Trevithick Dredger Engine Base.- 3
by John
Just a quickie.
One of our GSMEE members, Stuart Tankard, solved the base issue on his most recent engine build like this….
Those bricks are CNC’d out of aluminium bar.
Reader Huib suggested that if I follow suit, I should program in some imperfections!
Maybe I will ask Stuart to make my base. (relax Stuart. I wouldn’t do it to you.)
johnsmachines 
Bricks are not bad looking either.
May I ask how the dredge engine was traditionally mounted in real life?
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The only picture from the period is from Rees Cyclopedia of 1819, and it shows the engine on the deck of converted gunboat, in a rather basic purpose built shed. That was in its use as a dredger engine. Most of the engines were in use in factories, mills, and mine pumps. Presumably (because there is only ONE still remaining, and that is in the London Science Museum) they were mounted on masonry or wooden platforms.
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John I think the brick is the way to go but I did have reservations about the aerated concrete block. I would have concern about its durability and the ability to get it to an authentic color.
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I am married to a talented artist, so not worried about the colour issue. Hebel would need to have a top and bottom layer of something to prevent damage. ? sheet of metal or wood. And a surface treatment over the coloured “bricks”. Considering Stuart T’s method, as a stylistic rather than accurate representation of bricks. I want to avoid the look of brick cladding. Bad associations there.
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