HELP NEEDED TO MAKE PARTS

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi everyone.

You would of seen that i am restoring a 2 inch scale ruston proctor engine, its going well with all the help i'm getting.

however i have come across an issue with parts being made for me, i have no milling machine at home due to anywhere to keep it, so i'm looking for anyone who would consider maybe making me some parts.

these include the reversing link, and lifting arm and eccentric rods..i dont know if this is the correct place to ask and forgive me if i shouldnt.

im on a very limited budget and hae been quoted over £500 for thise small bits alone, if all fails i will just have to sit there in the cold evenings filing the parts by hand, which if saves me hundreds of pounds then thats what i will do.

thanks everyone

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Suggest you post scale drawings of each part you need – im sure you will get offers of free help if you do this

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

just as a reference, the parts id like to far m out to be made if posisble are the eccentric connectiong rods, reversing link, lifting links and what i think is called the die fork..

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi All

Lovely weather, would anyone be interested in making me two eccentric connecting rods?

i can pay £100, i know this maybe not enough but its all that left in my budget for this year, the rest of the engine will have to wait until tyhe ew year and summer.

Regards Derek

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I'll stick a drawing up later, If anyone has been following Dereks other threads they are for his 2" Ruston Proctor traction engine not more than 3" lone and probably cut from a bit of 3/8" x 1" BMS

Having said that you could buy a hacksaw, few files, drill bit and reamer and have some change from your £100, the winter evenings in the workshop come free.

 

Edit, drawing of the two eccentric rods attached, the 1/8" hole would be better if reamed

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 06/11/2014 08:16:29

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi All

I do take Johns advice on board, amd i'm sorry if i was rude asking on here.

I should of also been more descriptive, im at the moment hand making the other parts and wanted to try and get these done, as i couldnt see how id manage at home.

Derek

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

I have found an engineering company to make these £120, so thats fine.

the other parts i will hand make myself, like veryone says its something to do on these dark and cold evenings.

Regards Derek

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hi Derek,

My worry is that making parts for a part-finished project like this isn't best served by picking it off a bit at a time for the drawings. The original builder is unlikely to have made any parts exactly to the drawings and, almost certainly, will be have been making each part to fit the previous parts. While any deviation in the lengths of the eccentric rods (for example) can probably be allowed for when adjusting the valves, if the eccentrics themselves are already machined the straps will need to be matched for width and bore – those 1 1/8" and 9/32" dimensions don't give the maker any idea of tolerance, and there isn't even a dimension for the internal groove. If you do get someone to make these – make sure you lend them the eccentrics themselves for the duration.

My advice would be to find someone local who could, if and when needed, have the engine with them to allow them to make parts, but also so you can easily go around and discuss progress or any changes face to face. These things are very difficult to sort by email (I speak from experience, having once been asked to make parts, but not supplied with any tolerances or guide to the required finish etc.), much better to be able to discuss face-to-face.

Ideally, find someone willing to keep the engine in a safe place and, when your budget allows, you go around and discuss what the next stage should be. That way you always know where the engine is and can have an agreement to be able to 'call it quits' and collect the engine without rancour if you ever decide to send the project or go down a different path.

This may not be the quickest or cheapest route, but I suspect it could be the least stressful for all parties.

Neil

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Hi Neil

thats all very good points, in fact i have machined the eecentrics myself, well the straps im send this away to get finished along with the other part.

i'm having my eccentric rods made but sending them the reversing link, so hopefully all will be ok.

i actually work as an technician and have alot of very good engineers around me, so as long as the part is a tight fit not loose i can always fettle to part until all fits well.

but fully agree its very risky getting someone to make the part, as it may no fit the rest of the engine.

Regards Derek

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Neil, I cropped the drawing as Derek was only asking about the rods at the time so cut off some of the strap details.

The most likely thing that will want tweaking is the offsets in the rods as it seldom works out that the crankshaft is lined up perfectly with the valve rod and weightshaft bracket

[derek blakeParticipant @derekblake72550]

Can anyone advise on two ready made saftey valves for a 2 inch scale ruston protor? the engine actually measure 1 1/2 inch in size..

the parts ive asked to get made i have so far done myself, but the making safty valves seems risky and silly for beginner like me.

Regards Derek

[Author]

Posts