Working model scaled 1:15 – materials

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Working model scaled 1:15 – materials

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 18 May 2016 at 04:31 by Paul Lousick.

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16 May 2016 at 15:17 #238931
lee lee 1
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@leelee1
Hi all,

New to this site and have found some very intresting things on here. I have an intrest in traction engines and have visited Boconnoc fiar the last few years. I have started engineering course and as part of an assignment we have to select 3 materials for a working model traction engine. Could you recommend any materials please, i also need to know about processes, how to make them and machining.

I have not worked with any machinery or anything before so this is totally new to me. I have found various vides on the site on casting iron wheels which was very helpfull but i waould also like others inputs if possible.

Thanks,
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16 May 2016 at 15:17 #2837
lee lee 1
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@leelee1
16 May 2016 at 16:29 #238939
norman valentine
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@normanvalentine78682
You would learn more by reading up on building such a model rather than just asking for the answers.
16 May 2016 at 16:37 #238942
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I think three materials will be a bit limiting but you could probably get away with steel, brass and copper.

It would help if you coule also include bronze, cast iron, aluminium, stainless steel, silver steel
16 May 2016 at 17:55 #238952
lee lee 1
Participant
@leelee1
Thanks. I selected cast iron, steel and brass for the wheels. Just wondered how they are actually made? Cast iron i know is melted and put into a mold and machined (milled) but not sure about the others? If you know of any sites for making the wheels and the processed involved that would be great.
as for the 3 materials, we have to select 3 and say why they would be considered we then have to choose the final material and justify why its chosen and say how they are processed and machined.
16 May 2016 at 18:28 #238959
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I would forget about casting at your small scale, even in the larger scales the process of casting teh hub around the spokes is seldom used. You can use cast hub that are machined but again in your small scale I would just cut them from solid bar, either iron or brass.

For the wheel rims you would be best off machining them from either thick walled steel tube or just slices of round bar, if done right the piece saved from the middle of the rear wheels can be used for teh front wheels. Cast iron will be too brittle for the rims, brass too expensive.

Spokes can be cut from steel sheet.

Here are a few build diaries that will give you an idea of how model traction engines are made. Mostly larger scales as that is the trend but the methods are almost the same for smaller engines.

4" BB1, 4" Burrell, Fowler crane engine, 4" Ruston, 1" Minnie, 3/4" (almost 1:15) Case

Also join Traction Talk Forum and read teh miniatures section

J
16 May 2016 at 23:13 #238980
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Hello Lee, Welcome to the forum.

This is a link to the build of my 6" Ruston Proctor traction engine. mainly fabricated from from cast iron (purchased castings), steel plate, steel flat and round stock. Valve fittings will be made from gunmetal, bronze and brass. My boiler is fabricated from pressure pipe and boiler plate and welded together. Smaller scale boilers are often made from copper and silver soldered.

Paul

**LINK**

Edited By Paul Lousick on 16/05/2016 23:20:30
17 May 2016 at 14:02 #239049
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Posted by lee lee 1 on 16/05/2016 15:17:45:

I have started engineering course and as part of an assignment we have to select 3 materials for a working model traction engine. Could you recommend any materials please, i also need to know about processes, how to make them and machining.

We get queries from students like this every now and then. I think the idea is that you read some of the books in your college library not just dump your homework onto people the internet.
17 May 2016 at 21:08 #239121
lee lee 1
Participant
@leelee1
Thank you to all the people who have posted usefull information and messaged me. It is much appreciated and has helped me a lot to understand things.
18 May 2016 at 04:31 #239149
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Lee,

The 1" Mini traction engine is probably the most popular small model traction engine that is built. There are dozens of posts and videos on the internet and Youtube showing its construction.

A good place to start is Metric Mini by Arther Groves, Julius de Waal and Darius Vimmermann where you can download construction data and drawings. (search other sites for an imperial version)

Paul

**LINK**

Edited By Paul Lousick on 18/05/2016 04:32:13
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