British Rail 12 ton vented wagon conversion

[Farside]

The design committee and the procurement committee have decided that the wiring will be in exposed galv conduit. Apparently the industrial look is no longer trendy, so it has been cleared by the taste advisory board.

So, I've to obtain a conduit die set. What cheap set will do about twenty or so threads before I hide it in the workshop to rust away?

I've a record pipe vice and stand, so just need the cheapest die set that actually works more than once.

I have a Lidl boxed set of conduit cutters I bought around 20 years ago. There are probably still thousands around that were bought and never used much.
Alternatively, go for black conduit in plastic with round boxes.

 

[Farside]

The steel is Scottish!!!

View attachment 358678View attachment 358679

Colville's Steel Works, Cambuslang.
I started in there, as a trainee lab rat, long after it became BS. It was always known as Colville's though.

 

[Wildefalcon]

The tee section is Scottish, the angle is English. Appleby Rodingham??

 

[Milkybars]

Appleby Fodingham https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Appleby-Frodingham_Steel_Co
Keep up the good work, I hope the 'managment' appreciate the graft

 

[slim_boy_fat]

Nice write-up. Can't beat a BFH!

 

[Wildefalcon]

Unfortunately my bfh went missing. So I'm left with the little sledge. Only 25kg. Which is good as I'm not nearly as strong as I used to be .....

Anyway, this morning was a planning and thinking time. Not much metal adjustment, except for a lot of 6.5mm holes. And a couple more lighter tie bars for the ends (nearly forgot).

 

[colnerov]

Hi,I wouldn't mind betting senior management, at the outset, thought this was just going to be a spruce up and coat of paint.

Colin

 

[Wildefalcon]

Hi,I wouldn't mind betting senior management, at the outset, thought this was just going to be a spruce up and coat of paint.

Colin

Yes. And I could have done that. But I couldn't, not really.

 

[Wildefalcon]

I got distracted.

 

[Wildefalcon]

But did get the central tie bar done. That's why I was welding.

 

[Wildefalcon]

And centre punched for the noggins...

 

[Wildefalcon]

And first noggin retaining hole.

 

[Wildefalcon]

All ready for fitting.

 

[Wildefalcon]

The uprights were cut away from the chassis using a gas axe, and I think it's untidy.

It's also hard to assess the rails for straightness with them in the way.

So I'm tidying them up.

 

[Wildefalcon]

The otherside was different, different man on the job?

Bits of the original cross bar were still there. Total pig to remove, much grinding.

 

[Wildefalcon]

That's quarter inch thick steel. Thick stuff.

Here's something interesting:

The holes for the side timber/plywood on one end are different.

Some are double holes. Some aren't.

On the other side I can see where double holes were drilled and one filled in.

Odd.

 

[Wildefalcon]

One upright is significantly out of alignment, so ratchet straps and props were deployed. I think it will take the rest of the afternoon to clean the tie bars, so no welding today. Sadness.

But no point in dragging the welder from the yard for an hour or two of work.

 

[colnerov]

You're making this into a real silk purse, well done. I do wonder if it was ever bob on square from the get go.

Colin

 

[gaz1]

You're making this into a real silk purse, well done. I do wonder if it was ever bob on square from the get go.

Colin

not a chance been bodged since day one

 

[Wildefalcon]

Well, I agree, it's not precision engineering, doesn't mean I have to make it worse, though.

Management has been busy removing the mill scale. I know some people leave it, but I think it can delaminate, so am scuffling it up a bit. Not shiny, just a keyed surface.