So, having purchased a lathe for the 0 gauge version I decided that I need a milling machine and bigger lathe. Then I found out about laser cutting!! So before I knew it, the 5" MP3 crane project had begun. This is expected to take years!!

the jib

Alex,

What impact will the 5" have on the completion date of the 'O' gauge version?

At this rate, you'll be building in 12"/ft next!

I presume that you subcontract the laser-cutting?

Roger

the impact should be minimum on the 0 gauge, work can be very bitty on both of them. once a design is ready for processing it can be a couple of months before parts are back in my hands!!

also the 5" one is a summer job, it to cold in the garage to rivet at the moment!!

as for laser cutting, Malcolm from http://www.modelengineerslaser.co.uk/ does an amazing job!!

i am currently converting my mill to CNC so soon i will be doing my own shaping!!

When completed it would be nice to see it at a 5" main Line rally at the Gilling East track.

Indeed, but i dread to think what it will weigh!! moving it will be interesting...

Hi Guys some new parts for you, see if you can identify them!!

and a few more

Alex,

I am thinking that we are seeing crab sides, carriage headstocks and girder boxes. The first photo in each post however has me baffled for the time being!

This is looking very good, however, and it is great to see the continued progress. Keep up the good work, and keep the photos coming!

Roger

As one of the keepers of the full size MP3, I should have no difficulty in identifying the parts. However, like Roger, I have yet to determine the identity of the first item in the first post.

I think that the first photo in the second post shows one of the two fulcrums upon which the jib pivots (poor description!). On the full size crane the fulcrums are an integral part of the superstructure's revolving baseplate casting, but I'm not surprised that they need to be produced as separate entities for the model.