I wonder if someone could clarify which jigs I'd need for AJ couplings, the Stores page http://www.scalefour.org/eshop/ shows 3 different types of jigs.
Are the first 2:
http://www.scalefour.org/eshop/i?jpg=ajhookbendingjig
and
http://www.scalefour.org/eshop/i?jpg=aj180bendingjig
essentially 2 ways of getting the same results or should I be looking to get both sets?
John
Jigs for AJ Couplings
-
- Web Team
- Posts: 1092
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:03 pm
-
- Posts: 163
- Joined: Sun Jul 20, 2008 3:00 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
John,
Both jigs are intended to allow you to check the angles of completed/nearly completed couplings. Actually for around thirty years (help, I'm starting to sound old!) I've just used a piece of plasticard with the drawings as found on the digest sheet written on it with a permanent felt tip pen. You just need one hole drilled to enable the wire to pass through for the 'end on' view. Now the fitting jigs are another matter and I wouldn't be without mine, although that was home made as well, but the design is the same as the Turner/Morgan Gilbert one.
Tony Comber
Both jigs are intended to allow you to check the angles of completed/nearly completed couplings. Actually for around thirty years (help, I'm starting to sound old!) I've just used a piece of plasticard with the drawings as found on the digest sheet written on it with a permanent felt tip pen. You just need one hole drilled to enable the wire to pass through for the 'end on' view. Now the fitting jigs are another matter and I wouldn't be without mine, although that was home made as well, but the design is the same as the Turner/Morgan Gilbert one.
Tony Comber
-
- Posts: 654
- Joined: Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:06 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
I've obviously been misusing them - but then, I have believed the instructions ... The second jig, as the name implies, helps you make the initial bend in the wire where it has to fold back on itself (180°). It is probably the one that gives the most help (along with a pair of parallel jaw pliers). The other, again as the name implies, helps with the other bends needed, although these are not as difficult as the first to achieve without the jig (main benefit I find is consistency, using the jig). You haven't mentioned what I consider the third essential component, the Mounting Jig. This really does replace my missing 3rd hand, and again delivers the kind of consistency which others (with their Superhero modelling skills) can probably achieve by eye (or telekinesis, or freezing breath, or (non-ferrous) magnetic attraction)!
David L-T
-
- Forum Team
- Posts: 3923
- Joined: Sun Jun 29, 2008 8:02 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
There was an article in Scalefour News 147 and of course the AJ book from the stores.
Keith
Keith
-
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:42 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
The most comprehensive explanation of the use of these jigs can be found at:
http://www.mmrs.org.uk/technical/ajcoupling.htm
Tony
http://www.mmrs.org.uk/technical/ajcoupling.htm
Tony
-
- Posts: 912
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:16 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings -mystery jig
Some time ago I was given a box of bits and pieces belonging to a late chum, among them were various old jigs intended for AJs. The first is quite clearly an originally commercially made jig for forming the hook (by hand and eye) which also doubled as a height gauge when mounted in a brass frame.
The second is a bit of a mystery to me; a steel block with a round ended milled lug on one end with two holes. Is this a dropper jig? if so can anyone tell me how it is used?
Steve
The second is a bit of a mystery to me; a steel block with a round ended milled lug on one end with two holes. Is this a dropper jig? if so can anyone tell me how it is used?
Steve
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Posts: 58
- Joined: Sat Jul 26, 2008 1:12 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
Steve.
It is a dropper jig used to make 'U' shaped droppers. A rod is inserted through the hole, then soft iron wire wrapped round to form a hook. then bent over the round end and back round the rod on the other side. the 2 holes being for different length 'U's.
And here's one i made earlier.
It is a dropper jig used to make 'U' shaped droppers. A rod is inserted through the hole, then soft iron wire wrapped round to form a hook. then bent over the round end and back round the rod on the other side. the 2 holes being for different length 'U's.
And here's one i made earlier.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Andy Westcott
-
- Posts: 912
- Joined: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:16 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
Thanks Andy,
I might give that a go, I'm really not sold on the sawn-off nail method.
Cheers
Steve
I might give that a go, I'm really not sold on the sawn-off nail method.
Cheers
Steve
-
- Posts: 116
- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:42 pm
Re: Jigs for AJ Couplings
Steve
The jig in your first photograph was designed by Martin Brent and allowed you to form the hook, check (some of) the angles and check the height of the coupling. It was really better at the latter two as forming the coupling against a relatively sharp point was not really conducive to accurate coupling production. I still have one in my collection but tend to use it only as a height gauge!
Two things to be careful of when using the inverted 'U' dropper. 1) Make sure the dropper cannot swing on the arm of the coupling as it may reduce the effectiveness of the electromagnet when uncoupling. 2) I hope you don't need to remove the wheels at any time because .......
Tony
The jig in your first photograph was designed by Martin Brent and allowed you to form the hook, check (some of) the angles and check the height of the coupling. It was really better at the latter two as forming the coupling against a relatively sharp point was not really conducive to accurate coupling production. I still have one in my collection but tend to use it only as a height gauge!
Two things to be careful of when using the inverted 'U' dropper. 1) Make sure the dropper cannot swing on the arm of the coupling as it may reduce the effectiveness of the electromagnet when uncoupling. 2) I hope you don't need to remove the wheels at any time because .......
Tony
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: ClaudeBot and 0 guests