Turning wheels - wheel turning

[Brian Harrap]

I shall be converting some tinplate wheels to Proto on my Unimat 3 at Holcombe on Monday next (12th), Brian.

[Terry Bendall]

I shall be converting some tinplate wheels to Proto on my Unimat 3

Now there's an interesting idea. I always through that tinplate, which is mild steel coated on both sides with a thin layer of tin was a sheet material. I can see that it would be possible to form it into a disc style wheel but quite hard in 4mm or even Brian's 3.5mm scale. As for turning such a beast - well that would be another thing.

Perhaps Brian can give more details of what is proposed and perhaps a before and after picture?

Brian will be one of the demonstrators at Scaleforum where we will be able to enjoy more examples of his skills including turning more conventional wheels to a P87 profile with the aid of a precision measuring tool known as a Mk1 eyeball.

Terry Bendall

[Re6/6]

Brian has always referred to everything that isn't 'proto' (whatever the scale) as 'tinplate'!

[jayell]

Brian will be one of the demonstrators at Scaleforum where we will be able to enjoy more examples of his skills including turning more conventional wheels to a P87 profile with the aid of a precision measuring tool known as a Mk1 eyeball.

Watchmakers of old produced tiny components using nothing more than 'turns'
http://www.csparks.com/watchmaking/SteelTurns.jpg

using only their eyes and a loupe. I used to have a 6mm lathe, later ones used 8mm dia chucks, similar to this one
http://www.csparks.com/watchmaking/Lorch.jpg

but without all the accessories shown. I did have about a dozen 'chucks' of different sizes and a fairly unusual accessory for that type/age of watchmakers lathe, a cross slide, most turning being one with a hand held graver and a bow. My lathe had a handwheel to drive it although I got hold of a small motor to replace the hand wheel as I didn't manage to acquire the skill of turning that with one hand and manipulating a graver in the other.

This video shows a handwheel and the art of using a graver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6svZzTBIeM

I could make use of the lathe I once had to turn bits for a GWR prototype style front stretcher bar. I see there is one on e-bay with current bid of £101 , but dare not bid for it SWMBO wouldn't be amused.

John

[Brian Harrap]

Not quite like John L suggests, but you get the idea, Brian.

[Terry Bendall]

Brian has always referred to everything that isn't 'proto' (whatever the scale) as 'tinplate'!

Thanks for the clarification John. All part of Brian's unique style.

Terry Bendall

[Brian Harrap]

We had the ole Unimat out again last night in the darkest depths of old Holcombe. Again several Dragsters, many of whom had never even touched a lathe before, tried their hand at wheel reprofiling. Quite succesfully too as the duly done wheelsets were seen to be given a trundle around TT2 without any problems. No measuring devices or other gauges (BtoB and the like) were used (only my old bit of test track I use for such exersises) and it all went very well, a few able to take their redone wheels home with them so that when they woke up this morning they'ed know it wasn't a dream and they really did it. One Dragster even went out and purchased his own lathe and has redone a rake of Bachmann coaches when he realised how straightforward the process is. I shall be taking the Unimat to S4um at the end of Sept so anyone who has thought they could never reprofile a wheel by eye to run on P trackwork is very welcome to come along and have a go. Anyone else who is of the "everything must be digtally read out to two places" school had perhaps better stay away.
I also hope to be showing some frog and crossing construction done by (you guessed it) eye (and a wheelset).
Brian.

[Rod Cameron]

A few images from the previous meeting to illustrate Brian's posts.

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P1010578.JPG (136.68 KiB) Viewed 3800 times

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P1010584.JPG (93.29 KiB) Viewed 3800 times

[Brian Harrap]

Five members dragged their lathes along to DRAG last night and there was much wheel reprofiling and brass turning going on. Great fun, I wish I'd taken a picture of it all. Brian

[Rod Cameron]

Only one more and we can have a formation team ...

[iak]

Will they be on "Strictly" then?

[Rod Cameron]

It'll be a new show on BBC4 called "Precisely Come Turning".

[Andy W]

Introduced by Anthea Turner?

[iak]

Nah, Vanessa Feltz............

[Andy W]

.... guest star Chuck Norris....