Reversing lever. (Year 7)

 

3" Burrell Reversing / Brake Lever (Year 7)!

First of all — happy 53rd birthday! 🎉 That’s a proper milestone.

You could go out and buy a finished engine for 7K. But that wouldn’t be your engine. It wouldn’t carry the hours in the workshop, the problem-solving, the remakes, or the “that went well to plan” moments. The value isn’t just in the finished article — it’s in the Model Engineering.

Having completed a 1" Minnie to steam up when you want that instant satisfaction is actually a perfect balance. It keeps the joy alive while the bigger build continues at its own pace.

Planning shows is a smart move too. Events like:

• The Midlands Model Engineering Exhibition

• Welland Steam Show.

They do  — spark conversations, ideas, photos, and that little internal nudge that says “Right… back in the workshop.”

Long projects aren’t about speed. They’re about momentum.

And momentum doesn’t mean dramatic progress — it means not letting it quietly fade away.

The engine will be finished when it’s finished. And when it is, I will be able to look at every part and say, “I made that.” That’s something money can’t buy.

So a fresh year and a new casting to get started on. I’ve begun with the brake wheel and bracket by removing the rough edges and generally cleaning up the casting.

Next job will likely be the handbrake shaft — just a straightforward bit of turning to begin with — but I still need to decide what thread to use. The drawing specifies 3/8" × 10 TPI square Acme, left-hand. I could buy a tap and die from RDG Tools, or possibly use a 10mm coarse thread as a visual substitute for a square thread. Another option would be to purchase a length of bar with the correct thread already cut.

I haven’t made up my mind yet. If the reversing lever is anything to go by, this will probably take several months to complete, so there’s no rush at this stage.

Thinking more about the shaft with the Acme thread and the following question has arisen.

The drawing says the thread is 3/8" square thread left hand to 10 TPI.

Firstly is it correct the hand wheel is spun Anticlockwise to put the brake on? (Need to check)

1.  purchase a tap and die for around £30 for 1 job. (left handed tap and die)

2.  Screw cut the thread and buy just the tap. (bear in mind I have not done any screw cutting as yet)

3.  Use a Corse Whitworth thread  3/8 x 16   (make it right handed) A tap I might have.

4.  Use a metric size like 10mm x 1.5             (also right handed)  certainly a tap and die I have. 

or even is there an alternative like purchasing a short length of lead screw and machining it to suit.

   Feel free to leave a comment !!     stephen.meredith1@gmail.com

If you have any questions while reading these blog updates—I'm always happy to reply.

Until Next month, stay safe, make swarf and be the best you can be.