Is there an alternative to tufnol strip for springing

[steve2250Participant @steve2250]

<p style=”text-align: left;”>Been trying unsuccessfully find a source of 1.2mm carp brand tufnol for my 5′ engine and tender rebuild.</p>
Thanks in advance

Steve

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Carrbon /Glass/Kevlar Fibre reinforced sheet would seem appropriate … just need to fiddle with the spring-rates.

MichaelG.

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Hi M Machine metals sell 1.2 mm Tufnol sheet, you have to buy it by tha square foot. I found it quite easy to cut into strips with a pair of old fashioned tin snips.

Doug Hewson has detailed all steel springs in the published articles on his loco designs.

Dave

[Perko7Participant @perko7]

Have you considered the plastic strapping now used for bundling stuff together instead of steel strapping? Not sure how thick it is in your part of the world but in Australia there is some which is 1mm thick. Maybe make a composite spring of some plastic and some metal leaves?

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

Plasticard is available in 1mm and 1.5mm and is a thermosetting plastic. I dont think grp is. You’re not after strength, just cosmetics, the steel does the springing,

.as michael says you,d need to fiddle with the number of steel/plastic

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

1 and 2 mm available here.

https://www.directplastics.co.uk/tufnol-sheet

Dave

[bernard towersParticipant @bernardtowers37738]

If you really need 1.2mm it does machine beautifully

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Probably worth posting the spec. for reference:

https://tufnol.com/fabric-laminates/carp-brand/

MichaelG.

[steve2250Participant @steve2250]

Thanks for all your input M Machine certainly has a vast stock of material. The drawings call for carp brand but suppliers only seem to have whale brand, will that work, otherwise I’m quoted a full sheet from at Tufnol at £300 so not viable.
Yes the drawing adds a steel in the pack for strength as a 5″ 3 cyl Jubilee is Heavy

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

Carp is finer weave than whale in the cotton.

In a flat sheet I can’t see that making a difference.

You know you can look this stuff up:

https://tufnol.com/fabric-laminates/carp-brand/

https://tufnol.com/fabric-laminates/whale-brand-tufnol/

 

[Dave WoottonParticipant @davewootton]

Hi Steve

M Machine Tufnol not used in anger but combined with steel leaves has shown no sign of sagging too much on the bench. It took a curved set when heated in the same way that the material sold for springs by ME suppliers in the past did. Not sure it contributes much to the springing the steel seems to take most of the strain.

 

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