Martin Shaw
Western Thunderer
Only a little bit done today, busy with outdoor things, the rain held off until tonight when it assumed biblical proportions. The axleboxes which are a separate casting need drilled for the bearings, this seems like overkill for a little job
but it does remove a lot of the variables, shaky hands, drill bit not vertical, casting gripped in the vice rather than delicate fingers so it makes sense. The castings were drilled to a depth of 4mm dia 2.6mm, the bearing is a snug fit. The whole thing will need to be dry assembled to establish whether the depth is adequate and what protusion from the casting is necessary for the axle to run on it's point. You do have to be careful not to horse the vice which will distort or destroy the casting.
Emboldened by this I thought it worth a try with the buffer castings, pretty succesful barring a broken 1.2mm drill when it choked on the swarf, fortunately I was able to drift it out. A little playing about with various diameter drills found the sweet spot where upon the paint will gum it up of course. A reasonable end to this evenings efforts.
Best wishes
Martin
but it does remove a lot of the variables, shaky hands, drill bit not vertical, casting gripped in the vice rather than delicate fingers so it makes sense. The castings were drilled to a depth of 4mm dia 2.6mm, the bearing is a snug fit. The whole thing will need to be dry assembled to establish whether the depth is adequate and what protusion from the casting is necessary for the axle to run on it's point. You do have to be careful not to horse the vice which will distort or destroy the casting.
Emboldened by this I thought it worth a try with the buffer castings, pretty succesful barring a broken 1.2mm drill when it choked on the swarf, fortunately I was able to drift it out. A little playing about with various diameter drills found the sweet spot where upon the paint will gum it up of course. A reasonable end to this evenings efforts.
Best wishes
Martin