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CMC Meeting, February 08

The next meeting of the Christchurch Meccano Club is on 7th March.

But see below for the Sefton show on 2nd March!

February is the first meeting of the year (since we have no meeting in January.  Subscriptions are due in the February meeting, or at the latest by the March meeting please.  Speak to Neil if you can't make it by then.

The challenge

Last month's challenge was to make a model that played a recognisable tune.  Not an easy one, but we did have two months to come up with a solution.

Brian's entry was claimed to be a "proof of concept" – make of this what you will! 

The fishplates on the paddle wheel flick the levers that are intended to make the notes, although the strings are obviously without tension and the machine didn't play.  So we'll have to take his word for it that the tune is indeed Beethoven's 9th!

Cameron came with a harp, not particularly in tune, but obviously this won't play you a tune on its own.  Much more tension would be needed to get some volume out of it.

Hugh built this very small and neat machine (left), using the mandatory (for him) flywheel, which managed to produce a tune with only four notes.  "God Defend New Zealand" – at least the first bar – it did certainly play the tune recognisably.  Cameron claimed it wasn't loud enough, but Hugh thoughtfully provided a non-Meccano portable amplification device for such instances.

Talking about coincidences, Charles' machine played the same tune, but managed two bars before giving up.  The start of this machine was the allowed wooden sounding board, and a set of wires using a loose pinion and a worm to give tension and tune each string.  The theory was that whatever tuning was applied was very likely to go out of tune when the machine was moved, and thus it needed to have the ability to be re-tuned easily.  Although non-Meccano strings were allowed, these strings are made from Electrikit wire (the stuff wound round the red plastic former), as one of the few parts that can be given enough tension.

The hammers are simply couplings mounded on axles, pivoted near the end.  The far side of each hammer is given a flick by angle brackets bolted to the hub discs.  Each hub disc plays a single note, and they are chosed to give eight bars (which is the length of the New Zealand national anthem).  Only two bars have been added, as it takes forever to bolt the angle brackets all in the correct place for each note's timing! However, the two bars it played were relatively in tune and easily recognisable, so this machine won this month's challenge. Brian pointed out that he gave his vote to the machine with the most hub discs!

Club News

Subscriptions

It was voted to change the annual subs for the club to ensure that the cost of the venue and the supper was at least covered.  The new subs from 2008 are therefore $25 per person, or $40 for a family.  The subs include the supper provided by Peter and Joy each month.

Subscriptions are payable at the February meeting, or at the latest at the March meeting.  Talk to Neil to organise payment.

New position

Hugh Aston was asked to be the club's Promotions Manager (or alternative title to be determined by himself).  He will plan the annual exhibitions for the club, at least one and more likely two per year (with the exception of the major exhibition in 2009, for which there is already a committee in place).  Hugh agreed to this role.

Show day!

And following on in short order from this appointment, it was decided that the club should attend the annual Sefton show as usual this year.  The Christchurch Meccano Club doesn't have to pay for this show, and it's one we traditionally used to go to.  However, it's at very short notice – Sunday 2nd March (which is before the next club meeting).

If you'd like to help and could bring either manpower or models, please call or email us as soon as possible.  At the very least, see if you can make it along on the 2nd of March to come and say hello! Objectives are to advertise the club and see if we can find some new members.  Of course, we will also get a little practice in for exhibitions, which we haven't done for a while.

The CMC Challenge – "Automotive"

A very broad brush this month.  Build a Meccano model on the theme of "Automotive".

The Competition

At the CMC meeting in March, all club members present will vote for their favourites, and the one with the most votes will win.  In the event of a tie, the most senior disinterested club member will have the casting vote.

Definition of "Meccano model"

As usual, you can use any Meccano part ever made and sold as Meccano, or any reproduction part that is structurally identical to a Meccano part.  Parts may not be cut or deformed such that they cannot be used for their intended function again.  You can cut a part 1 down into a 1a (it becomes a reproduction part), but not down to a 9" long strip (which has no Meccano equivalent). 

Cord, driving bands, and springs may be of any type.  Motors (if used) must be genuine Meccano, but wiring and power supplies need not be.  Non-Meccano washers may be used in your model solely to protect the paintwork.

The March meeting

The next meeting is Friday 7th March, 2008, at St Johns Church, Ferry Road, Woolston.  Bring a friend!