Frame material for Tich

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

The chances of me getting some blued steel up here in Scotland are about zero.

I have some 3 inch x 1/8 inch gauge plate bought for an old project

Would this be suitable for Tich mainframes or would it be too rigid?

Having won a set of cylinders on Ebay last night, it is about time I got this project on the move.

regards David

 

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

Hi David,

Wot do u mean, “blued steel?”

My guess is high-carbon known as `gaugeplate.`

As there are only 2 axles and short length, I would think gauge plate would work but very expensive material for such use. I certainly wouldn`t consider it for say, “Nigel Gresley” or any other long-framed multi-driver loco, due to stiffness of steel. It would not flex and on tight curves with very small cleances on a well made new loco., I would think derailments could be a possibility.

Thats what I think but perhaps someone with more experience can throw in their “2pennorth.”

Regards,

John

PS what a glorious sunny morning down here in Brighton.

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

No scrapyards in Scotland David??  Commercial vehicle chassis offer various thicknesses of steel.

 

  Regards  Ian.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

No scrap yards  where I am.

There is nothing where I am.

regards David

 

[RedpiperbobParticipant @redpiperbob16487]

Hi David try

B&M steel

Inverness 01463232905

Bob

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi there

Will make a note of them but still

a 250 mile round trip.

regards David

 

[Gordon WParticipant @gordonw]

David, I live in N Scot., nowhere near you tho’. But:- try ship/boat repair boys, I know there are some near you, usually more helpful than the scrappys as well.

[Tony MartyrParticipant @tonymartyr14488]

David

I can’t see how frames can be ‘too rigid’ since the whole point of the frame walls and spacers is intended to produce a rigid structure that is able to deal with the various forces imposed on it. The flexibility that allows for cornering and track irregularities comes from the hornblocks and bogies etc surely?

The first models I was involved with many years ago as a ‘helper’ both had frames made from gauge plate as the owner worker in a toolroom and it was ‘available’ 

Tony

Edited By Tony Martyr on 04/03/2010 17:45:32

[BazParticipant @baz89810]

Hi David,

 

   Nothing at all wrong with using gauge plate for frames, I use it in preference to black or bright steel as it does not spring when cut. The only disadvantage is the price but I think it is well worth it for nice flat straight material. Frames should be rigid, look at all the stretchers etc used to brace them, I agree totally with Tony on this point.

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Baz

Thanks for that.

Shall cut them slightly overlength and work from there.

Regards David

 

 

[calder percival 1Participant @calderpercival1]

blued steel was a type of plate produced in production in the days of L.B.S.C the nearest you will get to it now is sheared plate out of an 8 by 4sheet and a local fabrication shop would give you it for coppers. Gauge plate is fine but too expensive to waste on frames after all they are only to hold the cylinders and wheels in place and nothing fancy is needed black strip is also fine and does not distort bright will however if you loosely mark out the frames and then cut out the openings and then turn then mark them out properly they will not move again . It is the locked up energy from when the material was produced that escapes and distorts when you cut the material.

 

Hope that helps calder

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi Calder

Price was not a problem, I have some suitable gauge plate in stock bought a few years ago because it was cheap at the time.

regards David

 

[camperParticipant @camper]

gauge plate for frames, luxury bought a cheapo cuts all saw from aldi turns a old chassis leg into valuable raw material in seconds 6mm ms without complaint wonderful for the impecunious ps chip fat is great in ml4 headstock bearings and the workshop heater

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