johnsmachines

machines which I have made, am making, or intend to make, and some other stuff. If you find this site interesting, please leave a comment. I read every comment and respond to most. n.b. There is a list of my first 800 posts in my post of 17 June 2021, titled "800 Posts"

Tag: Geelong

January 7, 2024

Some Interesting Geelong Bridges 1 The Aqueduct

Depending on the reactions to this post, I have several more Geelong bridges in mind, including one which was designed and built by an engineer who became Australia’s most renowned general, another named after the Geelong person who build the world’s first commercial refrigerator, and another which was designed by, arguably, the most famous British engineer of the nineteenth century.

My interest in bridges is long standing, and received a recent boost when I purchased a drone with an excellent camera. It is 5 years old, but in pristine condition. It was so unmarked that I suspected that it had never been flown. 

It is a Mavic 2 Pro. I got it for less than 1/3 of its new price. It is now considered older technology, having less flight time than the newer ones, less obstacle avoidance, and possibly slightly noisier. What it does have, unlike the newer ones, is a camera which was designed by Hasselblad. I am still learning how to fly it, how to use the camera settings which are almost as extensive as my Nikon SLR, and how to shoot and edit videos.

The video about the aqueduct is the second one I have shot with the Mavic 2P. It is far from perfect, but is significantly better than the first one. I will reshoot the first one and post it later.

The video lasts 7-8 minutes. There is no narration, because I have not yet worked out how that is done. So read the captions.

The subject is not for everyone. But let me know whether it and the proposed successors would be of any interest.

You can click on the arrow in the pic, or go to YouTube to see it as full screen.
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October 15, 2015

Beam Engine, First Run on Live Steam

My Bolton 12 Beam engine is being exhibited at The Geelong Show in the next few days, along with other model engines from The Geelong Society of Experimental and Model Engineers (GSMEE), and many other full size antique engines.

I am particularly excited by this event, because it is an opportunity to run my beam engine for the first time on live steam.  Plus it is a really great event generally, (see blog from this time in 2014).

We set up our model engines today, in preparation.

The video below, is of my beam engine’s first run on steam.  The Vintage Machinery Society has a full size boiler to run a full size marine triple expansion marine engine, and many other steam engines, including the models in our “cage”.

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The Cage in the Vintage Machinery Shed.  Not sure whether it is to keep the hordes out or the old blokes in.  (Actually, the machines become very hot when running on steam, so the cage is to keep small hands out).

The steam is at 25-30psi.  Enough to turn over the engines, which are just ticking over, not under working loads.

Click on the arrow in the video box, to see the video.

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October 3, 2015

Model Marine Boiler and another Koffiekop.

At the recent Geelong Society of Experimental and Model Engineers (GSMEE) meeting, several interesting models were presented, including my Koffiekop engine.   And another Koffiekop, this one by Stuart T.

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Stuart T is an expert engineer and machinist. He CNC’d most of the components in his engine, and has enough spare parts to make another 6 of them. He says each part takes a couple of hours to draw and program, then 5 minutes of machining to spit out half a dozen.

Another most interesting model is the marine boiler by Rudy pictured below.  Rudy was a marine engineer, and some of his ships were steam powered.  This model is made from his memory of one of those.  The odd external shape is to conform with the ship’s hull, starboard (right hand) side.

Model ship's boiler. it is approx 300-400mm high. The fire box is stainless steel. The copper boiler and water tank and superheater were TIG welded. The water tubes are silver soldered.

Model ship’s boiler. it is approx 300-400mm high. The fire box is stainless steel. The copper boiler and water tank and superheater were TIG welded. The water tubes are silver soldered.

The water tubes, super heater and boiler.

The water tank, water tubes, super heater and boiler.

The water gauge was scratch built by Rudy. The pressure gauge was bought.

The water gauge was scratch built by Rudy. The pressure gauge was bought.

Not sure what these attachment points are called, but they look interesting coming off the hemispherical ends of the boiler.

Not sure what these attachment points are called, but they look interesting coming off the almost hemispherical ends of the boiler.

Rudy made the nameplate on an engraving machine, then formed the domed shape.

Rudy made the nameplate on an engraving machine, then formed the domed shape.

Rudy has pressure tested the boiler to 100psi.  He reckons that it would be good for 200psi.  He tested it with compressed air, submerged in a barrel of water.  That would show any leaks.  And if it did happen to blow, the force would be diffused by the water.

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