Peckforton sawmill

[ge_rik]

Looking good. I assume we can look forward to YouTube video when it's in situ?

Might take a while. I'd need to get the mechanisms up and runnung before I could do the video and I suspect they might take longer than constructing the building itself. However, a video is on the cards at some point.

Rik

[ge_rik]

Jumping ahead a bit, circular saw sounds would be a nice effect (hint hint ) something which would be right up your alley I imagine Rik.
Grant.

Great idea, Grant. Thanks. Hadn't thought about it, until now........

Rik

[Peter Butler]

This is a cracking project Rik, one I am following closely. Great work so far but with all that timber, plus the electrics/electronics and mechanics involved it will not be left outside on the railway I'm sure. If is is self contained there should be no problem in siting it for running sessions.

[ge_rik]

This is a cracking project Rik, one I am following closely. Great work so far but with all that timber, plus the electrics/electronics and mechanics involved it will not be left outside on the railway I'm sure. If is is self contained there should be no problem in siting it for running sessions.

Hi Peter
Yes, it will be taken out for running sessions and brought back indoors when not being used. The roof will be clad in aluminium 'corrugated iron' and so will be weatherproof, but I don't fancy leaving it out all year round. It might stay out for the summer months though (dependent on the weather).

Rik

[FWLR]

Wouldn’t some sort of shelter help Rik, something like a resin stone affect shed if you see what I mean to go over the sluice gate and most part of the running water to protect it from the frost. Just an idea Rik.

[ge_rik]

Wouldn’t some sort of shelter help Rik, something like a resin stone affect shed if you see what I mean to go over the sluice gate and most part of the running water to protect it from the frost. Just an idea Rik.

Hi Rod
Different project - but thanks for the suggestion
Rik

[FWLR]

Losing all track of things lol.......

[Big Jim]

Just out of interest Rik, what is your technique for turning drinks cans into corrugated sheets?

[ge_rik]

Just out of interest Rik, what is your technique for turning drinks cans into corrugated sheets?

Hi Jim
With a paper corrugator (eg https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282610609044 )

Actually, up to now, I've been using the thick foil from disposable baking trays but decided to give drinks cans a go as the alu is a bit thicker. I've now discovered the alu from drinks cans is too thick and the corrugations aren't as pronounced and so I've gone back to baking tray alu. More susceptible to being accidentally dented, but looks more realistic - and a lot cheaper than corrugated plastic sheeting.

Rik

[Big Jim]

Thanks Rik, shame about the drink can metal. I was hoping to having the chore of emptying a few just to get the metal. I suppose I will have to eat more meat pies instead.

[LNR]

Guess it depends on your requirement for corrugated iron. If you search around, the paper crimper that Rik linked to is
also available with aluminium rollers. I took mine out of its plastic frame and made up a very hasty one of aluminium
angle that clamps in the vice and results in a more even crimp.

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I also found aluminium foil in 300mm wide rolls 36g at a craft store which will go straight through the crimper.

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With ally drink cans I found you need to anneal them first to get a decent crimp pattern.
Grant.

[ge_rik]

With ally drink cans I found you need to anneal them first to get a decent crimp pattern.
Grant.

Useful to know, Grant. Thanks.
Yes, the plastic frame for the crimper is a bit flimsy. Trying to put slightly thicker beer can alu through the crimper forcibly 'dismantled' it. Might try annealing to see how much difference that makes and presumably has the added advantage of removing any coatings.

Rik

[Big Jim]

A little trick for annealing aluminium.

Take a bar of soap, wet it slightly. Rub over area to be annealed, no need to totally cover it but you want a good spread. Heat with blow torch until the soap turns black.

This should allow you to stop before you start burning holes in the metal.

[GTB]

Might try annealing to see how much difference that makes and presumably has the added advantage of removing any coatings.

You need to be careful annealing aluminium, as the annealing temperature is fairly close to the melting point. Unlike other metals you can't just bring it up to red heat and let it cool down, as the melting point is below a visible red heat.

Also, it won't get hot enough to burn off the epoxy coating used on the inside of a drink can before the metal melts. All the coating does is turn brown.

This link below has some instructions for annealing aluminium in the home workshop, using soap as a temperature indicator, which is the common model engineering trick.

http://steamshed.com/annealing%20process.html

Here in Oz, because most new roofs are prepainted steel and lead flashing can't be used, aluminium flashing is available in rolls. It is annealed and the metal is about twice the gauge of pie pans.

Regards,
Graeme

[ge_rik]

Thanks Jim & Graeme.
You get some really useful and serious advice on this forum - which is why I prefer it to the other forums to which I subscribe (but mostly lurk).

Rik

[philipy]

Here in Oz, because most new roofs are prepainted steel and lead flashing can't be used, aluminium flashing is available in rolls. It is annealed and the metal is about twice the gauge of pie pans.

Aluminium flashing is available in the UK too. It tends to get used on low lean-to roofs because real lead gets nicked within a few days! No idea about thickness though.

[ge_rik]

Progress is slow with this mill. Still finding my feet with this construction technique - it's a case of now I've done one I think I know how I'd do the next one.

The roof has been clad in corrugated aluminium foil (from baking trays) and the sides clad in coffee stirrers.

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The next stage is painting and then figuring out how to model the various bits of machinery.

Rik

[Peter Butler]

Such a pity all the work on creating the Belfast trusses is now hidden. A couple of translucent panels or some gaps with a maintenance team carrying out repairs would expose some again.

[ge_rik]

Such a pity all the work on creating the Belfast trusses is now hidden. A couple of translucent panels or some gaps with a maintenance team carrying out repairs would expose some again.

Nice idea - but I'll know they're there....

Rik

[Peter Butler]

Such a pity all the work on creating the Belfast trusses is now hidden. A couple of translucent panels or some gaps with a maintenance team carrying out repairs would expose some again.

Nice idea - but I'll know they're there....

Rik

And so do we Rik.... as long as you are content that is the main issue.