www.mikes-models.com blog » fowler traction engine

When the ‘obvious’ is discovered!

Mike Freeman — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:02:29 +0000

Today's workshop session was something of a mixed bag really. I started with making the four legs for the grate to stand on for the Fowler 2" scale traction engine. The simple procedure is the face off the bar stock, turn down to size for the 4BA thread for the correct distance, then thread, and cut off to size. This means that you have to change from a cutting tool to a parting off tool. I made some time ago a tools post system where the tools have their own holders so setting for height is easier. So this cuts down on tool setting work but as I say the tools have to be changed. Multiply this by 4 legs and you can see that there are 8 changes.

After I cut the first bar down to size and threaded the end I needed to move the bar out to allow the length to be cut. This is when the 'blindingly obvious' struck! Why not just reverse the bar and use the same tools, resulting in less changes as when both ends have been threaded, they could be parted off. Doh! But its something to remember for the future. A 'put it away' for future use moment.

Feeling quite pleased with myself I fitted the four legs and using a depth gauge got them all to the same size by filing. So the next task was to make the damper plate. After studying the plans for a while I couldn't see where the pivot blocks fitted. The answer was I hadn't finished the top flange. I don't know how I missed the fact that the top flange continues all the way around the ash pan and its onto the damper end that the pivots get secured to. So I now have to make the top flange continue all around the ash pan.

I had hoped to wrap up the whole assembly today but that's not going to happen now. I think there are at least another couple of session before it is finished. Drat!

A couple of images for your delectation...........

Legs for the grate - Fowler 2" scale traction engine

Grate needs to be adjusted to fit

Work underway again on the Fowler A7 traction engine

Mike Freeman — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 17:52:17 +0000

Well the Fowler is back under way. Today I managed to finish the dummy throat plate and solder it onto the boiler proper.

Fowler A7 dummy throat plate

You can follow the build with more detail on my main website www.mikes-models.com

Fishing for progress? – Not much done on the Fowler….but…..

Mike Freeman — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:55:53 +0000

Managed to get a little time in the workshop first thing and spent most of my time trying to line up the door and hinge for the Fowler (more on this subject on my website and on here later) fire door. The commercially bought boiler has three studs built in to take threaded bolts. However these are slightly out in relation to the fire door. So a lot of trial fitting before centre drilling, drilling and tapping could take place.

Due to the boilers size it had to be drilled on the floor standing drill (photo's will follow) and this also took time to sort out. In the end only one hole was drilled and tapped! Work ceased because I was going to be kidnapped by one of my Brothers (he says he is the handsome one!) and taken out to sea for a fishing trip aboard our boat, Blue Marlin II (we have our own fishing website at www.dartmouthfishing.co.uk if your interested) and we went out to a wreck due south of the river dart. After a few uneventful drifts we then tried our local Bass hot spot. Here we were very successful! Well. succesful if your into fish conservation. Nowt is the total numer of fish (well mackeral aren't counted on our trips, we don't even land them in the boat if we can get away with it) we caught. Not to be put off we then headed to our secret (I can be bought) mark where catching Pollack is virtually guarenteed and you'll be pleased to know we kept up the days catch 100%. Yes thats right, we caught nowt. So it was back home for me to recuperate and Steve to go home and annoy his better half.

Anyway that was the end of my day....how was yours?