The Bolton -Bertinat -Bailey Triple expansion engine

[steam guy willy]

The slots for the main bearings have been milled and the parts being assembled to see how they fit '''

Willy

[Michael S.]

Hi Willy,

6 crankshaft bearings in a row!
A lot of work, but it will look great.

Best regards, Michael

[steam guy willy]

Hi "M" yes but still more todo before that !!! so .. the top holes are done and the standards are being attached  and they need to be connected to the base in the correct positions so I will make a jig for this ...Pics of the set up so far....

willy

[steam guy willy]

This engine is now getting quite heavy and I have made the positioning jig from a piece of perspex  I also have some long drills to drill the standards in place ...to make the engine lighter I will be removing metal from the castings especially the insides of the standards..
Willy

[Admiral_dk]

I think that the Perspex Jig will serve you very well here 

As usual I wonder how big or with your builds - how small is the Engine Willy ?

Per             

[steam guy willy]

Hi Per , thanks for the message and the engine is 10" long 9" high and 7" wide and the castings weight were 34 Lbs before machining ?!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Willy

[steam guy willy]

The standards are now being attached to the base and cylinder block using the perspex jig... I have temporarily use 6BA Allen screws as they are quick to attach and remove . the Brass jig will be used to locate the holes for the condenser..these will be quite tedious to attach with the nuts to the studs when the final assembly comes round !!

Wily

[crueby]

A whole lot of clamping and drilling and tapping, going to be a great engine!

[Roger B]

Coming along nicely   

I like the Perspex guide/gauge block 

[steam guy willy]

Hi "C"  & "R" thanks for the comments and I have made another perspex jig to position the top of the standards for the hole drilling ...I have 82 holes to drill and tap to join everything up ??!!!!... I am spending more time in the allotment now spring has arrived and the clocks have sprung forwards .....
Willy

[steam guy willy]

The template is attached to the bottom covers and is used to drill the holes into the standards that are partly covered by the cylinder block. the parts are clamped together and tapped 7BA  so , lots more work still to do ..
Willy

[crueby]

Great use of the perspex as drill guides to make all the hole patterns match. 

[steam guy willy]

Hi "C" yes , I have a lot of perspex to use up so it does make things a lot easier ??!!  I have now drapped   (Drilled and tapped) the 30 fixing holes to join the standards to the cylinders,  without breaking the drill or the tap , !!and while I was busy filling the parts together I was watching the telly with the fireman busy firing up the flying Scotsman steam train for a heritage trip ???!!! this is now showing  ( 2.30 ) BST if anyone is up this late ??!!!  What is cool about this Loco is that the number is an anagram of the Norwich landline telephone area code ..60103. ?!!! 

Willy

[steam guy willy]

The engine is getting quite heavy now so i have been trying to reduce the weight by milling out the insides of the standards. they weigh about 300 gms and this has reduced them by about 40 gms  so still some to go yet   

Willy

[steam guy willy]

Hi all i had a Covid jab last thursday and am feeling really weak and grotty so have not been in the workshop for a week 
Willy