Author Topic: A Robinson, in the " Making "  (Read 9923 times)

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #30 on: April 28, 2018, 05:51:50 PM »
Well....

I have an engine in the workshop, made from castings that were " leftovers " from the late 1890's.

Several sets of castings and forgings were bought by the Uppingham school from A.S. Barker of Leyton E. London. The story goes that if a student " screwed up " they'd just go and get another from the basement.
This left a few that couldn't be completed and both Vincent and I ended up with the remains. With Vincent's passing I've inherited his set of 3/4 HP engine castings.

I have to agree that castings can present added difficulty when trying to work out a method of action, I always aim for the simplest route. Grip it, centre it machine it.

Cheers Graham.
« Last Edit: April 28, 2018, 05:56:48 PM by Alyn Foundry »

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #31 on: May 02, 2018, 07:51:11 PM »
A sad moment.

I have to report the demise of a hard working member of the Alyn Foundry team. For at least 25 years my Black and Decker BD 280 powerfile has performed many a task in the pattern shop. Amazingly it's not the motor but the little wheel at the front, despite a couple of try's at repair the belts just keep flying off.

A replacement has been found but I fear it'll never last as long as my B&D has....

The base pattern is coming along nicely....

Cheers Graham.

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #32 on: May 02, 2018, 08:21:57 PM »
RIP and our regards

Cletus

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #33 on: May 03, 2018, 01:07:18 AM »
Deepest sympathies Graham. 25 years ago things were made to last. These days things are made to use until they break or wear out prematurely,and then to be replaced. It's a disposable mentality that is taking over sadly.

Bill

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #34 on: May 03, 2018, 11:49:10 AM »
Thanks guys.

Indeed Bill, and we're living on a planet with finite resources. Making things to last should be a priority.

My powerfile almost became an extension of my right hand, making complex radii with the little wheel was easy. The ergonomics of this new one are very different, almost cumbersome.

If anyone has a spare part, the wheel or arm, I'd be happy to hear from them.

Meanwhile, a sketch of the next pattern is always useful as a guide to formulating a plan for the pattern to follow.

Cheers Graham.

Offline RayW

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #35 on: May 03, 2018, 06:10:39 PM »
Hi Graham,

Just returned from a week break in your native land and now ready to tackle the Robinson again. Talking of long serving tools, I am now 71 and still have the Black and Decker drill that my aunt gave me for my 21st birthday! It has already outlived several of its later relatives and is still going.

Ray
Ray

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #36 on: May 03, 2018, 06:53:56 PM »
Hi Ray.

That's good to read, I'm 10 years behind you and also still regularly use a Solon 60 Watt soldering iron that my grandparents bought for me in my early teens.

Some good news though, I managed to find a new arm on eBay that's winging its way to North Wales my BD 280 will be back in " sterling " service!

Cheers Graham.

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #37 on: February 21, 2022, 01:36:05 PM »
Blimey, how time has flown by….

With number 3 son forced into hibernation for 10 days and the Brayton castings still being made we decided to pick up the Robinson again.

Sadly the Gardner base didn’t allow for 1/3rd scale so we started from scratch. I thought we’d try out Polycarbonate sheet this time as it’s very slippery and even tougher for the foundry than wood. Without boring you people too much I’ll just post some pictures of our progress to date.

Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions, that’s if anything isn’t self explanatory.

Cheers Graham.

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #38 on: February 21, 2022, 01:46:56 PM »
It seems after reading through this thread I promised a video of the famous Robinson “ pendulum “ governor, well….

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgSG3JbjOc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPgSG3JbjOc</a>

Online Jasonb

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #39 on: February 21, 2022, 04:02:15 PM »
Wot, no more progress today :( ;)

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #40 on: February 21, 2022, 04:25:54 PM »
Wot, no more progress today :( ;)

Still a few hours left Jason….  ;)

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #41 on: February 21, 2022, 08:48:40 PM »
Beginning to look like a Robinson Oil engine….

Offline Craig DeShong

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #42 on: February 21, 2022, 10:16:07 PM »
I am constantly amazed at the vast variety of governing devices I’ve seen on engines.  This one “takes the cake”.
Craig
The destination motivates us toward excellence, the journey entertains us, and along the way we meet so many interesting people.

Offline crueby

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #43 on: February 22, 2022, 01:34:05 AM »
That governor video is amazing, how they came up with that, wow.

Online Jasonb

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Re: A Robinson, in the " Making "
« Reply #44 on: February 22, 2022, 07:07:03 AM »
Thanks for leaving the loose piece unpainted I can see exactly how you are going to do that bit now, just don't let it get lost.

Is there draft angle on the exhaust mounting boss?


 

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