Steam Fire Pumper 1869

[J.L.]

Yes Carl, things are moving along faster than I had expected. With the outbreak of the infectious COVID-19 and self- quarantine suggestions in Canada, I've been spending about 7 hours a day on the model.

Having said that, you must realize that some of the assemblies for the model have been made and set aside. So when they come together, it looks like a lot has been done in a day.  I'm on day 22.

John

[J.L.]

Here's an example of a part earlier produced and set aside. It's the top of the water box.

[Flyboy Jim]

Nice update John.

It's nice, with our small machine shops, that we have the ability to make corrections and replacements as needed.

Jim

[J.L.]

Yes Jim, a hobby lathe comes in handy from time to time.

I turned the front axle grease trap using an old woodturner's trick when turning thin walled goblets. If you shine a light through the wood, you can see its thickness.

The disk was then coated with CA glue to strengthen the part and seal the pores of the wood.

Another coat of 18k gold and this part will appear to be made of metal.

[J.L.]

The result...
(The contrast in photo three was enhanced to give the shot more 'metal' drama.)

[J.L.]

Here is a photo of work completed so far on the underside of the engine's frame.

[cnr6400]

 

Looks great John!

[J.L.]

Thanks!

Time for some time out and a little history of this engine.

In the summer of 1869,the city of Wooster, Ohio purchased a steam pumper from the Allerton Iron Works of Naugatuck, Connecticut.  The pumper did not carry water.  Instead, it used a coal-fired boiler to draw water from wells and cisterns and pumped 350 gallons per minute.

More about this engine's fascinating story later... 

[J.L.]

Here is the bottom of the frame again. 

As I go along, I see errors in aignment and fit. But I'm carrying on because when the model is done, they say that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 

I think that trying to align the frame at the start of the buid is creating issues now. Remember the bent out shape frame? It's coming back to haunt me.

               

[J.L.]

And the top of the frame...

[wagnmkr]

Looking Good John. I'm glad you are able to sort out the ill fitting parts.

Cheers

Tom

[Admiral_dk]

Remember the bent out shape frame? It's coming back to haunt me.

I must admit that I can't spot the problem in the current state of assembly - it all looks good to me    have you discovered a part that does not fit now ?

Best wishes

Per

[J.L.]

Thanks for the kind words Tom. You are really at the mercy of the castings. Machining parts from clean, smooth brasss rod can be fully appreciated after you have worked with some of these 'rubber mold' cast white metal parts.

Hi Per,
Well, to be honest, I've composted some of the shots so that the blaring misfits in the crank area are not noticed. Some of the little 00-90 threaded cast bolts were so soft, they broke off when I tried to thread on a brass nut.

But as I said, the overall impression from a viewing distance of about 2 ft. of the total finished model will be impressive (I hope). 

[Flyboy Jim]

Thanks for the kind words Tom. You are really at the mercy of the castings. Machining parts from clean, smooth brasss rod can be fully appreciated after you have worked with some of these 'rubber mold' cast white metal parts.

Hi Per,
Well, to be honest, I've composted some of the shots so that the blaring misfits in the crank area are not noticed. Some of the little 00-90 threaded cast bolts were so soft, they broke off when I tried to thread on a brass nut.

But as I said, the overall impression from a viewing distance of about 2 ft. of the total finished model will be impressive (I hope). 

Sounds like a matter of going for an accurate compromise John. 

Jim

[zeeprogrammer]

But as I said, the overall impression from a viewing distance of about 2 ft. of the total finished model will be impressive (I hope). 

I don't doubt.

You're showing us pics at a closer distance and I'm flabbergasted.