Latest News

Current news items are listed below. If the Acrobat icon is shown, then click on the icon to read the attachment. If an image is shown, you can click it for a full size image. You can find old news items in the News Archive.

Frames in Perspective
20/05/2019
	When you compare the frames a couple of people alongside, the size of the the assembly is very apparent. We can only fit the frame extension plates to the left hand side after the hornguides have been machined. Otherwise we can't get the assembly on the machining station. Tom Wade from CTL Seal and Geoff Turner from SSLC discuss the next jobs. The vertical stretchers were fitted to the frame plates with the assembly on its side. Follow the link to this video to see how the assembly was turned through 90 degrees.
HENGIST frame update.
13/05/2019
	Today's visit to CTL Seal for our usual weekly working party enabled us to get this latest view. The frames have now been bolted to the three lower cast stretchers and have most of the internal items in place. The whole structure has been mounted on adjustable frame stands, four are situated inside the frames between the lower stretchers with a further two supporting the front of the frame assembly.
Frame Assembly Continues (1)
10/05/2019
	Here are the first photos of the main frame plates assembled onto the frame stretcher. The view is from the rear of the frames,
Frame Assembly Continues (2)
10/05/2019
	Here is a view from the rear of the frame assembly. The thiinner lower bar is a temporary fitment to hold the frame plates correctly.
Frame Assembly Continues (3)
10/05/2019
	A final view from the front of the frames. At this stage only temporary, undersize bolts have been fitted. Once all of the inter frame components have been fitted, we will then go through an alignment phase to ensure the frame plates are parallel to each other and are in line.
HENGIST frame update.
09/05/2019
	The main internal frame components have now been bolted in place. The frames will next be turned upright and lowered over the lower cast frame stretchers which are in the foreground of the photo.
Trial Fit of Frame Components
01/05/2019
	CTL Seal are trial fitting the vertical frame stretchers and the smokebox saddle to the main frame plates to ensure that all of the joining holes line up correctly. All holes have been deliberately drilled 1/16" undersize to allow for slight misalignments. The initial assembly will take place with undersize bolts. This will allow for the frames to be accurately aligned before the final bolts holes are drilled and reamed for fitted bolts.
Assembly Preparation
29/04/2019
	The frame keep bolt holes on the stretchers and the frame keeps have now been drilled and reamed to the correct size. By bolting the frame keeps to the stretchers, the stretchers will be exactly the correct distance apart. Pete from CTL Seal is finishing off the bolt hole job by countersinking a small chamfer in the bolt holes. He is using a drill with a magnetic base. At the weekend, some of our guests at the Open Day pointed out a minor deficiency on the stretchers which will need to be corrected with some build up welding. This is due to take place tomorrow.