Great work my friend, and its also worth noting that seeing the techniques and methods how you overcome problems such as the magnet/ruler and the clever wooden jigs show others how to achieve similar results.
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Thanks John, although the jigs are all patented, 
but are freely available to all friends of Real Space Modeling, promised! 
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Hello everybody,
well, then let’s go to the Clamping rings, there is no way to avoid it. 
After I had read again in my building report from some years ago, I once again checked the different shapes of the screw connections of all clamping rings on the MLP-2.
While the majority of the clamping rings are made up of six bolted ring segments, as shown on the right, there are also some, which consist of only four segments (on the left). 
In this image one can recognize the differences from a different perspective very well, and as one can see, the screw connections of the four-part clamping rings are somewhat longer than those of the six-part clamping rings.
And with the aid of this image, I had already determined the dimensions of the clamping rings and screw connections in those days, whereby the diameter of the 24" pipe (4 mm) was used as reference.
Since the image of my stock taking at the time seems to me to be somewhat overloaded from today’s point of view, 
Number of tension ring screw connections left shaft (blue), right shaft (green).
I have once again shown the number of screw connections of all clamping rings of both ring lines separately. In this case, the red arrows indicate the position of the supports, at which there are no clamping rings.
Here first for the relations at the ring line behind the LH2-TSM,
and here at the ring line behind the LOX-TSM.
As one can see, the type of the clamping rings and the number of their screw connections is not identical on both sides. 
After checking the dimensions again, I will use Evergreen Strips (0,38 mm x 0,5 mm) for the six-part clamping rings and for the screw connections strips (0,25 mm x 0,75 mm), where 0,75 mm corresponds to the length of the screw connections. And for the somewhat longer screw connections of the four-part clamping rings I will probably use strips (0,25 mm x 1 mm).
The construction of the clamping rings should be carried out accordingly to my also patented Lattice technique, which I have considered at the time.
For this I first marked the distances of the screw connections on the peripheral length of both types, left for the four-part clamping rings and right for the six-part rings.
Thereby the strips 0,25 mm x 0,75 mm (or 0,25 mm x 1 mm) for the screw connections are placed over parallel lying clamping ring strips (0,38 mm × 0,5 mm) and glued with MEK, and subsequently separated. 
So far as the theory, next time prototypes of both types of clamping rings are to follow. Therefore stay tuned and let yourself be surprised. I hope you keep track. 
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Hello folks,
before I can start with the small series production, I have tried the first two prototypes of the clamping rings first without using my lattice technique, in order to see whether or how well the lengths and distances resulting from my templates will be okay.
For this purpose, the four strips for the screw connections were positioned on the clamping ring strip (0,38 mm x 0,5 mm) and gently glued with MEK on both sides.
The strips then stuck so tightly that they could easily be cut off on both sides.
The following gluing of the clamping ring on the 4 mm rod took place step by step with CA, because MEK is not suitable for this, which I had to observe unfortunately at that time, and I did not want to make the same disastrous mistake again. 
But only after I finished with this four-part clamping ring, it occurred to me that I had not used the wider strip (0,25 mm x 1 mm) for the screw connections, but the narrower (0,25 mm x 0,75 mm) for the six-part clamping rings. 
But no matter, I have still noticed it in time.
After the same procedure, the six-part clamping ring was built, in which the screwing strips have moved closer together.
This time, too, everything went smoothly with the gluing of the strips,
and here one can see both clamping rings next to each other.
And so it looks then at the supports, wherewith I am for the time being quite satisfied.
And if one would now round off the edges of the screw connections, it would look even more pleasant from near, which I have tried here at least once on the right clamping ring.
All other clamping rings I now want to scratch however using my brilliant lattice technique, for which I however need appropriate spacer. 
That’s it for today.
6 Likes
Lovely work and keeps adding to the general level of WOW !!
1 Like
Thanks John, then that puts me at ease.
Hello everybody, here we go.
At first I’ve caught up the four-part clamping ring with the longer screw connections (1 mm),
and compared it with the previous one with the too short screw connections (0,75 mm), the edges of which I have also rounded off somewhat. 
On this macro recording one can still recognize the difference, but from some distance probably already not more.
And now to the small series of the nine four-part clamping rings, for which I wanted to apply my Lattice technique again. 
Originally I had also thought of a similar jig with spacers, as it had worked well for the cartridge belts of the Rainbirds. 
But for these only nine clamping rings then I have renounced on it and have used only tapes.
First of all I attached the strips (0,38 mm x 0,5 mm) for the clamping rings with the ends on a tape strip.
For gluing of the strips (0,25 mm x 1 mm) for the four screw connections per clamping ring with MEK, however, I have precautionally changed over to a metal sheet.
Then I have placed these four strips over the clamping ring strips and laterally fixed with tape, making this nice lattice. 
And in order for the screwing strips to lie tightly on top of each other during gluing, the lattice was still loaded by a weight. Afterwards, the superimposed strips on both sides were carefully dabbed with MEK, wherefore a brush tip MEK is really enough. 
After the same gluing procedure was done on the back, the tape strips could be removed, and the clamping ring lattice was finished. 
And lo and behold, the lattice is at first sight relatively stable, wherewith the lattice technique has proved itself.
That’s it for now, and next time the clamping rings will be separated.
5 Likes
Hi everybody,
even if it is currently something tiring, here it goes on with the clamping rings, it is no good … 
Since the rounding of the edges on a single strip is quite difficult and stressful, 
I have not completely separated the lattice, but only the outer overhangs are cut off. As a result, the outer side of the clamping ring, including the screw connections, can be rounded off relatively comfortably over the entire length since the lattice itself is surprisingly stable and flexible.
On the other side of the strip, one has to work carefully, particularly when rounding off the interstices, 
for which I have made myself a 1,5 mm narrow grinding stick.
This business was very time-consuming, but then the nine clamping rings were finally (like myself) done. 
How good that I had planned a spare strip, because at one strip, during rounding off actually one screw connection was canceled. 
After the four-part clamping rings were securely stowed in a small box, I kept doing with the six-part rings, however 19 of them are needed.
For the clamping rings strips (0,38 mm x 0,5 mm) were again used, and strips (0,25 mm x 0,75 mm) for the shorter screw connections.
I will use the same method again to prepare two lattices each with 10 clamping rings, because the size had been okay.
In order to hold down the screw connection strips, they had to weight again,
whereby I almost had forgotten one strip. 
After the transverse strips were aligned once more, in order to have approximately equal distances, I have additionally two narrow masking strips glued, so that the lattice can not slip during MEK gluing.
Then all the lattice junctions were glued together on the top side,
and then on the bottom.
And with the first lattice again a small step was done, the next will follow soon.
8 Likes
Brilliant 
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Thanks John and Happy Easter all together! 
And thus in the fast passage to the second clamping ring lattice with the known procedures.
Fixing the longitudinal and transverse strips,
as well as gluing the cross points with MEK.
The lattice, which has been smoothly adhering to the sheet metal, can easily be detached with a razor blade.
After that the stressful rounding off of the filigree edges had to be done again, which this time because of the closer distances of the screwing strips was somewhat more difficult.
That’s why I’ve come up with a narrow mini-file for the narrow spaces, for which I have glued a 1 mm wide strip of fine sandpaper (500) to a 2,5 mm Evergreen channel. 
And these first ten of the required 19 six-part clamping rings are the result of this laborious fiddling. 
And next time follows the same procedure again at the 2nd lattice.
7 Likes
Hello everybody,
today I have disassembled the 2nd grid and rounded the edges on the remaining 10 clamping rings and their screw connections on all sides.
And I can tell you, with the last stripes my eyes began to tear more and more, because in the long run this is too strenuous, because the edges are so tiny.
That’s why I’ve counted once for fun the edges, which I have rounded off with my mini-files at the total of 28 clamping rings.
And what would you estimate if I would ask you?
Well, since I myself was surprised, I’m going to say it immediately: believe it or not, a total of 900, hardly to believe but true !!! 
And now it’s time to get the SSWS skeletons out of the SRB Holes in order to glue all the clamping rings.
But first I have to deal with the transitions at the outlets and to model them with Apoxie Sculpt.
9 Likes
Hello together,
but before I start with the Apoxie Sculpt modeling, there’s still something else to do.
After removal the ring lines, I have noticed that in front of the 16’‘/12’’ transition behind the LOX-TSM the clamping ring still lacked, as one can see in the right circle.
The rings for this I had (only) bent from lead wire (Ø 0,4 mm) at that time.
But in reality, these are two-part clamping rings with laterally fitting screw connections,
which could also be made by the successful lattice technique.
And just during this consideration, a friend from our German Raumcon Forum has sent me a piece of Teflon foil (PTFE, 0,05 mm), which I should try as underlay during the MEK-gluing.
Onto this idea one must only come up, especially since PTFE is known for its excellent anti-stick properties.
For as you may remember perhaps, the strips lattice glued with MEK adhered on the metal sheet, which surprised me.
And I have now tried the same with the both two-part clamping rings, meaning no metal sheet as underlay, but only the Teflon foil on the cutting mat on which the clamping ring strips were fixed.
Subsequently, the crossings were dabbed with MEK as before and so glued.
And lo and behold, nothing remains adhered, and the bondings can be removed from the foil easily and without any problem. 
And these are the two clamping ring strips with the two screw connections.
As far as for today.
6 Likes
So much hard work going into all this intricate detailing to give it the 1 to 1 look… really outstanding work.
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Thanks John for your kind words. Sometimes it’s really hard keep going on scratch building this tiny stuff.
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Hello everybody,
unfortunately I’ve got a lumbago, what is not so funny, 
but when sitting comfortably, it is still tolerable, so I once tried one of these both two-part clamping rings.
Because of the smaller pipe diameter (2,5 mm) this time I used an Evergreen strip 0,25 mm x 0,5 mm for the ring, and for the screw connections 0,25 mm x 1 mm.
I hope one can still recognize the clamping ring behind the bow,
this one here is it, 
and therefore here once somewhat larger. 
Subsequently, I have started modeling the transitions at the rejuvenations of the ring lines and first rolled Apoxie Sculpt balls and then mixed them.
Here is the preliminary result, first at the 24’‘/12’’ transition, which is still accessible relatively easy,
and then here at the 24’‘/16’’ transition, which was somewhat trickier because the two 6’’ outlets are unfortunately in the way.
On the occasion I have also installed one of the two 9’’ transitions, for what I had to insert the ring line again into the shaft, which however against expectation has worked, also without removing the SRB Supports.
Now everything has only to dry, then the transitions still can be reworked somewhat.
That’s it for today.
8 Likes
I hope your lower back improves – if heat-packs & anti-inflammatories don’t cure it in a few days, it may be worth getting it checked out. One (of many) causes is just excessive time sitting down, with perhaps not ideal posture. I remember years ago on Armorama there was an interesting discussion about elevating workbenches, in order to work standing up. Just a thought.
Anyway brilliant progress again on this epic build Manfred 
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Even with an injury, the progression and impetus keep moving forward … well done.
Hope the back problem gets on the mend soon
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Thanks Tim and John for your sympathy.
My back problems are on the mend, so I can continue soon.
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