I do not machine castings for customers apart from plain wheels for diesel locos.
Different machinists have their own preferred methods of mounting wheels:
Walsall Model Industries can machine my castings and mount them on their square ended, self quartering axles. Insulation where required is inserted across the individual spokes.
Steve Ross uses Tufnol or Delrin hub insulation where required, mounting the wheels on round-ended, telescopic jointed axles quartered and kept in position with a taper pin.
His contact details can be supplied on request.
CASTING MATERIAL:
In future castings for Gauge One and larger will made from mild steel although castings from older stock will be cast iron. This is to reduce the number of rejects from crumbling of the ceramic casings in the thicker castings. 0 Gauge castings will still be made in cast iron. The steel is low carbon mild steel grade CLA 1A as set out in BS 3146-1 (1974), Specific requirements for carbon and low alloy steel investment castings. External link.
The Mild Steel seems slightly tougher than cast iron. Using a form tool across the width of a Gauge One wheel casting I have taken a thinner cut (0.03 mm/rev) at 98 rpm. That is partly so that the nut on the end of the small mandrel can hold the work without slipping. It does not cut so well at slower speeds. It will cut dry but cuts much better with cooling/lubrication such as an occasional squirt of WD40 during machining.
RECENT ADDITIONS
April 2024
GWR 0-4-2T 14xx/48xx at 7 mm/ft.
GER/LNER 4-6-0 B12/3 at 7 mm/ft.
LNER Thompson 2-6-0 K1 and 2-6-4T L1 at 7 mm/ft.
GC/LNER 2-4-2T F1 at 7 mm/ft.
ECR/GER 2-2-2 Sharp single at 1:32.
NE 0-4-4T Fletcher BPT/LNER G6, 5'3" version at 7 mm/ft.
July 2024
NE 4-4-2 Worsdell V/LNER C6 at 7 mm/ft.
SR 4-6-0 Lord Nelson at 7 mm/ft.
Oct 2024
GWR 2-6-2T 45 xx Small Prairie for Gauge 3.
GER 4-4-0/LNER D14-16 Claud Hamilton at 7 mm/ft.
IN THE PIPELINE
GN Gresley 2-6-0 H2, H3/LNER K1, K2 at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 0-6-0 Y14/LNER J15 (Pass) and (Goods) at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 0-6-0T R24, S56/LNER J67, J69 Passenger and 12 and 15 spoke shunters at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 0-6-2T L77/LNER N7 1,4,5 radial tanks and GER 0-6-2T L77/LNER N7 2,3 (with pony trucks) at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 0-6-0 N31/LNER J14 at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 0-4-4T S44/LNER G4 at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 2-4-2T M15/LNER F4,5,6 at 7 mm/ft. Waits casting.
GER 2-4-0 T25, Intermediates/LNER E4 at 7 mm/ft. Waits patterns.
GER 2-4-0 T19, Standards. at 7 mm/ft. Waits patterns.
GER 4-4-0 T19R/LNER D13 at 7 mm/ft. Waits patterns.
LBSC, GER and others 2-2-2 Jenny Lind at 1:32. Waits patterns.
Revised 30 Oct 2024.