Autumn 2016 Newsletter
Autumn 2016 Newsletter
Issue 160
This was one of our informal quarterly meetings where our members showed off their latest Meccano creations.
At around 2:00pm we had a short committee meeting, followed by the Model Tour in which members were invited to give a short talk about their models — in particular their entries for the Secretary’s Challenge!
Report written by Brian Leach
This Meccano workshop for children at the William Heath Robinson Museum in Pinner was organised by Mike Gleen of the West London Meccano Society.
I set off from my home in Eltham before 6:00am on a gloomy day. I arrived in Pinner at 7:30am, way before the start and so had a rest in my car. At just before 9:00am we entered the building and met Claire Linge and Sophie Smith from the museum.
The Meccano men for the day were Peter Clay and Brian Leach from SELMEC; Mike Gleen, Matt Goodman, Raymond Raven and Peter Harwood from WLMS; and Charles Pappenheim who is not affiliated to any club.
Six tables were set up for the children. There were three children and one adult to a table. The adult would help the children with the model as needed.
The table layout at the museum
The model to build was the 1957–61 № 0 set Bucking Bronco, also featured in the 1970s № 1 set. This is probably the most difficult of the models in this set because it needs lock-nutting three times.
Mike had produced a single sheet showing a picture of how the finished model looked and extra diagrams of the three lock-nutting arrangements.
In my opinion those diagrams were not clear enough. On one it was not at all clear if there was one nut or two nuts together.
The children came in at about 10:00am and were at first shown the models we had brought, and then it was on to building the horse.
They had about four hours to do it in and, not surprisingly, most of them did it a lot quicker than that. Times were about 40–90 minutes. The most trouble they had was the lock-nutting. Holding the model and tightening the nuts at the same time was difficult. I helped out sometimes.
The Bucking Bronco model
We then had a sandwich lunch and, being so ahead of time, a load of Lego was placed on some tables and the children built two bridges and also other models. While they were doing this, all the adults went into the building works for the museum proper which is slated to open on 3rd September. There was a lot of work still to do. Once completed visitors will pay £6 to see Heath Robinson’s works.
Everything wrapped up shortly before 3:00pm.
A few of the children had their models videoed on my camera carousel, which makes a 360° sweep of the model. They were all allowed to take their models home.
Mike, Matt and I retired to a pub and then went to Mike’s home for some pizza. Then just Mike and I went back to the museum where there was a Heath Robinson 141st birthday party. His grand-nephew cut the cake.
It was altogether a good day, and hopefully we will be invited back.
Models we showed were:
Peter Harwood’s garden wasp trap
Raymond Raven’s car chassis
One of William Heath Robinson’s many contraptions
You can find out more about Heath Robinson at the Heath Robinson Museum website.
Report written by Peter Clay
SELMEC members put on a display here on 11th June, as we did last year. Unlike last year when we were in the hall, we were provided with a gazebo. I arrived to find Chris Warrell and Brian Leach there while the gazebo was being erected for us. It allowed (just) two double-length tables, with built-in stool type seats, to fit underneath with a gap in the middle to get in and out. Now my account will split:
First the good news…
From the spectators’ viewpoint, left to right, were:
Brian Leach showed an automatic lift which travelled up and down, reversing at the top and bottom. As in all his models, the mechanism (depending on pulleys and cord on a rotating holder) was visible. His automatic belt drive had an epicyclic gear which caused the belt tension to increase with the load. Brian also had a duck and Hubble telescope, both arousing interest from children. He was also in demand to fit batteries and cartridges in the bubble-firing guns on sale!
Peter Clay brought his new variable linegraph which worked throughout. Finally motorised, it could also be manually driven (take heed — this will become significant). A version of Robin Schoolar’s south-seeking chariot using Multi-Purpose Gears intrigued spectators with three pointers all pointing the same way. He also had a Calais four-wheel steering car worked by tilting the body and his ‘mascot’ Dad’s Army van.
Brian Leach watches as Peter Clay sets up his Variable Linegraph
Chris Fry brought a Guilloche Machine of his own design. A feature of this was the journal plates fixed by rods instead of bolts. This allowed the shafts to line up and the fitting of a two-stage gearbox to the table, giving a wide range of speeds. With a silent motor it produced intricate, attractive designs. His exoplanet orrery was worked by a flywheel spun up by spectators. It is a tribute to Chris that it ran for such a long time that it always seemed to be turning! A lovely red Ducati Monster motorcycle from the new range completed his display.
Chris Fry’s Ducati motorcycle
Chris Warrell had an Eiffel Tower from the Spin Master set with lights which unfortunately did not show up well in daylight. His big pontoon crane fascinated young spectators. His display of multicoloured Daleks also proved popular. A Russian lunar rover (Lunokhod 2) like Brian’s telescope brought us into the space age. A canal lift bridge, nuclear flask railway wagon and BMX style bicycle completed the display.
A boy plays with Chris Warrell’s Pontoon Crane
…and now the bad news:
The first issue which may have a bearing on later events was that a water main nearby burst. This may have caused the power cut which afflicted our stall early on. At least I was able to crank my Meccanograph. A good thing as the power, which curiously enough other stalls did have, was never restored.
The third problem was the natural water main overhead! Models had to be moved away from the heavy rain which ran down through the gazebo roof. The public sheltering under it, rather than being a captive audience, turned their backs and chatted using our tables to put their cups etc. on. Fortunately the rain eventually stopped.
Our gazebos at the fayre
Overall, despite mishaps, our show went down well (the organisers were pleased) and, despite the weather, ‘a good time was had by all.’
We were able to fly the flag for the hobby and our club, and give out fliers for the exhibition.
Report written by Peter Clay
I must say that, having attended this event several times, this year was an eye-opener for me. I came with Tim Surtell who set up and organized things. He does a tremendous job in setting up and dismantling, plus running ‘Make It With Meccano’. It is a pity his ability is not matched by that of the event organisers. I say no more as I would not involve us in a libel action!
The downside first. The biggest issue was the rain which was often torrential. Most people who didn’t go home were presumably crowded into tents, though not ours, which we’d had to hire this year. On occasion the sun did come out and we had our share of spectators and participants in the ‘Make It With Meccano’ workshop.
What I saw of the ground was worth seeing, with plenty of exhibiting groups and food and drink available. At the end, the paragliding Red Devils did their stuff to a very thin audience.
Staying dry in our marquee!
Fortunately the rain did not come in on this occasion, although ‘Make It…' activities frequently had to be curtailed. However we did have about 25 participants receiving a certificate for this.
Having fun in the Make It With Meccano workshop
You can see all the Make It With Meccano photos in our Facebook album.
The upside? Our display was as well received as it always is, and the power managed to hold out to the end, which is something!
So — to the models:
On the left (spectators’ viewpoint) Les Chatfield showed a model of Voyager 2, which rotated. Unfortunately the universal joints let him down, but this did not detract from a very impressive model. His Plate Bender impressed those who tried it, as did his working power hacksaw. One might ask what it slowly but steadily sawed its way through? A Lego brick! A radio controlled electric truck completed a fascinating display.
Les Chatfield with his models
To his left Brian Leach showed an automatic lift with a continuous reversing mechanism causing it to keep raising and lowering, picking up speed in the middle and slowing down with a brief pause at top and bottom — fascinating to watch. He also had his Hubble telescope and duck.
Brian Leach and… could it be Chris Fry perhaps?
Next was Chris Fry. Chris’s guilloche Meccanograph produced many intricate and attractive designs. His orrery, representing an extra solar double star system with a planet, worked by setting a flywheel going with a lever, fascinated spectators. His Ducati bike (a particularly lovely new Spin Master model), pirate ship, rocket on a gantry (both also from Spin Master) and his Sputnik graced the static exhibit table at the back.
Some of Chris Fry’s models
On the right, Peter Clay brought his new Meccanograph — Konkoly’s lacegraph. Its maiden outing showed it able to produce very attractive designs with a moiré effect. His tractor and trailer (friction drive) and butcher’s van were familiar, and his space capsule continued the space exploration theme as above from our last Secretary’s Challenge.
Peter Clay and his Lacegraph
To his left, Tim Surtell’s Lightning Leap continued to allow spectators to ‘have a go’ — I don’t think anyone managed to beat it but it brought in contributions to the Foal Farm charity. Tim’s Spanish Knight on horseback, with the horse walking and lifting its tail, ran on a rotating base throughout the day. His maraca, ice cream cart and Spin Master off-road car were also on the static table. The latter featured an effective suspension system.
Playing Tim Surtell’s game, The Lightning Leap
To sum up, a successful day from a model display viewpoint, but marred by the wet weather and organisation issues (theirs, not ours). As we were (finally!) able to drive off from what had become a quagmire, at least three exhibitors vowed not to come again.
Report written by Chris Warrell
One benefit of attending the Greenwich Great Get Together was a last minute invitation to the Henwick Primary School Summer Fair on 16th July. The school is in Eltham, not far from the Well Hall roundabout, and only 10 minutes walk from my house! It was, it transpired, their first fair (or the first for a few years) and there were the usual side shows and stalls arranged around the playground.
We were located in the dinner hall, ironically since the weather was warm and sunny; our previous two events had us outside, under canvas, with varying amounts of heavy rain.
Our tables and the ‘Make It With Meccano’ workshop, here being supervised by Les
There were five members attending and all turned up with a good selection of models, not all listed here, but each of us filling a table.
Les Chatfield brought, amongst other things, a tower crane; both Chris Fry and Peter Clay had Meccanographs; Tim Surtell had his Lightning Leap and I had my pontoon crane. Les had a remote control car which was very popular with the children, and the two Meccanographs, almost side-by-side, had a regular audience waiting to have a go at producing a design. Tim’s buzz-wire game hasn’t lost any of its appeal and my crane had no shortage of willing drivers. I could have done with a limit switch of some sort to prevent the regular over running of the hook.
Les Chatfield demonstrating a model
Tim was also in charge of the Make It With Meccano workshop, something that the organisers were keen for us to run. He brought four Meccano sets with instructions for three models. Four tables were arranged in the centre of our L-shaped display and, in total, around twenty certificates were handed out to those who completed a model. Plenty of other children had a go, but gave up after a while and others had to have help from mum and dad. Most of us helped out at some point with supervision of this activity.
The design department, courtesy of Chris Fry and Peter Clay
The day was quite short, being only three hours long (12:00 noon — 3:00 pm) so no chance of getting exhausted by the constant stream of visitors. We each got a lunch voucher, and teas were very reasonably priced at 50p — there were some very moreish rocky road cakes too!
Two satisfied Make It With Meccano workshop participants show off their certificates
One early visitor to our stand was local Labour MP Clive Efford, who seemed in jovial mood, despite all the turmoil in Westminster! Linda, the organiser, was pleased with the way the day went, so I think we’ll get an invitation to next year’s one. We made sure plenty of flyers were handed out. Thanks to all the members who attended.
Having fun in the Make It With Meccano workshop
You can see more photos from the Make It With Meccano workshop in our Facebook album.