|
|
Post by popeye on May 28, 2009 10:09:40 GMT 1
This is Popeye's build diary for his Model Earth, Moon and Sun Orbiter
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on May 28, 2009 10:12:30 GMT 1
I have had a problem with the meshing of the 8 (small) and 9 (large bevel) gears, that rotate the earth on the earth support arm. Even when I loosen the small gear, the meshing isn't very good and when I fit the rod into the baseplate (Issue 7), it is too long and extends below the level of the plastic feet. It looks as if the Bent rod has been incorrectly made or bent at the wrong angle. I will speak to the supplier today about this.
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on May 28, 2009 10:15:08 GMT 1
I spoke with the "expert" at Eaglemoss Publications (he is also building the orbiter to check its construction and identify any problems). He did have a similar problem and said that he also had to slightly lower the small earth gear and the bevel gear still doesn't fully mesh with it, although it all runs smoothly. He also cut back the securing screw on the earth gear to prevent it hitting the bevel gear (they may well send out a smaller replacement screw to solve this).
He also said that his earth support arm stuck out under the earth arm, almost to the level of the bottom of the feet, it only cleared the ground by a millimetre or so. It can be cut back if necessary, but in the final model the earth arm is up in the air so it shouldn't be a mechanical problem, only an aesthetic one.
However, I asked for another issue 2 and 3 (with the earth support rod and arm and the bevel gear), which they are sending free of charge because of the fitting problem with the originals.
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on May 28, 2009 10:21:58 GMT 1
I have received my replacement parts 2 and 3 with the earth support arm and bevel gear. They now fit very well, although I had to ensure that the small gear on the earth shaft (with the tensioning spring) is not close up (i.e. the spring is not fully compressed into the tube but there is about a 1/16 inch gap above the tube).
Since I now have 2 extra small black plastic washers (courtesy of the replacement parts) I put an extra washer (which is about 1/16 inch thick) in above the spring (there is already one below the spring between the spring and the small gear), this then allows the spring to be fully compressed into the tube and still allows the small gear to be slightly lower so that it meshes properly with the large bevel gear.
The bottom of the earth support arm now fits properly into the earth arm and protrudes underneath just enough to fit the retaining collar and washer without hitting the table when the earth arm is on its temporary legs. I also intend to use a little teflon grease (that I use for the propellor shaft on my Bismarck) to grease the arm and gears so that the driving mechanism to rotate the earth from the sprocket to the small gear runs smoothly and easily.
I will post some pictures shortly to illustrate what I have done and the ongoing build.
|
|
|
|
Post by eric on May 28, 2009 13:05:52 GMT 1
Look forward to the pics Commodore Popeye!
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on May 29, 2009 17:40:37 GMT 1
Dear All For completeness, here is the finished Orrery (Build a Model Solar System). All my pictures are in sets at: www.flickr.com/photos/commander-popeye/   I will try and download the movie of the system running (the file is a little large and I am having problems keeping the broadband box signal connected for the required time to get it downloaded - BT are investigating the problem) |
|
|
|
Post by popeye on May 29, 2009 18:11:41 GMT 1
Right, here goes with the orbiter ! I have put all the current pictures in the photo set called "Earth, Moon and Sun Orbiter" at www.flickr.com/photos/commander-popeye/Which will be kept up to date as I build the orbiter. This shows the fitting of the small gear that turns the Earth. As explained above, I have put an extra washer (1/16 inch thick) above the spring tube, lowering the small gear on the rod so that it meshes properly with the bevel gear.  In this picture, the point of my barbecue skewer shows where the additional washer has been fitted  This shows the Earth drive gears now all properly in place with the bevel gear properly meshing with the small Earth gear. The angle of the Earth is about 24.5 degrees off vertical, which is about the correct value (it actually varies from about 22 to 25 degrees)  You can see here that the bottom of the Earth axis spindle is inset by about 1/16 inch from the bottom of the small gear  This shows the completed Earth support rod mounted in the Earth arm and all lubricated with the teflon grease (fresh from its performance in the Bismarck prop shafts !!). The whole mechanism now rotates as smooth as a babies rump.  Here you see the underside of the Earth arm with the end of Earth support rod just sticking out from the locking collar (about 1/16 inch) and well clear of the level of the bottom of the temporary feet  The moon pillars, with their bearings, have been fitted  The solar eclipse gear ring is now sitting on the lower set of moon pillar bearings  And the Moon track inserted onto the solar eclipse gear ring  |
|
|
|
Post by nm on May 29, 2009 18:23:43 GMT 1
Looks great.
nm
|
|
|
|
Post by Mark on May 29, 2009 23:26:31 GMT 1
It certainly does !
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on Jun 7, 2009 1:31:07 GMT 1
Parts 12 to 15 arrived and fitted. This now allows the moon to be fitted on its ring. Everything fitted well.   |
|
|
|
Post by Baz on Jun 7, 2009 2:06:22 GMT 1
Now this one I really like Popeye.
Hope it comes downunder at some stage
Baz
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 7, 2009 5:35:44 GMT 1
Think it should as the magazines I have from Jcmanu have an Aussie price on them already.  |
|
|
|
Post by jcmanu on Jun 7, 2009 14:23:50 GMT 1
5 more on their way skyfire, hope your enjoying it
jc
|
|
|
|
Post by popeye on Jun 11, 2009 23:54:53 GMT 1
I finally managed to get a movie of my solar system (problems with the BT Voyager 210 broadband box - overheating causing it to drop out and loose the signal when uploading very large files)  |
|
|
|
Post by nm on Jun 12, 2009 0:03:57 GMT 1
Looks great!
Anyone know if it available now as a kit?
nm
|
|
