Wednesday 16th - To make do with what we have

To some extent our steel stock is reducing, but it still makes sense wherever possible to use off cuts or even section which was thought to be scrap. With this in mind and a number of jobs which have come about lately, the metal work team have been designing some very useful items.

With 34929 and 16221 pretty much complete from our point of view, it keeps us busy doing in house jobs.

A picture of a very much needed lunch break, glorious weather and we were in the company of a large number of 'evacuee experience' school children. They were all in period costume and very much looked the part.

And so to business, as I have mentioned the design and prototype of a number of items ..... here Rex and Bryan are making the initial parts for a lifting frame for the removal and fitting of 'Buckeye' couplings. If a 'Buckeye fails the wear examination, it has to be changed. They are incredibly heavy and an awkward shape. 

I must emphasise this is a prototype and although we think its strong enough, it has to be inspected, tested and approved for insurance purposes.

Thats me applying the final welds for this days work, next time it will have strengthener plates welded in.

Earlier Rex and Bryan came looking for me in the barn to tack weld their frame together.

Further down the barn Gerry is working on an improved design for a metal storage rack. We have limited space so care has to be taken to prevent injury.

Another construction is being undertaken by John, we need 3 separate cages to store 3 different gas cylinders outside. These will be outside and with correct spacing as regulations require. John has become a magician, he begged some very good steel fence sections which will make the cages very strong.

It was good to see George in with us on a Wednesday, he attended to many areas on 16221 making it ready for painting.

Dave is putting some stitching to a seat, making interesting use of 2 sash cramps to hold it together while he stitches ..... necessity is the mother of invention!

Derek is doing a bit of repair to a door frame upright, you cant see the join!

Dave (we have several) is putting on grey primer to 16221, it looks so much better.

And so the Dogfish, that's me in the bottom of the hopper welding long plates to the chutes.

It got complicated and awkward, at one stage I was lying in the bottom under the pyramid section and thinking now I got in here ...... how do I get out? There is always someone there so if all else had failed a rope would have helped. Ian S has said I can now join the dirty gang.

I did get out under my own steam, a necessary but rather unpleasant job.

So another week of varied work, I am sure next week will be the same.