Brass Hornblocks

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

I need to make hornblocks for my 71/4 Invicta project but dont want to buy castings, axleboxes are cast, it isnt likely to see much use so do you think brass would do?

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi Fizzy ,

Brass would probably survive for a couple of seasons running but my choice would be just to use steel or cast iron boxes . The sliding surfaces would last forever and if you put thin wall bushes in for the axles then these can be renewed as nescessary – probably very infrequently .

There is merit in making axleboxes split so that you can drop them off the axles for repairs without having to press the wheels off .

Life of axlebxes depends a lot on lubrication and protection from grit . Well arranged oilpipes and passageways for the lubrication and tinplate shields for any boxes in vicinity of ashpan .

Regards ,

Michael Williams .

[roy entwistleParticipant @royentwistle24699]

Michael The quiery was for horn blocks not axleboxes Not being an engine builder I can't help

but I would have thought brass would do

Roy

[DustyParticipant @dusty]

I think some of the problem is that Fizzy is talking about hornblocks and axleboxes in the same sentence, it is not clear what he means. I know that some people refer to axleboxes as hornblocks and call the horns exactly that. If it is the horns themselves I would go for a mild steel fabrication. But as Michael said Brass is really a no no.

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hello all ,

If its the axlebox guideways as fixed permanently to frames that are of interest then definately not brass . Mild steel will do all that is required . Can either be plain bar/angle or a brazed/welded assembly arranged to look something like full size .

Agreed there is a bit of a descriptive problem !

LBSC just used ' Hornblocks ' and ' Axleboxes ' in the conventional way and this is probably easiest .

MikeW

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

hi

axle boxes are cast iron as stated, steel frames, brass for horn-blocks?

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

bit more info…the axle boxes sit in the frame, with the horn block rivited to the inside of the frame, so half of the contact surface between axlebox and the slot it moves up and down in is already steel. The hornblock will make up the rest of the required thickness of the axlebox.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Use mild steel. I should have done that for my shunter, although the 'Tich' gunmetal hornblocks weren't very expensive (about £10?)

Neil

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

ahhh…not what i wanted to hear as i have no ms that thick…picture if it helps:

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi Fizzy ,

Yu are using what is effectively a doubler plate on back of frames . Doesn't have to be in one piece though – I've used separate bits of plain bar in the past – one on each side of opening and rivetted in place .

Could also use separate pieces of angle or bend up a piece of channel from relatively thin steel and weld to an also thin flat plate to give a riveting flange – remember to cut the middle out though !.

MikeW

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