A Video Of The Front Wheels Half Spoked-up Spinning On The Wheel Building Jig
When the wheel turns with very little run-out and half of the spokes in place, as here, then it’s safe to continue spoking-up the other side of the wheel.
Here is a photo of the wheel off the wheel building jig:-
Front Wheel Half Spoked
What To Look Out For
Hardware
When I started the front wheels I discovered that there were no castings for the front wheel hub and bearings. An email to Edward confirmed that he doesn’t supply them.
So I bought various lengths of cast iron bar from a local shop.
Drawings
There are some dimensional errors on the 6″ scale drawings. The drawings were scaled up in CAD from a set of 3″ scale drawings and some of the dimensions didn’t get scaled, so they still give the 3″ scale dimension.
The drawings are generally general arrangements (don’t know how better to say that) and I find I can’t just take a drawing and go into the workshop and start cutting metal.
So I made my own CAD drawings of both the general assemblies and the individual components. For example I have made the following drawings for the front wheel assembly:-
Wheel Rims, Spokes, Hub, Hub covers, Bearings, Oilers.
Also where there is a casting or something machined from a large piece of material, e.g. the front hubs, I measure the casting or raw material and add that to the drawing too. That shows me how much needs to come of the casting and how to centre it for machining.
This is a slow process but an essential one for me. It takes some time for me to interpret the dimensions on the drawings some of which only appear on different sheets.
Have You Got A Good Amount Of Gear In Your Workshop?
I do indeed have a very well equipped workshop. I have just about everything I need except for some large cutting tools, 1″ Dia Reamer, 3/4″ Dia Ball End Mill etc. I won’t really know what else I need until I get to make the part.
My machines include three milling machines, three lathes, two bandsaws, a pillar drill and a bench drill, bench grinder, tool and cutter grinder and electric and gas welders. Here are some photos of my big lathe and milling machine (taken in the workshop of the person I was buying them from):-
Photos Of The Big Lathe And Milling Machine I Bought In Thailand
The milling machine is a ‘Bridgeport’ clone. Anything smaller will not be big enough.
How Long Do You Think Yours Is Going To Take You Before You Get Steam Up?
If I manage within three years I’ll be very happy.
Had You Any Luck With The Steel Yet Is There Any Stockist Out Next To You?
There are two very good steel and non-ferrous stockings nearby. I haven’t actually asked about spring steel yet, but will do so.
Also I have joined the Traction Talk Forum where I can ask any questions relating to building the model including where to buy springs steel, for example.
I had a query regarding acceptable run-out (wobble) of the front wheels and received some very welcome and welcoming replied. The Forum post is here:-
http://www.tractiontalkforum.com/showthread.php?t=33437
Book Recommendations
I don’t know if you have these books but to me they are essential:-
1. “A Dream Come True” and “Little Samson II” by David Kearley. These are detailed step-by-step illustrated books recording the building of the 3″ and the 6″ scale Little Samson Traction Engine model. The latter book “Little Samson II” detailing how to build the 6″ scale model.
I pour through these books almost on a daily basis.
One thing I should mention is that all the above books are for engines with cast wheel, so there are no details of making built-up spoked wheels.
Available from http://www.ddmetalproducts.co.uk/Books.html
2. “Scale Model Traction Engine Design and Construction” Hardcover – 1 Oct 2004
by Edward George (Author)
This is a splendid book and whilst it gives details of building Little Samson in various scales it is not dedicated to Little Samson traction engine models. It does cover building spoked wheels.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Scale-Traction-Engine-Design-Construction/dp/0954839307
This is a short response to your queries – I would have to write a book to give you a full reply!
Alan
Hi Alan,
I ordered one from Edward save a bit of time I have the courier collecting the castings on Monday should keep me busy over xmas trying to figure out all the bits and pieces.
You can keep me informed what to look out for.
How long do you think yours is going to take you before you get steam up?
Have you got a good amount of gear in your w/shop?
Had you any luck with the steel yet is there any stockist out next to you?
Fergal
Hi Fergal,
In response to your message I’m enclosing a photo of the expansion link exactly as I bought it from Little Samson Models.
Expansion Link Laser Cut As Bought
As you can see it’s well profiled but needs a good few hours work to clean it up and fit the die block which you have to make.
Also enclosed is the drawing of the front spring. As you can see it’s a leaf spring exactly as on trucks but smaller. So the spec for the steels is “as for motor vehicle axle springs.”
Photo of Front Leaf Spring Drawing
I would expect to buy the material in lengths of straight bar 1.25″ X 0.125″ (1 1/4 X 1/8″), then cut it to length and drill, bend then heat treat the individual leaves by myself.
hi Alan
What is the expansion link?
Theres a company here Shannon coiled springs I can make an enquiry to see what they have ,what size is the material your looking for and what spec is it
Fergal
Hi Fergal,
Ah! You can buy laser cut spokes from Little Samson Models but I chose not to because I thought I could source them over here in Thailand.
I only bought what I knew I couldn’t source/make here in Thailand.
Same situation with the hornplates. Little Samson Models do laser cut ones but I know I can make them here.
I did buy the laser cut expansion link though. That is pretty complicated and would be very time consuming to make. There’s a good few hours work left in it even so, just cleaning it up.
I’m struggling at the moment to find some spring steel for the front axle spring. I found one place online called West Yorkshire Steel but don’t know if they’ll supply such a small amount as I need.
Any ideas?
Happy Steaming
Alan
hi Alan
No Im in Ireland the plasma is the way to go very little cleaning to be done after cutting
I thought the spokes came with the castings when you order them?
sound
Fergal
Hi Fergal, and thanks for the reply.
You say “to be shipping over here” – do you mean that you are in Thailand?
To have a fellow Little Samson Traction Engine builder (especially 6″ scale) here in Thailand would be fantastic.
There’s a workshop near here that has a plasma cutter. It’s the same one (workshop not plasma cutter) that rolled the wheel rims for me.
I can ask them about plasma cutting for the back wheel spokes. it would save time I’m sure.
The back wheel spokes aren’t as difficult as those specials on the front wheels. The radius on the front wheel palm-ends was too big for a single drill or milling cutter. The radius on the back wheel spokes is 3/8″ (or 3/4″ diameter) and can easily be cut with a drill or endmill.
As to plasma I have not tried it before. The guy in the shop I mentioned keeps telling me how good it is. My concern is if it leaves a hard rough edge that is difficult to clean up. I suppose the 4″ hand grinder with a sanding disk would do the job.
This is an interesting little conversation we are having. Can I post these on the website as comments? Your email address will not be seen.
Happy Steaming
Alan
hi alan
Thanks for getting back i see you made a nice job of that wheel the second one should be no problem to bang out.
I have nothing ordered yet and its getting close to Christmas now to be shipping over here.
Keep the pictures coming just a thought on cutting the radius on the spokes do you have any access to a plasma?
regards
fergal
Hi Fergal,
I do apologise for the slow response (see below) in replying to your email and hope my reply is not too late for you.
The drawings for the Little Samson Traction Engine (from http://www.littlesamson.co.uk) include both cast and built-up wheels.
Bizarrely I chose the Little Samson because the cast wheels would be easy to make – I wanted a fast easy built project – but then decided to go for the spoked option not for appearance but because I foresaw logistical problems in getting the wheel castings first to my home in the UK and then to out here in Thailand where I live now.
The reason for the late reply is that you caught me off-guard. The website at http://littlesamsontractionengine.com is still in it’s infancy and I wasn’t expecting anyone to stumble across it just yet. Hence I have not been in the habit of checking for emails or comments.
I have now spent some time updating the site here and there and actually just posted a new page showing photos of a fully-spoked front wheel, as announced in a another email I just sent you.
If you have any more questions or comments, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Happy Steaming
Alan
LittleSamsonTractionEngine.com
hi Alan I have been following your progress with your engine nice job so far I’m in the process of ordering the boiler and castings for the 6″ Little Samson Traction Engine.
I was looking at the spoked wheels your’e making and I think they look nicer than the cast ones. Do you have a drawing or did you take the measurements from another model?