Wednesday the 25th Jan 2023

another cold day above freezing  and a lot of moisture about so start off inside the workshop.

The UNION drill press was reassembled and cleaned the condition did not warrant a full strip down.

A good clean up with thinners, wire brush and abro pad abrasive was enough then a coating of lanolin was applied and rubbed in.

The finished item ready for the display

Along side the earlier version in the Foxcross building.

Greg has been busy cleaning and preserving more old tools this now included an A.M.R name brand which was used for branding wooden garden tools this was got hot and then plunged into old engine oil to blacked and prevent it rusting, it now hang up in the display. Need to get a photo of the work as it was cut by hand and the marks it makes.

The Victorian wheel barrow was treated to another 250 ml of raw linseed oil

 

After a total 750 ML of linseed it looks better and the rot will be slowed down.

As the temperature rose it was Scammel windscreen time now the correct rubber and a chrome filler had arrived from a classic car firm in Kent.

They had no rubber beading so chrome had to be used, the passenger window went in pretty easily and seals nicely.

We found the drivers glass is about 1/4" under cut in the bottom inner corner and about the same up the inside edge meaning the screen sits a fraction to far in and does not sit against the surround step.

but it is in and not going to fall out.

Then it was over to the Museum coach to see how mike and Wayne were progressing with the refurbishment photos will follow next week hopefully. 

The Scammel flat bed trailer was looked at as it needs moving out of the station yard and anyway would be better coupled up awaiting for future repair.

 Wednesday 18th a cold clear start with a dusting of snow on the ground so mostly inside working today.

Greg had been busy painting the drill press so it was time for reassembly and a coating of lanolin on the bare metal parts.

the winding handle is held on with a washer and the shaft peened over to hold it on, obviously the manufacturer was not bothered abut getting the handle to spin centrally so it is back on off set after cleaning and waxing.

partially reassembled

The chuck was heated with oxy acetylene then plunged into old engine oil to turn it black and preserve it.as can be seen in the final photo.

Reassembled and fully working.

Then it was onto a 1946 tree pruner  ex MoD with a crowfoot mark made by Wynn & Timmins of Birmingham..

Greg had already started the work and fitted a new stalk but we need to research the rope, anchor and guides to get it working..

The stalk was painted with linseed oil mixed with a dark stain and the metal parts were de-rusted and coated with lanolin.

the finished item awaiting the rope and guides.

Then it was onto another drill press this time a UNION made in England this is a newer machine than the grey one.

there is a keep roll spring fitted to tension the height winding gear and also a spring loaded pawl to lock it in place.

It was then out to look at a set of platform scales that need a clean and paint touching up but it is far to cold outside to use paint on it.

Then it was out searching for some lengths of 4 X 2 timber to put a floor in the Boxford building however nothing suitable was found.

Wednesday 11th Jan 23

 After the Christmas Break and cold/flu germs it is time to get stuck in again, A clear day with a cold wind then heavy storms meant a change of plans.

Plan A fit the scammel scarab windscreens with new rubbers to weather prof it however the rubber profile was slightly different and a 2 hour fight it was in place but not sitting in fully and the beading would not go in. 

Time for a web search and identical rubber was found 1/2 the price f the rubber supplied.

Plan B kicks in the Fossecross building display contents where Greg has been busy cleaning and preserving old hand tools and mounting them on the wall. Many are in a 1928 hardware catalogue so a information board will be added.

I started on the Victorian wheel barrow which just needed a clean and painting with raw linseed oil of which it used nearly a full bottle as it soaked into the dry timber..

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the 1920's drill stand has been stood for year and it was rusted solid so nothing moved when trying to operate it. drastic action with the oxy acetylene got it free before stripping in the vice.

once the top was free of the pillar and in the vice so oil and rocking the controls got it moving. So a full strip was decided on.

to apply downwards pressure to the drill bit you have to turn the top wheel  rather than pull a lever.

Surprised we got it apart with no damage so ow the tidy up and rebuild can begin.

 Freshspring, an auxiliary navy water carrier now preserved at Bideford Devon.

Thought readers might be interested in this little known rescue, to

 find out more google ssfreshspring.co.uk

 Working on GWR Collett coach 4777 today.

This circular metal plate was an addition, when the vehicle was converted for departmental use, it is not original, and was some sort of ventilator, but the structure in the centre had rotted away.

The coach had a gaping hole where it had been on the corridor end, I soldered in a blanking plate and reinstalled it to its former position.

A swift restoration.

There are loads of artefacts that we have lying around, and it is always best if they are restored and in presentable condition

This pair of early 20th Century Compasses took a few minutes to put into good order and now reside on the desk in the Winchcombe coal office, looking the part.

Here the floor in the AA box is being sanded to remove paint splashes

It now has a Yale rim lock and can be opened with any AA members key, as well as any RAC key too, there was a reciprocal arrangement between the two organisations so as not to leave any motorist stranded.

A new display of old forgotten tools is taking shape in the Foss Cross building.

The tools have been restored, rustproofed and are hanging on the metal walls courtesy of some strong magnets.

  

 Some historical spots

A couple of panels of Narrow Gauge railway track uncovered by the tides on Bude Beach.

These rails have been hidden for decades under the sands

Sand was collected from the beach for use on the fields of Devon and Cornwall and a railway was used to remove the sand and thence taken inland via the Bude canal, these are relics in situ on the beach.

Can anyone shed any light on this old vessel at Bideford Quay?