Strictly.... “ Hot Air “

[Jo]

They look good Andy.

The old one looks rather squashed 

Jo

[Chipmaster]

The old O ring is still pliant and serviceable but looks scorched where it has been in contact with the bottom of its groove in the hot pot.
Andy

[Alyn Foundry]

Hi Both.

So Jo, are we looking at a run this weekend? With just a simple part to finish, two holes, one tapped.
Nothing to seriously maim or injure??   

Andy, those " O " rings look great, just like mine did!!

Cheers Graham.

[Jo]

I also need to make the piston & some more fixings Graham and Saturday is gardening day 

Jo

[Jo]

I've turned down the end of the piston rod where it goes through the regenerator piston and added a washer to give it some support. The bottom has had a 3.2mm hole drilled in it and been beaten flat with a hammer. Overall the piston seems to hold together ok without soft soldering 

Graham mentioned drilling 4 1/2" diameter holes in the regenerator, I don't have any suitable drills that size so I chose to drill six holes using a 10mm wood drill bit. To avoid getting cut fingers the loose lid was screwed onto the bottom of the tin for drilling These wood drills work well in thin material and happily cut one piece at a time

I have stuffed the inside of the piston with some wire wool for now, and it looks piston like, I am not sure if it really needs to be soldered together 

Graham's drawings show the length of the mounting hole to the top of the regenerator as 63.5mm I decided to play it safe and do some measurements and yes it looks about right 

Jo

[Jasonb]

I did not solder mine but do have a machined recess in the edge of the piston that the lid is a good fit in which ensures the piston stays central so no risk of it rubbing on the sides of the base or cap.

[Alyn Foundry]

Hi Jo.

To coin Baldrick.... I have a cunning plan.... I like it!!  No need to solder as the washer retains the top cover.

It makes for a little extra machining but it should work. My only reservation is that the edges need to be a close fit otherwise the outside diameter might just rock sideways.

Are we there yet?   

Cheers Graham.

[Jo]

Not this weekend I have had too many phone calls interrupting my workshop time  The worst offender phoned up numerous times to let me know that he did not buy me the set of castings he said he would try to buy for me but they went for a lot less than I was willing to pay  And to really annoy me he has brought another three sets of Stuart castings (6A, 600 and Sandhurst) for a song, this is the same supplier who has not made a single model engine for over 8 years

As for the Robinson: I've drilled a few holes and started studding. But currently I have studs without any nuts, its not good if your studs have no nuts 

Jo

[Jasonb]

I gave up on the string and made a couple of washers from Exhaust manifold gasket, you can tighten things down a lot more easily and get even pressure all around the o ring which keeps the top and bottom bores in line.

You can buy A4 size sheets online that come with both the metal faced and plain "paper" gaskets, paper is easy to cut.

Which casting set were you after?

[Jo]

I will give it a go... I do have the proper glue for it but the end will have to be dealt with 

I wanted the Stuart Major Beam engine casting set and was willing to pay a lot more than they £200 they sold for. I would have even paid buyer's commission for them so he lost out on making a handsome profit

Jo

[Jasonb]

£200, someone went away very happy.

[Jo]

It wasn't me 

Jo

[10KPete]

I had no idea that the engine castings competition was so intense there! Has this been only for out-of-production castings?

 

Pete

[Jo]

I had no idea that the engine castings competition was so intense there! Has this been only for out-of-production castings?

My supplier is a model engine collector who also likes dealing to fund his habit. Both the Stuart 6A and Major Beam are still available from Stuarts but they will cost you a four digit sum of money   

https://www.stuartmodels.com/item/61/stuart-major-beam-unmachined

https://www.stuartmodels.com/item/57/stuart-6a-unmachined

Jo

[Jasonb]

I think the reason Jo is unhappy is that there was no intensity to the competition, if only one person is bidding the casting set will go for the starting price rather than two or more bidders competing which pushes the price up.

Next time you will have to get the mobility scooter dusted off and go yourself.