John Coghlan

[John Coghlan 1]

Currently building a Super Simplex. very slowly. Any advice would be welcomed.
Photo to follow

 

[John Coghlan 1]

First machining cylinder block. The bore after honing. The chassis. Now for the steam passages.

 

[GreenTwin]

Welcome John, glad to have you here.
Looks like an interesting and complex build you have there.
Keep us informed with your progress.

Pat J.
.

 

[John Coghlan 1]

Now to drill the steam passages. Going to try this sine table to achieve the angle for drilling them. Had it for ages, knew it would be useful one day.
There is angle specified in the plans, so it will have to be a guess. Wish me luck.

 

[John Coghlan 1]

Steam passages drilled and filed to form slots. now to start on the steam chest.

 

[GreenTwin]

Looking good !
.

 

[SmithDoor]

Currently building a Super Simplex. very slowly. Any advice would be welcomed.
Photo to follow

Welcome to the group

Dave ❋

 

[John Coghlan 1]

Currently building a Super Simplex. very slowly. Any advice would be welcomed.
Photo to follow

I used to take photographs in lots of factories and saw people making things on lathes and milling machines. I thought when I retire I want to do that. I have a Colchester Student lathe, A Pallas milling machine and a Matheys Jig borer. I have Just acquired a large Startrite EFI pillar drill.
I am the chairman of Handforth Model engineering society. We have a miniature railway in Meriton Road park in Handforth 7 1/4" and 5" tracks.
I am partway through building a Super Simplex 5"
The chassis is built and the wheels go round without binding. This took two years to achieve as I was learning how to use my machines.
Now for the cylinders and the valve gear.

 

[GreenTwin]

Hats off to you for diving in and learning.
So many folks won't make the effort.
Learning how to use machine tools can be tricky at first, but if you get the hang of it, you can build some nice machines/engines/locomotives.

I joined a miniature railway club nearby, but unfortunately did not fit in with the group, and so that was a short-lived experience.

.

 

[Steamchick]

John,
I bought a second hand SUPER SIMPLEX boiler (unknown quality) a decade or more ago, but I shall not be making a Super Simplex. I thought to buy a part made one and continue, but too many other jobs got in the way.
I shall sell my collection of boiler and bits for what it has cost me so far. BUT the boiler needs a few leaks fixing. I asked 1 guy to look at it, but he told me he only makes and sells new boilers, but did 1 repair, and quoted me for a replacement boiler. I simply do not have the Oxy-Propane gear to repair it myself - he told me not to try with big blow-torches. And the guy at our local club who used to do this passed away a few years ago... 2 Others in the club simply do not have the gear either, but would have worked with me to repair it if I got the gear. You are welcome to have it and arrange repairs yourself, with the other bits?
I am in Sunderland. I'm sure I can arrange postage/courier too.
Send me a personal mail if you want to discuss this more?
Green Twin - Wise words. But I am one of those too busy to make the effort of making a full loco. Age has taught me to limit my ambition to try and do just a bit more than I think I can do, not build and escalator up Everest! It has taken retirement to teach me that bit of sense.
K2