What have you done today with your Austin Seven

[Austin in the Shed]

Decided that the badly repaired CAV DFL dynamo rear casting had to be replaced.

So I created a 3D model

And then CNC machined it out of solid stock.

Dynamo now fully built and very happy with the results.
Adrian.

Smart. I manullaly machined one out of a lump.
Smarter still would be a 3D printed wax model and investment casting.

C

I made a pattern and machined some conventionally.Although they are quite simple they are a few machining ops on them.
I don't know how many A7 owners would be prepared to pay for a high tech version.

[Chris KC]

I used to work for a car maker that screwed little union jack badges to the sides of their cars. Sadly the badges were made in Korea!

[Ruairidh Dunford]

It is the Union Flag - the Jack only applies when used on a Warship.

Ensure the cloth ones are correctly orientated, many are not.

None of these issues and complexities exist with a Saltire

[Chris KC]

On the topic of 3D printing, I wonder if any of our cherished suppliers have looked into it recently?
State of the art companies can produce what is effectively a sintered part, with strength at least equal to a casting, up to about 1ft in length.
The cost to make a single part would be eye-watering, but it can be used to nest together a large number of small parts in one print, bringing the unit price down to something affordable. BMW (for example) use 3D printing as a production process for some small parts.

---

Oop yes, I stand corrected Ruairidh!
I also stand the right way up thank goodness.

[agmatthews]

It is the Union Flag - the Jack only applies when used on a Warship.

Ensure the cloth ones are correctly orientated, many are not.

None of these issues and complexities exist with a Saltire  

ummm?

http://www.flaginstitute.org/wp/british-...nion-flag/

[Ruairidh Dunford]

The organisation in your link disputed this in 2013.

[Reckless Rat]

Anyway, moving swiftly on...

Seiing as it's quite hot today, a balmy 35°C in the shade,  I thought I would do a run out in the Austin for Bob's benefit, seeing as he's been having some problems recently with vapour lock. I took the car out and drove it to the summit of Mont Bouquet, a round trip of 35 miles. Bob knows the climb because he did it in his RN when he came over here for an old car do in 2008. It's not very high (relatively, it's about 650m), but it's bloody steep. The road to the summit from Brouzet les Alès is a 5km slog with gradients of 6% then 12% and a final run to the top of 10%. It's not for the faint of heart although to someone in a modern it's just a pimple. For Austineers and cyclists it's the gateway to hell.

I managed to get to the top today without incident, to great applause from a bunch of parachutists at the summit. The RP never missed a beat. Bonnet closed, windscreen and vents open. I was a trifle warm but the car was never fazed. The descent is as hairy as going up, which required a few notches on the handbrake and 3rd gear to ensure that gravity  and momentum didn't take over.

My conclusion Bob, is that there is probably something relative to your particular car that's causing the vapour locking. Since I fitted the 4 blade fine mine has been absolutely fine. Changing the loop on the fuel feed may well help.

Couple of pics and a video link attached.

Firstly, today's destination - the pointy hill in the distance:



The run up to the summit:



All the way back down (this might look better on a big screen):



and finally, a link to a short video: https://youtu.be/CEMkEgLJjk8

Apologies for the crunchy changes but I was doing all this one handed (noone was looking)

[bob46320]

Bruce, I remember that climb ! Our RN with the front tank did a stutter or two, but made it and if I remember correctly, the club's president (or such) couldn't get his modern to start for the return journey.
It was a super day out. Of course, the RP does have its fuel tank slung underneath at the rear, some way away from the fury of the engine, and I suppose a 4 speed box as opposed to the RN's 3 speed could help.
Its just too hot to muck about in the workshop at the moment to make an extended exhaust pipe shield and the exhaust tape is due to arrive next week.

[Reckless Rat]

You're not wrong. Life in the south of France can be a real bugger at times...

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Anyway, moving swiftly on...

Do not fear, my one-man mission to resist this particular aspect of modernity derives from (too?) many years in the Scouts, not any great pomposity!

I can make woggles as well.