Robs Mastiff

[rjconway]

Its always exciting tracking an order you have been waiting weeks for it to dispatch....  Although at 14.2 kg not sure I anticipated such a heavy parcel between the UK and Australia, freight costs were very reasonable.     Am eagerly awaiting the casting (& stock) to see if this is as big as the weight suggests.  Although a build log maybe a little premature as this is a retirement project for future-me,  but lets at least set the delivery date to kick off the acquisition of parts.    Although I am sure we all have castings 10 years plus sitting around on the pretext of that will make a great retirement project one day !.

[Jo]

Although I am sure you all have castings 10 years plus sitting around on the pretext of that will make a great retirement project one day !.

One cannot have too many castings  They only go up in price and it is important to remember that you have to live as long as it take to make all the model engines in your stash. 

I think most of the weight in your set of Mastiff castings is the bar stock to make the bits out of.

Jo

[redhouseluv]

Although I am sure you all have castings 10 years plus sitting around on the pretext of that will make a great retirement project one day !.

I haven't been working on model engines for 10 yrs ............yet! I know of at least 1 set of castings I have that have passed via 2 engineers without being touched ....... I'm not going to let that happen .........but do remind me in 10 years 

[rjconway]

Hemingway delivery arrived today.  Freight costs for Fedex was great considering the weight and size being packed well.   Very glad I purchased the complete kit however will probably be easier to make some parts from billet.  i.e. manifolds or cylinder covers as too difficult if I wanted a good surface finish around those 9 boss.  Easier to just machine this on the Mill or CNC router.
I better understand now that the kit can be lathe only manufacture,  so the casting kits are a great way to go using a 4 jaw and fly cutter with the casting mounted to the cross slide.  i think a Mill with a DRO will make it easier in 2025 than in 1973 when they produced the engine plans and ME articles.
Having never seen the actual plans I didn't realise it uses bronze bushing and not bearings (and O rings) , which is OK but assumed different.
I am used to Howell plans taking measurements from center lines,  Castings put a different view as measurements are from an various edges. Suppose alot eaaier to markout but with DRO I have multiple datums to set.
Looks like the engine itself is a lot less forgiving in terms of dimensioning than my current project -Howell V4.


I am pleased in not having to source materials as the time and expense does mount up.  In Australia we have to procure from lots of different suppliers around the country so freight costs do add up over the build.  At least this way I pay once and get 95% of the parts.  Now to get some bolts and spark plugs to complete the kit.

If anyone has a list of screws and sizes for a Mastiff that would be helpful,  but I will go through the plans and see if I can get a fastener list sorted

[redhouseluv]

That looks a beast of a project, I particularly like the pieces which look like giant Lego! 

I'll be wathcing along with your build, good luck.....

[Roger B]

That look's a fun project   

[deltatango]

Hi Rob,

It's good to see the bits have arrived! Sorry but I didn't write a list of fasteners, just made it up as I went along with Mastiff.

David