Alan

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
 
 

Bashing copper seems to be going ok so far. Part way through doming the top to fit the cylinder head. This is to utilise the 1/4"bsf threaded hole in the top to secure it-
 

 
There will also be a fixing that uses the flange of the crankcase at the shaft bearing output side -
 

 
Fuel tank caps will be more difficult to form
 
 

Yes Norm, very handy and will have a fair bit of work for them on this.
 
Not made great progress, but have machine cut/threads on several short rods and finshed the 8 brass nuts from the 1inch A/F (25.4mm) Hex stubs which are shown in the very first image on this.
Threaded 1/2" BSF and single chamfer . These represent pre-war A/F (across flats) dimension of the  9/16' Whitworth fixings-
 
 
 
Starting on the copper beating now the cushion is filled with sand.
Regards
 

Thanks Alan,
                      Trying to make progress while I have a reprieve from the dreaded R/Arthritis in the wrists. Just to give you an idea of this setup, here is a pic of the rough plan/layout of the working bits-
 

 
So left - right there is the water pump - speed reduction unit, then the engine. A 1954 Villiers Midget Mk2 98cc. Fully overhauled with a rebore +0.030" and new rings etc.
Being static, the engine will need additional cooling, which will require a cowling and cooling fan. The Mk3 Midget has this built in, but blows the air from the flywheel side.
I want it the other way, so have to make the shrouds , fan and drive etc.
Keeping the sort of Victorian 'Jules Verne' style, I'm using copper sheet from an old hot water cylinder for the shrouds, riveting where necessary and maybe some embelishment?
The first pattern from my drawings marked out/cut from the sheet and began rolling to the diameter of 4.5 inches (114mm approx) -
 

 
Fortunately, I have a piece of thick steel tube of the same diameter which allowed me to tightly form the intake area and rivet/solder the joint-
 
 
 
This is now ready for shaping (bossing) to fit the contours of the cylinder etc. A first time challenge for me.
I obtained an old Lignum Vitae Bossing Hammer in need of some considerable attention, so I refurbished it back to good condition and purchased a large 15" dia H/duty leather cushion-
 
 
 
Will have several jobs for these tools on this project and the washed Silver Sand is currently being dried, ready for filling the cushion.....meanwhile-
I had to redesign the engine mounting plates to position the engine inline so I can use direct couplings. I spent the last 3 days marking out, hacksawing and filing the 4 plates after drilling/reaming the holes.
Also made the reduction unit mounts ready for welding up, along with the engine ones at the same time-
 

 
With these parts all assembled in place, the shafts will line up and I can make the direct drive couplings with an allowance for any small misalignment, rather than use chains and sprockets etc. 
 
Regards
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looking good as always Richard.  

Just realised why I couldn't post any photo's. My subscription needed renewing. 
 
 So some photo's of the B80.#

 

 

 

 
   Done some bits and bobs to it.
  Found it had the wrong type of drive belt fitted. It wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding. It now has the correct one fitted. Also had to adjust the clutch peddle linkage as well. Far to much movement and when depressed, the idler pulley was going to far and the belt guide was pushing the top run of the belt down. Tightening the belt and making the gears hard to engage. 
  Minor adjustment needed on the carb' linkage as well.
  Couple of more things needed. Steering wheel is not a Wheel Horse item. So that will be replaced sometime in the future when I can get one. Also correct graphics as well.
  You may have noticed the registration plate. Yes! It is registered for road use and I have the reg' document. I may see about fitting it with lights and indicators. Not that I'll be going far. Could raise a few eyebrows outside the village shop. 

Drawn up engine mounting plate design and need to obtain steel sheet to make 4.
The 2 stanchions from 60 x 40 mild steel box are taking shape ready for welding up -
 

 
Had been searching for a genuine Villiers vintage exhaust, but realised they want too much money for not much style. I decided to make my own to suit the design I wanted
An empty disposable propane cylinder became the victim after getting the picture in my mind of how I want it. Constituent parts after much searching of materials, measuring, cutting & machining-
 

 
Ready to weld the 3 tubes for the outlet to the body and the test fit of the brass banding which seals and registers the butt joint end cap prior to riveting up-
 

 
The brass banding was cut from sheet, rolled and silver soldered the ends to form a close fitting ring.
The brass outlet pipe is from a 1954 mower front wooden roller insert, and the fishtail outlet is from a redundant 1960s Ronson Blow torch kit.
All finished and a coat of VHT paint cooked at Gas Mk6 for an hour-
 

 
I've got a finned exhaust clamp from a Triumph T120 which fits perfectly to fix it onto the engine.
Regards. 
 

I finally decided that this project will be a 2 stroke powered Water Pump.
I rescued this old slurry pump with pickup strainer after laying derelict outside for 30 years-
 

 
I fully rebuilt this back to new internally and improved the appearance with a bit of cleaning etc. Early 1960s 1" BSP Jabsco model of considerable durability-
 

 
Still being manufactured and this version/size will set anyone back £250 + without fittings !.
Low running speed of about 500 rpm will shift 80 ltrs per min and can pump/self prime comfortably from 5 metres head of water.
All this pump work was done several years ago.
Not wanting to use belting for drive(s), my options are :- inline flexible coupling,  chain drive, or combination of both.
Will be mounting this on a wheeled truck of some kind to tie in with the general style theme.
Just starting on the engine mounts.
Regards.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

All the Best everyone. Hope you have a good Yule Tide. 

Best Wishes Norm/all. I've 'Pulled the Drawbridge up' for the duration after an early shopping run today.

Happy Christmas to all the surviving members of MOM

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to everyone.
Still above the daisies, recovery from storm Arwen is ongoing.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all MOM members.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all MOM members.

I've been marshaling at a clubman's rally today. The stage I was at is in a farm yard, right on the Scottish border, below Gretna Green.
Photo across the border to Springfield which ajoins Gretna Green

 
In the farm house garden and in one or two places by buildings, is quite a collection of antique farm implements. Photo's below.
 







 
 

Beamish Museum is situated near Stanley county Durham, on Saturday and Sunday 23rd 24th July the Beamish Tractor Show was held on the old exhibition showfield at Beamish, The Living Museum of the North. A varied selection of stationary engines, horticultural equipment, tractors and a few commercials attended. A couple of rare items were noted an unknown make of grass cutter with a Humber engine (Humber were a English car maker many years ago) and also a rare Allen Scythe born about 1935  with steel wheels, with a Villiers two stroke engine which was cast on the engine cowling and straight handles not the usual curved ends, a good couple of days were had by all great weather  and a look around the museum.













 

This weekend has been the Hethersgill Vintage Clubs annual rally. Because of covid we have not been able to run it for three years. So it's been like a fresh start.
  Friday I took my farmer mates caravan through to the site, while he followed with cattle trailer with signage, table, chairs and my Sears/Roper GT16. We then erected the auction tent. I later returned home to load my car with stuff I was taking for the auction a long with a small 3X4ft trailer.
  Saturday was mainly spent booking in early arrivals and things for the auction, plus setting up the car display area. After a whisky laced coffee in the caravan and retired to bed in the back of the car. Number 3 grandson bedded down in his car along side. His first time away with me and at the rally. He did very well helping out here and there.
  Up early Sunday and soon was time to start booking in the car entries. Three of us were doing this but I kept getting dragged away to sort out some other peoples problems. Ten o'clock and the gate opened for the public. 
  The show finished around 4pm and it was time to start packing stuff away and helping load things that people had bought at the auction. I got a nice little trailer. Quite pleased with it. Also a cast iron Bamfords seat of some farm equipment. That will turn into a garden seat similar to one we already have. I hadn't given any thought as to how I was getting the trailer home. But Lewis phoned his eldest brother and he came and collect it along with the Sears and delivered it to my place. Eventually I arrived home about 8pm. had a bite to eat then unloaded the car. Well and truly tired. Bed by 10am and didn't wake till 6pm.
  Today back to the site and helped finish clearing up. Took the newly purchased trailer and brought a couple of tractor tyres my mate had bought.
 So below are some photo's for your perusal. 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
This belongs to a friend of mine who has quite  collection of vintage bicycles and some cars. Great fun to drive.

 

 
This is the pickup he brought it in. 1920's Citroen. 

 

 

 
That all for now. I do have a few more that failed to load. I'll try later.
 

The Velocar and Ariel 3 for the Showman Norm.  Might need speed limiters though. 

Velocar drive system. It has three speeds.

 
 

 

 

 

 
 

I can believe that. 
 
Good news he's home. Thanks Alan. 

Good to hear they let him out. Hopefully based on  overall improvement and not on parole!!. Please pass on my regards when possible Alan.
Regards

Spoke to Chris this morning. He can now walk without an aid and go up stairs. Has to have a nurse with him though, as his balance is not perfect. Hospital has a cafe up stairs and serves tea and cake.
  They are going to put a seat in his shower at home with hand rails. Also a rail going up the stairs. So he may be home sooner than thought. 

Aye us Southerners do apparently !
 
Chris is still in Haywards Heath Hospital and his therapy sessions are continuing, sounds like he is making progress
 
Keep going Mr Showman !
 
 

Phoned him on Thursday.   Said he was being well looked after.   Good food and plenty of tea.  Looking forward to getting home though.  

Been dog proofing the garden yesterday while we still have some garden left. Erected a fence between it and the yard. I did have some help from Nell, the pup. Rather large pup now. Driving the posts in was fun. When I swung the mallet, she'd jump up and try to grab it and push the post with her paws.
  The hole for the post by the house proved a bit of a problem. A piece of the original drive was still there under the soil. Four inch thick. That I attacked with a large chisel and lump hammer. After about an hour and a half and an aching wrist, I managed to get through concrete and the post in. Then fitted the last panels. Not bad for an afternoons work. I only collected the posts in the morning. 
  Fitted the gate first thing this morning.