Author Topic: A 19th Century Machine Shop Diorama  (Read 218041 times)

Offline J.L.

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A 19th Century Machine Shop Diorama
« on: September 29, 2014, 07:54:05 PM »
Hello,
In Andrew Smith's book, Building the 'Victoria' A 19th Century Steam Engine (Andrew Smith and TEE Publishing 1998), Andrew advises great care in bolting down the outboard bearing pedestal. It is critical to keep it in line with the bearing on the soleplate. In an effort to provide a stable platform for the engine, here is a metal sub-base which will also facilitate the use of drain cocks under the engine's cylinder.

The parts are fabricated from plate steel and aluminum. Here is a photo showing the set-up with a wooden mock-up. The bottom plates of the structure form an 'L' - the shorter arm being the location of the pedestal and its pier.


« Last Edit: October 24, 2015, 12:46:57 PM by J.L. »

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #1 on: September 29, 2014, 10:50:51 PM »
Building and assembling the sub-base...

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #2 on: September 30, 2014, 01:04:27 AM »
Looks good JL. Do you have the engine finished for this base, or will that follow?

Bill

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #3 on: September 30, 2014, 07:19:21 AM »
Hi Bill,
Parts of the engine relevant to the development of the base follows along with the thread.

The soleplate of the engine sits on a deck being developed here. Disregard the stud nuts. They are only temporary until proper model scale ones can be turned out of 3/8" hex stock.
« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 07:25:56 AM by J.L. »

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2014, 11:43:54 AM »
Thanks JL...that is looking very nice. I noticed your use of square drive screws. Are those common in your area? I realize they have been around for years, just don't see them that often down this way.  Looking forward to seeing more of your build.

Bill

Offline Ian S C

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2014, 01:14:07 PM »
Just for interest, the Robertson/square drive screw head was invented in Canada in 1908, so it's been around for quite a while.  It seems to be gaining popularity here in NZ.
                                           Ian S C

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #6 on: September 30, 2014, 01:44:49 PM »
JL,

Dave Otto posted some pictures from the Oregon GEARS show this past weekend and among them was one of a finished Victoria engine though with a much different sub base. Nice looking engine so now I know where you are headed :)

Bill

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #7 on: September 30, 2014, 03:45:00 PM »
Hello Bill and Ian,
Thanks Bill.

You are right Ian, the square drive socket drive is a proud Canadian invention. We used it here extensively in the furniture industry. Now it's everywhere. The American auto industry never took to it - they loved the Phillips socket drive. Most agree that the Robertson grips so much better. It sort of bears down as torque is applied rather than slip up and out as with the Phillips.

The cast iron pedestal which carries the outboard flywheel bearing sits on an aluminum plinth. This plinth will be covered with brick veneer. The length of the pier is determined by the layout of the bricks. This will avoid having to cut bricks later on.



« Last Edit: September 30, 2014, 05:58:22 PM by J.L. »

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #8 on: September 30, 2014, 03:49:39 PM »
Hello Arbelest,
The drivers are numbered #3 (black), #2 (red), #1 (green) and #0 yellow. If the screw is small, it probably is a #0 socket (yellow).
Cheers...John

Offline mklotz

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #9 on: September 30, 2014, 03:52:28 PM »
Anyone know the specs of the drivers? I seem to have one box of screws that are too small for my smallest driver!

This might be helpful...

http://www.instructables.com/id/When-a-Phillips-is-not-a-Phillips/step5/Robertson-Drive/

Click on the multi-color chart to expand it to include the larger sizes.
Regards, Marv
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https://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #10 on: September 30, 2014, 05:55:33 PM »
As mentioned earlier, getting the height of the inboard and outboard bearing in-line is critical on this horizontal mill engine. I was able to use a dial indicator to check things out. You can see that the pedestal pier is too high. That's easy to fix. The pier can be incrementally milled down until the correct height of the pedestal is achieved.
« Last Edit: October 02, 2014, 10:39:57 AM by J.L. »

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #11 on: October 01, 2014, 07:10:15 PM »
Once that perfect pedestal height has been achieved, it is checked for location with measuring tools and bolted with its plinth to the lower plate.

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #12 on: October 01, 2014, 07:12:25 PM »
The result is a sub-base ready to be surrounded by its platform.

Offline clivel

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #13 on: October 01, 2014, 08:25:14 PM »
Hello Arbelest,
The drivers are numbered #3 (black), #2 (red), #1 (green) and #0 yellow. If the screw is small, it probably is a #0 socket (yellow).
Cheers...John

There is one size smaller than the #0 yellow, the #00 orange, which is the smallest with a tip approximately 1.8mm square. The #0 yellow tip is approximately 2.3mm square.
Clive

Offline J.L.

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Re: A Metal Sub-Base for Victoria
« Reply #14 on: October 01, 2014, 11:29:22 PM »
Hello Clive,
That's new information. Thank you. I've never heard of the size or seen it in the stores. It must be a specialty size for very specific applications. I'll keep an eye out for one. Orange handle right?

The sub-base is designed to form the core of a display platform complete with stairs and railings. The sub-floor of the platform is seen here being fitted to the underside of the metal deck. When it's in place, the planking will come up against the plate and make it look like the engine mount is sunken and mounted into a concrete pier. The outer edges of the platform will be bricked.

This finishes the metal sub-base focus of the thread. Victoria will become part of a factory machine shop with seven other machines. That will be the subject of another thread off-site.

Thanks for watching.

Cheers...John

 

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