Search found 523 matches

by David Powell
Mon Oct 09, 2023 8:12 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

I used to be a fairly quick worker, not so nowadays. Just recently I decided to build up a bit of a stationary generating plant as a change from my big coal fired models. So far I have spent two weeks simply cleaning up a Stuart 504 boiler, a 10 v engine, making a propane burner for the boiler, arra...
by David Powell
Wed Oct 04, 2023 9:37 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

I thoroughly second Pontiacguy.s advice. I have repaired and brought back to use some really poorly built engines. It is FAR more challenging work than simply buying a simple set of castings and drawings and building to the best of your ability. I would recommend you build a small simple stationary ...
by David Powell
Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:18 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

My 93 yr old machinist pal calls all verniers, be they plain, dial or electronic.. VERY NEARS. Probably the most important tool in a beginners toolbox is a good quality 0 to 1 ( or 0 to 25 if you work in metric measure) inch micrometer. You will not be building space rockets so a good secondhand one...
by David Powell
Tue Oct 03, 2023 10:04 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

You do not need to be highly skilled to get acceptable results. This morning I made a sub base for a small model steam engine I purchased. I have all sorts of expensive machine tools, measuring equipment etc, Just for fun I did things the simple way, I used a couple of big files, a 1 /16 inch transf...
by David Powell
Tue Oct 03, 2023 5:59 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

I would agree that MR Pete.s videos are about the best instructional ones on the internet. Watch them by all means, but do more than that, put his advice to work in your workshop. Read all you can, Live Steam and Model Engineer magazines are full of useful advice, drawings you can build from, and ab...
by David Powell
Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:46 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10522

Re: How to get started?

It was a bit of a hard start. Our first venture into scale models, after worrying the life out of Wilesco, Mamod and Bowman models was when we bought a finished, allegedly running 3/4 inch spirit fired traction engine for 20 pounds in 1963. Once steamed up she would not run, Dad went back to the bui...
by David Powell
Thu Aug 31, 2023 7:15 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Clishay Transmission Questions
Replies: 6
Views: 1959

Re: Clishay Transmission Questions

Perhaps if you have a Model Engineering or Live Steam club nearby you should join , attend meetings and make your needs known, Many folk have large collections of " Useful Stuff" and you may find what you need( or workable useful nearly what you need) that way, Maybe even a usuable lathe t...
by David Powell
Fri Aug 25, 2023 4:06 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Boiler tube length question
Replies: 24
Views: 8947

Re: Boiler tube length question

We own, and frequently steam a 4 inch scale Fowler traction engine, In 20 yrs the copper tubes have moved slightly forward, they now, in the firebox tubeplate, can be seen to leave about 3/16 inch of tubeplate exposed, Strangely we have not seen nor experienced any leakage. Hope this is of interest,...
by David Powell
Wed Jul 26, 2023 8:52 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Goering's 3 1/2 inch gauge pacific.
Replies: 3
Views: 1414

Re: Goering's 3 1/2 inch gauge pacific.

Well, that would seem to be the model in question. Thankyou. I am pleased it has survived. Regards David Powell
by David Powell
Tue Jul 25, 2023 9:13 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Goering's 3 1/2 inch gauge pacific.
Replies: 3
Views: 1414

Goering's 3 1/2 inch gauge pacific.

LBSC wrote that Goering owned and sometimes ran a 3 1/2 inch gauge Pacific built for him by the Borsig plant. Recently there have been a number of videos showing items " liberated" from Goerings homes and taken to the States by American servicemen. So far I have seen no trace of the model....
by David Powell
Sun Jul 23, 2023 8:21 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: IS our hobby dying in Canada?
Replies: 60
Views: 17175

Re: IS our hobby dying in Canada?

Obviously, Colby, you will be a part of the future of our hobby. We, that is my son James and I have built several vertical boilered locos using Stuart engines as the basis. The first is powered by a 10V, is well geared down so is very slow( Need a calendar not a watch to time a lap) but it will pul...
by David Powell
Wed Jul 12, 2023 6:15 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: IS our hobby dying in Canada?
Replies: 60
Views: 17175

Re: IS our hobby dying in Canada?

My wife is involved with several hobby groups that involve Quilting, Doll house making, sewing and scale model boats. These hobby groups are also shrinking in size and activity. One of my thoughts is that, as people generally have become wealthier theyhave sought activities which bring rapid gratifi...