Frame assembly Stage 2

Today being a glorious autumn day, our frame assembly was moved out into the open air, giving us more room to work.  The plan was to align the front frame plates to the main frame assembly and attach the various brackets and angles etc ready for fastening permanently another day.  We were making good progress until we discovered that dowel holes were oversize in the front frame plates, and worse, one appeared to be slightly off position.  After much debate and trying to find true surfaces on the front plates we finally aligned them using the other holes after levelling the frames all round, then bolted the plates together. We will confirm alignment next week by directly measuring cross-levels of holes in the front frames using bright bar.  The holes are the critical features, son we have to measure these directly.

We had more luck with the brake hanger pivot brackets just delivered from Boro Foundry.  The 50mm spigots were a medium driving fit in the 50mm holes in the main frame plates just as intended.  Boro also drilled the holes in the main frame plates a few years back, so they got both jobs right.

There was just enough time to bolt the rear cab support outriggers and splasher brackets in place before packing up for the day.  Another day will be needed before everything is finally fastened together on 8th & 9th October.

There will be more news next week.  A new significant order is in the offing, so keep an eye out and please remember all this costs money.  If you possibly can consider joining us for £5/month minimum or make a one-off donation.

Front Frame Plate set up flat for reaming.  The hole was already over size!

                       Ready to go back into the Tent