Aluminium Quorn

[Jonfb64]

For a number of years now I have been wanting a Quorn TCG. Unfortunately casting are just too expensive even if you can find them. So i thought it would be an ideal project for some home casting.

Lets get started.

First read the book multiple times
Secondly search out machine porn pictures with google 
Thirdly start gluing and hacking at mahogany to make patterns 

 

[RotarySMP]

Nice castings.Good start.
Mark

[Hoss]

  please give us an update.

[Jonfb64]

Hi,

Sorry no progress on this project as life has got in the way. Hoping to restart soon.

Jon

[vtsteam]

Good to see some machine casting here again! How many castings are there in a Quorn?

[awemawson]

A quick mental count up and a look at the Hemmingway site says eight major ones with a few  bits and bobs that could be cast or turned from solid Steve

(Though the text says 10 iron, 2 aluminium and 1 gunmetal)


http://www.hemingwaykits.com/acatalog/Quorn__Mk3__T_C__Grinder.html

[vtsteam]

Thanks Andrew. So those are the two bed ends. Definitely a good start. 

[kayzed1]

Owwww! goody, i'll take a set please..how many groats? Some thing to do before i get too old..
Lyn.

[awemawson]

In my time I've owned two Quorns - neither made by me.

In both cases the maker hadn't really used them, then having deceased, the family had left them in unheated sheds to slowly rust. Very sad as to make a Quorn from scratch is practically a lifetimes work if all the fiddly bits are properly formed.

In practise having restored them both mechanically and cosmetically I found that I very rarely used them as most bits I was doing were more suited to my Clarkson so I passed them on.

[vtsteam]

It's a pretty piece of equipment, and I can see the attraction in building one. Also more compact and if scrap and home castings are used, less expensive than a commercial precision tool grinder. Definitely suited to the typical small home shop or garden shed.

Yes, rust and sheds, the perennial problem....well and old age, too. Nice of you to restore them and pass them on to others, Andrew. 

[awemawson]

Dennis Chaddock was a long time member of SM&EE and I do seem to remember when I was chairman in 1998 his model of the BRM engine that triggered the creation of the Quorn was in our model collection.

It's been displayed over the years at several exhibitions - have a picture :

[vtsteam]

Over the years I have collected Model Engineer magazines back to the fifties, with some definite gaps, but I particularly remember Mr. Chaddock, in print at least, as the promoter and judge of the hot air engine competitions and a theorist for the type. Hot air and flash steam engines are a main interest for me. 

[mattinker]

Jonfb64

I'm a bit slow on the uptake! Why cast them in Al? Za12 would be better, supposed to have similar characteristics to cast iron!

Cheers, Matthew