Finescale - of a sort?!

In the 80’s, I worked for Lucas Girling, renowned makers of brakes & suspension to the British Motor and Railway industries. They had some lovely paperweights cast in brass as customer gifts, with a sort of oval world map, surrounded by the words “Lucas Girling - In action around the world” in heavy text around the outside.

They’d have been great, save for the missing space between “in” and “action”. I do wish I had one.

then again, a recruitment advert in the South Wales press…

“Lucas Girling, leaders in breaking technology”.

that didn’t go down well with the gaffer either, but had the engineering department in hysterics.

Today I very briefly passed a slightly bigger sister…
Sadly I didn’t get many photos as a certain lady was enjoying not listening to the word, stop, wait or come here…


BUT, I did spot one little detail that might make you feel like you’ve a miniature copy of it…


I think it’s also a transfer!

The rather regularly used term "Life getting in the way" only partly applies here, although the two main projects have stalled for, amongst other things, wont of some appropriate materials. I admit that while most of my requirements can be quite easily acquired by mail order, I still prefer to inspect the goods beforehand, as well as having some control of the handling where certain items are delicate or prone to damage. Quite apart from completely mistrusting my ability to measure accurately, I still have full faith in my eyes. All my artistic endeavours, whether they be flat or three dimensional have primarily to "look" right, almost, but not quite regardless of technical accuracy!

I know there are plenty of tasks on the engine that I could be getting on with, but I'm just feeling a bit stuck in the mud at the moment.

Things have not been entirely gloomy of late, so in lieu of any proper progress reports, please permit me a little belated indulgence...



The opportunity to take the engine and all the portable track to our traditional - and previously much missed - festive, family get together at my brother-in-law's very spacious flat could not be missed. The mileage that could be laid down on level, step free floors in between rooms would provide pretty good play value?!

It certainly proved thus !!



One of the Daddies insisted on taking his ease at a particular point on the circuit, and had to be told in no uncertain terms to "git orf the line"...



Spring, and operations returning to the garden railway seem like an absolute age away, so this happy session, plus the obvious joy that it brought to all the boys and girls was excellent compensation !!

Pete.

Hi Peter.

Lovely to see you back, and what a joy to see the little loco in use and giving so much pleasure. Probably almost as much pleasure as seeing you build it has given me.

Brian

Thank you Brian, and Phil!

Small steps at a time, and then I hope to be up and running (?) again soon !!

Pete.

An absolute triumph, Peter.

Loco looks fabulous!

JB.

Peter I can feel the smile on your face watching the children play, What a great feeling this time with them must have been. It is interesting how during the construction pictures I had the impression that the loco was quite a bit larger than it actually is.

Michael

What a wonderful day it was too!
I utterly enjoyed seeing that Scarlett loved riding grandad's little train. (and the entertaining sight of the kiddies ride on one being unbearably slow that she felt appropriate to rock back and forth to try speed the little thing up!)

No such rocking was required on Wren!!

I wasn't sure if it was audible in your location as Scarlett first rode in from the bedroom toward you squealing with excitement waving and then shouting "Look Grandad, Look... I'm riding the train!".
To then to add to the fun of going to Cromer on the 1st we told her she'll see Nanny and grandad Insole and she said "Grandad train?".
"No, sorry grandad isn't brining the train this time". followed by a frown and sulkily replying "owwwww!". She's also since said she misses her nanny and grandad (and the train!). So we will have to arrange a day to come visit soon!

When making such a visit I may have to measure up the track standards for an idea in mind that may make a great little "visiting" rolling stock for when the season starts again for 2022

I should also add that we will have to find a good mounting post for some proper "signage".


Tom. x

Thank you JB and Michael. I am sorry it has taken a while to reply, but I am still struggling a bit with my health. Thanks for posting the lovely pics too Tom, the memories are much appreciated !!

I have managed to potter more positively over the last couple of days with some short sessions at the workbench. All credit is due to Mr, G, otherwise known as "Glenn..." of this parish, who is not just a champion "Lankey" transfer producer, as it so happens!

Many of you, dear readers may recall the trouble I got into some time ago when dismantling a much prized, hand charging torch while searching for some useful gear wheels?! It unfortunately turned out that the ratios were not quite right anyway, so a careful reassembly and complete rethink was required! I have no idea precisely what those ratios are in mathematical terms, but by looking at a timepiece I can surmise that the anticlockwise travel limit on the loco regulator handle is around twelve minutes, while the speed control unit knob has to rotate clockwise from the off stop to a full forty minutes !! While I may get confused by numbers, I have always enjoyed a bit of geometry, especially when drawing with a good, old fashioned pencil on paper! After covering an A4 sheet with masses of pin holes and swirly compass lines, I was able to find a perfect, if overly large visual solution. Great stuff. but there were two new problems: Firstly; my inkjet printer has completely packed up, and frankly I have way too many other things to chuck precious pennies at, so I am relying on a little outside assistance for reducing artwork, (reference the aforementioned Glenn there) and secondly; although I have some suitable brass in stock, I will have to cut my own teeth!!

Back in the day, I would have printed the gears on some thin paper, reached for a tin of spray mount, slapped it down and started cutting round the lines, but once again, I do not have any similar sort of smooth, "tacky" glue to hand now! Glenn phoned to let me know that the gear drawing had come out nice and clearly, but then asked me what I was hoping to do with it - and as I was bemoaning the lack of materials in reply, the champion had his great idea!

He has one of those clever, computer controlled, paper cutter thingies at home, so offered to re do the job on self adhesive labels - all ready to just peel off, stick and go...



Luvly jubly jobbie!

Well. on paper anyway ??



The labels do get a bit mashed up where the piece is clamped in the vice, but provided an ample area is kept clear of the teeth, the template remained nicely stable throughout all the subsequent hacking activity...



The reflected light does make the job look rather rough in places, and it was certainly jolly hard going most of the time, with the needle files frequently jamming when drawing down into the angles!

I am quite pleased with my first ever, seriously crazy attempt at gear cutting...



There is still a bit of meat twinkling around the teeth, but I felt that it was better to leave something to trim back when offering up the second wheel, rather than end up having too much rattle with the inevitable odd pincher here and there ?!

That last mentioned, widdy wheel will be a load of fun for this afternoon?!

Wish me luck !!

Pete.

The trouble with my two needle file sets is that none have proper handles, with all the ends dipped in some sort of rubbery stuff, so for long jobs like this there is not much to get a grip on! I was rather glad to be called for dinner as my fingers were really starting to ache!

I also decided to cut and fully finish off the teeth on the first three quarters of the tiny wheel while it was still on the sheet, thus allowing a firm and vibration damping hold in the vice jaws...



I dare say it made the job quite a bit easier - but then again, I'm not quite so sure !!



OK., so I did find it easier in the end. After cutting the little beastie free I managed to drop it and loose it on the floor twice before time was eventually called!



Still got some metal to shift on three more teeth, plus a fair bit of fettling, but that will be for another session tomorrow.

I am truly amazed that the first six actually run quite sweetly already though !!!

Pete.

Looking great Pete. You're a braver man than me!

Hi Pete.

Im absolutely loving your approach to this. The results are amazing.

Regarding needle file handles, they are available.

https://www.cooksongold.com/Jewellery-Tools/Needle-File-Handle-prcode-999-493

Julia.

Thank you Julia and Chris. Funnily enough, both thoughts had occurred to me while I was painfully grinding away yesterday afternoon! Several times I found myself asking the question;

"Am I being brave - or just a plain fool for even imagining that this will ever work..??" (that is an extremely polite version suitable for publication of course!)

On at least a couple of the frequent stops to catch my breath, I also wondered if anyone had made separate handles to fit these wretched little files?!

Seems indeed they have! Thanks again for the very useful link Julia !!

Pete.

Pete if I ever need some filing doe your my man! That is some fine work sir If you need further images there are good ones that show the toothform on some of the gear manufactures websites. Although I do like a bit of geometry myself. was my favourite subject in school.... well next to metalwork and woodwork.

Michael

Pete,
I take it these are Imperial gears and not Metric ? ......I'll get me coat.

Col.

eastsidepilot said:

Pete,
I take it these are Imperial gears and not Metric ? ......I'll get me coat.

Col.

Click to expand...

The question is: Are they Module or DP gears?

Ahem! Well thanks guys! I dunno what they are, but they do actually work anyway?!

Rather too nicely as it happens.

I set it all up in a simple, lashed acrylic gearbox assembly yesterday afternoon...



Then set about adjusting the plastic knob to reduce the overall depth of the box to bring it within 3mm of the tight space available behind the loco firebox. When I was happy with the result, I then permanently attached the small gear wheel to the knob by burring over two lengths of brass wire.

I spent a very happy hour just playing with it !! It runs so sweetly. Both the lever and control gear arcs travel precisely to their stops...

Then a horrible thought occurred... or I should say "finally dawned"...



Oh dear! What a chump, a prannet, an utter and complete bozo am I ?!!

When the regulator is fitted, and set with the lever hard over to the left stop, (in the shut position) the gear arm will be horizontal at the top in the box. As the lever is moved to the right, (open) the arm falls to the vertical.

Problem?? The control knob rotates anticlockwise of course !!! - in other words, from power full on to completely off !!

Aaaarrrrrghhhh !!

There will probably be an intermission while I have a bit of a think about that one...?!

Pete.

Peter Insole said:

Then a horrible thought occurred... or I should say "finally dawned"...

Oh dear! What a chump, a prannet, an utter and complete bozo am I ?!!

When the regulator is fitted, and set with the lever hard over to the left stop, (in the shut position) the gear arm will be horizontal at the top in the box. As the lever is moved to the right, (open) the arm falls to the vertical.

Problem?? The control knob rotates anticlockwise of course !!! - in other words, from power full on to completely off !!

Aaaarrrrrghhhh !!

There will probably be an intermission while I have a bit of a think about that one...?!

Pete.

Click to expand...

How about just reversing the red and black wires (check first with your electrickery x-spurt though)?

S-Club-7 said:

How about just reversing the red and black wires (check first with your electrickery x-spurt though)?

Click to expand...

I thought that, but didn’t say it..

JB.

After wrestling with the cogs in my brain, including mentally trying everything other than standing on my head, reversing the polarity would certainly seem to be the easiest option!

Knowing so little about electronics, I am deeply worried about the possibility of frying the speed control board - that has a lot of stuff attached to it that is potentially sensitive to current direction? After a bit of reading up on the subject of potentiometers, every site so far indicate quite clearly which terminals should be input and output. None however see fit to reveal what could happen in the event of error - let alone any deliberate act?!!

I would much appreciate any advice - especially as the only viable alternative would be the tiresome job of cutting another small gear wheel (as an idler) in order to return the direction of the control ?!

Pete.