Motion Mock-up; Where we are; and why ?

Above are all the current motion parts posed for a photograph, this represents a few months work and in casting terms a few pounds. The problem is with not having the boiler, some of the parts are left longer with spare material to either finish the parts, or extra length if required to be finished later.

Actually I intended making a mock-up boiler but this has not been completed. To be frank I ought to be at the position of ordering the actual boiler but the prohibited cost and the fact of having a large expensive item taking up space in the workshop.   

Fathers day

It’s become a bit of a tradition that I receive a casting for Father’s Day. This year is no exception—though, as usual, I bought it myself and am now working out the usual post-purchase “negotiations” to avoid it being considered a self-gift!

And here it is—massive !!!..

The first thing I did was to double-check the drawing and the invoice to make sure they hadn’t accidentally sent a 4.5" Burrell casting instead. Everything was in order. A quick call to Caroline at the foundry confirmed that a new pattern had been made, and it was deliberately oversized to ensure there was plenty of material to work with—apparently in response to complaints about the original part being too close to final size.

Still, it feels a bit counterintuitive to redesign a pattern to save machining time, only to make it so oversized that it creates an excess of scrap swarf. For comparison, even the crankshaft bearings (of which there are four) weren’t this hefty.

For reference, the part number of the bearing is: 81186 — priced at £26.50 including delivery.

Until next time, stay safe in the workshop, make plenty of swarf, and keep building!
Stephen.