Thanks, Tim
Yes, Lee's Cromwell looks like a labour of love; but these builds can also be a labour of
hate at times...
Well, I have the mountings, finally. The gun-holding mantlet now moves with ease
Phew...what a pain
I'm using Mato Tiger 1 axles for the trunnion pivots/swivels. Finally, by using dividers, rulers, and No. 1 eyeball I located the optimum position for the pins in this setup.
- Comet mantlet housing-Before...
- Comet Mantlet Housing- post-operative...
...and with the Mato Tiger axles fitted ( but not bonded in yet)
- Comet Mantlet Trunnion Pivot pics...
- Mantlet trunnion pivot-detail...
I'm happy with the outcome so far.
Why? well:
1. The assembly is now more like the real deal, in principle, anyway,
2. It actually moves smoothly now, and should allow about the right amount of barrel elevation and depression.
Should being the operative word...
The mato axles will be shortened on the outside, to be flush with the mantlet surface. That's after being bonded in place with JB Weld metal epoxy.(Great stuff!!)
I could put bearings on the inboard shaft, an lock them in place with nyloc nuts. or, I may just use a nut and washer.
Overall, coming up with this solution has taken more time, and more patience than any other part of the project. But, semi-scratch building being what it is, it would surprise me one little bit (een lutte beten in Platt Deutsch)..if some other conundrum crops up to top this one for frustration.