snitzl

Some thought provoking idea's in this project , don't be surprised if I pinch a one or two.

8 hours ago, Dave John said:

So do I, The models of Mike Sharman were a significant influence on me. I still tend to design chassis using the compensation methods he used. 

 

As a vague aside ( and I would only say this in the blogs section ) I tend to fret a bit when folk say " lay your track so it's perfectly flat and make your models on a perfectly flat plate so they are perfectly square" . 

 

Harumpf .

 

I used to work for a company that made optical components bigger than our models to a surface tolerance of less than 2 wavelengths of visible light. Flat, but not perfectly flat.

 

If that wheel is just 1 thou off the track electricity goeth not up and tractive effort goeth not down. Thats what I learned from the models of Mike Sharman, once I understood it I realised how sensible it was. 

 

Anyway sorry to wander off topic in your blog Snitzl, I do enjoy them and have learned a few tricks on the way. 

 

I have to agree with you completely, Sharman's 'Flexichas' system removed the need for perfectly flat track and allowed some of us to use a more protypical flange profile. I do have a few of his books, but one recent purchase 'The Crampton Locomotive'  features lots of drawings and detailed information on the Crampton, some of which are on my todo list.

3 hours ago, Mikkel said:

Fantabulous. I like the van in itself too, makes you realize how dull most railway stock is 🙂

 

Does Fun Town have a circus?

Thanks Mikkel, A circus certainly is food for thought, but for the time being, I've a couple of weird / or at least different projects in the design stage. 

I've been getting the same problem with most of my blogs and forum posts :

It might be best to let the system settle down a little longer, to remedy, click on 'edit' and then re-upload or just re--attach your  images, I've got some post's were this has happened three times. I do wonder if multiple images might end up in the database without links to documents.

Snitzl

Hi N15, I've allway's enjoyed your blogs, so I hope that you do decide to return to blogging.

Very nice work and thanks very much for the guitar string tip - don't know why I haven't thought of that myself. (Ernie Ball ?)

Snitzl

On 16/01/2022 at 13:23, Dave John said:

I was surprised how controllable they are for the price. 

Two of the functions in the controller that I've found very handy is having the abilty to set the maximum top speed and also reverse the motor.  I use two motors on the lathe with one controller and switch the plug as required

Very interesting to see you doing wheel modifications with the lathe, and I'm so glad that the motor worked out for you.

I now have these sewing machine motors on three machines, here's one fitted to the BCA jig Borer / Mill.

5 hours ago, Mikkel said:

 You would need a Churchward suction calibrator but they can be had quite cheaply on ebay.

Hi Mikkel, As you mention, all those parts were really cheap on ebay, so I've got them ordered. 

Mind you, for anyone else interested, I had the last Churchward suction calibrator and there won't be anymore for at least five day's.

2 hours ago, Mikkel said:

However, I wish to understand how one chooses different varieties of ice cream. Or is that too modern a luxury for your period? 

HI Mikkel, That thought never even crossed my mind, guess I'll have to do another version of the Ice Cream Wagon, can't have the town's folk of 'Fun Town' eating only vanilla.

11 hours ago, 57xx said:

I love seeing a notification of a new entry in this blog. That is such an ingenious machine you have create. I too would love to see these creations in action.

I'll make it a top priority to get some video's sorted in the next couple of weeks, it makes sense to have video's when creating railway animations.

20 minutes ago, MikeOxon said:

Another amazing model.  I'd love to see a video clip to understand better how it all works.  Perhaps some more explanation of the functioning of this as an ice-cream wagon would help my understanding. 

 

Mike

Hi Mike, I'm hoping to do a collection of short video's on  'Fun town' in the very near future, I've just got to persuade myself to spend some time and get familiar with the Vegas software. The wagon has four steam driven transverse cylinder's that generate motion for the refrigeration unit inside an internal rotating barrel ( situated behind the large central gear). In reality, I doubt that such a design would be feasible but the project was enjoyable. I'm determined to have an animated humanoid in the next project. 

Pete

31 minutes ago, MikeOxon said:

Fabulous modelling backed up by great inspiration.  Sheer delight and 'steam fun'

 

Any chance of some video to show it in operation?

 

Not sure about LEDs though - how about some sort of miniature carbide lamps

Thanks Mike, I intend to have a dabble with video's but before I do, I need to get familiar with the software and design a youtube page. 

LEDS : Set yourself a real challenge, how about miniature mercury discharge lamps.

4 hours ago, Mikkel said:

I'm always excited to see you post, Snitzl. Seeing this latest development I began to think "steam punk", but it isn't really that. It's more unique and imaginative. Steam Jazz? Steam Rock and Roll?

 

Whatever. No categories apply. Nothing like it in the whole wide world!

Thanks Mikkel, When I started 'Fun Town' I saw myself as a model maker taking a short break from traditional historic prototype model making but it's turned into a very long short break. I feel quite flattered that some members have catagorised some of my work as 'Steam Punk' and that's understandable with all those metal gears and pinions. Once the paint's are applied, the model's morph from 'Steam Punk' to 'Steam Fun'.

13 minutes ago, Dave John said:

, isn't copperclad wonderful stuff. 

Thanks Dave, I can't recall if I've ever made a loco without some copperclad, it's a big thankyou to the electronics industry for creating something so useful for us model makers. 

17 hours ago, Dave John said:

They are all just made up with stuff from the bits box Mikkel. 

It just happens to be a very big bits box.

I think that I must be getting a bit slow, it took me a few minutes to figure out what was what.

10 hours ago, TangoOscarMike said:

While all our minds are boggling, I need to add something to this.

 

Many years ago I made a wooden castle for my daughter. And (since all Britains knights are in hacking-each-other-up poses) I sculpted a 54mm prince and princess out of polymer clay, and cast them in metal.

 

I had the luxury of working the an armature, and since I was using polymer clay I could add and remove material as much as necessary, only stopping when I could no longer make improvements.

 

And I reckon my 54mm faces are about as good as snitzls 20mm faces.

 

Hi TangoOscarMike, For me. making figures regardless of  scale is challenging, and anyone who attempts this area of the hobby should get a free bottle of 'Old Engine Oil', as prescribed by Mikkel. 5&9models  has made quite a few really nice examples that populate his open wagons and diorama scenes.

London and Brighton Railway Carriages - 5&9models

Britains 7mm/FT figures ( I know because I worked for Britains Petite ) made there figures about 10 to 12 inches high and the toolmakers used a 3D pantograph to create the 7mm / FT mould tool cavity. For anyone interested in making small 4mm / FT figures and small batch quantities, check out this blog entry.

The Little People.

Regards Snitzl

5 hours ago, MikeOxon said:

At first viewing, I hadn't appreciated the man carved from a soid bar.  An amazing piece of workI  It would be fascinating to see the engine in motion.  I assume that the centre shaft simply rocks to and fro as if an oscillating drive.  Very impressive and I hope the enthusiasm bucket remains well-filled, so that we can see more of your amazing models

Hi Mike, You've described the motion perfectly, I will do a short video or animated gif in part 3 when this project completes.  I have a few ideas to try with the steam assisted uncoupler gearbox and a trailing wagon solution if all else fails.

Thanks all for the kind comments, they really do help top up the enthusiasm bucket when the going gets a little tough and progess is slow ( that gearbox for instance ). Think I need a drop of Mikkels 'Old Engine Oil' to muddy the brain cells a little.

Snitzl

30 minutes ago, Mikkel said:

You keep going where no one has gone before! 

 

The engine is superb, but robot man really made me smile. I'm trying to work out what he'll be having at the Horse & Groom.  This, maybe: 

 

 

Thanks Mikkel, I like the bottle, Im sure that robot man will appreciate a drink or two along with his nuts and bolts sandwich.. I don't have the time right now, but the robot man has been food for thought for maybe a future project.

Very Inventive.....

Seems a liittle strange that this 8 year blog should receive your kind comments at the exact same time that I'm actually carving a new figure for 'De Snitzlton', I don't do these figures all that often.  John, I've never found carving these figures easy, it's allways been a bit of a challenge,  some turn out good, while others end up in the bin. The latest figure I'm working on is a 'Steam Assisted Operator' carved directly from brass, and not looking to good at the moment.

Thanks All

Interesting video with a very pro feel. Thanks..