Thread: Stephenson's Rocket

Looking food Keith. Still following mostly in silence.

DaveTTC
The Turning Cowboy
Turning Wood Into Art

Once the cylinders are on, the lagging might be easy.
I thought you might have used two cans to support the cylinder. Yes it might be hot, but either the can is warm or it is not hot enough (air temp) to drink as it is still sealed.

Rocket was by todays standard slow and steady. It might take a while but you will get there.

Originally Posted by Handyjack

Once the cylinders are on, the lagging might be easy.
I thought you might have used two cans to support the cylinder. Yes it might be hot, but either the can is warm or it is not hot enough (air temp) to drink as it is still sealed.

Rocket was by todays standard slow and steady. It might take a while but you will get there.

Thanks for your comments Kevin,

Change of plans - I will be doing the boiler ends and flanges next - that will give me a better finish point for the lagging. Still heaps of steam pipework to commence along with valves, flanges etc. but loving this locomotive. The phillips head screws in the brackets will disappear soon - the heads will be covered in bodyfiller and then sanded off so we only have studs present.

Slow work - but no real hurry to get it finished - Fletty's photos are inspiring stuff with the amount of detail

Regards

Keith

Just catching up Keith even though I have been on and had a look, as well as to keep an eye on you all to see what progress and new builds have taken place.

The "Rocket" is starting to take shape now the boiler and drive pistons are in place. It goes without saying top job mate

I didn't have any idea it was going to be this BIG!!!
Ether that or that's one small can? ;-]

59.jpg

Hi Bruce and Derek and All,

Thanks for your comments.

It is 1/6th scale. No a normal 375ml can

Rocket was relatively small compared to the later steam monsters that were produced but this is a top model to build with its exposed mechanical components.

Putting together the firebox at the moment so I can get an understanding of where everything goes.

All the Best

Keith

Hi All,

I made up the boiler end covers and secured the "rivets" in place.

I was going to clad the boiler in timber next , but decided that it would probably be better to get a few more components done in case they impacted on my method of making and installing the cladding.

Started on the firebox. I cut 5 pieces of 19mm pine to the approximate shape on my scroll saw. I marked out the shape by drawing it up on a piece of 3mm MDF and then used that finished shape as a template so all the pieces of 19mm pine would be the same. I then glued them together and finish filed and sanded the shape. There are no rivets in place yet - but the original has rivets everywhere on the firebox (good fun).

I have placed the smoke stack in the approximate location. This is close to the height that the finished stack will be.

No pipework yet, but I have purchased quite a bit of 1/2inch and 3/8inch solid PVC round bar. I should be able to bend the "pipework" to my required shape using my hot air gun (as I did in my 4-6-2 Tank locomotive). I got quite a bit in case I muck it up.

Regards

Keith

60.jpg

Originally Posted by htl

I didn't have any idea it was going to be this BIG!!!
Ether that or that's one small can?

I was wondering, seeing as that can is getting displayed as much as your fine Train building skills, have you thought about auctioning off your "Train model scale guide"

I'd bid

Originally Posted by Fumbler

I was wondering, seeing as that can is getting displayed as much as your fine Train building skills, have you thought about auctioning off your "Train model scale guide"

I'd bid

I never liked that beer - notice that one of my cans I used is un-opened. Are you a can collector ?

Regards

Keith

Originally Posted by Keith_1

I never liked that beer - notice that one of my cans I used is un-opened. Are you a can collector ?

Regards

Keith

Only of the contents......

With those last bits added it certainly is starting to look like the Rocket but then this is only half the story still a way to go yet Keith

You are spot on Derek - still a long way to go - started a bit on some pipework

Thanks for your comments

Regards

Keith

PS Love your technique of preventing overspray in your woodturning thread

Hi All,

Been working on the Firebox and then the valve handles on the rocking shaft - connected to the eccentric drive assembly on the front axle.

The firebox rivets were done with the assistance of my 5 year old grandson - I glued - he stuck the nail heads in. It was a top part of the build actually.

The pipes that run from the top of the firebox into the boiler are solid PVC round that I heated with a hot air gun and bent. You need to get it nearly to a semi solid state and then allow to bend by gravity. I have found if you quench in water it becomes too brittle - so if you do use this technique - I suggest allowing to cool in ambient temperature

Attachment 428841 Attachment 428842

The valve handles were made in 3 separate stages per handle - the first was a boss turned out of aluminium and drilled with a 1.5mm hole. This hole is for a 1.5mm wire pin that joins the boss to the handle body. The second part is a piece of 3mm aluminium flat that is drilled as well (both ends) to pin it to the boss and the round end handle (the 3rd piece). I araldited all the components together and then used bodyfiller to fill in the sharp joins and round them off with sandpaper.

Attachment 428843

I have made up a boss on the bottom drive shaft that connects via 2 connecting shafts to the handles. The shafts are 4mm Mild Steel rod.

Below is a photo of my "Rocket" so far

64.jpg

Whilst he was with me - my grandson asked - "Grandpa - what train are we making next?" - we went through lots of photos

Looks like this is my next build

65.jpg

Regards

Keith

Hi All,

Some issues inserting photos in previous post - here are the first 3 again - sorry

Bending "pipework"

62.jpg 63.jpg

and the handles for the rocking shaft

61.jpg

Regards

Keith