How And Where To Obtain The Materials, Special Tools And Engineering Expertise And Services

You might think that the main challenges facing someone building a model Traction Engine will be in the workshop – machining the cylinders or spoking the wheels for example.

I beg to differ.

For me those jobs are routine. True, I have the machine tools and equipment (mostly) to do those tasks so the actual accomplishment of them is simply to follow the necessary process.

There are so many books and websites available showing (most of) the steps and procedures to follow that provided you have the right equipment and don’t make mistakes (my big failing is losing concentration) then construction should be straightforward.

And if you live in the UK or other country with a good support service industry for model engineering then sourcing the materials, services, etc that you need should be simple.

But I live in Thailand. There aren’t many model traction engine shops here!

Some of the materials/components I have/will source in the UK, others I will have to/have sourced here in thailand.

Little Samson Traction Engine Items Already Sourced In The UK

Components I Have Already Purchased From Sources In The Uk

Item	Supplier	Comments	Links
Construction Drawings	Little Samson Models	A4 size
A full set of castings	Little Samson Models	Self Collected by car – heavy!
Boiler	AJB Engineering	As of 30/09/14 complete awaiting Insurance Inspection
Spoke rivets	Sapphire	Brought them over in the container

 Components, Materials And/Or Services I Have Already Procured In Thailand

Item	Supplier	Comments	Links
Steel for Spokes	Ying Jaleaun	No shortage of steel available here
Fabricated wheel rims	Teera Borigaan	Amazing resource!
Countersink Hex screws	Teera Borigaan	For the wheel hubs covers and spokes
Cast iron for front wheel hubs, covers and bearings	Teera Borigaan	Little Samson Models ought to provide castings

Shortly Needed Items That I Have To Find Locally

 Paint System.

The humid atmosphere here in Thailand plays havoc with steel – the rust bug is a major problem.

I have to paint as I go and yes, I know that I don’t have to finish paint as I go but I have to find a primer that is compatible with my selected finish paint system.

Car paint systems are the way to go but at the moment I can only find paint in spray cans. These won’t be big enough and will be too expensive to paint the whole engine.

I’m playing with the idea that I apply primer and second coat to ready for applying the finish coat by professionals in the car body repair shops.

Finding the right two-pack paint system with the desired finish colour available is a priority as the wheel rims are sitting outside as attractive to the rust bugs as a piece of dead dry wood is to the termites.

 Sand/Grit Blasting

Before I packed up the castings from Little Samson Models for their sea voyage to Thailand I rusted tm with saltwater.

Here in Thailand I experimented in removing the rust which is now quite serious with Thai Cleaning Vinegar and Citric Acid brought over from the UK. Both are effective in removing rust in a matter of hours, but the problem is that the de-rusted castings being ‘chemically clean’ and wet promptly rust over again!

I have tried subsequent mechanical cleaning with rotary wire brushes and abrasive disks but the result is not as clean as I demand for the paint system.

Sand or grit blasting is the answer but where to find such a service here in Pakchong is a pressing problem.

Longer Term Procurement Issues

Here are some of the more obvious materials/services that I will/may require in the longer term.

Gear Cutting

I’m planning on doing this myself, But if the Argo Milling Machine (Taiwanese metricised Bridgeport clone) is not up to the job I will need some help. A couple of options in mind.

Spring Steel

I need some spring steel for the front axle. Not sure how to proceed on this one.

Copper Pipe

I haven’t seen any copper pipe in Thailand! Needed for the steam and water plumbing  – but a long way off yet.

Rubber Wheel Tyres

Again a long way off and I’m building the wheels with strakes at the moment.