Chris's Holly Pumping Engine Build

[derekwarner]

No, the 3 gussets on each side of each pump chamber are the supporting elements for the upstairs weight

The outer face of each of these sets of gussets is not a vertical line, each face tapers back into the body of the pump chamber

Look at my mockup, you can see your BLUE line just below my YELLOW line [in the approx horizontal plane]

Let us see the end elevation view [as seen] of the RED arrow

Derek

[crueby]

Hi Derek,
Sorry, i've been working on the pipes all day, and my brain got stuck thinking about them!

Yes, on the brackets, the gussets are completely vertical, but the outer face does taper back to the pump body at a 15 degree angle. All three of the vertical gussets have the same angle, which makes them easier for me to mill.  Here is the other side view:

What I am planing to do is to mount the pump chambers back onto the jig I used to mill the slots - that jig is still in the collet block, and is marked for the which face of the pumps goes to that side of the jig, so I can put them back on square to the collet block again. Then, I'll clamp the collet block at a 15 degree angle and run the mill down the gussets  to give them the angle. Should be easy to do, probably have to do the last little bit where the side gussets meet the body by hand since the pump body is on a curve there.The jig will also let me clamp the soldered body upright and square so that I can drill the holes in the tops of the brackets where the vertical struts to the engine blocks go. That jig is getting a lot of work on these parts! Trying to line the bodies up without it would have been really tough.
 

[derekwarner]

Yep.......

That's exactly how I assumed you would achieve & complete this multiple machining function... as you say the Jig   is getting a multiple of uses 

Derek 

[crueby]

Moved on to milling the other ends of the pipe sections, using the same jig as before to hold the parts. Since this end is longer I had to switch to a longer-flute end mill, fortunately had picked up some of them this past winter. This end is a little smaller than the first one but the same shape, it has to fit inside the opening in the valve housing. A flange for bolting it up will be added later. Here it is with sides taken in and first end rounded over:


And the second end

First one set in place in the pumnp chamber and with the valve housing too:

The end that goes into the valve housing will be trimmed back a little, and the holes through will be enlarged for full water flow. There will be a set of drilled/tapped holes at the valve end to bolt it to the check valve housing (that part of things will be shown later, it was what I had 3D printed a prototype of to make sure it would all fit and be accessible for attaching it all together).

[scc]

Chris,  Every time you post on this project I am in awe and want to comment but cannot keep saying "WOW", etc, so will refrain from posting replies. I am following closely and quietly        terry

[crueby]

Chris,  Every time you post on this project I am in awe and want to comment but cannot keep saying "WOW", etc, so will refrain from posting replies. I am following closely and quietly        terry

Great to have you along Terry, there are plenty of other builds on the forum I do the same thing with!   

[cnr6400]

Pump assembly is looking great Chris!   

[Craig DeShong]

Chris,  Every time you post on this project I am in awe and want to comment but cannot keep saying "WOW", etc, so will refrain from posting replies. I am following closely and quietly        terry

Ok Terry, I’ll say it for you:  WOW ! 

[steam guy willy]

Hi Chris, this is looking really good ..amazing and you do work very quickly. can I borrow some of your Genes  ?!! as it takes me ages to make my models  !!!

Willy

[gunna]

I'm with Terry and Craig (above). Think I will just shutup and watch!
Ian.

[crueby]

Thanks very much everyone, much appreciated!  This is a big project, going to be at it for quite a while with all the details that I want to include in it. At first look I'd see the scope of it, and run the other way, but like an elephant sandwich, one bite at a time!
 

[mklotz]

One of the most important mental disciplines to develop in our hobby is the ability to get as stimulated and excited about making one perfect part, no matter how small, as you would when the project is finished and running.

I'm still working on that; self-discipline has never been my strong suit (just ask my wife). :-)

Like many others, I tune in every day for the next episode but seldom comment.  Keep up the build log; like your others, it will become an icon for future builders.

[RReid]

One of the most important mental disciplines to develop in our hobby is the ability to get as stimulated and excited about making one perfect part, no matter how small, as you would when the project is finished and running.

That's very true. I was just commenting to my wife yesterday about how I now enjoy making each individual part for it's own sake and not being always so impatient to see the bigger project finished. That may be a combination of aging and the nature of this activity. Anyway, I'm not sure I could sustain that attitude over the course of a project with the scope of yours, Chris, but you've already well demonstrated that you can!

[Don1966]

Outstanding work Dog........ 



 
Don

[crueby]

One of the most important mental disciplines to develop in our hobby is the ability to get as stimulated and excited about making one perfect part, no matter how small, as you would when the project is finished and running.

I'm still working on that; self-discipline has never been my strong suit (just ask my wife). :-)

Like many others, I tune in every day for the next episode but seldom comment.  Keep up the build log; like your others, it will become an icon for future builders.

Very well put. In addition to having a high standard for accepting a part, its important to know when you are getting a little tired and to walk away from the shop for a break. I've always struggled with both, getting better over time. Sometimes when I stall on a project and lose interest, I'll look back at early parts and realize that I don't like something, and decide to either remake or improve it. Had a partly rigged ship model like that once, realized finally that the reason I stopped working on it was that the thread was too thick on the shrouds, making it look chunky. Bit the bullet, stripped it back and redid it, that made all the difference and kept at it. I still have parts that I settle for but am not thrilled with, thats a tough discipline to master! But, I try to raise the bar a bit each time. Not always successful, but its a goal. Chocolate chip cookies are a good reward incentive!