johnsmachines

I am waiting for delivery of the 5 l vacuum chamber so I can commence casting parts for my 1:10 Armstrong cannon.  So today, I spent some workshop time riveting the chassis of the 1:10 Armstrong 80lb muzzle loading rifled cannon model.

I am a total novice as far as solid riveting goes.  The following photos will prove that fact.

I am holding a new Taiwanese riveting gun.  The girder into which I have just inserted almost 100 copper 2mm rivets is resting on the vice.  The anvil is clamped into the vice.  The snap (home made) is in the gun.

I have marked the surface of the girder with the anvil and snap.  Doesn’t look good, but I am hoping that it will be acceptable after painting.

I painted the inside of one girder with layout paint just to see if the crappy riveting will be acceptable.  Still considering that question.

A staged photo of rivet insertion.

And just to lighten this post, yesterday I had a visit from my grandchildren, 2/3 daughters, sons in law, and SWMBO at my workshop.

So I fired up the Fowler 3″ traction engine and gave the kids a demo of filling the boiler with water, lighting the furnace, a discussion about the nature of coal, and a ride.

Despite the wintery weather, it was a very happy afternoon.   Audrey 4, Edward 4, Charlie 4, and John 7.   And John 70.  We have had an unusually wet autumn, hence the green grass.  No tigers seen.