Lynn Robinson. Showman Scenic

Gosh. Time is flying past!

Crystal passed her second steam test. She is very happy. Only problem is the regulator. She did not want to stop.

So I put her on the belt to keep her behaving. 

lynnr wrote:Gosh. Time is flying past!

Crystal passed her second steam test. She is very happy. Only problem is the regulator. She did not want to stop.

Ah that old chestnut!! Sounds familiar. I have tried Andys reg block just to rule that out and it still let by a very small amount. Went back to work basically sanding the bed plate as there is a small casting defect which is a small pit, enough to allow a small amount of steam to run on, it will need hours of work to get it out and my hands hurt and I have lost the will to live. I'm thinking if I set the block such that it passes the area it should seal, fingers crossed. We will try it this weekend end at the Littlehampton Bonfire Night do, I'm feeling hopeful but wont be surprised if it still lets by. I will put a picture of the reg chamber on the reg thread, others might do the same for comparison.

Starting to winterise Crystal. So under light steam I have taken the valve covers off and letting her get warmed through. At 50psi and letting the wood fire die away. Then she will be blown down to empty and all plugs out while still hot.

So since the covers are off I checked the starter valve and it is working well


Regulator, as we know, is leaky

Blowing down.

A hi quality video of blowing Crystal down.

Hi Lynn,

Any news on the STW regulator mod

Thanks

Kev

A coup ether ideas are on the plate.

Going in reverse!!!

Well stripping down to check for problems and rectify any.

One problem found. The keyway for the Reverser linkage is not holding tight on the shaft. So the expansion links can "spread out" a bit and not run true. I need to pop off the linkage and the reachrod to slip off the offending item and drift out the key from it. I will possibly need a slightly bigger key but I will see. May fit the item with the key and put a taper pin in as well.

She does look strange





Motion covers off to allow cleaning and maintenance


Traction wagons do make handy part storage.



Problem with this. Not held by the key so can wander out and in.


She does need a good clean


Good amount of oil in the HP valve chest


And the same on the LP. So getting good lubrication


Regulator. Still needs work


Pistons and bores are in excellent condition

Very interesting seeing your pictures, my little routine for the SC Burrell is to drain down, I never blow down as I'm very fussy what water I put in the engine, (if I wouldn't drink it don't use it!). Then wash out with a hose pipe with a narrow pipe attached until it runs clear, then use paper towel to wick away the last of the water ensuring the front of the boiler is higher than the back. Leave all plugs out over winter & a dehumidifier left on a timer for 4 hours (self draining) every night. Remove the valve chest cover, safety valve and cylinder end cover, dry and brush steam oil over all the inside, replace covers & bolt up.
I put a camera in the boiler last week to have a look and apart from light surface rust it was like it's first year. There was no scaling of rust that I have seen in some boilers. I use treatment twice a season, once at the start & another half way through, I put about half a mug full in at a time ( not a big mug!)
Once again, great to see all your pics.

lynnr wrote:Another video

Lynn

I just noticed something while watching this video - you do not seem to use the locking pin when you select your drive gear before pulling away. This is something you must never leave out even on a miniature, if the engine slips out of gear it can be very dangerous. A couple of years ago an acquaintance of ours had a pin bounce out on the road while driving his 4" Garrett, it was not a screw in but just a drop in pin. The engine was going downhill at the time with his son driving and his sons girlfriend on the trailer with him behind. Owner jumped off and tried to stop it but could not, son had to steer into the grass bank/hedge at the side of the road and engine owner damaged his back for 12 months trying to stop it. Luckily no real damage done apart from the owner himself. This was written about in the Steam Apprentice club's magazine as the son was an apprentice at the time.

If the video is edited and so does not show the locking pin going in then please accept my apologies for pointing out a key safety element of engineman ship.

Cheers

Brian

Hi Brian

Well observed. I was not using the locking pin at this event. as we all know the regulators are playing up and in the confines of the car park I decided it was best being able to quickly pull her out of gear is a problem arose. I normally run with the pin in as yes I definately don't want her to slip out on our hills up here. The car park was all flat so no real problem if she slipped out of gear.

But well observed and no offence taken for pointing it out.

How's you doing anyway?

Lynn

The last two outing have been more problematic for Blackbeard as regulator issues seem to have now developed to the point it is difficult to stop properly so real caution has to be taken as you mentioned. I have used the flywheel brake as an effective means of holding the crank as it so efficient once forward momentum is halted with the reverser. My last event before my trip to Thailand was the Little Leigh Steam Party on 5th/6th October with Brian M and Flashback in attendance and both having a drive of Blackbeard but finding it difficult with the regulator issues. I drove Flashback's showman's engine on the road and his was behaving much better than mine but with less use/mileage on the clock. I do have some photos to post once I get round to it but I got back from Thailand and felt very ill with a head cold and throat infection, to much time cooped up in an aluminium tube with hundreds of other people not knowing what germs were circulating.

We have a birthday part on Wednesday this week for my little niece and I would need to spend a lot of time polishing up the regulator face to get it working safer I feel. Not decided if I will bother or not but I know she loves the engine as the photos from Onslow Park rally proved. I need to get my interest back after a busy season  

What has happened to the regulator trials anyhow?? You seem to have prepared you engine for winter storage so nothing going on there now.

Brian

Since I don't have anyway of getting a very flat ground block for doing the regulator and waiting now for Steam Traction World other trial. I decided to winterise as our temperatures normally dive in early November. Steam Traction World are going to get some "grinding" blocks made. Otherwise I think it is going to be a stainless plate and a new block.  

It's the only thing wrong with the engines. I also would live to keep the two stage block as it gives excellent control.

Since the artwork is now in progress on Crystal. I though I would post my first effort. Did the heat shield this morning.



Few errors and bit of clean up to do. Depending on how I feel later I may clear the plate off and do it again. Time will tell.

Wow Lynn, that's acomplicated design!! Can you give me an insite as to how you did it, ie. is it a "sticker" that you "printed" or a "mask" you've stuck on then painted? You don't have to "divolge" trade secrets if you don't wish too!!
Regards,
Tony

Vinyl mask. Artwork designed on the computer. Then printed on the cutter. Then painted in.


Next time I will try and remember to photograph the complete process or even video it if you all are interested?

Hi All

Definitely got the arty head on today.

Got some of the lining done on the Exciter dynamo. Unfortunately the masking tape has taken some of the base colour off so it will need touching up. Oh Hum

Using pictures of the main Dynamo being done as reference. Laying out the masking tape.



And the first lot of lining done. Need to leave to dry as the brush cage is a bit fiddly.



And I have put the first coat of Craftmasters varnish on the heat shield but no picture as you can not see much difference being clear varnish.

Bit more fancy work.

Thought the side of the exciter platform was a bit dull and unmapped. So thought of something nice.

There be Dragons! Still to varnish but that will be tomorrow.  Btw the gold is 1shot metallic gold.

Looks really good Lynn

What are you going to do when it is all finished?

There be a problem!  Bit frightened of that to be truthful

Total disaster!!

Started to varnish the dragon and the craftmaster varnish has reacted with the 1shot metallic gold paint and destroyed the painting.

What a disaster, have you been able to strip it off without damaging the base or is going to be back to bare metal and repaint?

Going back to bare metal unfortunately. Cleaning the mess off has taken its toll on base colour.

Probably best to do that anyway, reduces the risk of further damage. I've been using one shot and have the craft master varnish but decided not to varnish. The Museum service don't varnish their engines as they say it causes more problems than it solves.

The varnish is wonderful on timber though.

Crystal is happy. With the hibernation routine started 2 weeks ago she is fairly dry now. Woke up today to -2 so we are definitely in to winter.