DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Pistons are relatively simple and firstly turned to size from alloy rod. The ring grooves are cut with
a parting tool, I use a broken piece of hacksaw blade ground to suit, they work really well even on stainless.

Transferred to the mill the flats are milled and then the gudgeon pin holes are drilled/reamed


a parting tool, I use a broken piece of hacksaw blade ground to suit, they work really well even on stainless.

Transferred to the mill the flats are milled and then the gudgeon pin holes are drilled/reamed


Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Piston rings , a piece of cast iron is bored and turned to the size of the ring then they
are simply parted off

One edge of each ring is then snapped buy pressing it over a small triangle file then
they are loaded onto a cast iron crucible / oven.

The oven lid is screwed shut and heated cherry red

When the rings are removed the gap is set and the rings have a little 'spring' in them.

are simply parted off

One edge of each ring is then snapped buy pressing it over a small triangle file then
they are loaded onto a cast iron crucible / oven.

The oven lid is screwed shut and heated cherry red

When the rings are removed the gap is set and the rings have a little 'spring' in them.

Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Cylinder heads these start off by cutting some blanks from alloy bar

First job is to cut the combustion chamber

Then drill / ream the valve guide holes and open up the valve pocket and cut valve seat.

Cooling fins are cut the same as the barrels

there is a lot of machining to form the top of the head , drilling through the exhaust / inlet
ports and tapping mounting holes.



First job is to cut the combustion chamber

Then drill / ream the valve guide holes and open up the valve pocket and cut valve seat.

Cooling fins are cut the same as the barrels

there is a lot of machining to form the top of the head , drilling through the exhaust / inlet
ports and tapping mounting holes.


Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Forgot this pic ,, the digital level gauge has come in very handy

Valves are Stainless , I turned about 10mm at a time to help reduce flex in the material.
Also made cutting the groove for the retaining clip more accurate.

Once I got to the valve head I made a few very fine cuts to size. The lathe tool was set to 45 degrees
and the valve seat angle cut.

Valve guides turned from Phosphor bronze

Valve springs are bought from eBay just had to turn the caps and fiddly retaining collets.


Valves are Stainless , I turned about 10mm at a time to help reduce flex in the material.
Also made cutting the groove for the retaining clip more accurate.

Once I got to the valve head I made a few very fine cuts to size. The lathe tool was set to 45 degrees
and the valve seat angle cut.

Valve guides turned from Phosphor bronze

Valve springs are bought from eBay just had to turn the caps and fiddly retaining collets.

Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Inlet manifold , started with a piece of stainless bar

Milled out the shape and inlet track

Four mounting stubs out of stainless

A jig was made and the manifold was set up for soldering

The stubs are silver soldered in place


Milled out the shape and inlet track

Four mounting stubs out of stainless

A jig was made and the manifold was set up for soldering

The stubs are silver soldered in place

Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Rocker posts came as a casting and difficult to hold for machining

The rockers are marked out on a piece of steel bar

then machined all in one

They are then cut out and individual machined to shape


I had to make some castle nuts , luckily these are the only ones on the engine
Ignore the split pin I have since purchased some of the right size


The rockers are marked out on a piece of steel bar

then machined all in one

They are then cut out and individual machined to shape


I had to make some castle nuts , luckily these are the only ones on the engine
Ignore the split pin I have since purchased some of the right size

- Horse
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Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Brilliant stuff.
And I love your casual use of the term 'simply'
And I love your casual use of the term 'simply'
Even bland can be a type of character 
- GuzziPaul
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Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Enjoying this. As well as all the close up shots I liked to see an overview of all your tools, mill etc. stuff (and the skill) lots of us can only ream about.
Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
My mill and lathe live in the corner of my garage where I stand and do most of the work . The restGuzziPaul wrote: Tue Apr 28, 2020 8:43 am Enjoying this. As well as all the close up shots I liked to see an overview of all your tools, mill etc. stuff (and the skill) lots of us can only ream about.
of my garage has my bikes and usual junk.
This is my lathe , Myford Super 7, its a small lathe generally but considered a large Model making lathe.
Mine was made in the early 1970's ,

My mill I bought new from Chester machine tools, a rebadged Chinese model but has been very reliable to date.

Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
Sump , I had already drilled the mounting holes and matched them to the crankcase when I machined
the crankcase.
I then milled the cooling fins

I then drilled out the hole for the oil feed sump plate

I turned the oil union and plate from stainless

Drilling / tapping the mounting holes

the crankcase.
I then milled the cooling fins

I then drilled out the hole for the oil feed sump plate

I turned the oil union and plate from stainless

Drilling / tapping the mounting holes

Re: DH Gipsy engine 1/4 scale
It just shows what can be done with what to some people would be fairly basic machinery. I retired my ancient Granville lathe (a cheap copy of a Myford) some years ago when it became too vague for anything requiring accuracy and bought a used Chinese one which has been excellent. Although I don't attempt anything like you do.....
Ian.
1952 Norton ES2
1955 Francis Barnett Cruiser 75.
1952 Norton ES2
1955 Francis Barnett Cruiser 75.
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Sadlonelygit
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