Wright writes.....

[Barclay]

The newer Markits wheels are so much better than the old Romfords, and I hope the proprietor gets well soon, and is able to start production again. A few years ago I bought an old white metal kit that came with Romfords, but one of them turned out not to match the others, so I bought a replacement from Markits. In the event, it, too, was incompatible, but in a good way, because they have improved so much in the intervening years. I ended up going with Gibson, because I do think they look better, and of course they are miles cheaper, but the photo I took at the time shows up the differences, especially in flange depth - Left to Right: Romford; Markits; Gibson.

 

[Captain Kernow]

1 hour ago, Barclay said:

The newer Markits wheels are so much better than the old Romfords, and I hope the proprietor gets well soon, and is able to start production again. A few years ago I bought an old white metal kit that came with Romfords, but one of them turned out not to match the others, so I bought a replacement from Markits. In the event, it, too, was incompatible, but in a good way, because they have improved so much in the intervening years. I ended up going with Gibson, because I do think they look better, and of course they are miles cheaper, but the photo I took at the time shows up the differences, especially in flange depth - Left to Right: Romford; Markits; Gibson.

 

Even if (like me) you don't have ready access to a set-up lathe, it is still possible to turn the older Romford flange down to a more acceptable profile, like the Markits wheel in the centre, using no more than an electric drill, a suitable needle file and a piece of fine wet & dry paper. I was doing precisely that last week, before my plans became stymied by my inability to remove some glued-in crankpins from the wheels concerned.

 

The above procedure only took minutes for each wheel, although undertaking such an operation with a mains electric drill on your own lap is done at one's own risk, of course, with appropriate PPE being a good idea too.

 

If you do have access to a lathe, however, then dealing with the older Romford flanges ought to be even easier.

 

[MJI]

I have turned down lima wheels using its own motor. 08

[Buhar]

2 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

undertaking such an operation with a mains electric drill on your own lap is done at one's own risk, of course, with appropriate PPE being a good idea too.

[Hroth]

10 minutes ago, Buhar said:

 

The ventilation holes are a bad idea, akin to Russian Roulette...

 

[John Tomlinson]

3 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

Even if (like me) you don't have ready access to a set-up lathe, it is still possible to turn the older Romford flange down to a more acceptable profile, like the Markits wheel in the centre, using no more than an electric drill, a suitable needle file and a piece of fine wet & dry paper. I was doing precisely that last week, before my plans became stymied by my inability to remove some glued-in crankpins from the wheels concerned.

 

The above procedure only took minutes for each wheel, although undertaking such an operation with a mains electric drill on your own lap is done at one's own risk, of course, with appropriate PPE being a good idea too.

 

If you do have access to a lathe, however, then dealing with the older Romford flanges ought to be even easier.

 

 

I have done this using a Dremel, but with the Dremel clamped vertically in a vice that has been suitably padded. Wheel on axle, axle in the chuck of the Dremel. Apply the fine file to the wheel flange very gently, and like you finish with fine emery.

 

For some years now I've been fairly religious about using safety glasses whenever any drilling/ turning is involved. Better safe than sorry!

 

John.

[lezz01]

3 hours ago, Captain Kernow said:

Even if (like me) you don't have ready access to a set-up lathe, it is still possible to turn the older Romford flange down to a more acceptable profile, like the Markits wheel in the centre, using no more than an electric drill, a suitable needle file and a piece of fine wet & dry paper. I was doing precisely that last week, before my plans became stymied by my inability to remove some glued-in crankpins from the wheels concerned.

 

The above procedure only took minutes for each wheel, although undertaking such an operation with a mains electric drill on your own lap is done at one's own risk, of course, with appropriate PPE being a good idea too.

 

If you do have access to a lathe, however, then dealing with the older Romford flanges ought to be even easier.

 

A safer way to do this is to fix the drill to your work bench. To do this you will need to screw two lengths of 1" square wood to the bench parallel to each other that the drill sits between them, it needs to be a snug fit. Using an old leather belt as a strap trap the belt beneath the two lengths of wood when you screw them down. Place the drill between the lengths of wood and tighten the strap to hold the drill securely in place this will stop the drill moving around and if you have a trigger lock on the drill you can now use two hands to control the file. I would add that you really should get access to a lathe but this will do at a pinch. I would also urge you to wear safety glasses.

Good luck.

Regards Lez.      

[lezz01]

If you do this with a dremel and have a dremel workstation you can turn the dremel through 90 deg and lock it in place.

Regards Lez.

[Clive Mortimore]

42 minutes ago, lezz01 said:

A safer way to do this is to fix the drill to your work bench. To do this you will need to screw two lengths of 1" square wood to the bench parallel to each other that the drill sits between them, it needs to be a snug fit. Using an old leather belt as a strap trap the belt beneath the two lengths of wood when you screw them down. Place the drill between the lengths of wood and tighten the strap to hold the drill securely in place this will stop the drill moving around and if you have a trigger lock on the drill you can now use two hands to control the file. I would add that you really should get access to a lathe but this will do at a pinch. I would also urge you to wear safety glasses.

Good luck.

Regards Lez.      

Hi Lez

 

This sounds interesting, could you please post a photo of your set up so I don't make a mess of it and hurt myself? Thank you.

[Captain Kernow]

2 hours ago, lezz01 said:

A safer way to do this is to fix the drill to your work bench. To do this you will need to screw two lengths of 1" square wood to the bench parallel to each other that the drill sits between them, it needs to be a snug fit. Using an old leather belt as a strap trap the belt beneath the two lengths of wood when you screw them down. Place the drill between the lengths of wood and tighten the strap to hold the drill securely in place this will stop the drill moving around and if you have a trigger lock on the drill you can now use two hands to control the file. I would add that you really should get access to a lathe but this will do at a pinch. I would also urge you to wear safety glasses.

I like the idea of the wooden clamping arrangements, Lez and thanks for the suggestion, but I fear I haven't got the space for something like that. The safety glasses are always a 'must', however.

 

[Tony Wright]

3 hours ago, Buhar said:

Good afternoon Alan,

 

I take it that's a cricket box?

 

Years ago (about 1968) I was playing cricket for Edge Hill College of Education's team, and one of out batsmen had an aluminium box. Needless to say, an opposition bowler of considerable pace got a ball to rear up, hitting him smack bang where it hurts the most! He jumped a bit, squeaked a lot, then wrested with his jockstrap to release the metal box - to reveal a great big dent in it!

 

It would appear no permanent harm was done because he later became a father. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[Tony Wright]

A request, please.

 

Does anyone have a spare Bachmann B1 tender body for sale, please? It needs to be in BR lined black (the BR device doesn't matter - early or later). 

 

The reason for this need is that I sprayed a Bachmann V2 BR lined green tender body this morning with Halfords car rattle can acrylic satin black, and it 'attacked' the lining/BR device; it just blistered! I've cleaned it off, but rather nasty marks have been left and re-spraying hasn't disguised these (do you see why I usually leave painting to those who know what they're doing?). I've never come across this reaction before - not with acrylic. 

 

I'm happy to buy a complete tender if necessary.

 

I recall at one show, a trader selling RTR tender bodies (including Bachmann B1s), but who and where are lost in the mists of time.

 

Many thanks in anticipation. 

[gr.king]

For non-approved turning I've repeatedly used the electric drill clamped (but not crushed) between the jaws of a Black and Decker Workmate, so that it is also supported over the metal frame. The deck of the Workmate can then be used, with or without additions, as a rest/guide for the turning tool - file for metal of course, file or sharp chisel for wood or plastic.  No harm ever done to the wedding veg,  but eye protection and exercise of care / caution /common sense certainly strongly recommended.

 

PS - that general care certainly ought to include avoidance of loose clothing near the work, no loose bits and pieces standing on the deck of the workmate, and making sure that the workpiece is firmly secured on an axle / spindle / mandrel (if needed) and kept properly tight in the drill chuck...

Edited March 19 by gr.king
PS added for safety's sake.

[sjp23480]

12 minutes ago, Tony Wright said:

A request, please.

 

Does anyone have a spare Bachmann B1 tender body for sale, please? It needs to be in BR lined black (the BR device doesn't matter - early or later). 

 

The reason for this need is that I sprayed a Bachmann V2 BR lined green tender body this morning with Halfords car rattle can acrylic satin black, and it 'attacked' the lining/BR device; it just blistered! I've cleaned it off, but rather nasty marks have been left and re-spraying hasn't disguised these (do you see why I usually leave painting to those who know what they're doing?). I've never come across this reaction before - not with acrylic. 

 

I'm happy to buy a complete tender if necessary.

 

I recall at one show, a trader selling RTR tender bodies (including Bachmann B1s), but who and where are lost in the mists of time.

 

Many thanks in anticipation. 

Hi @Tony Wright

EKM had a bunc h of them at AllyPally at the weekend.  ~£10 for BR Black loco body and tender I think!  

 

You can reach them at ekmx23@gmail.com or 07922 403608 (Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm)

[john new]

1 hour ago, Tony Wright said:

A request, please.

 

Does anyone have a spare Bachmann B1 tender body for sale, please? It needs to be in BR lined black (the BR device doesn't matter - early or later). 

 

The reason for this need is that I sprayed a Bachmann V2 BR lined green tender body this morning with Halfords car rattle can acrylic satin black, and it 'attacked' the lining/BR device; it just blistered! I've cleaned it off, but rather nasty marks have been left and re-spraying hasn't disguised these (do you see why I usually leave painting to those who know what they're doing?). I've never come across this reaction before - not with acrylic. 

 

I'm happy to buy a complete tender if necessary.

 

I recall at one show, a trader selling RTR tender bodies (including Bachmann B1s), but who and where are lost in the mists of time.

 

Many thanks in anticipation. 

Unexpected reactions can be weird. I have used 50:50 mix PVA for several years as a base coat/primer with no reactions. On a recent open wagon no problem with the outside surfaces but after drying the inside layer peeled off as a thin sheet. Weird as inside and outside must be the same plastic - it is one moulding. It will be a scrub off and restart at some point and see what happens second time around.

[geoff west]

A question for the wagon aficionados if i may,

Can anyone tell me where I can get new under frame parts, preferably in brass for this wagon please? 
It took a dive to the floor and has broken the W irons. Thanks in advance. 

[Captain Kernow]

2 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

A request, please.

 

Does anyone have a spare Bachmann B1 tender body for sale, please? It needs to be in BR lined black (the BR device doesn't matter - early or later). 

 

The reason for this need is that I sprayed a Bachmann V2 BR lined green tender body this morning with Halfords car rattle can acrylic satin black, and it 'attacked' the lining/BR device; it just blistered! I've cleaned it off, but rather nasty marks have been left and re-spraying hasn't disguised these (do you see why I usually leave painting to those who know what they're doing?). I've never come across this reaction before - not with acrylic. 

 

I'm happy to buy a complete tender if necessary.

 

I recall at one show, a trader selling RTR tender bodies (including Bachmann B1s), but who and where are lost in the mists of time.

 

Many thanks in anticipation. 

Tony - presumably you were also aware of Bachmann Spares offering all kinds of bits and pieces, including B1 tender bodies in BR black - https://Bachmann-spares.co.uk/category/2-branchline-steam-parts/b1/body-parts

 

[lezz01]

5 hours ago, Clive Mortimore said:

Hi Lez

 

This sounds interesting, could you please post a photo of your set up so I don't make a mess of it and hurt myself? Thank you.

 Well Clive it's something my old dad set up back in the 70s before we got 3 phase in for the Colchester lathe. I have a Unimat so it's not something I do now. I can draw you a sketch if you like though.

Regards Lez. 

[Barclay]

2 hours ago, geoff west said:

A question for the wagon aficionados if i may,

Can anyone tell me where I can get new under frame parts, preferably in brass for this wagon please? 
It took a dive to the floor and has broken the W irons. Thanks in advance. 

MJT etched parts are very good. Available from Dart Castings. They also do a variety of cast axleboxes and springs to go with them.

[St Enodoc]

5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good afternoon Alan,

 

I take it that's a cricket box?

 

Years ago (about 1968) I was playing cricket for Edge Hill College of Education's team, and one of out batsmen had an aluminium box. Needless to say, an opposition bowler of considerable pace got a ball to rear up, hitting him smack bang where it hurts the most! He jumped a bit, squeaked a lot, then wrested with his jockstrap to release the metal box - to reveal a great big dent in it!

 

It would appear no permanent harm was done because he later became a father. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

One ball left.

 

B. Johnston

[Tony Wright]

8 hours ago, St Enodoc said:

One ball left.

 

B. Johnston

Good morning John,

 

From the days of the great cricket commentators; along with Brian Johnston, there were the likes of John Arlott, Peter West and Jim Swanton to entertain and educate us about the gentlemen's game.

 

Last night, I watched a 20-20 final on telly from Pakistan; certainly entertaining and exciting (though being non-partisan, I cared not who won), but some of the commentary was akin to being excoriated! Good (even great) cricketers the commentators might have been, but there their talents ceased (this is even more so with football commentators). 

 

What about the other great cricket quotes, such as 'The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey' or 'He's just got his leg over' or 'Botham has just clipped one of Thompson's balls all the way to the boundary'? At least one is attributed to the 'master'. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

[john new]

13 hours ago, lezz01 said:

 Well Clive it's something my old dad set up back in the 70s before we got 3 phase in for the Colchester lathe. I have a Unimat so it's not something I do now. I can draw you a sketch if you like though.

Regards Lez. 

Back in the 60s the first power drill we had (from Wolf) came with various bolt on attachments, including a hedge trimmer and significantly a casting that fitted onto a bench. The drill sat in that so you could add a grinding wheel into the chuck.

[john new]

5 hours ago, Tony Wright said:

Good morning John,

 

From the days of the great cricket commentators; along with Brian Johnston, there were the likes of John Arlott, Peter West and Jim Swanton to entertain and educate us about the gentlemen's game.

 

Last night, I watched a 20-20 final on telly from Pakistan; certainly entertaining and exciting (though being non-partisan, I cared not who won), but some of the commentary was akin to being excoriated! Good (even great) cricketers the commentators might have been, but there their talents ceased (this is even more so with football commentators). 

 

What about the other great cricket quotes, such as 'The bowler's Holding, the batsman's Willey' or 'He's just got his leg over' or 'Botham has just clipped one of Thompson's balls all the way to the boundary'? At least one is attributed to the 'master'. 

 

Regards,

 

Tony. 

Fully concur. Across the board sports commentators on TV are so bad these days I usually watch with the sound off. The other thing for cricket is the stump mikes picking up inane comments, often in the language of players who don’t speak English plus bursts of unwanted (by me) stupid music blaring in the ground. Fortunately radio is generally still listenable to.

[Steamport Southport]

3 minutes ago, john new said:

Fully concur. Across the board sports commentators on TV are so bad these days I usually watch with the sound off. The other thing for cricket is the stump mikes picking up inane comments, often in the language of players who don’t speak English plus bursts of unwanted (by me) stupid music blaring in the ground. Fortunately radio is generally still listenable to.

 

Worst one I've come across was the recent Super Bowl on ITV.

 

Not the normal American commentary, but someone from Britain that didn't seem to fully understand the game apart from the basics!

 

Next year I'll try and find it online with an American commentary from someone who knows things like tactics and plays.

 

 

 

Jason

[Flanged Wheel]

I love cycling but the commentary is sometimes execrable. I’ve just watched the Eurosport highlights of the Volta a Catalunya and the commentators managed to wrongly identify the stage winner until about two minutes after they had crossed the finish line…! I do have some sympathy when they need to fill the long hours of a flat Tour de France stage. There are a limited number of facts about passing chateaus and vineyards that you can repeat without becoming tedious.

 

That was the genius of TMS - combining knowledgable analysis, interesting small talk and a sense of fun.