The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Titan · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 12:38 am Post subject:

Right, well after a lot of faffing around, a little swearing and at least one broken gauge glass I am finally here -

I had a lot of trouble getting the alignment right for the gauge glass. I thought that if I assembled it all and got it right where it needed to be then I could soft solder the adaptors for the gauge glass and evrything would be fine.

Wrong.

The solder did not take very well and I had joints with leaks. No matter thought I, I can now take the fittings off the boiler and with the help of a 'third hand' * to make sure that nothing moved, I could resolder properly and everything would be OK.

Well no, when said items were re-assembled on the boiler something obviously had moved, and crack went the glass.

So it was out with the soldering iron again and adjust.

This process was repeated until swearing commenced, although I was more careful not to break any more glass. And eventually I got an assembly which did not leak! In fact to test for leaks it was connected to my compressor and submerged in a bucket - hence the plastic adapter and a few drops of water on the boiler.

And yes I am posting this just after I finished!

Time for bed and hopefully an early start later this morning!

* a third hand is like a sprung loaded set of pliers atached via an adjustable arm to a heavy base. Useful for holding things whilst soldering, usually!
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It's a Mamod Jim, but not as we know it!

Steve_S · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:00 am Post subject:

It's looking good. I hope things go more smoothly today! I think we'll all be hoping to see it steaming soon!

Titan · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:24 am Post subject:

Still a bit of faffing around. Some of the joints were not good enough and had to be redone

Anyway, the boiler is now in the loco:

I think the blowdown valve on the gauge glass sticks out a little too far, it may be necessary to remove it, but it will stay on until the loco is tested.

Next job is to do the plumbing to get the steam to the cylinders!
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It's a Mamod Jim, but not as we know it!

steamyjim · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

Brilliant mate! Seriously a realy nice peice of work

Can't wait to see it going

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"Teaching boys to bake cakes? That's no way to maintain an industrial empire." Dr Fred Dibnah MBE

Rob · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:13 pm Post subject:

WOW. im lost for words. its awsome ian. realy nice job and wish you all the best with it. looking forward to see-ing it at STIA already. i might even have a go my self, or a garrett.
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Any man who says he's brave is either an idiot or a liar - Fred Dibnah

steamyjim · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject:

Rob · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 1:32 pm Post subject:

yeh, he can. ill do one when i get 2 old mamods and some spare cash.
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Any man who says he's brave is either an idiot or a liar - Fred Dibnah

made-in-england · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 3:15 pm Post subject:

Brill Ian! Will it get round your layout ok?!
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http://www.freewebs.com/willstoysteam/index.htm

http://will15.photobook.org.uk/

Titan · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:04 pm Post subject:

Yes it will! Maybe not today though, progress a little slow. Working out how to place things like the lubricator and routing the pipework is taking longer than expected. Still one or two pieces to fabricate that could take a little while - the tee piece for splitting the steam pipe in to two for each bogie for example. I will keep at it mind, whether or not I end up putting the railway up under flooodlight I don't know!!!
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It's a Mamod Jim, but not as we know it!

Rob · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 4:07 pm Post subject:

ooooo

looking forward to any progress. keep it up

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Any man who says he's brave is either an idiot or a liar - Fred Dibnah

syrtismajor · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 6:27 pm Post subject:

That is probably the best Mamod Loco modification ever. Hats off to your ingenuity and forethought to bring it all together. I hope you have no further problems putting it together and that she is happily steaming soon!
Any ideas for a name yet? If not I have a suggestion

. Since your other one is called 'Titan' which was a class of greek gods. How about the Roman god 'Janus' who was the two faced god of doors and gates? I think that seems appropriate for a fairlie engine!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janus

EDIT:- Ok, for some reason I can't get the direct link to work with you clicking on it so you'll have to follow that link and click on the first Wiki entry for the Roman God

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Worrying the populace since '82'

Titan · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:09 pm Post subject:

Nearly there! one bogie piped up and articulation checked, looks like it will go round corners.

Just the other to do which should be a little quicker now that I know how to do it. I will test it on air, and in the extremely unlikely event that there are no leaks to attend to I will fire it. Trouble is the railway is not set up and its dark outside, so it is likely to be on blocks, but if it looks promising...
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It's a Mamod Jim, but not as we know it!

Les · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 7:16 pm Post subject:

This is getting exciting.

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Les - Nolo Servile Capistrum

www.freewebs.com/lesmarsh

Rob · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:10 pm Post subject:

CANT WAIT!!!
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Any man who says he's brave is either an idiot or a liar - Fred Dibnah

Titan · Posted: Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

Just to tease you a little I have some video uploading as we speak... (type?)
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It's a Mamod Jim, but not as we know it!