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Thread: Whisperings

  1. #16
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    beer is good is offline It's just a jump to the left...
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    Steamwhisperer,
    More power to you in your restoration, preservation and keeping the old skills going. I don't know much about machining and metal as I am mainly into woodwork, but I really like the old machinery.

    I think steam will enjoy a comeback - a small nuclear reactor powering trains - why not?

    I was amused the other night watching a program about a nuclear submarine. They can fire the nuke missiles while the sub is under water, but they use steam to push the missile up to the surface when the rocket engine takes over.


    Keep up the good (and very important) work.

  2. #17
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    Quote Originally Posted by neksmerj View Post
    Whilst the kids are fossicking around Sovereign Hill, what are the chances of us oldies having a tour around your fabulous workshop?

    Of course we'd bring ice cold bottles of Ballarat Bitter and famous Ballarat cake shop pies.

    Ken
    Absolutely Ken.
    In fact I would be happy to offer anyone off this forum the grand tour.
    Ummm so long as I am working that day of course. There is a lot of stuff the public doesn't see.

    Phil

  3. #18
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    Hi Phil,

    I like that solid cast iron bench top, was it originally cast as a bench, or is it off something else?

    Regards
    Ray

  4. #19
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    Hi Phil,

    I love our history, especially old machines. I've crawled all over Sovereign Hill, and watched with amazement at gold production, including the beam engine that pumps water out of the mine using steam, same thing at Fryers Town, and can't forget the iconic Spirit of Progress.

    The Spirit of Progress is gone, not even a carriage preserved, so it's just great to hear you are doing what our forefathers failed to do, preserve our history.

    I for one, would love to pay you a visit, and reckon Greg Q would join me. If others are keen to take up your invitation, say so, and maybe we can tee up a day.

    Believe it not, Ballarat Bitter is making an emergence, at selected pubs in Ballarat, maybe just for this ocassion.

    Good on ya Phil for what you are doing.

    Ken

  5. #20
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    Quote Originally Posted by RayG View Post
    Hi Phil,

    I like that solid cast iron bench top, was it originally cast as a bench, or is it off something else?

    Regards
    Ray
    Hi ray,
    Would you believe it's actually a temperature controlled marking out table. They would run warm water through it to keep it stable and word has it lolly makers grabbed them after they were worn out.

    Phil

  6. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by neksmerj View Post
    I for one, would love to pay you a visit, and reckon Greg Q would join me. If others are keen to take up your invitation, say so, and maybe we can tee up a day.

    Believe it not, Ballarat Bitter is making an emergence, at selected pubs in Ballarat, maybe just for this ocassion.
    Thanks Ken
    It's a labour of love that's for sure. It would be great to see Greg again, loved the coffee as well. If there is a decent group I will take the day off and we can have a decent tour. I will try and get free entry for the day but can't promise anything.

    Phil

  7. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    Hi Bryan,
    She is a state of the art mill. The configuration you might be talking about is the traverse reversing trip rods and mechanism. When traversing automatically the stops move the rods and engage either forward or reverse gears for traverse. At the end of each stroke the quill moves down a notch.
    Let me know if you need any more info

    Phil
    Phil, thanks for the new pics - much better! Not sure I'm clear about the mill. Does the head feed along that cross rail, in what we would now call the X axis? It must, since there's nothing I can see that could drive the table. So it's a travelling head mill. Cool. And that long belt must loop around the spindle, allowing it to travel, but changing the speed slightly when it reverses. Is it a rapid reverse, like a shaper or planer, not intended for cutting, or does the quill feed down at each end of the stroke?

    Next trip I'll drop in for sure.

  8. #23
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    I'd be interested in a "private" tour of Sovereign Hill for sure!
    How about you set a date Phil and see who can make it?

    Joe

  9. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by jhovel View Post
    I'd be interested in a "private" tour of Sovereign Hill for sure!
    How about you set a date Phil and see who can make it?

    Joe
    Leave it with me Joe and I will get back to you

    Phil

  10. #25
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bryan View Post
    Phil, thanks for the new pics - much better! Not sure I'm clear about the mill. Does the head feed along that cross rail, in what we would now call the X axis? It must, since there's nothing I can see that could drive the table. So it's a travelling head mill. Cool. And that long belt must loop around the spindle, allowing it to travel, but changing the speed slightly when it reverses. Is it a rapid reverse, like a shaper or planer, not intended for cutting, or does the quill feed down at each end of the stroke?

    Next trip I'll drop in for sure.
    Hi Bryan,
    You got it in one. It's a traveling head mill. I will take more photos of the trav mechanism tomorrow. The traverse is the same speed in both directions and yes the quill feeds down at the end of each traverse
    Hopefully my new pics tomorrow will make it all clearer

    Phil

  11. #26
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    Hi ray,
    Would you believe it's actually a temperature controlled marking out table. They would run warm water through it to keep it stable and word has it lolly makers grabbed them after they were worn out.

    Phil
    Hi Phil,

    I can see it now, run the condensate line from the boiler back through the workbench, just the thing for those cold frosty Ballarat mornings...

    For those who don't know, Ballarat is the coldest place known to man... well maybe excepting for Kyneton...

    I'm up for a tour whenever it suits..

    Regards
    Ray

  12. #27
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    Quote Originally Posted by RayG View Post

    For those who don't know, Ballarat is the coldest place known to man... well maybe excepting for Kyneton...

    I'm up for a tour whenever it suits..

    Regards
    Ray
    You are right Ray, Ballarat cold doesn't hit your skin it goes straight to your bones. With the engine running nice and hot and the forge going its a nice place to be. lol
    I will try and sort something today with regards to a tour.

    Phil

  13. #28
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    I will try and sort something today with regards to a tour.
    Count me in for that also. I could use a day out of town, work is boring me at the minute.


    Its an easy hour and 10 minutes drive from here, If any one wanted to car pool from here, its generally on the way for most of you that would use the ring road. Or I’ll have one spare seat in the van.

    I’d be happy to pay admission, its reasonably cheap if its only one ticket, if you’re not getting the whole family in.

    Regards Phil.

  14. #29
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    Hi all,
    I found out today that there is a discount for groups but I still have to catch up with one of the directors about a free pass for all. I have to go out for tea now, something about my birthday or something. After 53 of them ya tend to forget a bit.

    Phil

  15. #30
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steamwhisperer View Post
    something about my birthday or something. After 53 of them ya tend to forget a bit.
    And you don’t look a day over 52. Happy Birthday Phil.


    The other Phil.

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