Author Topic: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine  (Read 18147 times)

Offline scc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #45 on: October 31, 2021, 08:55:26 PM »
Recent activity has been to level the bases for the crosshead guides and machine to width, carefully working from a centre line.   I could not resist resting the bits in place .      Terry

Online crueby

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #46 on: October 31, 2021, 09:40:13 PM »
What a fine looking engine that will be!    :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Offline scc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #47 on: November 07, 2021, 07:49:02 PM »
An update........In view of my basic marking-out equipment, ageing eyesight, etc. I have made a drilling guide for the 10ba fixings at the base of the crosshead guides. The chance of "spotting-thro" is minimal and I need things to line up. The holes were drilled using the dials on the mill rather than measuring. The the jig was carefully lined up and holes drilled (tapping size)   When the frames are done the same jig will be used.           

I suspect that little shop time will occur for the rest of the year :( My wife's business has already become manic in the run-up to Christmas,    taking most of my home time.             Terry

Offline Jo

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #48 on: November 07, 2021, 07:54:06 PM »
Drilling jigs are a reliable way of achieving lined up holes  :ThumbsUp:  It is worth marking them so you know which way round they go   ::)

Jo
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Offline scc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #49 on: November 07, 2021, 09:14:08 PM »
I did stamp it Jo, after the photo......R, L, UP :)    Terry

Offline GWRdriver

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #50 on: November 07, 2021, 10:16:25 PM »
If you recall there are some known "features" on this engine one of which is the crank hits the bottom of that plate - Jo
Has a compilation of these special "features" been collected by anyone, such as Alan Stepney did once upon a time?
« Last Edit: December 01, 2021, 02:00:11 PM by GWRdriver »
Cheers,
Harry

Offline Double Dutch

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #51 on: November 30, 2021, 02:52:41 PM »
Hello,
I am new to this forum.
I have a set of Murdoch & Aitken castings in stock as the next project after I finished my Stuart No1.
One problem of the casting is the hardness of the thinner parts.
I have annealed some castings in the past, but I am not sure if I used the correct procedure.
Does anyone has experience in annealing castings?
I used a temperature of 700drgC and a cooldown gradient of 50drgC an hour.
If anyone has correct figures I will be very please before I spoil my castings.

With kind regards,
Double Dutch

Learn from other men’s mistakes, you will never get old enough to make them all by yourself.

Offline Jasonb

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #52 on: November 30, 2021, 03:04:36 PM »
DD, Have a look at this recent post, you want teh temp a bit higher.

https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,10596.0.html

Offline ettingtonliam

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #53 on: November 30, 2021, 10:43:21 PM »
Put them in the fire at the end of the evening, covering them up with glowing embers. Go to bed. When you rake out the fire in the morning, they will be annealed.

Offline scc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #54 on: December 01, 2021, 09:27:21 PM »
I wish :disappointed:   Our house is in a Conservation Area with a smokeless zone so  NO fires :Mad:  Our previous house (33yrs ago) had a Rayburn which would have been ideal.   Progress?   Terry

Offline Double Dutch

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #55 on: December 05, 2021, 02:29:54 PM »
Hello
I had just contact with Graham from the Alyn Foundry.
He advices to heat up a little above 750dgrC and let it cool down as slow as possible
Our chemical department at work has a large oven which easily reaches 1500dgrC.
I will keep you updated.

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #56 on: December 05, 2021, 05:01:15 PM »
Did you look at the link Jason posted above? 750 might be a bit low.

Dave

Offline Double Dutch

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #57 on: December 08, 2021, 09:54:20 AM »
I found an article about the Murdorch and Aitken from ME Juli 1979

Offline scc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #58 on: December 11, 2021, 07:33:27 PM »
Thank you,    Double Dutch,   an interesting article but does nothing for my confidence :o     My wife's business has gone much quieter since this latest Covid development so I have been able to escape to the shed albeit briefly.   I had a bit of a tidy up of the columns and set the entablature up on the four jaw to machine for the cylinder spigot. Next job will be to progress  attatching the base, columns and entablature together.
Terry

Offline fumopuc

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Re: Murdoch-Aitken "Steeple" engine
« Reply #59 on: December 12, 2021, 06:41:29 AM »
Hi Terry,
nice set up.
I am quietly following along.
Kind Regards
Achim

 

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