Original Lister fabricated SOM base ?

[compig]

You guy's may or may not be aware that SOM bases were originally cast iron but later were fabricated from carbon steel plate. I have a SOM of each type.  Now manufacturing a replica cast iron base would not be easy or viable but the fabricated base could be replicated without serious difficulty. I could , if it was of any interest , produce a drawing from my fab base SOM. Then Listeroids could be mounted on an original looking base which would accommodate an ST head without too much difficulty.
Although the fabricated base sounds and looks simple from a casual glance , they are in fact quite complicated. Very , very strong though !
Just a thought. 

[Stan]

I'd love to see a drawing with dimensions to take to my local machinist to give me a price. 

I've a machinist friend who works for an aircraft restorer.  The guy does staggerwing beeches and other very very rare aircraft for people like the guy who directed the lord of the rings movies.  His policy is, just send me any parts you have, don't contact me to ask how its coming, and if you have to ask how much, don't bother me, it's too much for you.
Stan

[listerdiesel]

We have a JK4 genny set with fabricated base, still enormously heavy.

The set has managed about 150 hours running since new, mainly on routine testing.







Peter

[Stan]

Wow Peter....How many Kwatts will that put out?
Stan

[compig]

47.5 according to the data plate.

[listerdiesel]

47.5 according to the data plate.

No, 38kW 47.5kVA.

It's 3-phase 415/240V

Peter

[compig]

oooops !

Would like a 3 phase genny. Would run my big TIG and I could buy some industrial equipment bargains !

[listerdiesel]

38kW would run your house AND your 3-phase equipment....

We've got it in dry store, all of the parts are there bar the battery which we gave to a friend for his tractor, as we couldn't leave it on the set to just die away.

It also has the water pump fitted, which is a bit unusual. most that I have seen were thermo-syphon only.

Don't know what value to put on it, but we will be selling at some time.

Peter
 

[compig]

Too big for my average use though , sadly !!  The occasions I need 3 phase could be counted in a few hours per month. Will probably get a air cooled twin unit for that.
Thats a nice set though.

[listerdiesel]

We have 3-phase at the house, although just into the workshop where the street cable comes in, the house has a feed off one phase.

Peter

[contaucreek]

Getting back to the original topic of fabricating an SOM type base I have a few ideas. If there is a steel plate profile cutting shop in your area (my line of work) you have saved yourself a pile of grief. Simply take the base into the shop and they will do a take off on the top surface and then have it cut from an appropriate thickness of mild steel plate. Steel is cheaper again these days so strike while the  the torch errr iron is hot. Then weld a base under it and there you go. I have an original SOM cast base and would consider mfg a few top plates for you guys. Dont know the price offhand but shipping from Southern Ontario would kill ya.

[Stan]

I might even be able to afford having just the top plate cut, and then I could gather the rest of the frame and weld it up myself.  Hmmmmmmmm
Stan

btw....You're right about shipping it $$$$$$$$$ 

[MikeyT]

You guy's may or may not be aware that SOM bases were originally cast iron but later were fabricated from carbon steel plate.

I wonder if it is a simple as mfg date? I have a very late model 8/1 SOM (circa 1970), and it has a cast iron base.

[compig]

That is much later for a cast iron base than I would have expected !  One of the 6/1 SOM's I have is a '51 and has a fab base. I wonder if the type of base was optional ?

[listerdiesel]

We also have an 8/1 SOM with cast base, bought some years back as an incomplete engine and with no generator. Crankcase door and most of the engine were missing, but I could check the data plate on the base when I have a moment.

Peter