Rattler

[stevehuckss396]

GBritnell gave me the heads up on "1144 stress proof steel". After working with it, it is the stuff. Try to find yourself a cut in the size you need and you will be converted like me. Strong but easy to work with and very little warpage.

 

[Dave G]

I have found that 1144 SP is the steel for crankshafts but I don't know about it's availability in the UK and Aus. The plans call out for 1144 but I know of people using 1050 shafting also. I don't like CRS 1018 because it's to soft and doesn't wear well and has a tendency for warpage. By the way Pete, your Rattler is really taking shape now. Very nice, Dave

 

[metalmad]

Hi guys
When I asked for 1144 SP the look on the guys face was priceless :big:
It turns out he had Bright or Hi tensile (take your pick )
I decided to keep going with the HT and using a very good quality half inch bit was able to take another couple of bites of the Elephant.
once Ive roughed it out I will put it aside for a few days to warp a bit
SANY1680 by metalmad2011, on Flickr
Pete

 

[metalmad]

Started roughing the main journal today
This material is a bit softer towards the center thank goodness :big:

SANY1682 by metalmad2011, on Flickr

 

[arnoldb]

Coming along nicely Pete Thm:

Regards, Arnold

 

[metalmad]

HI Arnold
Bet u thought it was a Candlestick holder didnt ya :big:

 

[metalmad]

got a little more done and will take the mains down close tomorrow and then put it aside till next week when I plan on finishing to size.

SANY1683 by metalmad2011, on Flickr
Pete

 

[tel]

Strewth! That will turn into a crank shaft if you ain't careful!

 

[metalmad]

Crikey Mate its starting to look a bit like that ant it.
I better watch myself tomorrow :big:

 

[Dave G]

Hi Pete, your crankshaft looks great. I think you have a good plan to let it set for awhile before finishing. I remember machining some parts as an apprentice once and upon returning to work the next day they weren't as straight as I left them the day before. Warpage does happen. A small suggestion from experience, I don't make the rod and piston until last, this keeps me from putting the parts together and fiddling with them before everything is cleaned real well. I damaged a piston once by playing with it in the bore before I should have. Just something to think about and I have made this a habit on all my engines I build.
I'm impressed by your progress and can't wait for the big day it goes bang, Dave

 

[metalmad]

Today I roughed out the main shaft and am resting it now till Monday, and to think I used to throw out those broken Stump Grinder teeth. :big:
As I want to fit the Flywheel Monday, I thought today might be a good time to start one. :big:

SANY1685 by metalmad2011, on Flickr

SANY1684 by metalmad2011, on Flickr
Im having a go at a Casting for the first time and am amazed with the Speed a flywheel can be made. :big:

 

[tel]

A flywheel casting???? C'mon, 'fess up - where did you get it? The damn things are like unicorns around here (few and far between).

 

[metalmad]

Hi Tel
The Flywheel Casting and the crossover cam were sent to me by Dave G.
He even offered to send me some stress proof for the Crank when I Started to get into trouble with the Hi tensile.
As it turns out the H/T seems to be turning out well, but I guess I will know how well on Monday.
Now is as good a time as any to say how Honered I am to be given the first build of this lovely and unique little motor.
For a Novice to be allowed this privilege, is for me a wonderful thing, Dave has been a "Tool maker" for something like 30 years or so and he knows his Stuff, He could have easily built it himself and done a much better job too.
His Crankshaft on the prototype is a 3 piece job with the weights dovetailed onto the Crank. It did not even cross my mind to try it :big:
Pete
SANY1686 by metalmad2011, on Flickr

 

[bezalel2000]

That's starting to look like a Lister spare parts counter :big:

 

[steamer]

Great build....I'm still reading through, and am intriqued by the cam/timing mechanism.....looks to be gearless?

Dave

 

[metalmad]

Hi Bez yea its starting to build up now, u should hear what the wife says about my parts everywhere :big:

Hi Dave
yep its a gearless Hit n Miss and uses a Crossover Cam, I will quote directly from Dave G about the Cam.
"The Crossover cam basically is a slot in a round piece that crosses over at one point and then crosses back over on the next revoltion. If you put a stylus in this slot it takes 720 degrees of rotation to get back to where you started. An exhaust cam is placed next to the crossover to allow a roller follower to ride up on the cam on one revolution but clears the cam on the next"
its a fancy 2/1 ratio mechanism
Pete

 

[steamer]

OK! Now I get it! Thanks for explaination.

Dave

 

[metalmad]

The installation of the Crank is a great day in the build of an engine and marks the point where parts become a motor.
In anticipation of that upcoming event, I bolted the Block together today :big:

SANY1687 by metalmad2011, on Flickr
Pete

 

[metalmad]

Before some bright spark asks why the Carby faces the other way now I'll tell u.
I was trying to work out how to use the "PCD" function on the DRO and was so wrapped up in start and finish angles etc etc that I just did not notice I got the D### thing 180 degrees out )
I will just make the exhaust go the other way and nobody will ever know :big:


SANY1689 by metalmad2011, on Flickr
Pete

 

[steamin]

Pete, really look'in great. Will you be able to post some video when you fire her up ?