a bit frustrated that Boris has used my plan for his exit strategy but our plans overlapping has no obvious alignment issues.

☺  March 8th   -  Finish the front hubs completely.
☺  March 29th  - Complete the Jig for building the wheels.
☺  April 12th    - Have all the spokes drilled and temporarily fitted with bolts, check for trueness.
☺  May 17th     - Fix wheels onto the axle and correct chimney base ring part.
☺  June 21st     - Rivet chimney up and turn bronze chimney cap.
☺  July 10th     - Complete display stand for showing the progress at Warley open day.  
☺  July 19th     -  Complete half the spokes for first rear wheel.  
☺  July 31st     - Warley open day to display lock down projects.
☺  August 9th  - Make a start on spokes for the opposite side of the wheel.

Holiday Break Jamaica here we come !!!  (All the above complete).

☺  September 13th    - Hopefully finished the first rear wheel. (Done) 

☺  December 13th    - Hopefully finished the second rear wheel.



Current view of hubs

As can be seen, there is a substantial amount of machining that goes into these and accurate dividing for the slots. Note that there is a 36-degree rotation from top to bottom to alternate the spokes on the rim.

As March 8th is fast approaching and I haven't decided what material to use for the oil tubes I need to get onto a popular auction site a see what I can buy cheap. I'm thinking of tapping for 4mm with a 3mm bore for the oil path and made in steel.

All these dates are subject to change especially building the wheel jig, as this is not a job I was relishing since it's not an actual part but an ancillary item needed to aid in building the wheels.




The start of the rear hubs, being machined/marked out to check the angles 45deg. 



Rear hubs almost finished the keeper plates on the back have been cut and drilled/tapped for M3 screws. I used free-cutting steel to make these parts easier to fabricate by milling and partly with an angle grinder. 

Not quite following the plan, it is the 6th of April and I haven't started the jig yet but I have some marine ply cut ready and bought some heavy-duty leg clamps. Photo's to follow of the design for the jig. 

12th April started the wheel building Jig. Not quite on the plan above, about 2 weeks delayed.


28th April nearly finished the first wheel still, about 2 weeks delayed. Running out of M3 bolts also.



17th May, I did say I would have it on its wheels and the chimney base ring fixed. Here is the latest photo of it all balancing together. I'm actually not that far away from the plan.



Warley MRC open day went to plan finally on 31st July.





Wheel almost finished, just needs drive pin and painting ! 

Until the next announcement update and work completed to justify another post have fun in the

Workshop  -  Stay Safe  -  Make Swarf. 


Best regards.

   



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