tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
OK, this isn’t a solid rear axle like a 1960’s muscle car. This is an actual solid round phosphor bronze bar that supports both rear wheels on the Burrell traction engine. The rear axle is fixed and the wheels then rotate independently on each side. Inboard of each wheel there is a gear that is … Read more
After picking up a cheap height gauge at a car boot, how could I resist making a Moore and Wright desk lamp? The base has a wonderful patina and somebody treasured this as they engraved their initials AST. However, this was in quite a state when I bought what was essentially a base with a … Read more
Finally I can share the finished Enjomor Whippet Installation. I was sent this engine by Stirlingkit.com, an engine based on an ET Westbury design. Unpacking was quite fun as this engine arrives nearly ready to run. The first step was to run the engine and I decided to at first run it on glow fuel. … Read more
Square Peg Round Hole or turning a square section part in a 3 jaw self-centering chuck. Having seen this on so many instagram and pinterest posts I thought I should have a go. The thing is I needed a way of drilling a 6mm hole through a piece of square section oak. The independent 4-jaw … Read more
Most stationary engines are on a trolley, hence I though I should make a set of Whippet trolley wheels. As it happened we visited Wimpole Hall and there in the farmyard were some vehicles that might give some inspiration. The design that feels more in keeping with a trolley wheel is the one on the … Read more
Only needing two parts I thought about forming brass onto MDF, creating brackets to support a fuel tank for the Enjomor Whippet. I needed to make the Enjomor Whippet look more my style and hence have gone to town on the cooling tank and the fuel tank. This mean I needed a bracket to support … Read more
The Sistotech micro butane torch is easy to use, easy to refill and perfect for the model makers bench. This little torch fits in the hand perfectly, the gas container is just the right size to grip. I’ve just been using this for some silver soldering on the fuel tank of the Enjomor Whippet engine. … Read more
A thermosiphon is a method of passive heat exchange between the heat source and the heat sink. In the case here the engine is the heat source and the water tank is the heat sink. The fundamental issue when running the Whippet engine in this configuration was it was getting hot and the water was … Read more
Running the Enjomor Whippet on glow fuel. I’ve made a cooling tank, part made a fuel tank and the engine is fix to an oak base. Before going too much further I really wanted to run this little engine. The engine has a good quality engine oil in the sump. Must admit that I screwed the … Read more
I posted a picture of the undercoated cooling tank and received a comment that this didn’t appear to fit with my other work. This made me wonder if there is a model making style and do I have a style? The question was raised as I was sent this engine to review and I started … Read more