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Alan

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  1. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Finished making the (12) 6BA Bronze bolts and brass nuts for the Fan Shaft bearing/grease point housings over the last weekend and now trial assembled on the unit. All good-
     

     
     
  2. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Many thanks for the comments. Sorry for being quiet for a while. Have been busy when able. Lots of decision making on design and machine time, but seem to produce little visually.
    The Tank Cartridges were set up for drilling and tapping. Had to obtain a metre of 10mm studding to make the fixings, as they're quite tall-
     

     
    Luckily the igniter percussion inserts drilled out ok, then tapped both bases 1/8"BSP for the fittings.
    The fuel taps were done as per previous post, so just the Air Valve to design and make. Shown in next image on the left-
     

     
    The left one shows the top of the reserve tank and the right shows the base of the main tank.
    Next job was the fan shaft layout, bearing housings and 'Screw Down Grease Cups'. I had the latter vintage cups, but had to make the housings for them out of cast bronze bar.
    Made a lot of work for myself milling to shape just to form the platforms to screw the cups into-
     
     
     
    Finished them on the lathe so that I could fit a short piece of brass tube between them as a seal against water ingress-
     

     
    Cheated a bit with these, as I'm hard soldering them to large flat brass washers to make the flange for bolting through and will match (in size, not colour) the ball bearing housings also machined from solid-
     
     
     
    So here is the basic assembly/layout of the fan shaft and now about to start on the sprocket mount and fan/blades-
     

     
    Regards
     
  3. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Finished the Fuel Taps. Lots of different set-ups and operations required. Did much of the work while still part of the parent brass rod. Cross drilling 3/8"(9.55mm)-
     
     
     
     
    I wanted the tap levers opposed to eachother for access (in the off position), so had to be careful when it came to drilling through with the tapered plugs fitted-
     
    .
     
    The Tap's cam limit plates had to be soldered together, then to a stub of brass for machining to shape using a rotary table-
     

     
    When as much work as possible was done, I cut them away from the parent bar and 'Silver Soldered' the pipe connection rods to the Tap bodies.
    All the fiitings are for 3/16" (4.75mm) copper pipe. The tap tapers are 'pulled in' using the correct 'Thackery' coil spring washers and provides just the right amount of resistance-
     

     
    A light polish and just need proper 1/16" Split (cotter) Pins to finish off. Maybe blend the joints. Happy with this first time job for me.
     

     
    Regards
     
     
     
     
  4. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Not a lot of progress, what with the cold spell of the last 3 weeks. Confined myself in the warmer environment of the Lounge. Too cold in the workshop.
    Have been designing and drawing up the Fuel fittings I require. Nothing 'off the shelf' will suit, so making my own and using a 1950s ATCO Pet Cock as a guide.
    Got some Lathe time in over last few days and started turning up a Taper Reamer blank, then a first Pet Cock plug at the same settings. Got to produce several of these so I have a stock.
    The taper angle is 7 degrees inclusive . The little levers that screw into the plug are threaded 5/32" Whitworth, so making them the same -
     

     
    Had to keep to Imperial, not easy to mix metric on these, plus I have been asked to reproduce an old Pet Cock style for a restoration.
    Ready to part off the finished plug from the rod and make the next one now.
    The reamer blank is next to finish machining the cutting edges, then harden, temper and hone.
    Quite pleased really, as the new plug actually fits perfectly in the old tap body, so I got the angle right.
     
    Regards.
  5. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Thank you Gents for your positive comments. Lot of work sorting the Reduction Unit design set up.
    I needed to provide stanchions for the tank(s) support and location, bearing support for the fan drive, Pto clutch lever mount point and lubricator positions, all in one area.
    I decided on brass plates for extending up to fan shaft line. Started with an old 12 inch (305mm) square plate shown during marking out-
     

     
    After lot of cutting and careful drilling time, I was able to fit it and began the stiffening with bracing layout and fittng the welded  and shaped stanchions.
    Lubrication connections made to fit into the large brass bearings, then made/fitted the mountings for the Lubricators.
    These Lubricators were found in an old barn in France about 15 years ago and are shown in the very first image of this Topic. Had to anneal the thick walled copper pipes, shaped to fit using a home made tube bender also shown in the image below-
     
       
     
    Had to use incompatible metals in this unit (electrolytic/galvanic reaction risk), so will have to be careful to seal the mating surfaces of the Aluminium and Brass parts, even though they will be polished and lacquered.
    Hoping to get this unit''s mounting plate/support welded up soon.
    Regards and wishing all a Happy New Year  
  6. Thanks
    Alan got a reaction from Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    As usual Richard  Fabulous work. 
  7. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Eclipse Sprayer   
    Had an opportunity to obtain this Sprayer in exchange for a contribution to a Charity.
    It was in a sad state after being exposed to sun light and temperature extremes for many years.
    The all important nozzle was missing, a large dent in the base and the wooden handles were very dry and cracked with shrinkage.
    Solid Brass and riveted/soldered joints, the item weighs 2.060 kgs dry.
    Fortunately, the Museum Curator had another near complete example, so I was able to borrow the nozzle parts for reproduction.
    Found the thread form was 1/8" BSP parallel, but several thousanths of an inch under size!.
    The main nozzle part wasn't difficult to produce, but had to make a reamer to form the minute taper of the outlet and produced the atomiser/restricter which was complicated-
     

     
    The Air Pump leather washer was tired and still fairly good, but made a new one from slightly thicker raw leather -
     

     
    Thie plunger is obviously tighter, but needs to relax and bed in and is easing with use. Being a pressure vessel, the control tap and pressure relief valve are all clean a working well-
    The hardwood plunger handle was so dry, it soaked up 20ml of raw linseed oil on the first feed. Another 5ml satified it's thirst and the cracks slowly closed up over a week.
    All back together and waiting for an acid, then soap, then soda washout, the latter to neutralise the ph level to 7.-

     
    Ignore the extra 'Thumb Nut' on the back of the horizontal handle, it is one I made for the museum example that was missing it. Bit of ageing and it will merge in well.
    My example may well be a 'Suds Pump' cutting oil feed for my Myford to save on electricity. So, a very nice piece of early 1950s quality re purposed.
    Regards
  8. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Thanks, hope all's well Ewan. A large void on here now without Norm
    Reached a point where there's lots of jobs that don't immediately produce finished parts. Lots of 'jigging' mounts that locate exactly where I want them prior to welding up.
    Managed to prime the chassis frame and black paint the underside. More holes to drill yet, so left it at that stage.
    Turned to fuel tanks and the mounting thereof. Lots of hammering/annealing of copper to form the bullet shape to fit onto the shell cartridge.
    Started with a section of tube 1.1/2" (38mm) in diameter and wall thickness of 1/16" (1.6mm)  shown in the bottom centre of the pic.
    The one I'm working on is the main tank, having a screw on filler cap and looking a bit like a flask-
     

     
    I have to make another former of some kind to finish to the shape I need in order to make 2 of them, one main tank and one reserve.
    The reserve tank will be inverted for design purposes and will become obvious when assembled (I hope).
    Regards
  9. Like
    Alan reacted to Prof in Stormin   
    I spoke to Carol yesterday and she said no flowers, Norm would have hated the waste of money, but any donations to Cancer Research, a family member has terminal cancer..

    She's was calling Norm an old bugger because she'd been in his shed and found out how many tractors he had. She didn't know. Wonder what else she'll find.
  10. Like
    Alan reacted to expeatfarmer in Stormin   
    Farewell Stormin !
  11. Sad
    Alan reacted to Prof in Stormin   
    Hi All, sorry to be the bearer of bad news but Stormin Norman Dainton died from a stroke last week. Sounds like it was sudden
    I knew him from the Land Rover community but know he was on here fairly often. 
    This was him and Carol on 4th August this year when he visited us in Mid Wales. My wife tried to poison him with spicy foreign muck (Spaghetti Bolognese), he'd never had spaghetti before.
    A true gentleman with a dry northern wit and will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
     
    Chris

     

  12. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Had some lathe and milling machine time in recently. Started on the wheel for the front caster. Had barely enough 40mm dia EN8 Steel to make the hub and leave enough for the drive coupling.
    Had to work really close to the chuck jaws, which was going fine with light feed, then I noticed the 'in-feed' movement of the parting tool went 'light' and easier !. I withdrew the tool and found it had failed !.
    As I bought it in a modestly priced set 38 years ago and just lightly stoned the cutting edge now and again, it has served me very well- 
     

     
    I finished off with a narrow HSS type with no issues.
    Indexed and drilled for the spokes on the Mill with barely 1.5mm clearance between rotary table wheel and chuck ! -
     

     
    Also added an angled grease point and made the bronze bushes to be pressed in later-
     

     
    I decided to keep the original engine output drive clutch bell and make a driven plate to replace the original Mower Clutch plates to form a coupling.
    This would allow for any tiny misalignment of the engine and the reducton unit.
    The load transfered through this part will be much less than it was orignally handling in a Mower, but I wanted it to be efficient and reliable.
    Ordered a 105mm x 4mm laser cut mild Steel disc and meanwhile, I made 6 bronze wear pads -
     

     
    The slitting saw used is only 0.0125" (0.3mm) thick. These pads were soldered to the dog spokes of the plate where they will contact the recesses in the clutch bell.
    The plate was then set up to drill the 6 HT fixing screws to the boss-
     

     
    Once I had cut the keyway in the boss, I pressed the plate with the drilled and countersunk holes onto the boss and finished fitting the screws. i need to file out the keyway in the plate to depth.
    The bell drive recesses needed weld metal added where they were worn from mowing since 1954, but were not bad at all -
     

    The caster wheel is at the final assembly stage. My reasons for using surplus thick walled steel tubing for the rim left over from my previous Water Cart wheel making becomes clear.
    It all fits and allows me to re-use the wheel jig for accurate assembly ! -
     
     
      
     
    Regards
     
     
     
     
     
  13. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Thank you Gents!. Still learning as I go and making reasonable progress. Finished the parts for the front caster assembled here with a temporary bolt, so just the wheel to make-
     

     
    I had to make the 1/2" BSF Pin Bolt to ensure a good fit and with fine adjustment. I have some 15/16" AF high carbon Hex steel, so set to and turned one up on the lathe-
     

     
    Also made a nut.
    I bit the bullet and started 'tacking' the frame joints and managed to continue with reasonble weld joints to form a strong frame. I wll need to get the upper surface joints properly done. 
    The mahogany planks have been cut and temporarily fitted for trimming to bring the surface level with the frame's surface. Embelishments include a brass nut cover to keep it weather tight-
     

     
    .........and we all like to 'trial assemble', so this gives a better image of the project-
     

     
    Regards
     
  14. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Bit of progress on making parts, turned up a few bronze pieces for a change, starting with a pair of captive chassis axle to wheel thrust bearings. Shaft size is 9/16" (>13mm) dia-
     

     
    Then drew up the front Caster wheel design, sourced some rectangular thick box section steel and started on the axial bearing.
    Took a slice of bronze off the 2" dia hollow bar after boring out to exactly 1" (25.4mm) first-
     

     
    I planned to use 5/32" bearing balls from old bearing stock like I did with the Drill Project a few years back. Calculated the number required (18) and set up for machining on the rotary table.
    As I was slot drilling through the cage plate, i had to use thin birch ply under it. Using a 'Ball Nosed Slot Drill' of the same diameter as the balls, they sit very comfortably in the respective positions-

     
    I then machined a shallow 'race' in the 2 mating bearing plates using the same table settings, leaving running clearance on each side of the cage plate-
     

     
    Very pleased with the way this bit went, being my first attempt at an Axial Bearing and it all runs very smoothly (without grease) when assembled.
    Regards
     
     
     
     
  15. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Been a while since the last post and have been occupied daily with this. Commenced work on the chassis after drawing it up, deciding on material sizes, ordering it etc etc and finally starting the cutting.
    Settled for 50 x 50 x 3mm angle and drew the design up full size on a nice flat piece of thick birch ply. Chassis size is 360mm x 620mm.
    After lots of sawing, filing and bending, I have reached this point -
     
     
     
    Havng decided on three wheels, it took me a little longer to come up with the layout. The front wheel will be  a 'Caster' type and it looks like I'll have to make it.
    I've made a mounting plate 5mm thick to strengthen the area, plus a towing eye. I will tack weld all the joints and then decide whether I continue welding it all up myself, or get it done properly ! -
     

     
    Back to engine and reduction gear mounts which need to be trimmed to final height before welding to the base plate etc - 
     

     
    Regards
       
  16. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Reduction gear clutch parts finished now and all fit nicely in the finished bearing plates. Painted a nice shiney black enamel, it goes well with the polished brass parts-

     

     
    Couple of jobs to do before I fit the innards to the Reduction unit, but able to move on to couplings and chassis design.
    Regards
     
  17. Like
    Alan reacted to pmackellow in Swanton Morley rally 2023   
    On the way home from Yorkshire after the Newby Hall event, we stopped in Norfolk to do the Swanton Morley rally for a day.
     
    Just the Wheelhorse Commando 8 on show from us, with a couple of bits we bought at Newby Hall.
     
    Nice little event with plenty to see...
     
     



























  18. Like
    Alan reacted to pmackellow in Newby Hall Tractorfest 2023   
    Just had a great weekend in North Yorkshire at Tractorfest.
     
    We took our 1968 Wheelhorse Commando 8 and trailed Wheelhorse aerator
     
    Mark Smith organised the 2023 Wheelhorse Roundup and got 25 tractors this year.
     
     












  19. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    This part is very nearly ready for welding up and riveting now I've finished making the copper rivets and shaping the friction linings. Gives me 19.5 sq ins(126sq cms) of contact, so plenty of grip.
     
    The bar with the springs will serve to keep the "Shoes' open and apply equal pressure when shoes are closed onto the PTO by 'over centre' lever lock and cable operation-
     

     
    Regards
     
  20. Thanks
    Alan got a reaction from Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Looking good as always Richard.  
  21. Like
    Alan reacted to Stormin in Ransomes MG Sand Skimmers   
    Be sad to see it go. Nothing like it to drive. Look! No hands. 
  22. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Thanks Mark, Hope all's well with you and family. Chassis plans are ongoing, yet to decide which species of wood to select....... meanwhile, I've been working on the 'clamshell style' clutch system design.
    Details were mentioned in post nbr#10 on page 1. -
     

     
    The steel ring is retained in the whole while I make and attach the various parts, then will cut it up when ready to close the 5/32" dia (4mm) rivets. Also then attach (copper rivets) the friction lining.
    The 2 halves pivot on 1/2"dia (12.7mm) rod. the hinges are machined from solid and initially screwed together. Also welding them later before shaping. Quite pleased with the fit and no play in the hinge parts-
     

     
    The bits of Angle plate were cold forged to shape with a hammer.
     
    Another essential time saving part dropped into the stock for this project and although slightly large, they will suit the style of this project.
    A pair of cast iron wheels were obtained, rust welded to an axle. Took a while to separate them and clean up-
     

     
    These are just under 10 inches in dia (250mm approx) and are not 'handed', so the curved spokes will be opposite on each side.
    I found oil holes under the dirt and rust, so I've tapped them out to fit brass 'Oilers' -
     

     
    The paint is the only colour I have in proper enamel, so not yet decidied the final colour. So a good price of a 'tenner' (UKL£10.00) secured these and save me a lot of work.
    May even go for a 3 wheeler chassis?.
    Regards.
     
     
     
     
  23. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Thanks guys,
                          Enjoyed making the shroud and working it out as I went along. Done with that now and the engine sports a N.O.S Lodge C3 Plug-
     

     
    Be a while before nexrt update,  have to plan for the chassis layout etc.
     
     
  24. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Just about finished the copperwork on the Cowling now which should now provide more efficient removal of heat and keep the intake side cooler-
     

     

     
    Carb side additional shroud will be riveted on, as the full shroud can be fitted and removed ok. The plate on the exhaust side will have to be detachable.
  25. Like
    Alan reacted to Anglo Traction in Bits for my next Project   
    Hi Nigel, Good to hear from you and hope all's well. Quite enjoy doing the beating of copper. Just about ready to stitch the cowl/plates together with rivets now that I've nearly sorted the Plug access hole-
     
     
     
    Meanwhile, I had to come up with a fixing point I'd mentioned to secure the lower part of the cowl.
    Decided on a split housing so that it can be easily assembled/removed. Machined 2 blocks of Duralumin to identical size, then drilled/tapped to bolt them together.
    Excellent machining qualities of this metal made it a rather enjoyable job-
     
     
     
    I was then able to machine the inner diameters to fit the flange it clamps to and clears the crank bearing and shaft by a few thousands of an inch (0.05mm).
     It will also have a greased felt wiper washer inside to prevent dirt/water ingress-
     

     
    This now gives me a platform to fix the cowl and hold it securely-
     

     
    Have lots of swarf to clean off the machines now!.
    Regards
     
     
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