Raising Steam

Articles from the archive

The Technical Achievement Award - George Balsdon

George Balsdon is the winner of the 2012 technical achievement award. I the January edition of Raising Steam George has written an article about his work with the restoration of his father’s Garrett 4CD tractor. Here are some more photos of his brilliant work!

December 2009. The first few foundation ring rivets being fitted with hydraulic riveter.

April 2010. One of the first parts I made- one of a pair of valve rod gland ‘stuffers.’

May 2010. The first part I turned from scratch- the bronze ‘puck’ for the regulator.

January 2011. Two part machined pipework flanges at different stages- every flange on the pipework had to be either machined from scratch (steel) or machined from a casting (bronze)

January 2011. The finished pump gear clutch, machined and fabricated entirely from scratch using photos.

February 2011. Two finished fabricated brake shoes, with the parts used to make them in the background.

February 2011. One of a pair of handles I turned for operating the cylinder drain taps, the material for the next handle stands beside it. Around 3 hours work in one of these alone.

February 2011. New big end oiler machined by copying original, new on left, original on right.

May 2011. After every nearly weekend since February spent finishing off and testing, the lagging finally begins to go on.

May 2011. Tender given its first coat of paint by Dad. Shows many of the new parts, including the brake assembly and the pipework, taps and injector.

'Kate' - Aveling & Porter roller owned by Kevin Munn

Our January 2013 magazinr also features an article from out committee member Kevin Munn about the restoration of his Aveling & Porter roller ‘Kate’. Here are a few more photos of the work being done.