2 cylinder flame licker

[Swifty]

Hi Eddie, I have already used the 4 jaw chuck to turn some oversize blanks, I had the vacuum sucking away the dust while I was working. The round graphite stuck out a bit too much, that's why I cut a few short pieces of the flat stock to use, also I wanted to be economical with the material. Thanks again for supplying the material.

Paul.

 

[Cogsy]

I don't know if the mess changes with different grades of graphite, but when I used it I had the nozzle of the vac mounted close to the chuck and ran it the whole time I was cutting.

There was some deposit on the compound and ways, and a little on the chuck, but nowhere near what I was expecting. I wore a dust mask the first time but it didn't catch a single visible particle so I discarded it (it was a hot day and the mask wasn't helping). In my experience it makes less mess than bronze and is much easier to clean up.

 

[Swifty]

There will be no progress for a short while, I've just had a small hernia repair done and it will keep me out of the workshop for a while.
Thanks for following.

Paul.

 

[AussieJimG]

You will be ok as long as you don't need to change the chucks.
Meanwhile, take it easy and enjoy Xmas.

Jim

 

[ELM6061]

Best of healing with the knife wound Paul, hope you are back in action soon.
Guessing you have not turned any of the black stuff yet?
Eddie

 

[Swifty]

Thanks Jim and Eddie, getter better each day now, not supposed to lift anything over 2kg for the next month, can't see myself sticking to that for long.

Eddie, I've only roughed out some blanks from the graphite that you gave me, all about 1mm oversize at the moment. I was wondering where I was going to the necessary wick from for the engine, checked out eBay but could not find the right size. I was at the local shopping centre this morning, and there was a woman selling oil burning lamps / room perfume things?. Some of the wicks looked about the right size, so I got talking to her. She had no spare wicks there with her, however she pulled one out from a lamp and sold it to me for 50c, I went away happy.

Paul.

 

[ELM6061]

G'day Paul, good to read you are on the mend "again". You seem to be in contact with a lot of knife's lately, those kiddy latches on the kitchen cupboards/draws not working? LoL.....
Reading your post about finding the wick's, my first thoughts were oil burner or candle hobby supplies. Pure Peninsula Honey (871 Derril Rd Moorooduc and not a bad little shop hidden out there. "Yummy Honey" ), I know sell bees wax and Australian made Candles, a long shot but they may have wicks or could get some from their candle supplier. Australian Candle Making (Glaston NSW), Aussie Candle Supplies (Perth), Australian Wax Company (Clayton)).
Seems you have the what you need, some links above that may help otherwise.
Curious that the wick "size" is so important. Can the flame burn too hot/cold; Surly you can adjust the flame (wick length)?

What fuel do you use Paul, Shellite?

Looking forward to when you get back on the dials.

Eddie

 

[Swifty]

Hi Eddie,

The tank design uses tubes with 6mm bores, hence the wick size needed. The one I got was a bit large, but will see if I can get it to fit.
I intend to run the burners with methylated spirits, I assume it will give me less smell. Thanks for the links, will chase them up if needed. I am getting much better every day now, so will be back machining once Christmas is over.

Walked into the garage the other day, and noticed a large puddle of water on the floor. The carpet that I stand on at my bench was saturated, and several cardboard boxes were sodden. Could not find where the water had come from, until it dawned on me that somehow the drain on my compressor must have let the condensation in the tank out. I haven't drained it for quite a while, and was using it quite regularly, just how it managed to leak is a bit of a mystery, but I will check it our shortly.

Paul.

 

[ELM6061]

Great to here the surgery is going better and yes metho should be much cleaner. You may have to ream out the tubes to get the wicks to fit.

It is a strange one, the compressor. Start putting it in nappies!!!! LoL

 

[AussieJimG]

Hi Eddie,

... the drain on my compressor must have let the condensation in the tank out. I haven't drained it for quite a while, and was using it quite regularly, just how it managed to leak is a bit of a mystery, but I will check it our shortly.

Paul.

And suddenly there is another job that I need to do.

Jim

 

[Swifty]

I'm keen to get on with this engine build, but first I must check the compressor out, I think that it's time for a new drain plug. I was at a bit of a loose end the other day, so started to wash the lathe and mill down with some hot water and degreaser, I will also get some new gearbox oil and change the headstock and apron oil while I'm at it. Another thing that needs doing, is checking why my lathe coolant pump and light won't work anymore, I think that it's more than just fuses. I never really used the coolant pump, just relied on squeeze bottles. It's best that I fix up everything now, then I can get back to machining.

Paul.

 

[Swifty]

Everything on the lathe is now clean and working. I have started to make a few more small parts, I will post pictures soon.

I must be getting old, just when I thought all my health problems were getting better, I've now gone and cracked a rib, that's the second one for the year. To make matters worse, I've still got a cough and the rib hurts like hell every time I cough.

Off to the garage now to potter around a bit and see what parts I can make next.

Paul.

 

[Swifty]

Just a couple of more parts, the pivot stand screwed onto the cylinder, on which the valves will pivot, and a pair of flywhell stands.



Paul.

 

[Swifty]

I have machined the Crank Webs now, not having the right flat material, I decided to tackle it a different way. First off, turn some brass to the correct diameter and enoug length for a couple of cranks plus parting off. Next it was into the chuck on the rotary table and machine the profile, plus drill and ream a couple of holes.



Then back to the lathe to part off, being very careful with the alignment of the parting blade, I could part to finished size.



And here we have a pair and a spare of crank webs.



Paul.

 

[AussieJimG]

Well done Swifty

Jim

 

[Swifty]

No work being done lately, it's just too hot. With a run of days over 40C, inside with the aircon on is the way to go.

Paul.

 

[ELM6061]

No work being done lately, it's just too hot. With a run of days over 40C, inside with the aircon on is the way to go.

Paul.

Agree, just a touch on the warm side Paul.

Have been fixing a couple of swing sets, delivered one yesterday and the second goes out today. While I am glad to see them both gone, not looking forward to setting this last one up today.

So many regions under serious threat from fires, I really feel for them and wish them a safe ride out the other side. Specially my old friends over in Telopia Downs, Kaniva, Lillimur, etc and also the Grampians, Wartook. While it can be hard to do, property can be replaced, but lives cannot. If you are in a fire threat region, stay safe, get out early or if you have the appropriate facilities and wish to stand & fight, good luck but bunker before your path is blocked.

Eddie

 

[Swifty]

Hi Eddie, the fires are certainly something to look out for. We all complain about the hot weather, but a consequence of that is fires which can be catastrophic. Went to bed last night with the smell of smoke in the air, the local volunteer brigades have their work cut out at this time, we have to think about them being out in this heat and having to fight the fires.

Paul.

 

[Heffalump]

Must be one hell of a job trying to get on top of the fires. This build has really caught my eye Paul, thanks for sharing, I can't wait to watch the progress.

 

[Swifty]

Hi Jim, good to see you getting involved in posts. I have started back on this engine now that the weather has cooled down a bit, so stay tuned.

As far as the fires are going, they are still burning but the cooler weather has helped a lot. We've had whole towns threatened, but the wind changed at the last minute and swung the fire away.

Paul.