Thanks Rob -
the latest joy, is preparing the lubricators. These can be quite difficult to work, withthe hardness of the brass casting and the risk of the drill bursting through the sides of the outlets, or breaking. I replaced the 6 way ones in the kit with Griffin 4 way ones. I always struggle with these, but this time it went better than expected. Just for interest ( someone might want to know ) this is what I did. I left the sprue on to aid handling, then removed and cleaned up afterwards:
- Gently file the tops of the outlets flat
- Use a scriber to mark the centre
- By hand start the hole with a .6mm turbo shank drill
- Using spit to lubricate, drill with a new 0.5mm turbo shank drill, medium speed, just a little at the time. You dont want the tip of the drill to overheat, it will go blunt. I worked my way around the outlets one after the other, it took 3 or 4 circuits before they all went right through.
- I use B&Q picture wire to form the feed pipes, it can be unwound and stretched straight in the vice. It's softer than the straight wire and doesn't fracture, but not so soft as copper, which always seems to go all over the place.
- the wires can then be passed right through the lubricator body and soldered from the inside.
I managed to do it with out breaking the drill bit ! That's a first.
The castings retain heat of course, so the mounting plate is attached to the frames with 179 solder.
Just needs some tidying now:-
