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Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Collections & Pictures => Topic started by: classixs on March 23, 2021, 12:25:26 pm

Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: txlabman on April 13, 2021, 09:24:09 pm
Changing out those wheels made a big difference Jan.

Agree Jim.

Nice one Jan!
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Dampfopa on April 13, 2021, 12:54:09 pm
Hello Jan,

The Mamod spokes appear lighter and finer compared to the original Wilesco spokes. Definitely an improvement. Congratulations on the change.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: St Paul Steam on March 28, 2021, 04:15:57 am
Jan , those wheels look great !
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: John Besley on March 28, 2021, 03:56:00 am
I chop up the Wilesco spokes and flatten them out to use as shims.

Then use a high temp epoxy and bond the two wheels together, finally finish off with two part epoxy filler
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Nick on March 27, 2021, 07:03:36 pm
That’s looking great Jan  8)
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 27, 2021, 05:23:51 pm
That´s a complete Mamod Wheel Ben, mounted inside an outer Wilesco rim :)

Had it´s circumference maximized by a few layers of 3M electrical tape, to obtain a press fit within the Wilesco rim.
As the tape is narrower than the Mamod rim, that leaves an outer open gap inbetween the two rims, that i have just finished closing up with body filler.

I could as many others do, have thrown the Mamod wheels in the lathe, and shaved the rim down to the spokes, but like the fat wheel rim better, so opted for this approach.

I went to look and stock Mamod outer rims are quite skimpy looking but have the nice spokes and cast in bolt head detail. Also loose ground clearance if just mount stock Mamod so I really like your solution, think the beefy wheels set up will go nicely with my "big block" conversion, thank you!
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 27, 2021, 01:04:22 pm
That´s a complete Mamod Wheel Ben, mounted inside an outer Wilesco rim :)

Had it´s circumference maximized by a few layers of 3M electrical tape, to obtain a press fit within the Wilesco rim.
As the tape is narrower than the Mamod rim, that leaves an outer open gap inbetween the two rims, that i have just finished closing up with body filler.

I could as many others do, have thrown the Mamod wheels in the lathe, and shaved the rim down to the spokes, but like the fat wheel rim better, so opted for this approach.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 27, 2021, 08:41:19 am
Is that Mamod "spokes" inside D405 "tires" or are we looking at an all Mamod wheel assembly Jan?
  Whichever it is...looks Much better than stock!
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 27, 2021, 07:43:52 am
Just got the wheels finished "filler-wise".

Had to do three coats, with sanding inbetween, before it was perfectly even, but am happy that i took the time to do so.
[attachimg=1]

Now the filled rims will be taped, to keep the filler intact when being glass bead blasted, and they should be ready for paint.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 24, 2021, 06:37:20 pm
No worries got them in stock 👍

Nice!

   I have been on the lookout for a Mamod TE parts unit. I want the rear spokes (like Jan) and possibly some front end parts. I have seen them go cheap but lately prices have been all over the map.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: John Besley on March 24, 2021, 06:27:50 pm
No worries got them in stock 👍
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 24, 2021, 05:00:38 pm
Get some Uskin upgrade parts ...

Happy your here John!...I find myself wishing I had ordered (2) Uskin steering wheels rather than one. It seems the hand wheel on my D405/1 crane set may need one to?







[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Jim on March 24, 2021, 04:41:10 pm
Changing out those wheels made a big difference Jan.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: John Besley on March 24, 2021, 03:08:20 pm
Get some Uskin upgrade parts ... 😁
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 24, 2021, 02:41:49 pm
Have a couple of Mamod TEs in the parts box, so figured i´d make the standard move for these Wilesco tractors.

Poor thing  ::)

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]

...and while at it, i figured that i just as well could swirl the inner spokes on the front 1/12 around too, to have 12 spokes on those as well:
[attachimg=3]

Now they just need some new paint, and some rubber on there:
[attachimg=4]
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 24, 2021, 04:01:44 am
Thanks guys  :)

Am going to keep a pressuregauge on there, it´s a great tool to have on board.
Will try to hunt down a 1" gauge instead, as the old 1 1/4" Wilesco gauge does seem a tad large on there.
But it was all i had in stock, that fitted the threads right away, so happy with it for now.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: St Paul Steam on March 23, 2021, 09:18:31 pm
That's A good looker Jan , I can't recall ever seeing one of these with a pressure gauge , but its neat. I haven't made those burners for years , good to know its still giving you good service.😊👍
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Jim on March 23, 2021, 09:00:30 pm
Looks in great nick Jan and I really like that ali burner!
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 23, 2021, 05:01:34 pm
I´ve just used a syringe.

...might eventually just drill a hole at the bottom, run it on the livingroom carpet...and blame the cat, as soon as she starts yellin´ ;)

Maybe I can just open my smokebox door when the front end on order (like the one in photo) comes in the mail.
  On the other hand, letting her mark her territory and blaming the cat sounds like fun to! ;D

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 23, 2021, 03:24:21 pm
I´ve just used a syringe.

...might eventually just drill a hole at the bottom, run it on the livingroom carpet...and blame the cat, as soon as she starts yellin´ ;)
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 23, 2021, 02:52:20 pm
All ready looks better "topless"!
  When I unboxed mine I was surprised the chimney just slips out!.... Later I discovered why...its Very helpful when filling boiler with funnel to have the chimney removed.
   I was also surprised we need to invert the engine to drain the Condensed Water exhaust from front compartment...I suppose I could draw it out with a syringe. Kind of wondering what others are doing about this?
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 23, 2021, 02:31:15 pm
Thanks guys!

Just fired it, which is pretty easy when Bruce has your back ;)

[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]

As seen on the second picture, i am already "modding" away on this.
Keeping track of pressure, is way more useful than a whistle, at least in my book.

[attachimg=3]

Only mechanical issue, besides the usual annoying Wilesco-song from the gears, was that the steamline wasn´t soldered onto the valve, and the exhaust only very poorly onto the cylinder.
I did notice a big solder blob right above the steamvalve on my inspection tour, but really gave it little more attention than a shrug.
However once steam arose, i could certainly tell that it needed more than an inspection.
Soldered the pipes properly back in place, and now everything works as expected.

[attachimg=4]

A quick guess is, that this issue probably was the main reason for its listing 8)
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Dampfopa on March 23, 2021, 01:18:34 pm
Hello Jan,
A very nice machine that you received. Maybe the supplied water is a very special juice. You should analyze the water carefully before you dump it.😂😂😂

The year before last, for Christmas, I bought the same D405 for little money on Ebay. After a thorough cleaning and an upgrade with the 2-channel remote control from Wilesco, the machine runs fine. I gave the D405 to my grandson. A remote control has to be installed for the children today, otherwise the interest will quickly wane.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Stoker on March 23, 2021, 12:45:55 pm
Lucky man you are, that your shipping was fast enough to beat rust or other water damage in transit. I have more than a couple of examples where very little water did a whole lot of damage, even just escaping out of the whistle on an otherwise closed "container" that really was ALMOST empty.
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on March 23, 2021, 12:40:35 pm
Ahah!...I kept trying to sand that little "dot" out of the Center of logo, but now I see the close up photo of yours I can now see it's supposed to be there! I think if I make up a special sanding block I can get that center area a bit nicer.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: Nick on March 23, 2021, 12:28:13 pm
You know, the D405 was one of the first engines I found in the hobby on ebay and have bid on 50+ but have never actually owned one yet... Still trying for a good deal, but might just have to pay up for one!

Doesn’t the seller know they could save on shipping price if they lose some of that water weight ::)   :D
Title: Wilesco D405 Traction Engine
Post by: classixs on March 23, 2021, 12:25:26 pm
Just received my little D405, which i purchased yesterday.

[attachimg=1]

It arrived very well packed, even well enough to keep the water in and on the engine inside the box.
Just gotta love it when sellers ship with a sightglass looking like this:
[attachimg=2]

Anyway, it was only in the mail for a day or so, so no damage from the moisture.

It is in a visually very nice condition, and obviously haven´t been fired much...might find out later today why :D
The only flaws i´ve found after carefully inspecting it, is some corrosion on the flywheel, a tiny spot on the front, and the same around the SV.
The wheels look weird on the picture as well, but that´s merely because the previous owner has taped them up, with some white band-aid type of tape.
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
[attachimg=5]

All in all i´m pretty happy with it so far, and will give it a steam up later today.