Part 6

 'Back in't day' when I were a small boy I was given an old model yacht by a neighbour. It had a mechanism through which sails attached to rudder. I was oblivious to what it was at the time but I now needed to know more. I want one on 'Cats Paws' . What was it's purpose? Turn's out it was a 'Braine Self Steering Mechanism'. Wow! This wonderful piece of model yachtery was invented in 1906 by a chap called George Braine (of  Kensington....important to note back then it was Blighty leading the world) If it's trimmed correctly for the wind conditions it can offer help in ensuring the yacht sails reasonably straight across the pond whilst the sails catch all the blow...I've attached a couple of pictures of vintage Braines mechanisms for your delight. 

Still available with a bit of searching both used and new but apart from waiting for one the correct size the cost of such a rare piece is not in the spirit of this build. Uncle Alb tha' needs ta' make ya own. Indeed tha' does...let's crack on and do it.....

A suitable piece of 1.2mm brass was not available in the inherited stock so I had to buy. Ah well can't find everything....First job a cardboard template was cut to match what I considered the correct size and shape visually. No plans on this build it's all on what I think looks good. Jigsaw and filing continued until brass matched cardboard cut out. A pillar drilling session followed my evenly spaced punch marks that I'd marked previous. A few 'speed holes' were added to replicate the weight saving efforts of the vintage originals

Making a rudder fitting boss that would be soldered to this newly formed Braine mechanism would have been possible but I copped out as suitable brass model boat propeller couplings are available on Ali-Express for pence. Cutting one in half and facing off on the lathe would be all that was needed to make fit if I purchased one with the correct internal sized bore.

The little grub screw holds the Braine mechanism tightly to the rudder shaft. Like they were meant for each other. I then turned another 3 x brass bobbins. 1 x will solder to the back of the Baines and the other 2 will be fixed to the hull. Pulled between these 2 I will have a 2mm nitrile O ring that will act as a form of spring to pull against the wind and try to return the rudder to straight.

Hopefully I've understood the workings of the Victorian era Braine Self Steering Mechanism enough to build an example for 'Cats Paws' . Only time will tell.......

Keep looking into the blog for more build news. Bye for now.