Next Build? A Crane?
by John
Still a fair bit of machining to finish the Armstrong 110pr breech loader.
And I was wondering whether I should spend my time fixing a very run down house rather than making model machines.
I know what I would prefer to spend my time on. And I do NOT like climbing up ladders any more. Age 72!
But SWMBO is not well. 25% of the way through chemotherapy. She is coping well. I am OK. Just.
And, I had decided that the Armstrong 110pr would be my last model build (well, not counting plastic models which I can assemble in front of the TV.)
….But, when I saw these drawings of an 1899 steam driven wharf crane, drawn into plans by Julius deWaal, I am sorely tempted.
But, is it not beautiful, magnificent. And there are excellent plans (thanks again Julius deWaal!), and best of all, the original is less than an hour away from me by air, in Hobart Tasmania!
While I am waiting for some laser cut parts for the cannon, and tools from India, I MIGHT just start accumulating materials for this one.
johnsmachines 
Would love to see this built it would warrant more trips to Melbourne to see my grand kids and possibly a trip to see your progress.
Cheers
John
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It would certainly make an interesting model. Living in Hobart it’s a familiar sight
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Good idea, very interesting.
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Hi John, I hope you gonna make the crane, a nice project to follow. The best wishes to your wife.
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Hoi John, that’s a nice new project, the crane. I’m gonna folow that project.
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Hi Huib, great to hear from you again.
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Hello John, I’m a third the way through my 6″ Vickers naval gun and a mate showed me his latest hot air engine build. Bad move; trying to focus on the hard bits of the Vickers and drifting off with hot air engine whimsies. Looks like you’re prone to the same malady.
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Not at all. Waiting for stuff to arrive by mail and from the laser cutter, approaching the end of the current Armstrong gun build, and thinking about a possible next project.. And, anyway, it is often quite therapeutic to switch to another job and return to a more difficult build after a rest. I did that several times during the triple expansion engine build. Saved my sanity. (debatable save according to some.). John
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Hello John, Your attention to detail and precision craftsmanship is awesome. Your 110 lbs breech loading cannon will be superb. I was lucky enough to witness and film preparations and two blank firings of this cannon by a gun crew in period costume at Fort Nelson in the UK it certainly was an experience. If you are interested in looking at this, i can send a copy but it is a large file of some 400 mb and not being all that tech savy, I don’t know the easiest way, any thoughts? Chris from Albany WA.
chris.retirted@hotmail.com
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Hi Chris, yes,I would like to see that video. There is an app called We transfer which is free for up to several Gb which would transfer to my email which is jviggers@iinet.net.au. John
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Well it will be in keeping with the nautical theme that seems to run through most? of your models.
Plus I enjoy following all.
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thanks for the feedback John. Yes, maybe a nautical bent. I had not considered that. Even Trevithick mine overlooked the sea. John
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