An intro
My name is Barry Philcox I'm 61 and live in the Oxfordshire, UK. Back in 1966 I got my GCE in Metalwork and not really used it since to any serious degree. Interested in electronics, computers and I love anything steam - traction engines, trains etc. For many years I had a dream that I wanted to make a model traction engine in my retirement, even got to the stage of obtaining a plan & more dreaming.
About 6 years ago I gained an interest in narrow gauge trains out in the garden SM32, 16mm to the foot nominal scale, on-board battery powered and eventually a gas (LPG) powered engine. My dreams then shifted to making a live steam locomotive.
The dreams (see a theme here??) then translated into some practical work. I bought a Chester DB7 lathe, made loads of swarf, just playing. The next purchase was a Warco mini mill which I am currently converting by adding Digital Read Outs using the YADRO system (
http://www.yadro.de). Had great trouble with a prototyping board and eventually found the fault to be the programming of the micro controller. I have now got the X & Y axis working on the mill possibly the Z axis in the future. If anyone needs a 2313 programming for the YADRO I can do that, just email me.
The diamond tool holder I made for the lathe works quite well, some minor shortcomings but generally a success. I’m pleased anyway
Any projects/machining takes an awful long time because I am still employed full time, have a family and don’t seem to have a lot of spare time for machining. I suppose the main pleasure I get is making something for very little cost. Who counts the cost of their own time in a hobby anyway!
Current/future projects (dream time again!)
- Cracker live steam loco (
http://home.iae.nl/users/summer/16mmngm/Articles_htms/Cracker.htm )
- Idris steam loco (
http://www.davewatkins.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/16mm%20railway/steam.htm)
- And eventually an Eric steam loco
- Mill modifications:
Belt drive
Gas struts
Cheers,
Barry
