Model Engine Maker

Supporting => Vehicles & Models => Topic started by: sbwhart on July 30, 2012, 09:20:45 AM

Title: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on July 30, 2012, 09:20:45 AM: As many of you will have read elsware I've been completeing off a 5" gauge simplex loco that i bought that was suposidly 90% complete in reality when i got it home I discovered that it was far from 90% complete, and quite a bit of rework was required.

Loco as bought

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/IMG_36792.jpg)

Rather that start from the beginning of the story I'll just pick up the story from where we are at the moment.

I had to do a bit of reworking on the cylinders and steam chest this consisted of cutting one of the steam ways into the cylinder making some studds for the steam chest milling one of the steam chests down so that it didn't foul on the frame when the cylinders were bolted to it and fitting cladding to the cylinders.

her's some shot of the cladding work.

Marking out the cylinder for drilling and tapping.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1889.jpg)

Tapping the drilled cylinders

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1891.jpg)

Measuring the the required length for the cladding by bending a bit of wire to the shape then straightening the wire out and measuring its length.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1895.jpg)

The cladding was made from a bit of 1mm ish thich breass sheet it was anealed firt so that it could be bent to shape then the holes and cut outs machined.

Another part that was required were the guard rails I think this is what they are called, their function is to stop the loco bottoming onto the cylinders if you have a derailment hence saving the cylinders and other bits from damage.

There wasn't any holes drilled in the fram to take the guard rails so I made up a simple mild steel jig clamped this at the apropriate position on the frame to locate the hole for drilling through with a hand drill.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1917.jpg)

The guard rails were machined out of some 1/8" mild steel and bent to shape.

Here they are fitted along with a clad cylinder.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1922.jpg)

And the rear jobs.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1921.jpg)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 24, 2012, 04:56:13 PM: Prompted by Petes post

Its time I updated things on my Simplex Project.

Borrowed a quartering jig from the club and checked the cranks had been set correctly at 90 deg, whats important is that all the axles are the same it will stand a deg or tow out, as long as all axles are out the same.

This is the jig

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1947.jpg)

And this is how you use it, you assemble the axles in the same orientation as they will go into the loco frame

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1946.jpg)

You check the crank pin with fealer gauges what you want is for the same measurement under the same left or right hand crank pin.

Mine came out withing 0.005" to each other I think that will be OK when you take into account the play in the system.

Also checked the wheel centres using slip gauges the best I could determine is that the centres between the driving and leading axle is 7 3/16" it should be 7 1/8" and between the trailing and driving axle 7 1/6" again it should be 7 1/8", I've ordered a 12" vernier so will check them again when it arrives, if this is correct I'll have to adjust the coupling rods accordingly.

Taliking about coupling rods I've ordered a complete set of laser cut coupling rods and valve linkages they won't cost much more than buying the material and cutting them out myself.

Whilst waiting for the laser stuff to arive I've also built the oiler. The tank was fabricated from a thick brass plate box that Dek gave me (cheers Dek)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1940.jpg)

I was trying to follow a drawing for a lubricator that resently apeared in Model Engineer, but the drawings were all over the place so I just did my own thing its off the plunger type.

I could have used a friction clutch but I kind of like to watch the old ratchet type lubricators work so thats what I did, John kindly overed to cut the ratchet on his digital deviding head but I was kicking my heals any way so decided to cut it myself on me manual devider.

I used a little dove tail cutter got from RDG her it is with a couple of blanks i turned up to make the ratchets.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1955.jpg)

This is the set up for cutting it.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1968.jpg)

I cut 45 teath which is easy for a 90:1 wheel its just two turns of the handle for each tooth.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1967.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1974.jpg)

And the completed lubricator

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1943.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1976.jpg)

Still needs those springs tidying up and some gaskets fitting but its more or less done and the ratchet does its job.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stuart on August 24, 2012, 05:45:11 PM: Stew

Please check your Email

Stuart
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: arnoldb on August 24, 2012, 06:19:57 PM: Good going Stew :ThumbsUp:

Did you harden the ratchet gears, or is it a lighting effect that makes it look that way ?

Kind regards, Arnold
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 24, 2012, 06:29:55 PM: Thanks Arnold

Yes the ratchet is made from silver steel hardened and tempered, the pawls are gauge plate and they will also be hardened, but I'll finish it off some more before i do that.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on August 24, 2012, 06:42:11 PM: That's a good design Stew....I have one on my boat engine running at 550 rpm @ 1 click per turn and it runs great!

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2012, 07:35:05 AM: Thanks for your interest guys.

The more I get into this project the more I regret taking it on, spent the last few days checking out the wheel,axles and axleboxes in the frame, and what a bag of crap they are :cussing:

The axles are under size and tapered, the axle horns are 3/16" undersizes and the ones for the trailing axle are out of square in the frame, the axle boxes are undersize fit in the undersized horns as well as tapered and out of square, the axles centres should be 7 1/8" what I've got is 7 3/16" between the driving and leading axles and 7 1/16" between the driving and trailing axle. As a result everything fits like a turd in a pisspot.

I've bin pondering :thinking: long and hard the best course of action, and come up with a number of options.

Option one:- Find a bloody big hammer and beat the crap out of it :hammerbash:, then cash it in at the scrap value.

Option two:- Just bodge it together as it is and hope for the best.

Option three:- Split the axle boxes off the wheels so that I can make new, as one of the wheels is pinned to the axles there is not much I can do with them except bore the bearing bushes to fit. As the frame is bolted together strip it down this will alow me to cut the axle horns to the correct size and to get them square and a correct fit on the axle boxes. Then I have to remake all the linkages and valve motion etc etc

I've too much cash tied up in in for option 1.

As for option two having spent quite a bit of time hanging round the club track, I've noticed there are two types of loco's there are those that run like clockwork visit after visit the owners will turn up get them in steam and run round for a couple of hours only stopping for water and coal, and there are those that turn up do one lap of the track then something falls off siezes breaks they lose boiler presure can't keep the water level up etc etc etc this happens at every visit. I don't want this i want something that is going to be a decent runner so option two is out.

So its option three:- But I'm realy getting itchy feat to build the Dake engine, so I'm going to work on the loco until end of September try get as much done as I can, then build the Dake I know it looks a complicated engine on paper but their realy arn't that many parts to it and having given it lots of thought I recon there's only two or three months work in it, I will then dedicate the rest of the winter to finishing off the loco, so that by next spring I should have it finished with luck.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Maryak on August 28, 2012, 08:15:56 AM: From reading this, I hope you did not spend big money for what seems to be somebody else problems. You have my sympathy. It sure does not seem to be a quick way to the track.

Best Regards
Bob
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on August 28, 2012, 09:09:41 AM: Geez Stew....motion work too! Yikes! Sorry to hear than friend....I know you can sort it though...and I think your right in taking the "high road" ...even if it's number 3 on the list.....

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 29, 2012, 11:17:31 AM: Stew

It occurred to me rather than using email I should check over here to see how you were doing. I wasn't getting pinged by posts to the thread 'cos I hadn't subscribed to it :-[ Here now though.

We all knew you would go for option 3..............

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on August 29, 2012, 11:21:24 AM: Quote from: doubletop on August 29, 2012, 11:17:31 AM
Stew

It occurred to me rather than using email I should check over here to see how you were doing. I wasn't getting pinged by posts to the thread 'cos I had subscribed to it :-[ Here now though.

We all knew you would go for option 3..............

Pete

....... :Lol:....YUP!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 29, 2012, 05:35:55 PM: Thanks for your input and interest Guys

One of the things that I've been strugling with, is just how good do these things have to be, I know that for the thing to go round corners and for the axles to go up and down and for the thing to stay on the track you need some slack in the system but no one can tell you how much

Time to get a grip of the situation and get the bloody thing sorted

Up bright and early on in the shop after a bit of a rummage in the old stash i found the cast iron that a Guy gave me some time ago , a quick measure and whoopee I have enough for the axle boxes.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1980.jpg)

Next a rummage for some steel to make a puller and cam up with this bit of garage door

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1984.jpg)

Saw it in half then stick a 3/4" through the midle and a couple of 10mm clearance holes at each end, cut through into the 3/4" hole so that it makes a yolk to slip round the axle. Drill and tap the middle of the other peice M10 two more 10mm holes at the end to match with the first peice.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1985.jpg)

So you've got this

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1986.jpg)

I was telling one of the Guys at the club about my problems and he said the way to heat the wheel up to deactivate the loctite was do it nice and gently with a paint striiping heat gun:- so zapped one of the wheel for about 10 min to get it nice and hot then using leather gardening gloves assemble it to the puller.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1988.jpg)

Tighten the centre bolt up to give it a gentle squees and slowly she came off.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1991.jpg)

Repeat with the other axles and the jobs a good one.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1992.jpg)

This allowed the removal of the crap axle boxes, you can see one of their problems her as they were too narrow and the guys had bushed them with phos bronze bearing there wasn't enough meat to take them and the hole broke through the side. :facepalm:

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1993.jpg)

One wheel is pinned to the axle you can see the pin at the 5 oclock position on the left hand wheel axle.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1983.jpg)

The next big decision is do I drill out the pin and make new axles, or do a leiv them and make the bearing bushes to fit.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Bogstandard on August 29, 2012, 05:49:06 PM: Stew,

How could you do this post and not show what you showed me when you came around today?

John
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 29, 2012, 05:55:37 PM: Quote from: Bogstandard on August 29, 2012, 05:49:06 PM
Stew,

How could you do this post and not show what you showed me when you came around today?

John

No picture and i'm cooking tea :Jester:

And i thought i'd save them for later ::)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 29, 2012, 06:37:29 PM: Ho go on then

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_1994.jpg)
Picked up the set of laser cut linkages and motion works this afternoon, they will cut the old floor to floor time.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 30, 2012, 09:14:21 AM: Decided to go for it and remove the pinned wheels

:hammerbash:

Had a good study of the pin through a magnify glass as i was unsure if it was threaded or not, this confirmed that it was threaded but what size took the best measurement i could of it and consulted thread BA thread tables (this guy seemed favour BA) looked like 4 BA, so they by Mk 1 eye ball put a small centre pop in the middle of the pin, then gripping it in a chuck centred the mill on the centre pop, and clamped the chuck to the table centre drill then a No 33 drill (2.8mm) for 4BA core dia then drill the pin out.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1996.jpg)

A bit more heat from the heat gun and a gentle squese from the puller and off she came :ThumbsUp:

Repeat for the other two axles, and whilst i was on a roll decided to go for the crank pins that have to come out on the driving axle came out smooth as silk.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1999.jpg)

A lot happier now ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

I can start and put it back together as it should be.

Particularly as I picked up the laser cut links yesterday

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 30, 2012, 10:49:23 AM: Stew

I do like those laser cut parts and am especially envious of the combination levers. Reading the Don Ashton book on valve gear the combination levers are critical parts and the dimensions matter, especially the pin hole spacing. Mine are slightly different in dimension where they should both be the same for equivalent valve timing. Despite that I think I've got mine set up as well as I could but I really should make two more. Two of those laser cut parts would make it a no brainer and a couple of hours work to finish them.

Quote
(this guy seemed favour BA)

Well that's what the drawings say and the whole thing is drawn in imperial dimensions. Get nuts an bolts from BA Bolts http://www.ba-bolts.co.uk/ (http://www.ba-bolts.co.uk/) They arrive here in NZ within a week of placing an order

Its going to be like a sewing machine when you're done.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on August 30, 2012, 10:50:57 AM: Nice work Stew! Fixing things is often more time consuming than making it! :NotWorthy:

Glad you got it apart in one piece....that will help!

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Bearcar1 on August 30, 2012, 04:00:12 PM: Great going Stew. One has to wonder sometimes why on this Earth, some builders allow such disparity in building something. Perhaps their training using a yardstick was incomplete as a child, or they just did not care. It just seems to me that type of carelessness in achieving accuracy is a sin. (or it should be) You though seem to have it well sorted and I'm looking forward to more of your progress.

BC1
Jim
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 31, 2012, 09:49:54 AM: Stew

OK I've got to ask. You are now just about replacing/fixing everything so what about the cross heads and slide bars? The cross heads are an integral part of the valve gear so while you are at it...............?

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 31, 2012, 01:24:15 PM: Pete

I've decided that I may as well replace the cross head and fit a piston with cast iron rings instead of the PTFE that are fitted at the moment, I'm going to go the midland show in October so will order the bits from Blackgates to collect at the show.

I've been pondering why he fitted driving crank pins that were effectivly short with one side being shorter than the other that and the fact that the cross head had been mangled to miss the linkage got me thinking that the centre height of the cylinders may be short, the fix would be to pack them, I've made a mental note to check them when I've got the horns machined.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 31, 2012, 05:32:00 PM: Corrected the horn blocks today

As the frame was bolted it stripped down easily if it had been welded I'd have been stuffed.

First job from the drawing identify the datum hole and line the two sides up by putting a tight fitting number drill through the datum hole check all the other holes line up and bolt the frames together with some M4 screws.

Then from the datum hole find the correct position for the centre on the midle horn block and mark it with a centre pop, from this centre pop mark the 7 1/8 position to the other two horn block and mark these.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2001.jpg)

The frame is to big to machine all three horn blocks in one setting and the job realy needs two vices or to angle plates i've got one of each :scratch:

So put the vice in the midle of the table and grip the frame with one horn either side of the vice, and starting with the centre horn suport the other side of it with the angle plate when machined index to the other horn and move the angle plate over to support it whilst its machined

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2004.jpg)

To locate the centre of the midle horn use a pointer on the centre pop and zero the DRO

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2008.jpg)

I used a long long series milling cutter, its a regrind that I picked up at a show for no other reson that I may need it some time, nows its time.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2014.jpg)

Index over with an alowance for the cutter diameter and taking 1mm deep cut nible away the horn, index over the same amount to the other side and mill that side out.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2018.jpg)

A quik check with slip gauges shows it to be 1.247" that will do me.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2020.jpg)

Index over 7 1/8" to other horn swap the supporting angle plate over and mill that out the same

To do the remaining horn you have to take the fram out of the vice to reposition it, first clock the cut centre horn verticaly to check its in the vice square.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2027.jpg)

Then find the edge of this horn.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2028.jpg)

Index to its centre and zero the DRO then index over 7 1/8" to the remaining horn, machine this the same as the oother two.

this is an overall shot of the complete set up.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2040.jpg)

A check with slips and a vernier showed that width of each horn to be 1.247" 1.247" and 1.245" and the centre distance to be 7.127"and 7.124"

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2041.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2043.jpg)

That will do.

:D

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 31, 2012, 09:28:30 PM: Stew

Nice one and good to see that at least the frames were made as a pair, looks like you are at the bottom of the hole and beginning to climb out.

A guy at our club is refurbishing a Phantom (NZ origins) and h describes the frames as being made with a pick-axe and chisel. He's had new laser cut frames made but getting bodged bits to fit was a challenge.

Good to see you are doing the pistons and cross heads. Mine were completely shagged but that was clearly visible when I bought it so that was the first job I knew I had to do. Its better to bite the bullet now and get on with it while the whole thing is in bits or be prepared for a strip down later. I'm learning now that the crossheads and combination lever are an integral part of the valve timing so a rebuild later will mean resetting the valve timing. I'd recommend the Reeves castings as opposed the the Martin Evans fabrication. However, the Smifffy posting on his Royal Scott shows a Martin Evans alternative for more expert builders, if you want a challenge, http://www.markfsmith.com/ (http://www.markfsmith.com/).

The other consideration is how square the cylinders are in the frames. with the ends of the slide bars held in the motion plate the four parts can become a bit of a wonky parallelogram. I had just purchased a digital angle gauge (I think you've got one) I zeroed it on the stretcher over the eccentric then put it on the Valve chest covers. One was spot on the other about 0.2deg out. I had to shim and trim the slide bars to get them parallel to the piston rods over their length. Only about 25thou bit it was noticeable especially if too tight at one end. If its too loose you be bending the piston rods and wearing the glands. The other consideration with the slide bars is they take all the driving load as max power is at the top and bottom dead centre so the offset loads push against the bars. When the regulator is shut and you've got 6 people on board the pistons are acting like brakes and all the loads is going through the con rods, crossheads and into the slide bars. It worth getting them right. Get the book "how steam locomotives really work" by Semmens and Goldfinch, an eye opener to what is really going on and how important all these things are.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 08, 2012, 09:03:07 AM: Thanks for your input Pete its good to have a like minded person chipping in. As you said squarness is a big issue as with most engines, and its all to easily over looked, that a great link to the royal Scott build some good info. I think I'm going to make the crossheads myself, I've worked out a method and would like to give it a try, but thats a few months away.

Whilst i'd got the frames stripped thought I'd take the oportunity to tidy up a bit of butchery inflicted on them to line up the boiler blow down valve.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2044.jpg)

They key hole shape just didn't look like, so cleaned up the hole that was far from round.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2046.jpg)

Anbd turned up a top hat shaped plug the was a tight fit in the hole, when firmly fixed in placed filed the remaining hole to match, it looks a lot neater now.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2047.jpg)

I painted the frame parts first with a primer coat then a Hammerite Smooth came out a bit patchy but not too bad as most of the frame will be hidden behind things.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2077.jpg)

Had one bugger of a job to square up the frames I could get the driving and leading axles horns square but no way would the driving and trailing axles horns square up I tried all sorts of combinations of assembly bending and general jiggery pockery to try and get them square, in the end put it to one side whilst I did something else and godgitated on the problem, this morning I had a brain wave, check out the squareness of the streachers, sure enough the face of the streacher between the driving and trailing axles is out of square by quite some margine, so that needs making new.

Also found out that Loctite thread loc is a great paintstripper :Doh:

These are the axles I pulled the wheels off, you can see the fit was bodged by centre punching around it to make the tight fit on the wheel, this and the fact they were under size on the bearings propted me to make new.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2057.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2059.jpg)

So took delivery of some 3/4 mild steel bar,

First operation with a true running collet, centre drill each end and stick a oiling hole down the midle of each end.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2050.jpg)

Then cross drill 1.5mm into the oil hole this will make oiling the bearings easy.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2053.jpg)

Then between centres carfully turn down for a nice push tight fit in the wheels, you don't want this fit to tight or you'll split the casting but you don't want it too slack. The advantages of working between centres is that the two wheels will be running true and you can remove it to try the fit and put it back and it will still be true in the lathe.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2055.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2056.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2064.jpg)

I was planning to use some cast iron that I had in my stash box for the bearing blocks but when I came to cut it to size the first bit cut great but the second bit was glass hard I cocked up two slitting saws tring to cut it, it must have been chilled when cast it needs anealing, so gave that up as a bad job and order some material from Blackgates.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2054.jpg)

Just spent the last two days flycutting them to size.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2071.jpg)

More maching still needed to fit them into the horn blocks and drill to fit the axles, but thats a job for next week.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on September 08, 2012, 11:05:43 AM: Glad your doing the job right Stew.....I'm following along.

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on September 08, 2012, 01:02:34 PM: Looks like a lot of progress Stew. Looks good!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on September 08, 2012, 10:55:52 PM: Stew

Nice one I knew you would make sure you'd get it right. I see you've had the same experience as me with the hammerite paint, thining at the sharp edges and loctite is an effective paint stripper. I baked my frames in the barbecue at 200F to assist the curing process, you can just about get the whole thing in a 4 burner barbecue.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 16, 2012, 01:31:50 PM: Thanks for youre interest guys

Little more progress and corrective work this week.

Before I finished off the bearing blocks I was far from happy with the width of the horn blocks, they should all be the same width, but what I had got, was up to 1mm variation even from side to side and up and down on the same horn.

What was needed was to sit them on the front face and flash the back face off to make them all the same. To do this I needed to make a fixture and work out how to clamp the frame too it. For this I used the jig plate that I made some time ago, First clamp a chunk of ally to the jig plate and mill out a platform for the front face of the horns to sit on.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2080.jpg)

Turn the jig plate round 90 deg then sit the horn on the platform use the jig plate to clamp the frame down, starting with the thinest horn skim it off level, then repeat with the rest to the same zero setting on the mill, and they all ended up the same size and nice and parallel.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2082.jpg)

I then spent a good day trying to assemble the frame square, (measure across the diagonals to check for squareness) after trying to assemble the frame in all sorts of combination with twisting etc I had a think about what I hadn't checked that may effect squareness, checked the squarness of the streachers, sure enough the front streacher was out of square this was having the effect of pulling everything out so made a new streacher.

Old and new streacher

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2078.jpg)

That sorted it.

With the frame square and the horns all the same it was an easy job to mill the groove in the bearing blocks to fit in the horns, sorry no pic of this

Then it was a matter of drilling out first using centre drill then bigger and bigger drill up to 19mm and finishing off with a 3/4" hand reamer, I marked the blocks up so that I could assemble them in the same orientationas they were drilled.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2089.jpg)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2090.jpg)

Drill and tap for the spring hangers and drill the top for an oil hole.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2098.jpg)

Then final fitting by bell mouthing the groove so that the wheels will move laterly to take up unevenness in the track, what you're after is a nice smooth fit not too tight or the darn thing will derail.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2111.jpg)

And fitted in the frame

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2110.jpg)

Whilst I was maching I was also painting the frame and letting it dry, toward the end I had to start a new can of paint for some reason it started to look even more patchy than my usual crap painting so gave it another coat even worse :scratch:

Checked can :Doh: Dark Green not Black that will teach me to shop without my glasses.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on September 17, 2012, 06:56:00 AM: Stew

That's all looking great. Now just check the cylinders are also square and lined up properly and you are set for getting that sewing machine running nicely. I recall you are already re-doing the motion plates.

Quote from: sbwhart on September 16, 2012, 01:31:50 PM

Checked can :Doh: Dark Green not Black that will teach me to shop without my glasses.

........ and re-check the label before applying. Been there done that with cans of black and red, I had been using the black put it down and then picked up the red.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 17, 2012, 07:13:57 AM: Thanks Pete,

Got it noted down to check cylinders, I have a sneaky fealing that they stand out from the frames short and by different amounts, I've decides to compleatly rebuild all the links cross heads and motion plates, that way i will only have myself to blame if it don't work:- but that will be a winter job for know I'm going to get the wheels quartered, and the coupling rods built then its onto the dake build.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 20, 2012, 04:08:23 PM: Bit more done not many pics this time as it was mainly boring stuff.

As the crank pins and been bodged the same as the axles decided to make new just a nice hand tight fit in the wheel then some loctite.

Then using the quartering jig and high strength loctite secure the wheels in place, it doesn't mater if they are out a deg or two but all wheels must be out the same using the jig makes this job a doddle.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2114_zpsefd6de71.jpg)

After letting the locite do it curring thing tried them in the frame :Doh: i'd put one axle block on the wrong way, nothing for it but to pull the wheel off, with the origonal axles they came off easy after a bit of heat from the heat gun, but this there was more resistance I was shitting myself that I would crack the wheel so a bit more heat and another go still nothing, so a lot more heat and another go this time bang:--- :( crapped pants:- but it was only the loctite giving way. I supose thats what you get when you do the job correct :D

Made new axles box and spring keeps and fitted the springs, I was assembling the last pair of springs when Murphy struck, I slipped and:- ping one of the springs disapeared a quick search and nothing:- plan B, clean the shop nothing:- plan C, call CSI in for a forensic search nothing:- plan D, order a new set of springs and its bound to turn up. That worked took a casual glance and their it was peeping out from under the mini wheel lauging at me. plan E cansel new set of springs.

:ROFL: :ROFL: :Jester: :Jester:

Her it is all assembled.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2115_zpsdc00dc87.jpg)

Also took delivery of a trolly lift to help move the thing about and load and unload it from the car, bin looking for one of these for some time and Dek spotted these on ebay ?200 free delivery a good ?50 saving on other supliers:- Thanks Dek :thumbup:

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2116_zpsafefac49.jpg)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on September 21, 2012, 09:29:45 AM: Stew

Another great job I was feeling for you when you described removing the wheels again. I recall you have a bit of wheel problem with your other loco I can imagine what was going through your head.

Nice trolley too, now you just need to do the rotisserie mod. Best thing I did it makes all the difference to being able to rotate it with one finger and easily get to everything. I can post the pics if you want. Sorry no drawings, I was told where the CofG of a Simplex was above the buffer CL and built it on the fly.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 21, 2012, 02:11:56 PM: thanks Pete a pic of the rotisserie would be great, I'm going to adpot the one I made for the 3 1/2" loco.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on September 21, 2012, 09:34:55 PM: Stew

I have the same trolley so, just like you I can load the loco into and our of the car but have adapted it to include the rotisserie. Without removing it I can get the loco into out of the car, jack it up to working height attach it to the rotisserie and then drop the table to work on the loco.

(http://i.imgur.com/9kFJ2bL.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/ZYEc7q8.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/QIjBoYV.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/djXNE6S.jpg)

Levitation!!

(http://i.imgur.com/L9npUWF.jpg)

I don't have any long shots but can do more pics of detail if you wish

Its all done in aluminum tube and plate, our local supplier is literally 5 mins from the house they'll supply stock lengths or you can go into the workshop and rummage through the stock and scrap and they'll cut and sell by weight.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 21, 2012, 09:51:32 PM: Ho my now that is handy, I was going to attache the rotisserie to the top of the table, thats got me thinking in another direction, I'd have to buy some ally section but I think I may do something similar now.

Quote from: doubletop on September 21, 2012, 09:34:55 PM

(http://i747.photobucket.com/albums/xx112/doubletop/Simplex/17001.jpg)

In this pic whats that hole for in the running board in front of the lubricator through into the top of the steam chest is it so you can get oil into the steam chest when you store the loco ?.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on September 22, 2012, 08:39:16 AM: They are both good ideas, the stand and the hole for oil in valve chest, I've seen some people put plugs in the side of the chest, sure it's a useful addition.

We're having trouble with our club simplex at the moment I'm told. It was left by the family of a long serving member who sadly passed away early in the year. They've lapped the valves in and fitted new piston rings - it seems to make lots of steam and noise but have little power! Strange because I remember driving it years ago and it was fantastic. They've made a new boiler so I think it's something to do with either the regulator or the wet header, they must have introduced some further restriction somewhere. Sure they'll get to the bottom of it.

Helped them set up for a portable track event yesterday at the Shildon Railway museum - luckily it's only a couple of miles from my house so thought I should definitely be helping!

Nick
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on September 22, 2012, 08:39:53 AM: Stew

I was following a thread on MECH on work tables and one of the examples had been mounted directly on a lifting table and another had the pivot points on jacks. They got me thinking how I could best could use the jacking function of the table and get the loco on and off without a major dis-assembly. So what you see is what I came up with. As the table lifts to about 700mm that's the height the loco ends up at, perfect for sitting on a chair to work if you want or perfect to stand over, and nothing is in the way. I also thought the whole thing would be top heavy and unstable, it isn't I can trundle the whole lot around with no problems, a bit of care need on the drive, but if you are going any distance you can get it on to the table and lower it.

There is one mod I need to do. Currently the loco is mounted to the pivot plates with 8mm bolts through the buffer holes in the beams. The future state needs to have fixed pegs in the pivot plates that slot into the buffer stocks when buffers are removed. So just a case of, pivot the front end frame out of the way, undo the 4 nuts holding in the buffers, remove the buffers and springs , pivot up the end frame, slot the plates into the stocks. Bolt up the end frame and press the table 'down' peddle to get it out of the way.

Yes those holes are lube points for the valve chests, there's also one in the front cylinder cover. Necessary with CI cylinders, pistons and valves.

Hope that helps

regards

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on September 22, 2012, 12:19:28 PM: I like that rotisserie alot! I'll have to file that one away!

Nice work!

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on October 07, 2012, 07:48:08 PM: Well things havn't come to a standstill on this just a bit slow plus I had a thick.

Cleaned up the coupling rods as they were laser cut this just ment cleaning the hard scale off heat effected edge this was easiliy done with an old file then they were given a good going over with emery cloth.

Then after carfully measuring the axle centres set them up in the mill and using the DRO drill for the bearings at the correct centre distances.

With that done i had to make a jig from a chunk of ally to hold the rods on their side for thining them out and cutting the flute with a woodruff cutter.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2156.jpg)

Then using a slitting saw cut the tang for the tennon

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2159.jpg)

Then cut the tennon in the other link.

Then made the phos bronze bushes sorry no pics of this just a simple turning job.

As I'd carfully made everything at the correct centers i was full of confidence that it was just a matter know of fitting the bearing and away we go NO i was wrong the darn thing locked up, checked everything ok all correct still locked up :scratch: this was the start of my thicky week I tried everything to try and get it to turn over opened out the bushes this worked but resulted in a very sloppy fit not happy with that measured and re measured swappped thing arround still no good.

Saturday morning came round without sucess and went to a club charity steam up, got talking to some of the wise old guys, "you have made the bushes excentric havn't you and made everything a lose fit":- "no i've made everything a good fit and concentric":- "well thats were you've gone wrong you should make the two outside bushes excentric and a lose fit crank pin, you then rotate the bushes in the rods until you get the sweet spot wher the loco turn over mark their position and fix them with some loctite retainer.

This morning up bright and early turned some bushes up with and 0.5mm off set fitted them as advised job done in three hours:--- you can't beat a bit of experience

:D :D :D

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/131_2162.jpg)

Thats it the loco is going away for a few monthe whilst I build the dake

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on October 07, 2012, 09:45:39 PM: Was wondering where you'd been.

Quote from: sbwhart on October 07, 2012, 07:48:08 PM
...plus I had a thick.

I hadn't heard that one before. I think I got it from the context of your post. Glad all worked out.

Quote from: sbwhart on October 07, 2012, 07:48:08 PM
Thats it the loco is going away for a few monthe whilst I build the dake

What? Noooooooo!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on October 08, 2012, 06:35:20 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on October 07, 2012, 07:48:08 PM

............................ got talking to some of the wise old guys, "you have made the bushes excentric havn't you and made everything a lose fit":- "no i've made everything a good fit and concentric":- "well thats were you've gone wrong you should make the two outside bushes excentric and a lose fit crank pin, you then rotate the bushes in the rods until you get the sweet spot wher the loco turn over mark their position and fix them with some loctite retainer.

I recall our discussion about how much slack you need in the system to enable it to go round corners and allow for suspension movement.

Of course you did have 1/8" packers under the axle boxes when you found those sweet spots? (only kidding it probably doesn't make any difference)

Great job as usual

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stuart on October 08, 2012, 07:56:49 AM: Stew

One of the accepted methods ( D Hewson ) is not to bore the leading and tailing axel boxes to finished size , but do bore the centre one to size,

make up the rods as per drawing complete with bushes as required.

then fit a dummy stub axel with a stub to fit the centre rod crank pin , make up and fit tool makers buttons to fit the leading and trailing rod ends , with axle boxes in the horns bolt the buttons through the boxes with the rod in place, ( the axle centres and the rod centres are now in agreement )

remove the front and trailing axle boxes , chuck up in four jaw centre up the button and bore the axle box to size

Stuart
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on October 11, 2012, 09:08:03 PM: Nice 1 Stew, the quality of that chassis is a million miles from what it was before now :ThumbsUp:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 11, 2013, 04:43:39 PM: Well I guess its time i brought you all up to date with this project, I must admit I've been a little remis at taking picture the reason being is my trusty old shop camera started playing silly buggers, and I've only just got a replacement.

So what have i been up to:- well I've more or less remade everything you see in this picture, this doesn't include the cylinders and vlave chest, but everything else I've remade including fitting cast iron pistons and rings.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC00019_zps3818bad9.jpg)

This is my pile of bits I've scrapped off so far.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC00020_zps938b37b6.jpg)

Still got a few more bits to make:- motion plate bits for the lifting link and valve link, when these bits are done I will have everything to start putting it back together but I I know this will take a bit of fitting and fetling to make everything to look buisness like. I'm getting a bit fed up with the project so before i put it together I'm planning on a quicky engine build, my simple horizontal mill engine.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 12, 2013, 11:06:32 PM: Stu

I'd wondered where you'd been with this. I occasionally came back to check just in case I'd missed a notification. It looks like you've been making good progress in the background.

Whats this getting fed up and doing something else? You've done the hard part and you must be pretty close to assembly and running on air. (in fact I suspect you are probably holding out on us and have had it together and just took it apart again for the photo ;) )

With the boiler already done and most of the platework available its not much further to go to steaming and get it ready to run this summer, and not next.

Keep going mate.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on April 13, 2013, 01:07:38 AM: I'm with Pete on that one. I'd really like to see more of this build.
Title: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on April 13, 2013, 09:41:50 AM: Think sometimes you need a break during big projects like this. Probably why it takes many people years and years to complete locos, you can't see the end and there are so many other things that distract in the mean time! Stew I saw Lawrence the other day ip at Bishopton and had chance to have a good chat. It's great that your skill and enthusiasm is rubbing off on younger generations, sound like him and his son are getting interested in model engineering thanks to you - nice 1.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 13, 2013, 09:03:48 PM: Pete/Zee

Thanks for looking in, I promis :mischief: I'll post some more on this now that I've got a new shop camera, the problem when you start getting fed up with a project you're concentration flags and thing can sloppy with the build, a short divertion is what is needed. Before I start on the home streach.

Nick:- Lawrence and his son Dan have just been visiting spent a short time in the shop showing them a few techniques, Dan as done some magic work with 3D cad animation.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 14, 2013, 08:50:17 AM: Finished of the expansion link assembly this morning.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC00022_zps720a2b56.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC00022_zps720a2b56.jpg.html)

Its the bit that puts the loco in reverse

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 14, 2013, 10:33:10 AM: Another cracking job there Stew

BTW how did you hold the pivot pins in? I had to remake mine and used Loctite first time round. I ended up having to strip down the gear again and silver soldering them in after two of the pins fell out whilst running. Suddenly everything got a bit lumpy, a sure sign of a valve gear fault.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 14, 2013, 10:46:19 AM: Pete

I just made them a tight hammer fit and pened them into a chamferd back end and cleaned them up with a file, I hope thats enough I did think about soldering them. The ones that I replaced were lose and one had been silver soldered as well as being filed into an oval.

I must admit thase little pins and screws you find dotted arround a Loco, I think are a weak point with them, where i've made new I've replaced the BA screws with metric as you can get nylock nuts for them, also you can get cap screws i know they are not in keeping but i think they cut down the chance of thing comming adrift. I have a theory that if you went round a model loco track with a metal detector you'd find enough screws to det you're selv up in buisness :naughty:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 15, 2013, 07:06:27 AM: When the pins fell out I got the inevitable "I wouldn't have done that, there are some loads in the valve gear" I didn't question it I made sure they weren't coming out.

I get your point on keeping fixings in place. On first assembly everything is spotlessly clean and nicely thread locked. Then you get it running on air and something needs to be modified, so it comes apart again , but now its covered in oil. Then you get it running on steam and more disassembly and reassembly as things are tweeked. It never quite goes back together the way it did the first time. That creates the opportunity for bits to fall off later. So if, like me, you're doing this as a club runabout the nylock nut idea is a good one.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 12, 2013, 05:40:18 PM: Picked up the cudgel on this again, I left off, where I just needed to make the motion plate and one more link arm thingy. Before I started on the motion plate tried a lose assembly just to see how things lined up in case I needed to make a small adjustment to it, and it was clear that with my new linkage there was no way things would line up, particularly with the left hand side of the loco so did a bit of measuring and

:censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

The position of the valve rod on the left hand steam chest is only out by 5mm there is no way that the linkage will miss the slide bars and the right hand one is out by 2mm.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00439_zpsc7d0704c.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00439_zpsc7d0704c.jpg.html)

The lines indicate where it should be.

:censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

This explains why the linkage on the loco when I bought it were all bent and cut about in short they had been well bodged.

Decided I'd better check a few more things out ports in the cylinder ok, they took a good look at the slide valve

:censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored: :censored:

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00437_zps4c0bc236.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00437_zps4c0bc236.jpg.html)

The pocket in the face of the valve should be in the centre there is no way this would work, the narrow slot should be closer to the edge by about 3mm.

I have only two options buy new casting but I'm allergic to that word buy or rework the existing ones some way. With the steam chest I can cut the crap bits off drill and tap a hole in the correct position and screw and Loctite in some new bosses so correcting the error, with the slide valve there is no way to correct them so I've ordered some cast iron bar to make new.

So to fix the steam chest.

As nothing is square on this darn thing first thing I had to do was give myself a square face so clamped the cylinder to an angle plate fastened the steam chest to it and skimmed off its back face square, I can use this to ensure that the valves rods work parallel with the pistons.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00447_zps6985a4bd.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00447_zps6985a4bd.jpg.html)

Then using this square face clamp the steam chest onto the angle plate, line up on the scribed lines and zero the DRO

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00448_zps222fbb37.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00448_zps222fbb37.jpg.html)

Machine the boss off and skim another face square.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00449_zps073ac6eb.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00449_zps073ac6eb.jpg.html)

Come back to the zero position and as the hole is out of position trying to drill through would cause the drill to wonder, so use a slot drill to take away the hole.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00450_zpsd6eafce3.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00450_zpsd6eafce3.jpg.html)

Then drill and tap 1/2"*32 ME

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00451_zps8f80eec6.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00451_zps8f80eec6.jpg.html)

The surgery on the other end was not as drastic as this just had a 3/16" hole that guides the tail of the valve rod, so with this one centre on the cross lines and drill through and tap 3/8"*32 ME

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00454_zpscc11264f.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00454_zpscc11264f.jpg.html)

Turn up and thread a couple of plugs

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00453_zps4a290cc6.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00453_zps4a290cc6.jpg.html)

And screw them in good and tight with stud lock.

Remark the correct position, and set back up on the angle plate, pick up on the cross lines, drill and ream through 3/16 and drill and tap the top boss 3/8"*32 ME for the valve gland.

The front boss needs to be drilled 3/16" dead in line with the rear boss so I used a long series centre drill for this.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00456_zpsda1dc8b0.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00456_zpsda1dc8b0.jpg.html)

Need to make or buy a long series 3/16" drill to finish off, but before I got that far I got one of those Dad can you help calls from my daughter.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 13, 2013, 07:14:12 AM: Stew

I applaud your restraint, I'd be seriously pissed off by now. At least you know its going to be right in the end.

On the plus side there's a possibility of another article for ME for you "Buying a second hand loco". Apart from the boiler you've come across most of the things to look for.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on June 13, 2013, 10:13:29 AM: Yeah I second that Stew - the good news is, I am sure it is going to run really well when finished. I think the article should be titled "never buy a 2nd hand unfinished loco" It'd have been impossible to predict / inspect for all this. Note to self: only ever buy something if it can be seen running and tried out!

Mind you, this is how I started off in the hobby, buying things that needed work or finishing off, I got fairly lucky I think. I've got Mabel to do but that seems reasonably well made - the steam roller on the other hand is another story - might end up putting that one down to experience!

Nick
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on June 13, 2013, 11:32:16 AM: Stew,

I've seen you deal with far worse...though that is bad...but you found it, and corrected it. Success is in the future friend! Take heart...it's going to be right!

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 13, 2013, 04:44:49 PM: Quote from: doubletop on June 13, 2013, 07:14:12 AM
Stew

I applaud your restraint, I'd be seriously pissed off by now. At least you know its going to be right in the end.

On the plus side there's a possibility of another article for ME for you "Buying a second hand loco". Apart from the boiler you've come across most of the things to look for.

Pete

The thought did pass my mind Pete, but I'm mind full that it may be read by the original builder or someone may recognise it, having said that I suppose I've slagged it off enough on the Forums

I'm keeping my fingers crossed with the boiler but I have got a test certificate for it tested at 180PSI

Nick its defiantly a case of BUYER BEWARE I've been lucky (if you can call it that) I have been able to fix most of the problems so far

There is a very nice running loco at the club for sale for £2000 if it had been on the market last year I would have bought, and was very temped to buy it just to get me on the rails whilst I fixed the Simplex but a club member pointed out if I did that I'd never complete the Simplex as I would have lost the motivation.

Which I guess is true.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: arnoldb on June 13, 2013, 07:40:41 PM: Good going on the fixes Stew :ThumbsUp:

I guess there's a reason well-running fully built locos are so expensive ;)

Kind regards, Arnold
Title: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on June 13, 2013, 10:20:37 PM: Yeah, there is a massive amount of work in them, £2000 I would say is fairly cheap for a decent 5" gauge. I agree with the guy in the club, you're so close now that buying one would be a bit pointless, I think it'll be much more satisfying for you running this one.

Then you can get back to Mabel!!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 14, 2013, 07:42:53 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on June 13, 2013, 04:44:49 PM

The thought did pass my mind Pete, but I'm mind full that it may be read by the original builder or someone may recognise it, having said that I suppose I've slagged it off enough on the Forums

Stew

It depends how you go about it. If you were to acknowledge that there is a huge range of skills, experience and levels of equipment out there in our hobby, but regardless of the outcome anybody who has attempted anything has to be applauded. Equally those of us who have done re-refurbishments have set our own standards to work too and we're happy with the results. The purpose would be an informative piece for anybody contemplating a purchase like this to understand what to look out for and what could be in store for them. We both went into our refurbishments with our eyes open but in your case you've learned a bit more.

Depending what you paid for the loco if your boiler is good you could look at it that you purchased a boiler and got some loco parts with it. One of the guys in our club has had a similar experience to you with a 7.25" Phantom. Amongst a number of other things he had to have the frames re-made fortunately his loco came with a professionally made boiler so that helped him reconcile the situation.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 14, 2013, 07:56:48 AM: Quote from: doubletop on June 14, 2013, 07:42:53 AM
Quote from: sbwhart on June 13, 2013, 04:44:49 PM

The thought did pass my mind Pete, but I'm mind full that it may be read by the original builder or someone may recognise it, having said that I suppose I've slagged it off enough on the Forums

Stew

It depends how you go about it. If you were to acknowledge that there is a huge range of skills, experience and levels of equipment out there in our hobby, but regardless of the outcome anybody who has attempted anything has to be applauded. Equally those of us who have done re-refurbishments have set our own standards to work too and we're happy with the results. The purpose would be an informative piece for anybody contemplating a purchase like this to understand what to look out for and what could be in store for them. We both went into our refurbishments with our eyes open but in your case you've learned a bit more.

Depending what you paid for the loco if your boiler is good you could look at it that you purchased a boiler and got some loco parts with it. One of the guys in our club has had a similar experience to you with a 7.25" Phantom. Amongst a number of other things he had to have the frames re-made fortunately his loco came with a professionally made boiler so that helped him reconcile the situation.

Pete
Very good point about any prospective article Pete as long as the right tone is set it should be OK, if I do one I think I will take that approach.As for the loco it cost me as much as a new boiler, so as you say I bought a boiler with a few loco parts thrown in that's a very positive way of looking at it. :ThumbsUpStew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 21, 2013, 09:27:13 AM: Time for an update

With the long reach drill finished off the rework to the steam chest

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00460_zps3518157d.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00460_zps3518157d.jpg.html)

Re worked the other steam chest to correct that one.

As a finishing touch to the chest I drilled a and taped a 5/32*32 ME hole into the side of the chest and made a brass screw in plug, this is so when you do your clan down after a run you can squirt some oil or Wd40 into the chest and push the loco a couple of feet so that the oil goes down into the cylinder and so prevent the cast iron piston rusting into the cast iron cylinders.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00463_zps1846dc01.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00463_zps1846dc01.jpg.html)

I then made some new slide valves form a nice bit of Meanite Continuous Cast Iron from Blackgates, and I must say it was beautiful stuff to machine, I also made some new cross bars and valve rods from stainless steel.

Her's the job having a trial assembly everything lines up as it should do

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00461_zps0df7bbfa.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00461_zps0df7bbfa.jpg.html)

Finally I am now at the stage where I can start to make the motion plate.

:Lol:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on June 21, 2013, 11:32:31 AM: Well done Stew..Another nicely done example demonstrating your excellent skills....I knew you would sort it!

Dave
Title: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: ths on June 22, 2013, 06:53:29 AM: You really got hold of a crock with that engine Stew. It's been great to see what you've been able to do with it, but so much of it is new work. Sill, it'll be a goer when finished.

Cheers, Hugh.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 22, 2013, 01:02:59 PM: Stew

Another great piece of work there. This loco is going to run well

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 22, 2013, 02:21:40 PM: Thanks for checking in guys

I made a start on the motion plate got it all marked when I came to the last feature I realised that I needed 2 5/8 wide plate not 2 1/2 wide plate :facepalm: so I have some on order in the mean time I'm doing a bit of tidying up on the linkage rubbing out machining marks and so on.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 14, 2013, 11:22:11 AM: Sorry that I've not done an update on this for some time chaps but a lot of my time for the last few months has been taken up with holidays (artic circle) birthdays and anniversaries, the biggest of which was our 40th, spent a lovely weekend with all the family around us, it was really nice seeing our three grand kids all playing together.

Any way on the simplex front I reworked the steam chest and made new slide valves. Next up was making new motion plates these were fabricated from 5/16" plate and angle iron riveted together. I simple stuck the two plates together with two way tape and a pin, then marked the part out and milled it out to shape.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00465_zpsaf8a2318.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00465_zpsaf8a2318.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00470_zpsfcc68b90.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00470_zpsfcc68b90.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00514_zpse9c17322.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00514_zpse9c17322.jpg.html)

This is the finished motion plate

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00566_zps7c83c27d.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00566_zps7c83c27d.jpg.html)

I also made new lifting block for the reverser and the lifting link the block for the lifting link was an interesting job it has a 4" curve that required the use of the RT.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00563_zpse763010c.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00563_zpse763010c.jpg.html)

This is the block the little bit with a hole in it assembled in the curve of the link I made two together.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00565_zpsd21f908f.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00565_zpsd21f908f.jpg.html)

I also moded my engine assembly manipulator to fix the simplex this makes it easyr to turnthe engine over to get to each side far better than mauling it around to get to the part you want to

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00569_zps6afa0b7e.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00569_zps6afa0b7e.jpg.html)

The rest of the work was all about fitting bit cleaning them and getting them to work correctly, I spent a good few days trying to chase out tightness in the end I traced it down to one of the piston rings standing proud by about 0.002" it was sorted by cutting the groove in the piston a little deeper.

This is the state of play so far

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00570_zps49c23b5f.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00570_zps49c23b5f.jpg.html)

I hoping to try it out on air in two or three weeks time so keep your fingers crossed.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on August 14, 2013, 11:32:22 AM: It looks spot on now Stew, I have no doubt it's going to run just fine.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Deko on August 14, 2013, 06:55:33 PM: So that's where you bin hiding, way up "norf", bet you had a whale of a time. :facepalm: The loco is looking a thousand percent better than when you bought it, but the I would expect no less from you Stew. :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:

Cheers Dek. :old:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 14, 2013, 09:20:19 PM: Quote from: Deko on August 14, 2013, 06:55:33 PM
So that's where you bin hiding, way up "norf", bet you had a whale of a time. :facepalm: The loco is looking a thousand percent better than when you bought it, but the I would expect no less from you Stew. :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:

Cheers Dek. :old:

Just a bit

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Modmodder/IMG_1206_zps2f109c3b.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Modmodder/IMG_1206_zps2f109c3b.jpg.html)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 15, 2013, 07:02:31 AM: About time to! anybody would think you've been having along hot summer up there.

What is the paint you've used? It looks a nice durable finish.

It will be soon time to get hold of a copy of Don Ashtons valve gear book. It makes all the difference to understanding how to get it set up correctly.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 15, 2013, 07:50:32 AM: Thanks for your interest Pete/Dek

The paints Hammerite Black Smooth Finish, I'm thinking of marking it up as a War Department Loco complete with government arrow 8) I don't wont anything too fancy so that would suite just fine.

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 15, 2013, 09:19:15 AM: Well it looks like it went on way better than mine and the way I had expected it turn out. Spray can (rattle) or out of a tin and sprayed or hand painted?

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 15, 2013, 09:52:32 AM: Pete:- I ain't no Rembrant when it comes to paint, no mater how I try I get runs and bubbles and things, I think my problem is that in my head painting is just stopping me getting on with things that I like, you have to take you're time with it, so it just gets in your way, I just want it to look tidy. It always intrigues me when you look at old photos of locos fresh out of the paint shop all gleaming and clean, then you looks at photos of loco that have done a bit of work the contrast couldn't be more different, they look filthy all smoke blackened and grimy, I think a touch of realism doesn't go amiss. You can see this with loco's at the club some are lovingly cleaned and polished after each run, others just have the smoke and ash cleaned away and a good oiling, the paint work is left untouched, you speak to the owners and they say they prefer honest muck on their engine. One thing I noticed on the polished engines is that the paint gets rubbed off the rivet heads, so you get a line of brass rivets sticking out above the pristine paint spoiling the effect.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 15, 2013, 10:05:12 AM: Stew

I've never been miuch good at painting either but got luck with the way came mine out OK. But I was disappointed with the Hammerite smooth. Hammerite normally makes a crap job look good. Mine made a good job look crap.

You seem to have got it right so how was the paint applied?

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 15, 2013, 10:23:01 AM: It was put on with a rattle can. The only thing I do different from the normal is warm the can up in hot water or the sun I also warm the part UP if I can its a trick we did at work. Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 15, 2013, 10:40:36 AM: That may well be the trick. Mine thinned at the sharp edges. Then again down here we could be getting some shoddy local version that has isn't quite the same as the real stuff from Blighty.

There's a similar problem with Marmite down here (that is now going to start a UK Marmite vs NZ Marmite vs Vegimite sideshow and the US guys are going to wonder what is going on)

Back to Hamerite I'll check the source of a can when I'm back outside.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2013, 10:37:19 AM: I remade the reversing quadrant the one that came with the loco was a bit rough so I remade it.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00593_zps516a67be.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00593_zps516a67be.jpg.html)

The notches still need cutting but that won't be done until the valve are set.

Now I wonder if any one can give me a bit of advice on how to sort out the next problem I've come across.:-

I've tried a number of time to assemble the coupling rods and get it so that the wheel rotate coupled together but no mater how I tried they lock up, if I open the bearing out by 0.032" they will rotate over half a turn but lock up.

I measured the axle centres in the frame and they are correct within 0.004" and everything is square, I've checked the crank pins quartering out at they are spot on all the same on all three axles, I've checked the coupling rod centres out and they are spot on the correct centre distance, the only way I can get the wheels to turn over anything like is two make the bearings in the coupling rods big by 0.40 that is far to slack to my mind. The only thing that I haven't worked on is the throw of the crank they are how the original builder made them, so checked the throw out

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00595_zps3d3e3e7d.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00595_zps3d3e3e7d.jpg.html)

The throw should be 1.0625" but it is far more important that the throw on the crank pins are all the same:-

What I got was axle 1 :- 1.087" and 1.092" axle 2 1.074" and 1.083" axle 3 1.080" and 1.063" so they are far from consistent there is up to 0.030 variation.

Ok hers the ? is this too much variation

Do I need to correct this and how

The only way I can think of correcting it is to recut the crank pin hole in the wheel to the next size up at the correct distance and fitting new crank pins.

Is there any Loco builders out there who can point me in the correct direction.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 28, 2013, 10:48:52 AM: Stew

I like the reverser and have a quadrant on my 'to do' list. The screw reverser is a PITA winding is back and forth and its never clear where its set to when in full forward and the indicator is down the side of the boiler. To easy to park up and leave it 'engaged' for the fiddle squad to come along open the regulator.

I can't answer your question, but my first thought was that somebody had advised somewhere making eccentric bushes and rotating them to find the sweet spot? Was it here? I assume they are only required for the leading an trailing crank pins

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2013, 11:01:35 AM: Hi Pete thanks for your reply.

I've tried that but for this problem it doesn't help for that too work the throws need to be all the same and the axle centres out, that was one of the things that was making me scratch my head, I couldn't figure out what was wrong it was only when I started of thinking about the effects from crank pin throw error and drawing it out that I started to explain the effect I was getting.

Its a right head banger of a problem that takes a bit of figuring out :insane:

Thanks again Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 28, 2013, 11:07:22 AM: Stew

So how about enlarging the crank pin holes and making eccentric crank pins so they can be installed at the correct PCD?

Then eccentric bushes to remove any quartering errors that may get introduced?

EDIT - Thinking a bit more; no need to touch the wheels. just make new pins eccentric but at slightly reduced diameter and remake the bushes to the new pin size.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2013, 11:16:32 AM: Pete

That's what I'm coming round to:- just ordered an 8.5mm end mill to recut the holes at the correct throw and a 11/32 reamer to bring them to the next size I'll have to make new crank pins to suite the bigger size, its the only way I can think of getting things correct, the next option is a new set of wheel but that will cost over £100 :hellno:

There is not much of this engine that I haven't had to rework, I'm beginning to think I'm being to finicky, but with that amount of error I just can't see how I would have a good runner which is what I'm after.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 28, 2013, 11:28:05 AM: Does this mean you are going to have to take the wheels off the axles (again?). Was it you who had your heart in your mouth the last time?

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2013, 12:17:48 PM: EDIT - Thinking a bit more; no need to touch the wheels. just make new pins eccentric but at slightly reduced diameter and remake the bushes to the new pin size.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm That my be worth thinking about

Yes it was me heart in mouth doing that, but this time the axles will be a better fit, they were a bit slack as originally made, so I remade them with a better fit so an even more worrying operation, that one reason I'm looking for alternatives.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Captain Jerry on August 28, 2013, 12:48:56 PM: Stew

I know absolutely nothing about locos but it seems that the one pin at 1.063" is the biggest offender, and if it is on the same side as the pin at 1.092" then the spacing between those pins varies by .058" in a rotation of 180° or half a turn. Would it help to just remake that one pin and bring it into the range between 1.092" and 1.080" and maybe remake the 1.092" as well. Would a spread of .010" be good enough?

Jerry
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 28, 2013, 02:55:59 PM: That may be the way to go Jerry. I talked the problem through with my wife and she suggested the same thing correct the outlier on each side should bring them all within 0.010" that way I will only need to take two wheels off the axles cutting the odds down of getting a disaster.

Thanks for your input Jerry and Pete and my Boss (Dot) I really needed to bounce this problem off a few people.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 28, 2013, 08:56:16 PM: Stew

And no need to go through the grief of splitting the wheels. I remembered this morning why I had these lying around on my "useful bits and bobs" shelf, from when I replaced my drive pins.

(http://i.imgur.com/unCeyB4.jpg)

They are what I used to press out my pins using a hydraulic press. plate with pin goes on the back of the drive pin and the sleeve goes over the pin on the outside. It's possible to then rig it in the press with the axle between the rails of the press.

(http://media.supercheapauto.com.au/sca/images/214467.jpg)

I'm sure you know what I mean

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on August 28, 2013, 09:15:04 PM: I was just going to suggest the same as Jerry - the 1.063 and 1.074 pins are the biggest offenders. If you can remake those so that they are bang in the middle of the rest of the group this might solve the problem.

Yeah, wonder if there's enough meat to thin them down or would it be easier to make new pins given that they'd be awkward to hold and you'd have to make new bearings etc.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 29, 2013, 07:27:40 AM: Thanks for the discussion Pete/Jerry and Nick

I think what I'm going to do is correct the outliers the 1.063 and the 1.074 they are on opposite sides so that should bring the error within 0.010" I think that is live-able with I can open out the bearings to accommodate this error, and it will mean I only have to take off two wheels, reducing the odds for a disaster.

I have a puller that I made when I stripped the wheels down before that worked well

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1986_zps0ac9644e.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/131_1986_zps0ac9644e.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1988_zps824ce393.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/131_1988_zps824ce393.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/131_1991_zpsac765e6a.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/131_1991_zpsac765e6a.jpg.html)

I used the same method to squeeze out the crank pins.

I just have to wait for the end mill and reamer to arrive before I give it a go.

Keep your fingers crossed for me

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Maryak on August 29, 2013, 08:23:41 AM: Stew,

Just an idea:

If you have enough Z axis on the mill could you use your puller as a clamp and a piece of pipe, with a big enough id to admit a wheel, or blocks, or a couple of half sections of smaller pipe mount the whole on the table and have at the other wheel? This would perhaps save you from pulling the axle apart again with the risk of fracturing a wheel.

Food for thought maybe.

Best Regards
Bob
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 29, 2013, 10:59:49 AM: Stew

What I am suggesting doesn't require wheel sets splitting or crank pin holes re-boring, just two pins removed and replaced. Before you do any major surgery it's worth a go even to just prove the hypothesis, and could even be put back the way it was if needed.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 29, 2013, 08:38:33 PM: Bob~:- Thanks for the suggestion

Peter:~ I've been giving your suggestion about turning eccentric pins some thought it's only weakness is that you have to assemble them in a precise orientation, which will be difficult.

So:- this morning up bright and early I executed plan A correct the outliers on each side, the first job was to pull the wheels off the axles and press out the crank pins, so with fingers crossed this is what I did. I used a paint stripper gun for the heat gave the wheel a good blast for 5 minutes to get it good and hot and to soften the Loctite, then gave it a gentle squeeze with the puller and I'm pleased to say that they came off no problem.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00596_zps83d407f8.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00596_zps83d407f8.jpg.html).

Spent the rest of the day making bits for a jig to recut the crank throw in the wheel next size up and another jig to set the valve timing when I get that far. Took delivery of the reamer but still waiting for the 8'5mm end mill with a bit of luck that should land tomorrow.

Thanks for your suggestion and support Guys

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 01, 2013, 04:27:01 PM: On the Loco front I made a jig to correct the crank throw it just a simple mandrel a good fit on the wheel bores then I just off set to the correct throw, locked everything up on the mill and then passed an end mill down through the bore I used an end mill so that it would follow its own path and not try and follow the existing hole. My first attempt I tried to correct just the outliers with a 8.5mm end mill, but this didn't work I was taking to fine skim off It needed a bigger end mill, so I decided to stop pussy footing about and go to plan B open them up 3/8" and do all the wheels.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00598_zps15d6ff91.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00598_zps15d6ff91.jpg.html)

It cam out great slipped a 3/8 bar into the crank hole and the holes for the axles all line up perfect.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC00601_zpsa535a643.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC00601_zpsa535a643.jpg.html)

Why does plan B always work :thinking:

Just need to pick up a length of 7/16" sliver steel to make new crank pins tomorrow.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on September 01, 2013, 09:30:29 PM: Great stuff Stew - now you know it's spot on! A guy at work has a mug that says life is a out how you manage plan b!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 01, 2013, 10:19:40 PM: Quote from: NickG on September 01, 2013, 09:30:29 PM
Great stuff Stew - now you know it's spot on! A guy at work has a mug that says life is a out how you manage plan b!

That sounds like a Jamie-ism :)

I think if you have a plan A and a plan B you should do plan B first :Jester:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on September 02, 2013, 11:12:55 AM: You're right, it does - itt is John Paterson that has the mug though, not sure whether you knew him?

Yeah true, as long as there is a plan C!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on September 02, 2013, 11:24:23 AM: Yet another great save Stew!.....Still watching!

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on September 04, 2013, 08:12:00 AM: Thanks Dave

I've assembled the wheels into the frame with the coupling rods and they turn over a dream 2000% better.

:pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant:

I'm one happy bunny/elephant.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Captain Jerry on September 04, 2013, 12:35:31 PM: Attaboy Stew! That feeling, when things work out right, is hard to beat. :cheers:

Jerry
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on October 02, 2013, 01:52:54 PM: Well I've not been idle this last months I've been doing battle with getting it running, its been mainly a mater of supreme patience and determination not to give up, not much to show in terms of pictures I've had to go through a big learning curve, making many mistakes on the way but slowly learning, and yes she's a RUNNER, not quite clockwork there are still things that need fixing and tuning but she runs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFMmut20mek

:pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant:

:cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Kim on October 02, 2013, 08:19:14 PM: That's pretty exciting to see it running! You must be pretty stoked! :whoohoo:
I love watching all the interesting linkage moving around. Looks like its running great to me!

Congratulations on a runner! :cheers:
Kim
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on October 02, 2013, 08:32:08 PM: Stew

I'll bet you're are happy with that? The video direct from YouTube was a bit choppy and didn't do it justice. I dumped the 720p version to disk and way much better. (Firefox and the Download Helper add in).

I did notice a bit of a jump in the lifting arm. A common problem with the design is radius rod fouling the valve yoke at the link on the combination lever. The solution is to relive the underside of the yoke to give some clearance.

(http://i.imgur.com/swM11aj.jpg)

Well Done!!!

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on October 03, 2013, 07:29:41 AM: Thanks Guys

Its been a bit of a struggle to say the least, I think the hardest part has been trying to follow on from someone else you make the assumption that parts have been made right because you know you would have made it correct, one thing I have learnt is to check that every thing is correct otherwise you run into great difficulties.

That's a good idea Pete thank for the suggestion, one of the things that I struggled with was the amount of fettling you have to do to make the linkages work as drawn they just foul on each other you have to radius out the corners to stop them fouling, I noticed also from the video that the lifting link was also catching so that will get a dose of the good old file.

Not sure what to do now, I've started to get a bit jaded with this project, I think I need to give it a rest and do something else so I think I will put it to one side for a bit and do something else:- Probably another engine build I have a couple drawn up :LittleDevil:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Jo on October 03, 2013, 07:35:02 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on October 03, 2013, 07:29:41 AM
Not sure what to do now, I've started to get a bit jaded with this project,

I find building Locomotives did that to me as well :disappointed:

Model engines are so much more rewarding :whoohoo:

Jo
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on October 03, 2013, 07:58:18 AM: Quote from: Jo on October 03, 2013, 07:35:02 AM
Quote from: sbwhart on October 03, 2013, 07:29:41 AM
Not sure what to do now, I've started to get a bit jaded with this project,

I find building Locomotives did that to me as well :disappointed:

Model engines are so much more rewarding :whoohoo:

Jo

I think we are not alone with this Jo:- Loco builds are certainly a long term project some of the guys at our club have taken 10 years to make a loco you can understand why when they have them complete why they are reluctant to let someone else drive them, I felt very privileged early this summer when a member let me have a drive of his Princess that took him over 10 years to build, mind you he did sit behind me just to make sure I didn't let the boiler run dry :slap:

The nice thing about engines is that they are all very different and they don't take years to make.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on October 03, 2013, 10:19:50 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on October 03, 2013, 07:29:41 AM

Not sure what to do now, I've started to get a bit jaded with this project, I think I need to give it a rest and do something else so I think I will put it to one side for a bit and do something else:- Probably another engine build I have a couple drawn up.

Don't stop now. You've done the hard part and you've got the boiler (which I assume is already inspected and tested by the club BI?) . It's the home straight from here, well sort of. Once the boiler is in, plumbed up and steamed and then out, in and out a few times more improvements can be made and lessons learned. If you stop you'll have to refresh your learning so far, with the possibility of going backwards.

But then again if you do another engine we'll have something to look forward to in ME....

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: steamer on October 03, 2013, 11:19:19 AM: Long projects can be very exhausting! My boat was one of those...and it was a pretty serious strain on everyone in my family as a result. The hull was built in an unheated shed on my Dads property...progress could only be made during the summer months...which aren't long around here. It was very expensive and stressful at times as my long suffering wife would have to manage with the kids while I worked on the boat.

Just don't EVER EVER quit!

Ray Hasbrouck...bless his heart...would encourage me as I went...year after year...on various bits and bobs...and it was that encouragement from him and many others...and it goes without saying especially from my wife...that kept me going.....and I got there!

Patience and perseverance.....easy to say....hard to hold on to when you feel all alone....you ain't alone Stew :ThumbsUp:.

Dave
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Maryak on October 03, 2013, 11:59:37 AM: Oh Yeah, Long term projects can be a tad tiresome.

When my children were a lot younger I built 2 racing sailing dinghys, one from Marine Plywood and one from fibreglass. Guess I was a glutton for punishment. The cars were relegated to the drive way for 2 years and the worst thing I remember was doing laps of the garage when a 3/4" drill held in a 1/2" electric drill wedged itself in a piece of steel. How I did not break my wrist I don't know.

But................my speed these days and my weekly shop visits make everything a long term project :'(

Best Regards
Bob
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: arnoldb on October 07, 2013, 05:49:05 PM: Good going Stew :ThumbsUp:

I'm slowly starting to relate to the long-term projects, and mine's still fairly simple... At some point, one could do with just building a small engine, or even a couple of bit's 'n bobs of tooling for the shop.

Kind regards, Arnold
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: angeloscuro on October 30, 2013, 10:23:24 PM: Mother of God, the truth that it's amazing what some people are capable of, the art or the gift they have to use their hands, friend "Doubletop" congratulations and please be sure to give us more information about this incredible project that is performing , ami someday I would also like to make a steam locomotive, now I have some plans for a decauville I got for interne but I'm changing a bit are the solid,

all this happiness and well follow friend

(I apologize for my English)
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on October 30, 2013, 11:24:11 PM: Quote from: angeloscuro on October 30, 2013, 10:23:24 PM
.......... it's amazing what some people are capable of, the art or the gift they have to use their hands, friend "Doubletop" congratulations ........

Thanks for the compliment Angelo but this is Stew's build

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on October 31, 2013, 07:54:13 AM: Thanks for your interest and kind compliment Angelo, and your English is just fine. I'll be starting up the project again in a few weeks I've had a major reorganisation of my workshop and garage storage so that I can fit in the finished loco.

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 14, 2014, 07:19:01 AM: I've not been idle since completed my cutter grinder project I've got my loco project going again, one reason it went under the bench was even tough I'd got it running I was far from happy with the result it was very lumpy and uneven what with all the problems I'd had correcting the original builders mistakes I was beginning to despair that it would ever run well, that and I was in need of doing something else as I was beginning to suffer from Project Despondency.

So I've painted some more parts that needed painting, case hardened all the linkages that needed it and polished them up fettled some of the tight spots out, fettled some of the sloppy bits out, replaced all the cap screws with nuts and bolts with spring washer or nylocs:- its amazing how many thing come lose on a model loco, and took some time to get the valve events spot on,

And it know runs like a little sewing machine that Mr Singer would be proud of.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUeQxRUCCPc

Make sure you have the sound on so you can hear the nice even beat.

I'm now starting off on new ground plumbing in the boiler I've no idea how to do this so it will be very much a trial and error experience.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Steamer5 on April 14, 2014, 10:28:02 AM: Hi Stew,
Well done! Now you will be motivated to push on & get her on steam! I had the pleasure of spending a day playing trains with Pete a couple of weeks back, so I'm sure he can help on plumbing front.

Cheers Kerrin
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 14, 2014, 10:30:10 AM: Stu

Welcome back, we've been waiting for this.

On the plumbing its just a case of working out what it needs to get from one place to another and wiring it up neatly. Somewhere I have seen somebody prototyping with pipe cleaners just to work out the runs. That would help with not getting into a tangle with pipework getting in the way of itself.

Mine has been plumbed up with 1/4", 3/16" or 1/8" tubing used by the refrigeration guys. Union nuts and olives are available for all three sizes. Otherwise Polly have nipples and nuts. The tubing is very maleable. Get hold of one of the Record mini pipe benders to make neat bends.

You'll sort it

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 14, 2014, 10:32:39 AM: Hi Kerrin

It was a great day out, I'm hooked on ground level after that.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on April 14, 2014, 11:21:41 AM: Yeah...sounds great.
Glad you're back at it.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 14, 2014, 07:17:27 PM: Thanks for your support Guys but nothing straight forward with this engine :wallbang:

First plumbing job fit the axle pump, some time ago a made a revised/revised simplex double action pump, made it exact to drawing, spent 1/2 hr this morning checking it out and checking that it worked in a bucket of water all OK.

Tried it for fit on the stretcher that I had made to replace the dodgy one that came with the engine its also correct to drawing but I had to use the original mounting holes in the frame.

:ShakeHead: :ShakeHead: :ShakeHead: :ShakeHead: :ShakeHead:

The bloody thing was too far forward and fouled the reversing rod tried to fettle it in but it was out by about 3mm, I guess the stretchers/reversing rod holes are out.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01063_zps2139013f.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01063_zps2139013f.jpg.html)

Nothing else for it but remove the stretcher and mill an step in it so that it would fit, this meant I had to strip down the running gear and remove the wheels about a 2 hour job just hope nothing get too disturbed.

I had read that the axle pump once fitted is a devils own job the work on often requiring the boiler to be removed, I can appreciate that now.

As an aside had a long chat with the guys at the club about should I shouldn't I fit a axle pump lot of the guys advocate using a hand pump and two injectors, others swear by hand pump, an axle pump and one injector. As I'd already got the pump I decided to go that way, I'm not planning on building a bunker tank but will build water truck so that the injector has a cold water supply that helps them to work better.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Deko on April 14, 2014, 08:31:36 PM: Hi Stew, never any doubt in my mind that you will overcome any and all obstacles, and the finished job will be first class as usual. :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:

Cheers Dek. :old:
Title: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: ths on April 14, 2014, 09:20:06 PM: "Nothing else for it but remove the stretcher and mill an step in it so that it would fit, this meant I had to strip down the running gear and remove the wheels about a 2 hour job just hope nothing get too disturbed."

You must really have a love hate relationship with this loco by now, but it's getting there, looking and sounding great.

Hugh.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: PStechPaul on April 14, 2014, 09:49:17 PM: I am quite impressed by this project. It can be a great learning experience to see and read about various problems encountered during a (re)build. Please don't get too discouraged. I for one will be looking forward to more discussion of your progress. I have not yet read all of the preceding posts, but it does seem that you have had to put an awful lot of work into this, and I "feel your pain". But I also can vicariously experience the joys of each success, and the video shows a very nicely running machine. :cheers:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 15, 2014, 08:29:59 AM: Stu

My immediate though was that doesn't look right and the pump stretcher is in the wrong place and the pump looked to be short. So I had a look at my old photo gallery.

(http://i.imgur.com/EWGHRnE.jpg)

I'm not sure what is different but sharing my photo somebody may pick it out

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 15, 2014, 08:38:30 AM: Hi Pete thanks for that, the conectors are the other way around to how I have them I have s number of different pump drawings I'll have a play around with it to see if I can configure it the same as you.

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 15, 2014, 08:43:27 AM: Stu

How about the union on the top is the wrong end? Or the step in the bottom of the pump is offset in the wrong direction?

Rather than cut a slot in the stretcher which would then make the seat shorter than the slot in the pump. remake the stretcher with an offset seat of the correct width? The reason I say that is when the pump is pumping against 90psi boiler pressure the pump is under a bit of a cyclic load and you don't want the thing waggling loose. (3/8"ram at 90psi = 10lbs)

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 15, 2014, 08:45:24 AM: Stu

Glad it could be of some help. I do suspect the unions can be re-configured. On mine one end of the Y goes to the clack and the other to the bypass. I had to think about it when I first saw it but it eventually made sense.

Underneath there is a union at each end, they go to the left and right tanks.

(http://i.imgur.com/qxlT15L.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/gRyPu6u.jpg)

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on April 15, 2014, 07:57:55 PM: Nice 1 Stew, glad you've not given up on it.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 24, 2014, 01:36:32 PM: Thanks

Nick

And thanks to you guys I got the pump sussed all that was required was to change over the position of the outlet coupling

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01066_zpsf9a335e7.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01066_zpsf9a335e7.jpg.html)

I also beefed up the fixing to the stretcher and had to remake the inlet coupling so that it didn't foul the stretcher.

Her's a short vid of it working

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udoeLvigWxs

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stilldrillin on April 24, 2014, 10:19:01 PM: That's a very enthusiastic pump Stew! :o

Nicely sorted! :ThumbsUp:

David D
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 25, 2014, 03:06:02 AM: Nicely sorted.

Can I suggest you blank off one of the outlets and quickly make an adapter and put one of your safety valves in the other outlet and then run it. It will then be effectively pumping against max boiler pressure and you'll be able to find out if its going to leak..

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 25, 2014, 06:52:22 AM: Cheers Guys

Quote
Can I suggest you blank off one of the outlets and quickly make an adapter and put one of your safety valves in the other outlet and then run it. It will then be effectively pumping against max boiler pressure and you'll be able to find out if its going to leak..

That's a good idea Pete:- the outlet coupling does leek I was going to give it a dose of PTFE tape, that will be a good way to give it a good test and sort out any problems before the boiler goes on.

One thing I'm finding out is that a steam loco they are paradise for a tinkerer: there's always something to do. I've got to cut the notches is the reverser and make a proper pin for the pump rod, and I've started to look at the smoke box, as with a lot of things I've found with this loco I think its a bit of a bodge job and I may have to remake part of it.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on April 25, 2014, 08:26:32 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on April 25, 2014, 06:52:22 AM

One thing I'm finding out is that a steam loco they are paradise for a tinkerer: there's always something to do. --------

Never a truer word; then you eventually take it for a run and you find all the other things that need doing. I think the Rob Roy boiler came out about four times before I was happy with everything. The Simplex I think has had the boiler out twice.

I think the lesson is it will happen so make everything neat and tidy, accessible and maintainable otherwise you'll be less inclinded to do a major strip down to fix something that needs fixing.

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 25, 2014, 08:44:03 AM: Just had a good look at the smoke box and done a little reading on it and as I feared I don't think its up to scratch the front smoke box ring is GM all well and good, the tube is rolled from steel with a crappy welded joint the rear ring it also steel I see light through where the rings join the tube so that no good, the petticoat tube fits like the proverbial turd in a piss pot, the flared end has been fabricated on and is well off being concentric.

So why is this not any good

1:- Steel is not recommended in the corrosive atmosphere of the smoke box, I don't think its stainless but I will check that out.

2:- The smoke box needs to be air tight other wise you won't get an through draft in the fire.

3:- The petticoat flare needs to be concentric and line up with the blast pipe again to get a proper draft.

Looks like I'm going to have to strip it down and try and salvage what parts I can and then make new.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 29, 2014, 09:47:17 AM: I carried out Pete's suggestion and coupled the pump up to a safety valve, this pressurised the system and showed up a number of leeks, I soon sorted these with some gasket sealant and PTFE tape on the threads and the system is now leek proof even when I screw the safety valve down, top notch idea Pete :ThumbsUp:

I've started reworking the smoke box and managed to salvage the front ring, and the door, the rest is scrap, I've ordered a new smoke box tube, and I've found some brass that will make the rear ring and the petticoat.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Steamer5 on April 29, 2014, 10:10:58 AM: Hi Stew,
Sounds like Pete's got you on the right track!
As to the petticoat goes, I'll have a hunt for a picture of mine.....it's a double entry one. Was described in ME some years back works a treat & from the article if I remembers right the guy the came up with design had great success when he fitted it to a couple of locos in a before & after test. If you are building a new petticoat I would recommend you give this a try

Cheers Kerrin
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 02, 2014, 12:43:38 PM: Here's an update on my Simplex project.

I've been slowly plodding away at it mainly reworking parts to my own satisfaction though over the last month I haven't had much shop time due to family commitments holidays and get togethers etc.

I've been concentrating on getting the smoke box up to scratch, the one supplied was fabricated from steel this is OK in itself but, this one had been lashed together and it would be far from vacuum proof which is a critical requirement for a smoke box if it is to function correct and give a good draft to the grate. So I decided to salvage what I could from the old one and make new where I couldn't the front ring was a GM casting so that could be reused, and I ordered a new smoke box tube from Blackgates and I drop lucky with the rear ring as I had a slice of brass that was just the right size.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01081_zps67487752.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01081_zps67487752.jpg.html)

Machine it up using my big four jaw for a tight fit on the boiler

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01083_zpsfef4b9a5.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01083_zpsfef4b9a5.jpg.html)

This is what I had to show for my efforts

A rear ring

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01086_zps759d52da.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01086_zps759d52da.jpg.html)

And a pile of swarfe

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01087_zpsb4787e3a.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01087_zpsb4787e3a.jpg.html)

The front and back rings were silver soldered into the tube, and the assembly set up on the spin indexer and the hole for the chimney bored in.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01090_zps8d390921.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01090_zps8d390921.jpg.html)

Index 180 and drill the holes for the blast pipe and the steam inlet

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01091_zps3c622f95.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01091_zps3c622f95.jpg.html)

I then made and soldered into the smoke box adaptor for the chimney (no pics)

The chimney saddle itself needed tidying up as it was left as cast, it fitted where it touched, this required the saddle being skimmed up with a fly cutter set at the same diameter as the smoke box tube.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01171_zps3ecee5de.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01171_zps3ecee5de.jpg.html)

Next up were the blast pipe and the inlet connections these were just made as T connections, as I'm a bit of a smooth flow type of guy I wanted to make the pipes with a gradual bend.

So I got some pipe with a bend that was about right from the scrap yard, and some elbows from B and Q and cut them to make Y connection along with some screwed bushes.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01173_zps8d30e8bc.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01173_zps8d30e8bc.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01222_zps8064994b.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01222_zps8064994b.jpg.html)

And silver soldered them together, this is what they look like fitted in place

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01223_zpsc064609f.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01223_zpsc064609f.jpg.html)

And here's what things are looking like the moment with the boiler set in place.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01225_zps0493d505.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01225_zps0493d505.jpg.html)

I had the boiler pressure tested to 1 1/2 times working pressure just to make sure everything is OK before I go and spend to much time on plumbing it in, I'm please to say everything was Ok, which it should be as it came with a boiler certificate.

I've still got more work to do on the smoke box it needs drilling to match its saddle and the snifter valve and blower needs plumbing as will as the wet header.

I'll slowly work from front to back plumbing things in as I go

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: wagnmkr on June 02, 2014, 03:10:28 PM: This is coming along nicely Stew ... I am reading and learning ... a bunch!

Thank You

Tom
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on June 02, 2014, 08:55:46 PM: Nice work Stew it's going to be a cracker.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Steamer5 on June 03, 2014, 02:11:50 AM: Hi Stew,
Shes coming along nicely! Just realized that I havent posted the promised picture of the double entry pedicoat so here it is:

The very short article was in the Model Engineer October 2 1970

Cheers Kerrin
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 03, 2014, 02:45:30 PM: Thanks for you interest chaps, I'm hoping to get the bare engine it in steam before the end of summer ready for a winter paint job.

That looks interesting petticoat Kerrin I'll look up the article, our club has a full set of ME back issues. I'm thinking of fitting a multi hole blast pipe but I need to do a little more research on that.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on June 03, 2014, 11:01:51 PM: Lovely Stew. As you should know...I love locos.

I came across a couple of terms as I try to catch up on everyone...

Pete mentioned 'clack'. What's that?

You mentioned 'petticoat flare'. Same question. ;D
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 04, 2014, 06:51:12 AM: Hi Zee:- I'll try to answer your ?

Quote
Pete mentioned 'clack'. What's that?
A clack is a one way ball valve they screws into the boiler and the water feed is connected to them it allows water into the boiler but stops anything coming out of it, I think it is called a clack because that is the sound the ball makes as it opens and closes.

Quote
You mentioned 'petticoat flare'. Same question

Its similar to a venturi in a carburettor it sits on the base of the chimney and catches the exhausted steam from the cylinders or steam fed to it from the blower valve: by virtue of its convergent divergent flare it causes the gas flow to increase in velocity and so creates a negative pressure in the smoke box so draws the flue gases through the boiler tubes drawing oxygen through the fire grate so making the fire burn hot, it was Stevenson's innovation that led to the success of the Rocket and was used on all steam locomotives since.

Some of these term may be used different your side of the pond but I hope this helps.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: ths on June 04, 2014, 01:23:54 PM: A clack valve is also referred to as a non-return valve. Hugh.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on June 04, 2014, 05:17:30 PM: Thanks for the answers Stew and ths.

I was a little confused too by a reference to coming off the Y to a clack in one post and another that talked about going to the boiler.
Your answer cleared that up.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on August 14, 2014, 04:27:27 PM: Hi Chaps thought it was about time I updated you on the Simplex I've been slowly making progress (around fitting in a couple of holidays).

Most of the work has been about tidying things up so that that they look less like a bodge, so her' a few pics of some of the work done.

The running board didn't clear the top of the cylinder so fitted a bracket so that the running board could be lifted up.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01291_zps53ab0fd8.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01291_zps53ab0fd8.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01294_zps4c97a387.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01294_zps4c97a387.jpg.html)

I also split the running board so that it would be easy to get to the valve chest for maintenance with a one piece board the side tanks would have to be removed to get to them.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01293_zps8f3d7de7.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01293_zps8f3d7de7.jpg.html)

This is how they now fit over the cylinders a lot better.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01289_zps941b2d29.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01289_zps941b2d29.jpg.html)

Full shot of the new running board fitted

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01296_zpsa4d11fe9.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01296_zpsa4d11fe9.jpg.html)

Also re worked the smoke box door re-skimmed the face, with the rough arse finished it had it wouldn't have closed air tight, also made a new hinges, dart and closing handles.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01298_zps31b283ae.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01298_zps31b283ae.jpg.html)

Had a problem fitting the left hand side tank, the boiler fire box is a bit lop sided as a result the tank overhung the running boards on that side a fair bit, the fix required a bit of drastic surgery I had to move the side of the tank in 1/2" and fit a false side with space to accommodate the boiler.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01287_zps71ea4784.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01287_zps71ea4784.jpg.html)

I would lose some water storage capacity but there is more than enough available. The fix worked out OK.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01300_zps5b64fa38.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01300_zps5b64fa38.jpg.html)

You can also see the fire box cladding that I've made in the last pic along with the new spectacle plate..

He is a pic of the footplate I still need to do the pipe work.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/DSC01302_zps2d0154e7.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/DSC01302_zps2d0154e7.jpg.html)

I just have the bunker tank to make that should take a couple of days, then its a strip down to do the plumbing, then the 1 1/2 working pressure test and the steam test at the end of the month with luck.

Getting excited :whoohoo:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: arnoldb on August 14, 2014, 07:27:44 PM: :ThumbsUp: - Looks like you might be able to steam her up this Summer/Fall still Stew :)

Then you have all Winter to strip her down completelty and re-paint - in time for Spring :LittleDevil:

Looking forward to see her running properly!

Kind regards, Arnold
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Roger B on August 14, 2014, 07:35:58 PM: that's looking nice :praise2: You've had a few challenges along the way, but not long now till the first run :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on August 14, 2014, 09:14:08 PM: Stew

As expected its looking great. I have been checking back from time to time to see if I'd missed anything.

You'll be surprised how close you are to getting it steamed up. We are all getting exited.

regards

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stilldrillin on August 14, 2014, 10:46:57 PM: That's finally, shaping up nicely Stew! :)

You're rolling downhill now......... :ThumbsUp:

David D
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on August 17, 2014, 07:38:15 PM: Nice work Stew, I agree it's looking great.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on November 10, 2014, 03:38:32 PM: Well after many trials and tribulations I'm finally at the position where I can give her the steam test, the boiler past the 1 1/2 times working pressure test a few weeks ago and now she's ready for the steam test this week end so keep your fingers crossed for me Chaps.

Here's a few photo of her all together I'm not too happy with the paint finish and there is a bit more work on the cosmetics required but she is ready for a bit of coal and a match.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01448_zps18fad581.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01448_zps18fad581.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01449_zps2342a86b.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01449_zps2342a86b.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01451_zps8c2803a1.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01451_zps8c2803a1.jpg.html)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on November 10, 2014, 05:36:37 PM: Stew

Looks like I'm the first to be able to congratulate you on getting it finished. Its looking great

Good luck with the steaming and looking forward to the video

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: crueby on November 10, 2014, 06:43:07 PM: Looks awesome! Can't wait to see you steam past my house!

:whoohoo:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Roger B on November 10, 2014, 07:17:51 PM: Looks jolly good to me :praise2: :praise2: Good luck with the steam test :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: ths on November 10, 2014, 08:11:00 PM: Well done Stew, a lot of unplanned work went in to that one! Hugh.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on November 10, 2014, 08:48:20 PM: Wow, it looks amazing Stew, good luck. Expect some little teething problems though, it's a big system for everything to work perfectly first time but you'll just work through them methodically as you always do.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stilldrillin on November 10, 2014, 10:31:33 PM: Looking really good Stew! :ThumbsUp:

It will be worth all the hassle. When you take to the rails........ (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Transports/train-045.gif)

David D
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on November 24, 2014, 07:25:47 PM: Well the Gremlins are fighting this one to the bitter end.

a week ago I tried her on steam and a few problems emerged.

Prob 1 The regulator need some more packing that was soon sorted.

Prob 2 The pressure gauge failed to show any pressure despite having a darn good fire so I lifted the safety valve that weren't blowing off plenty of steam, so the fires was dropped right rapid.

There was two problems her the safety valve springs are too strong that can be easily sorted. And on inspection of the pressure gauge fitting I'd only gone and solder up the pipe :cussing: bit embarrassing but that can be easily sorted.

Prob 3 The steam turret sprang a leak, its one of the few pieces that I've not replaced, so there was nothing for it to strip it down and make a new one, then whilst I was refitting the whistle valve the darn thing when and broke off leaving the broken bit in the turret :cussing: Luckily the broken bit came out with a bit of persuasion.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01489_zps902d1aff.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01489_zps902d1aff.jpg.html)

The turret is crack in the area where the paint has stripped off you can't see it but the pressurised steam can find it.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC01487_zpsa9aac46e.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC01487_zpsa9aac46e.jpg.html)

New turret fitted along with a new whistle valve.

Part of the clubs track is being re-laid so its out of action for a couple of weeks I can't wait to give it another go.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on November 25, 2014, 09:19:49 AM: Stew

Only 3 problems that’s pretty good going, no doubt you'll be expecting some more once you get it running?.

I bet you can't wait for the track to be finished.

regards

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Stilldrillin on November 25, 2014, 11:21:16 AM: Quote from: sbwhart on November 24, 2014, 07:25:47 PM
Well the Gremlins are fighting this one to the bitter end.

Still more stings, in the tail....... :o (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Unhappy/brick-wall-017.gif) (http://smileys.on-my-web.com/repository/Unhappy/brick-wall-017.gif)

By 'ek, Stew. This has been a long trail a winding. And it's not over yet......

Wishing you good luck, for next time. (http://freesmileyface.net/smiley/respect/respect-048.gif) (http://freesmileyface.net/free-respect-smileys.html)

David D
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: wagnmkr on November 25, 2014, 06:49:42 PM: Nearly there Stew ... the set backs are sent to try us.

Tom
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 14, 2015, 04:36:08 PM: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo: :whoohoo:

:pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant:

:cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel:

IT Lives------IT Lives------IT Lives--------- Coo-Coo-Coo-Coo

Finally got it through the steam test today, at the fourth attempt most of the problems were mainly due to my own ignorance, I had help from a friend in getting the design of the safety valves right and they now work perfect.

Still a few minors to sort out but I made four laps of the track the boiler makes loads of steam and the fire seems to get going real well.

Sorry No Video I can't get to the track for a couple of weeks but next time out I'll get a video:- Honest

One well pleased Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: b.lindsey on April 14, 2015, 04:45:28 PM: Congratulations Stew. Very much looking forward to the video, however long it takes. You must really be thrilled and rightly so!!!

Bill
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: 90LX_Notch on April 14, 2015, 05:39:35 PM: Congratulations Stew. Looking forward to the video.

-Bob
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Jo on April 14, 2015, 05:43:29 PM: Well done Stew: perfect timing to be no 1 passenger hauler for your local ME club this summer :mischief:

Jo
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: ths on April 14, 2015, 09:12:38 PM: Great news Stew, you've put a lot into that one. Simplex indeed!

Cheers, Hugh.
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: dsquire on April 15, 2015, 07:09:09 AM: Stew

Congratulations. I always knew that you would not give up until you won. Now you can enjoy it for years to come. :pinkelephant: :pinkelephant: :cartwheel: :cartwheel: :cartwheel:

Cheers :cheers:

Don
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: wagnmkr on April 15, 2015, 11:57:44 AM: Well Done That Man!!

Now you get to sample the fruits of your labor. I do hope you can get out to the track and get a good few steam days in.

If you are lost for something to do, I have a 3 1/2" Western Star you could finish.

Cheers

Tom
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: NickG on April 15, 2015, 07:15:49 PM: Well done Stew, it's a completely different engine to the one you bought! Bet you can't wait for the weather to improve now. :cartwheel:
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on April 15, 2015, 08:58:22 PM: Thanks for your support Guys

I'm still grinning from ear to over there. :lolb:

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: zeeprogrammer on April 15, 2015, 11:03:01 PM: Quote from: sbwhart on April 14, 2015, 04:36:08 PM
Sorry No Video I can't get to the track for a couple of weeks

:cussing: :cussing: :cussing:
That makes you a tease. ;D

Not that this whole forum isn't a tease.

Can't wait to see it. Congrats!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on May 27, 2015, 02:21:41 PM: Well finally got round to posting a video.

I've had a couple of good running sessions with it now, at first I had a few teething problems bits coming lose, plumbing not quite correct that I just had to deal with.

Plus I was really struggling with how to drive it, I was very nervous of it, in the end I handed it over to an experienced driver at the club and he took it out, his conclusion was not much wrong with that Stew (thanks John), this gave me the confidence to get to grips with it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLHo9wU7Ag

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLHo9wU7Ag frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've not had so much fun since my honeymoon

:ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL: :ROFL:

Stew
Modify message
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Heffalump on May 27, 2015, 02:37:50 PM: That's bloody fantastic stew!
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: b.lindsey on May 27, 2015, 06:08:08 PM: That is great Stew, certainly worth waiting for too!! I can only imagine how much fun that must be!!

Bill
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Steamer5 on May 27, 2015, 06:23:27 PM: Nice one Stew!!

By the grin on your face you have got the STEAM bug :whoohoo: another convert!!

Cheers Kerrin
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 15, 2015, 10:02:27 AM: Stu

Sorry I'm late with the congratulations. I've been waiting for the ping from the forum and it never turned up so I ended up missing the big event!! You've now got the summer to do all those improvements that you'll be currently unaware that you need to do. Once you got it the way you want it you can then move on to the next one.

You know you want to...

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 16, 2015, 06:20:52 AM: Thanks Pete

And yes I've been slowly fettling things to get them working as I want to.

Just completed making some injectors for it, I was running with a commercial injector but I fancied the challenge of making my own, which I managed to do with the help of a club member, he explained how to make injectors that would run with warm water suitable for tank engines, he has a test boiler for injectors so had some fun trying them out, after a few false starts I ended up making five injectors, giving me the right to brag at the track :- "i'm running on my own injectors :whoohoo:

I'll start a thread on how to make them.

I've been looking round for another long term project, I still keep coming back to the Ramsbottom tram engine I was looking at a few years ago, its mainly self doubt that's stopping me.

Cheers
Stew

PS liked the ME article on uses the DRO to map,

Keep them coming.

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 20, 2015, 08:13:04 AM: Stu

I've just discovered why I've not been getting notifications from the forums. Damned ISPs making arbitrary changes to accounts and not tell me. Hence I missed your reply.

You'll get a bit of kudos for doing your own injectors. I gave up making fittings after failed attempts at safety valves in my early days in the hobby maybe I should have another go. I'll wait for your thread.

Thanks for the comment regarding the ME article, hopefully it will be useful to someone with a similar problem. I've got some other ideas for an article on using DRO functions for making parts that are normally made other ways. However, my Dart re-build is taking up a bit of time at the moment. As you may gather from the article there's not a lot left of the original loco. Frames, wheels and buffers only remain up to running board level. The new boiler is nearing completion, but not by me.

regards

Pete
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 21, 2015, 09:24:46 AM: Thanks Pete

I've sent you an email with a drawing of a very good safety valve.

Looking forward to your DRO articles.

One reason I chose the Simplex Loco was its size one man with a bit of thought could load it into the back of an estate car, yet it was still large enough to pull a fair few passengers. Completed its a fair weight it beyond me to pick up safely without doing myself an injury, as my old dad use to say:- "that's an Hospital Lift son"

I kept a close eye at how other members at the club handled their loco's and pinched what I thought were the best ideas of them.

First essential bit of equipment is an hydraulic table lift of about 300kg capacity.

I then made a steel carrying frame out of 3/4" box section welded together (this was my first attempt at stick welding)

This is the loco in the frame sitting on the table.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02283_zpsl2lzswym.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02283_zpsl2lzswym.jpg.html)

I can move it around my work shop easily and load it on to a length of dummy track on my bench for maintenance.

The loco is kept in place with it front and rear buffers in holes in the front a rear boards.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02284_zpsx4dgsfiv.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02284_zpsx4dgsfiv.jpg.html)

The rear board is held in the frame with bolts so that it can be removed to roll the Loco out.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02285_zpso7d2lf3y.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02285_zpso7d2lf3y.jpg.html)

The front of the frame has also got a couple of rollers fitted.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02288_zpslj3xmzgg.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02288_zpslj3xmzgg.jpg.html)

To get it into the back of the car a piece of chip board is laid in the back to give a flat service to roll the frame on, the back of this board had a baton screwed across it for the frame to but up against.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02286_zpsn4k3aiqx.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02286_zpsn4k3aiqx.jpg.html)

To load it into the car just trundle the table up to it lift it so that its slightly higher than the back and with the aid of some round wood roll it forward until it tips, onto the rollers on the frame, you can then roll it forward on these rollers until you come up against the baton.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02287_zpso526m1dn.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02287_zpso526m1dn.jpg.html)

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02288_zpslj3xmzgg.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02288_zpslj3xmzgg.jpg.html)

Another baton is then slotted across the back of the frame to stop it sliding back.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02289_zpsddqxlm0l.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02289_zpsddqxlm0l.jpg.html)

And a couple of bungees across the top helps keep every thing secure.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02290_zpsghbjyr93.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02290_zpsghbjyr93.jpg.html)

To unload it at the track, they have an electric lift that was once a Dentist chair of pain, you just back you car up to it adjust to a convenient height and roll the frame out, remove the back board and roll the loco out.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02291_zpswlnmo1xk.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02291_zpswlnmo1xk.jpg.html)

Her she is sitting in all her glory on the track.

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02293_zps0e2ljj0y.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02293_zps0e2ljj0y.jpg.html)

I gave here what I think is a fitting name considering all the problems I had getting her on the track.

GREMLIN

(http://i431.photobucket.com/albums/qq32/sbwhart/Simplex/DSC02292_zpsw3dhba9t.jpg) (http://s431.photobucket.com/user/sbwhart/media/Simplex/DSC02292_zpsw3dhba9t.jpg.html)

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Jo on June 21, 2015, 09:44:11 AM: Stew,

Well done 8)

May I recommend that you buy yourself some ratchet straps and find a couple of good strong mounting points to strap the loco down with in the car. The bungees might stop Gremlin bouncing around but if some :censored: slams into the back of your car the loco will be thrown forward and that is a lot of metal to be flying around :paranoia:

Jo
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: Steamer5 on June 21, 2015, 10:09:58 AM: Hi Stew,
Nicely done!! Like the name!

I would like to make a couple of suggestion thou. I use a similar idea on keeping my Nigel Gresley held in place & given the number of kiometers he has been dragged around on a trailer has been quite a good option, HOWEVER given he's a tender loco i also have a hold down bolt which fits to the loco drag beam, a block of wood fitts across the width of the loco under the steps to the cab, the bolt is tightened until its down tight on the wood, a couple of trips i didnt tighten this down enough & the loco wiggled part loose on the block as you have them, (luckly the damage to the buffers was easy to repair)
As a suggestion i would put blocks under each end of the loco & a clamp arangement across the buffers to puller her down on to them, this does two things, stops the loco moving around both for & aft & up & down on the springs & gives you peace of mind that she cant get loose!
The other PLEASE PLEASE,(if you havent already done so) bolt your board down in the car & THEN BOLT YOUR FRAME TOO IT...bunggie cords wont help you if you have a crash!! Like you say "its a hospital lift" think what may happen if she got loose in a crash!!!! yes it might mean a bit more work to get her in & out but then a short length of track to span from you lift table to the board & frame is easy to make.
If you need some pictures of how I've got mine, or Dad does his as his is a tank loco, set up only to happy to post.

Sorry if this sounds a bit like a sermon but only have your best interest at hand!. Oh as an aside Dad was towing his trailer with both our locos held in as above the frames carefully bolted to a sheet of ply the size of the trailer deck when the wheel came off the trailer!! The tyre guys arent fail proof it seems. I was then that I found out that the ply wood WASNT bolted down to the trailer!!!!
Luckly no damage to the locos, the tailer on the other hand needed a bit of work once we got the tyre replaced & dragged the couple of hunded k's home!
Cheers Kerrin
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: sbwhart on June 21, 2015, 10:36:07 AM: Thanks for you sound advice Jo, I've just ordered a couple off ebay, the car has anchoring points to attach them to.

Thanks for your advice also Kerrin:- I'll incorporate them also.

Cheers

Stew
Title: Re: Finishing off a 5" Gauge Simplex Loco
Post by: doubletop on June 21, 2015, 11:17:01 AM: Stew

Same thoughts crossed my mind as soon as I saw the photos. Find the kiddy seat beat mounting points, under the carpets, and make some fixing points, I also bolt my board down to those points. The tie downs for the shopping, although better,may not be up to it.

Pete