Keith Stevens reports on Progress McLaren Agricultural Engine
Update 20th January 2008
This last month we have steadily been carrying on manufacturing the boiler and have progressed extremely well considering that we have been hampered along the way as we have encountered serious rainfall combined with Eskom load shedding of electricity services. During the rains we have retired to the workshop and have done a lot of necessary machining of firebox stays, nuts and studs, gear blanks etc. We did get the smoke box and the smoke box door manufactured and this was attached to the boiler. The long stays were also fitted. This now completes the outer boiler, all to be manufactured now is the firebox and re-tube which I now shall be busy with.
Smoke box door fitted - smoke box completeThis last month we have steadily been carrying on manufacturing the boiler and have progressed extremely well considering that we have been hampered along the way as we have encountered serious rainfall combined with Eskom load shedding of electricity services. During the rains we have retired to the workshop and have done a lot of necessary machining of firebox stays, nuts and studs, gear blanks etc. We did get the smoke box and the smoke box door manufactured and this was attached to the boiler. The long stays were also fitted. This now completes the outer boiler, all to be manufactured now is the firebox and re-tube which I now shall be busy with.
Riveting the smoke box
Tube plate fitted to boiler
Smoke box and axle pivot fitted to boiler
A bit of plastic surgery on smoke box chimney base 0710 - Still a way to go as we have none of the broken parts
Firebox crown nuts and studs for girder stays
Boiler door re-furbished
Cylinder foundation nuts and bolts
Firebox stays with gear blanks for steering and gear change Keith Stevens
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