GENERAL PRODUCTION UPDATE: April 2013

lots of "finishing stuff" to do this week. final work was done on the rest of the foden 6inch steering kits and then priority turned on to the next showmans traction wagon kit, the main chassis.

the next foden 4inch kit is the rear wheels and hubs. just waiting on some large bar for the wheel spacers and then this is nearly done.

also been working on some 2inch burrell rear wheel kits and the showmans dynamo housing castings.

Mark has spent most of the week on the latest batch of boilers and will soon be moving on to the next 10 showmans cylinders.

so lots and lots of different bits done but not a great deal to show until it all starts to come together next week.

heres a few photos...

foden 4" rear hub centers...



2" burrell rear hubs...



and rear wheel rims...



the "V" shaped bar under the wheel rim is actually part of the tow bar for the traction wagon. this is the cross brace...



and this is the main chassis ready to go together...



mounting brackets for the showmans Dynamo...



and some belly tank sides to top up the stock...



hopefully more to show next week

quick update on the stuff we've been doing over the last week...

the good new for a few people is that work has started on the next batch of Showman's cylinder blocks. Mark is concentrating on these, i'll get more photos as the work progresses...

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The Traction Wagon chassis has had a good bit of progress this week. the last time i checked we were just waiting on some screws to arrive...

and the next Foden 4inch kit (rear wheels) is just a couple of days away from going out.

the rear wheels mounting spacers before machining...



and after...



just need to finish the rear hub-caps on this

also started on some brackets for the next traction wagon kit. quite complex and loads to do...

also can confirm that the next foden 6inch kit is the water tanks. the folder has been issued and preparation work has started

also a quick look at "those strange things hanging around in the back of the recent Showman's control model photos". not gonna pretend i know anything about them but basically they are the engine assemblies for Steve's steam cars...

Hi Craig,
Just to say these weekly updates are very much appreciated & it's great to see photos of "stuff" being produced in STW factory
Is there no end to Steve's talent for producing amazing vehicles!!!!! Those cylinder castings (I presume) are impressive & machining on only two must have taken "for ever"!! I also presume that these will be the only two "new" Stanley steam cars in existence on the planet!!
AWSOME!!
Regards,
Tony

Hi Tony.
I wouldn't want to take cedit where its not due. Most of the engine bits are original Stanley items and are over 100 years old. I had to get the bores and the valve faces re-machined as we don't have the necessary equipment for me to do them. I'll ask Craig to put a few more photos on as more bits go on the engines.

Regards

Steve

And there was me thinking you would have a nice new shiny 'Q' plate on your steamers!

Tim

quick update on this weeks work....

good news for the people waiting for the DCC cylinders. work is progressing as planned...



and the foden 4inch rear wheel kit was finished off...

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now working on the foden 4inch differentials...





showman's chimney extension rings have been done...



along with the mounting brackets for the roof (yes,we know its in the wrong place )...



but the reason the roof struts are missing is so we can fit these...





connecting them all up...



and yes... it looks very smart...

think most of you will of had this stuff by now, or will be getting it very soon.

also been working on parts for the showman's Dynamo kit, these are brush holders...






more next week

Looking forward to recieving the next foden 4.5" kit. The Showman with lights looks fantastic.

Thanks for the updates Craig, it is appreciated.

John

last update of the month...

again, another week with not much to see as all sections are working on long running jobs.

Mark is busy on the DCC cylinder blocks and has made good progress. they will be going onto the 4th Axis early next week.





the rest of the CNC section is working on the traction wagon kit 4 springs and mounting brackets and loads of them.

around 400 brackets to make and unlike the other wagons we make, they are a little bit fancy...





and 100's of springs need shaping and drilling...





also finished off the 4inch foden diff...



Ian has been working on the 2inch boilers...



and the new boiler tube has arrived for the next load of 4inch Burrell boilers...

all looking good any news on the next 6" foden kit

next 6inch foden kit is the water tanks and this is 90% laser cut parts with a few brackets and turned parts. as soon as the laser cuts arrive we will make the parts to suit, then it's all in the hands of the manual guys

cheers craig

Craig,

I see no mention of kit 16A crankshaft and con rods for 4" Agricultural builders. Any news?

A long time has passed since the last kit.

Peter.