Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Enigma
Posts: 533
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:49 pm

Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby Enigma » Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:04 pm

At S4N over the weekend I was discussing with a couple of people the need to drill crank pin holes in the 4'7" Alan Gibson Pannier and 66xx driving wheels (and also the small Prairie I believe). These are supplied only with a dimple in the crank pin position and drilling by means of a pinchuck etc. can create problems. I have 'manufactured' (in the loosest sense!) a gadget/jig/thingy for this and it has been suggested that I post it on here in case anyone else would like to try the same idea. The ownership of a lathe is however, an important element but don't be put off as the 'design' might translate into something that could be fitted to a pillar drill for example, especially if you know someone with a lathe that could do the basic turning for you.

The jig is turned from a piece of 1" bar with an 1/8" hole through the centre. The diameter is turned down for a short length to keep it in position in the vice. Around the hole is relieved to allow the back boss of the wheel to fit in and therefore allow the rim of the wheel to fit flush against the face of the jig, A length of 1/8" brass rod has the end VERY lightly skimmed so that a wheel will just slide on and this is fitted into the hole in the bar with a smear of Loctite and the turned end protruding enough to mount a wheel. I did drill and thread the end of this 8 (or 10) BA to fit a securing screw and washer but in practice I found this wasn't necessary. A short length of thick brass wire is fitted into a hole drilled between the wheel spokes opposite the crank pin to ensure that the orientation of the wheels are always the same. The wire and the jig 'axle' centre are positioned so that their orientation is horizontal. The whole assembly is then traversed across the distance of the crank pin throw and a check made with the drill in position to ensure it lines up with the dimple on the wheel. Any slight adjustments can be made now but NEVER once drilling has commenced on a set of wheels or their throws may come out different. Once it is all set up the actual operation is quite quick and it would be worth doing several sets at once.


First, a couple of shots of the gadget/jig/thingy whatever!


Pannier Wheel Crank Pin Drill.1.A.jpg



Pannier Wheel Crank Pin Drill.2.A.jpg



One with it mounted in the vice on the cross-slide with the 'axle' centred on the chuck, thereby using it to position for height etc.


Pannier Wheel Crank Pin Drill.3.A.jpg



And one with a wheel mounted and the cross-slide moved across to create the throw and drill the hole.


Pannier Wheel Crank Pin Drill.4.A.jpg



Hope this explains it all for you.
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RobM
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Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 4:39 pm

Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby RobM » Wed Apr 18, 2018 4:50 pm

Enigma wrote: gadget/jig/thingy whatever!


Paul, I just love them......from my model engineering days in the 1960s until now 'tis fun developing gadgets for repeated operations.......I have various thingies for producing mitres in styrene to numerous drilling jigs mainly with the construction of railings et al.......and yup, your crank pin jig explains it all......
Rob

Steve Carter
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Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:51 pm

Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby Steve Carter » Wed Apr 18, 2018 5:15 pm

There’s also a couple of methods explained on the CLAG website - http://www.clag.org.uk/crankpin-drilling.html

Steve
Steve Carter

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Will L
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Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby Will L » Wed Apr 18, 2018 8:04 pm

We have been here before see Drilling crankpin holes Heath Robinson style and at one time there was talk of the society producing a tool/jig for the job. Hows that getting on I wonder>

Enigma
Posts: 533
Joined: Tue Aug 13, 2013 2:49 pm

Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby Enigma » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:52 am

Will L wrote:We have been here before see Drilling crankpin holes Heath Robinson style and at one time there was talk of the society producing a tool/jig for the job. Hows that getting on I wonder>


I'm aware of both the listed topics but as I had a couple of chats at S4N and others recently about the subject I thought I would throw my hat into the ring again. I like to think that my method is a little better than 'Heath Robinson' style :) - but maybe I'm being a tad overconfident! What did happen to the society jig? Presumably stillborn as nothing has materialised and it's a while since the relevant thread 'died'. The 'problem' though is still with us and obviously still poses difficulties for those amongst us who do not have access to equipment that could mitigate their situation. How many sets of wheels (and therefore chassis kits) are lying dormant in peoples' drawers pending a simple solution?

David Thorpe

Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby David Thorpe » Thu Apr 19, 2018 5:02 pm

It may not be easy and requires care, but I suspect most people just use a hand held pin chuck and drill and get on with it. In the absence of any specialised equipment or jigs It's what I've done for years and I haven't had to throw any drivers away (well, not for that reason anyway).

DT

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Paul Willis
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Re: Drilling Gibson Pannier Driving Wheels

Postby Paul Willis » Thu Apr 19, 2018 10:05 pm

Enigma wrote:
Will L wrote:We have been here before see Drilling crankpin holes Heath Robinson style and at one time there was talk of the society producing a tool/jig for the job. Hows that getting on I wonder>


What did happen to the society jig? Presumably stillborn as nothing has materialised and it's a while since the relevant thread 'died'.


Not pining for the fjords, but in hibernation...

The Committee only has one Engineering Consultant, and until someone else steps up to take over, he's rather busy organising a large model railway show at the end of September!

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Paul Willis
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Beware of Trains - occasional modelling in progress!
www.5522models.co.uk


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