I would like to remind you that this club facility still exists and encourage you to use it. We do aim to provide goods at prices below the market rate although with the current rate of price inflation in the supply chain this can be challenging. Prices have gone up significantly since we last re-stocked, e.g. some flux powders by as much as 80%.So do not delay re-stock your workshop today. August 2022. David Ward 01454 415678 

I’ve bought a couple of GWR smokebox number plates and now want to mount them in the garage. I’d like to get some brackets fabricated out of 5mm x 30mm mild steel bar (4). Can anyone point me in the direction of a local engineering firm/ engineer who could fabricate these for me. It’s the shape that I want ( [___]) that makes it complicated ie flat U-shape with 25mm returns to screw onto the wall.

Thanks

Steve Richards

Bath

Antony Gibb’s lathe has arrived back at Tyntesfield, National Trust and is now situated in the Billard Room.  It can be viewed easily, but the National Trust are considering placing it in a glass/plastic casing, so you will not be able to put your sticky fingers on it.  The lathe is numbered 1890 and manufactured by Holtzapffel in 1852.  It was bought by Antony in 1872 after being overhauled by Holtzapffel.  The purchase price then was £220.  This lathe will be of interest to members, who do ornamental turning.  Examples of Antony’s turning will soon be on display in the drawing room.  The exhibition is due to reopen in May.

Nearby is a treadle operated grinding wheel of the same vintage.

Peter Pearson kindly pointed out to me that my offer of citric acid crystals was way over the market price. I have now corrected to £2.50 per 95 gram . Sorry I think I my muddled mind must have typed the number of containers as the price!

This is some new stock I have added to the “silver solder bank”. Available in 95gm. lots in screw top plastic containers for £2.50 each. If sprinkled into 4.5ltrs. of clean water in a suitable container it will make 4.5ltrs. of pickle. Do NOT add water to the crystals, or dump all the crystals in the water at once as you could cause a violent reaction with the potential to cause personal injury. Citric acid is an irritant to eyes, skin and the respiratory system. In the event of contact with skin wash thoroughly with clean water. In the event of contact with eyes irrigate thoroughly with sterile water. Seek medical attention if not relieved. Needless to say store out of reach of children and pets in a sealed container that the acid will not react with. Having said that, it is much safer than the sulphuric acid many of us have been using in the past. Unfortunately is also much slower acting and typically it will take 30 minutes to clean brazed joints. Wash in clean water after removing from pickle and before brushing. A nylon brush is usually adequate.
David Ward phone number 01454 415678 (answerphone service after 9 rings)

Hi All

I have jus bought a Simplex loco

I will be looking for someone to mentor me in the dark art of loco firing & driving

My simplex comes with a set of irons and  Boiler paperwork

What else should I be asking Santa for to get me running ?

would it be appropriate to bring my new toy to the Steam day on the 1or 2 January

Looking forward to your reply’s

Merry Christmas

Andy Booth