Alan's Workbench

[Galteemore]

56 minutes ago, Patrick Davey said:

Another masterpiece in the making Alan!  Hopefully she will make a visit to Brookhall Mill in the near future!

If she does, only one piece of music will do ….

 

[Tullygrainey]

1 hour ago, Patrick Davey said:

 Hopefully she will make a visit to Brookhall Mill in the near future!

Thanks Patrick. Something to look forward to. 

[Tullygrainey]

A smokebox for No.6. I don't think I've managed to make a smokebox the same way twice. 

The smokebox and saddle for this one were built as a single piece made from two matching formers, a front plate which is wider at the bottom than the saddle, a baseplate and a wrapper.

In order to make as much room as possible for the DCC gubbins, the centres of the formers were cut away to keep an open space through the boiler and into the smokebox. The downside is that the smokebox can’t then be easily bolted to the front of the boiler.

The wrapper is 10 thou brass, all the rest is 15 thou nickel silver.

 

A captive nut inside the baseplate of the saddle will allow it all to be bolted down to the running plate, with peg into a hole in the cab front locating the firebox end.

 

As is becoming standard with this build, it took a couple of goes, the first pass generating the mistakes to inform the learning process. Getting the wrapper on neatly was the hardest bit.

 

!**!*!!?

 

If at first you don't succeed, have a cup of tea before trying again. It keeps the big hammer at bay.

 

The finished item was seam soldered to the front of the boiler. A few other details added and some holes drilled, mostly in the right places.

 

We're getting towards the small bits and pieces now. Cab steps 

Alan

 

[Galteemore]

Well done Alan. The Beyer smokebox is a thing of beauty but not easy to replicate, with those subtle curve reversals. Looks great. 

[Horsetan]

33 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

Well done Alan. The Beyer smokebox is a thing of beauty but not easy to replicate, with those subtle curve reversals. Looks great. 

No built-up smokebox (or round-top firebox) is easy to roll, as you're doing a standard roll and then having to change direction. Pain in the neck, even with a rolling mill.

[Galteemore]

14 minutes ago, Horsetan said:

No built-up smokebox (or round-top firebox) is easy to roll, as you're doing a standard roll and then having to change direction. Pain in the neck, even with a rolling mill.

Yep. Been there done that got the burnt fingers…..

[Tullygrainey]

20 minutes ago, Galteemore said:

Yep. Been there done that got the burnt fingers…..

Some pretty sharp curves there David! Nice bit of riveting.

[Galteemore]

3 minutes ago, Tullygrainey said:

Some pretty sharp curves there David! Nice bit of riveting.

Thanks Alan. Beyer tanks are like that as you know. Simple squares at the back - horrendous curves at the front!! 

[David Holman]

Neat.

VERY neat!

 As another member of the 'Smokeboxes are a real bummer Club' can only concur with the challenges involved, so hopefully a couple of glasses of falling down water have been awarded. Plus it is nearly Christmas after all.