Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

Is the Mamod 1313c Centurion mechanically the best of the Mamod TE?
  I am not really after a Mamod but the first photo in my thread is a Wilesco with Mamod rear spokes....thought if found a used Mamod for parts it would be nice if was one of the better models, thank you.

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Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 15, 2021, 08:06:08 am

Quote from: St Paul Steam on March 15, 2021, 07:30:52 am

I like the crane aspect of the Wilesco. but the way they incorporate it relies on the steering to always be straight,  I think it needs to be mounted to the chassis.

I believe the hand wheel gives up/down and the steering gives left/right operation of the crane...they may have built real cranes like this but I am no crane expert.

The (2) support chains are mounted to the Chassis while the base of the crane is mounted to the front wheel axle,  an inexpensive but not well thought out design.
Also never been a fan of the Mamod TE. I find the drive band going around the actual drive wheel & unrealistic scale speed to be off putting IMHO.

My apologies Bruce, I did not look at the crane design close enough!
   It looks like they mounted the boom support chains high on the chassis, then added soft springs in the chains as a band-aid for the poor design....the springs are likely soft enough to allow the steering to overcome them....but then you must not lift anything more heavy than bale of feathers or boom would droop. I suppose 2 upright mounts with chain hooks off the axle then get rid of springs would "save" the design but may not be worth it.

I have six of Wilesco's, two of which are cranes, the 405/1, and a Mamod Centurion that hasn't been steamed yet.
The crane setup is flawed just like you said Bruce. The big ones had a yoke, and I mean a beefy one, in the middle
that allowed the crane to pivot independently of the steering. You can't put everything in a toy but they could of
done better. My beef is that if you crank up something with the winch, there's no lock to hold it there. You let
go of the crank, the load's coming down. I have two because it was a great deal and I love the colors. One has crane attached, one doesn't and I took the top off of that one too, looks nice. The Mamod is a little bit smaller over all
but that cylinder assembly looks ballsy, watch Jim's videos when he's running his.
Now Jan, can you verify this one way or another, I was always under the assumption that the D16's bore and stroke
is the same as the larger D's. The 20,21,24,28, and two for the 32. Is that right that the D16 is the smallest with
that cylinder?
Oh yeah, if Bruce say's he can electrify it for you, tell him sure but you have to throw in the extension cord.

Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 15, 2021, 01:12:13 pm

Quote from: St Paul Steam on March 15, 2021, 11:44:47 am

Quote from: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 15, 2021, 08:06:08 am

Quote from: St Paul Steam on March 15, 2021, 07:30:52 am

I like the crane aspect of the Wilesco. but the way they incorporate it relies on the steering to always be straight,  I think it needs to be mounted to the chassis.

I believe the hand wheel gives up/down and the steering gives left/right operation of the crane...they may have built real cranes like this but I am no crane expert.

The (2) support chains are mounted to the Chassis while the base of the crane is mounted to the front wheel axle,  an inexpensive but not well thought out design.
Also never been a fan of the Mamod TE. I find the drive band going around the actual drive wheel & unrealistic scale speed to be off putting IMHO.

My apologies Bruce, I did not look at the crane design close enough!
  It looks like they mounted the boom support chains high on the chassis, then added soft springs in the chains as a band-aid for the poor design....the springs are likely soft enough to allow the steering to overcome them....but then you must not lift anything more heavy than bale of feathers or boom would droop. I suppose 2 upright mounts with chain hooks off the axle then get rid of springs would "save" the design but may not be worth it.

No need for apologies at all here Ben , just one "mod'r" talking to another. I've always fancied  the idea of building
mobile traction crane, (probably use a Wilesco) but you'll probably get around to it before  I will & do a better job of it. 😊👍

Thanks Bruce, One "Mod'r" talking to another is perhaps (one) of my favorite aspects of the Forums! Of course the vast collective knowledge is very beneficial as well, as is talking with folks of common interest.

Don´t know if you really ment Jan, or was calling out to Ben, who is the author here?

Anyway, yes you are correctly informed Tommy. The D16 is the smallest engine with the big bore cylinder.
("Big Bore" has 13mm bore & 16mm stroke, and "Small Bore" has 9mm bore & 16mm stroke).

Yes Jan, I know it was Ben's post but I was asking for you to chime in again to see if I was right or not.
Sorry Ben.

Quote from: classixs on March 15, 2021, 05:31:29 pm

Don´t know if you really ment Jan, or was calling out to Ben, who is the author here?

Anyway, yes you are correctly informed Tommy. The D16 is the smallest engine with the big bore cylinder.
("Big Bore" has 13mm bore & 16mm stroke, and "Small Bore" has 9mm bore & 16mm stroke).

Yes Jan, I know it was Ben's post but I was asking for you to chime in again to see if I was right or not.
Sorry Ben.

No worries, Jan is the person I would have asked to. Not sure if it's just me but I have not found much in the way of technical specs on Wilesco, I may be looking in all the wrong places.