New member

[Julian TolleyParticipant @juliantolley83108]

Just to say hi to all members and introduce myself.

I'm a lifelong modeller on almost all types. Like most I started with the Dublo trainset (showing my age there !) which I still have and now repair the motors. I built a huge n-guage circuit for my kids and made the controllers as well including braking momentum. I then moved onto freeflight aircraft (flying at epsom downs) and control-line aircraft. A mamod marine steam engine led into boats and since then Ive been into i/c power as well as electric and sail. The yachts led to my learning to braze and making period fittings for pond yachts

Recently i've started making parts for my Davies Charlton engines (con rods and needle valves) – though I've still got a lot to learn. My next challenge will be to make a replacement piston (for a diesel bought from a bad ebayer).

I'm originally an electronics engineer so can offer help on that front to any member.

Over the years I'v built on my father's life long collection of tools. Recently I restored a flexispeed mini-lathe witha variable speed three phase drive and have a warco mill drill – so you can see I'm drifting inexorably towards the more engineering end of modelling.

I'm based in Horsley in Surrey. Other interests include the electrinics in cars and I offer a scan/diagnostic service for most marques.

Mt father's motto was always try to repair – so firends have even had me sort out the electronic speed control for a 20 year old kenwood mixer, Summertime I buy lawnmowers to repair and sell – just like the challenge!

[Julian TolleyParticipant @juliantolley83108]

[stephen Reeks 2Participant @stephenreeks2]

Hi My name is steve I have just relocated to north Cornwall and am trying tyo get back to my project of building an Edgar Westbury 1831 loco, I have been on the project for some time now and its been a very vertical learning curve. I now have complete engine that does not start. I know that is related to a ring / compression problem and have some work to do there. but Due to the number of times of stripping / assembling the engine the main block has become worse for wear and needs redoing. the casting was not good and in the learning curve there was not much lee way for errors. I know I really should use brass as per the original engine but I am not yet that confident yet. I want to use aluminium for the block and for the conrods but I am struggling with what grade to use. as the set I made I have no idea what grade it is and colleagues saying it silly to try and start the engine with them as they might break causing more damage. Does anyone have an idea what grade of aluminium I should use for the 2 items and if possible a sullpier. thanks in advance

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Hello Juilan & Steve.

I had some Dublo too, sadly long gone.

I hope you both enjoy the forum.

Neil

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