Cylinder Blocks

I have just read on the STW Facebook page "Hopefully by the end of this week we'll send out the 6" Foden Cylinder Blocks"
It looks like we will have something to play with soon. I can't wait to see what they look like.

Bill

looking forward to getting some more bits its been a long time:D 

yes thats right. they should be ready any time now  

I got a text this morning telling me that my cyclinder block will be arriving on Friday.

Bill

Although I got a text yesterday to tell me that my cylinder bock would be arriving to-day, it failed to arrive. When I telephoned my local Interlink Express office they told me that my parcel was still in Birmingham. They told me that it should now be delivered on Tuesday of next week.

Bill

the blocks are VERY VERY heavy and are probably classed as a "two man lift" by most postal services, this may explain the delay.

OK, a quick message for all those expecting/receiving the blocks. there has been a small mistake on the large blanking plate supplied with the blocks, i think its called the transfer chest plate or something like that. it would seem that four of the holes have been drilled 1mm out of position and will need to be opened out with a file so the bolts will fit. if your not happy doing this please return it too us and we will provide you with a "fixed" one. this is totally my fault, sorry  

also the O-ring provided is the wrong size (not my fault  ) and a replacement will be sent out next week.

and the blocks/kits still at the factory will have this sorted before they leave.

I got a text yesterday morning saying it would be here between 8 and 6 but it never came either. It was only 3 miles away at 4:45am on the friday... Guess it will come monday now but I'm at work so they will have to unload it themselves.

I collected my block from the factory on the way to the Midland Model Engineering Exhibition this morning. They aren't big but they are heavy!  

Finally got hold of interlink. My parcel is on hold as the box got damaged and it has been re-boxed... Although she doesnt know what the status is at the minute.

Doesnt sound clever!

I've spoken with the delivery company (interlink express) and they were just sitting on it which is really useful!

Basically the box arrived to them damaged (its a wooden crate apparently) and they dont want to deliver it as it would fall to pieces. I'm going there tomorrow morning to take a look and see what the deal is and check the contents.

Mine arrived this morning too but the box didn't survive the journey. Thankfully The contents appear complete and undamaged. I'm about to take some pictures and send them to STW.

Martin

Hi Guys,

Quite a few of you have said the crates have arrived damaged or in pieces.

We obviously were aware that this was a heavy kit and that the idea behind the crate was more about protecting the block (after 10 weeks machining) than anything else. The crates were not just pinned they were also glued with industrial strength glue and we did do a few tests at the factory without any major problems. We didn't do the 6 foot drop from the back of a van as i can't be arsed to pick it up test though, which in hind sight maybe we should have.

Sorry if you've had a box that's arrived in bits. Hopefully the main thing is that your block is okay and on the positive side........it will soon be November 5th so you can call the wood a gift to start your bonfire from STW.  

Gotta keep smiling.  

All the best

Dean

Hi mine arrived today no sign off any box wot else should be in the kit as I didnt get any paper work cheers .

I spoke with Steve and there should be 2 plates (1 stainless) and an o-ring although that's no use as it's the wrong size  

I'm getting mine in the morning. They didn't even try and contact me or try to deliver which was a bit disappointing.

Cheers think il ring tomorrow all seems a bit odd no paper work and no packing

"We didn't do the 6 foot drop from the back of a van as i can't be arsed to pick it up test"

Great line Dean, made me laugh. It there a British Standard to cover this test, if not it certainly needs a humorous one written!

you'd be surprised what there are british standards for!

and you would be surprised by how some of the tests are done.

Mike

My cylinder block was delivered by Interlink Express to-day, rapped up in cardboard and Interlink Express sticky tape.  When I opened the parcel I found that both sides of the saddle had been smashed off.  Not only had Interlink Express caused this damaged they didn’t even pack all the broken parts!!  I think that they must have used Dean's drop it from 6 foot test.  I have now arranged with Steve to collect a replacement cylinder block from the factory on Friday.  I declined Steve’s offer to send me another one by Interlink Express.  I am now very glad that STW decided to make some spare blocks.  At the same time I very sorry for all the hard work that went into making my cylinder block which besides the damage looks great.

That is a real shame & a complete waste of a beautiful bit of work!! I hope the carriers can be taken to task with "their extreme negligence"!!
They must have gone to quite a lot of trouble to that amount of damage, lets hope it dropped on someones foot (or head would be better!!) before it hit the floor!!
Regards,
Tony

i cant believe how much damage they have done. mine seems to be ok but havent checked properly yet. I have everything though.

The wood was certainly strong enough for the cases but they really wanted screwing rather than nailing and they would have been fine i'm sure.

I know it is not a block but us my latest UPS parcel. Same treatment I suspect

is it worth sectioning the block for education/testing purposes?

What did they do with it to cause that...,think we need to add the "throw it out the van while traveling at 30mph because I can't be arsed to stop" test.

Such a shame there were weeks of work to produce them.

10 weeks work to be precise!

Needless to say Steve and I are not amused to say the least. Forgetting all the hours, one block is in lost revenue alone the equivalent to two kit payments (close on £1500) that we can not now invoice some one.

We've asked to see the courier company area manager about this and will keep you updated.

Bill, can you please bring the block and pieces back to us when you visit on Friday. As well as the photo's we need to physically show them the damage their incompetent staff have caused.

Cheers

Dean