Stephenson’s Rocket

[Richard Carlstedt]

Nice Work !...no Awesome !

Rich

 

[pamw]

Nice Work !...no Awesome !

Rich

Hello Richard..... has been along time..... I've finally started finishing everything thats been started over the years.

 

[Richard Carlstedt]

Great to hear from you Pam, It has been a few years (Eight, I think)
I spent the past 7 years writing two books on the USS Monitor
and hope to get back in the shop shortly. The Rocket has been on my mind for years
and is a real challenge in miniature engineering as seen in Bob's work here.

 

[Bob Wild]

Hi Richard. Thanks for your kind comments. I still consider myself a beginner (as witnessed by my scrap bin), especially when I see the work of many accomplished members of this forum. But I do appreciate the hints and tips that they give. My next problem is the wheels. I haven't a clue as to the best approach - see attached drawing. I don't mind making a few deviations, but I'd like to stick as near as possible. I think the spokes will have to be round.

 

[Bob Wild]

Well it’s been a while since I reported any progress. That’s because we were due to move house so I packed away all my tools and machinery. Then, would you believe it, our purchasers pulled out (b******ards). So we are not moving. So I’m back in business once I can find which packing case has the tools I need.

Anyway I made some pipe fittings while I waited for some material for the wheels:

 

[stevehuckss396]

Glad your back. I don't usually post much unless I have something of value to add but I've missed the updates on this one.

 

[Bob Wild]

Thanks Steve. Next progress report will be more interesting; the wheels are coming on nicely.

Bob

 

[Bob Wild]

Thanks Steve. Next progress report will be more interesting; the wheels are coming on nicely.

Bob

Nice progress with the wheels. First I made the rims and hubs. Each had 12 slots milled radially to take the spokes. I made a fixture to hold the rim and hub concentric. A ring was added to the rim to hold the spokes in place. It is not clear from the photos, but the spokes on the driving wheels are actually tapered. Not very happy with the black circles. I didn’t manage to trim the masking tape very cleanly. Hence the edges are not very regular. I may spray with yellow again and then apply the black manually.

Next up are the con rods, and who knows, I might even have an engine that moves!