Search found 26 matches

by Tim B Guenther
Thu Apr 08, 2021 8:40 am
Forum: Live Steam Marketplace
Topic: Wanted: mich-cal shay plans in 2.5" scale
Replies: 11
Views: 9731

Re: Wanted: mich-cal shay plans in 2.5" scale

For what it's worth, I built a 2.5" scale (approximate) shay by multiplying Bill Harris's dimensions by 1.5. It works OK, but the steam engine itself is a bit flimsy. The cylinders are only 1.5" x 1.5".
Image
by Tim B Guenther
Wed Sep 30, 2020 7:44 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Sil-Phos Identification
Replies: 31
Views: 14267

Re: Sil-Phos Identification

Sil-Phos is a trade marked brazing alloy of LucasMilhaupt. They make many different alloys for different applications. Website products here: https://www.lucasmilhaupt.com/EN/Products/Filler-Metals.htm Sil-Phos 15 is 15% silver, 80% copper and 5% phosphorous. It is probably the typical product used ...
by Tim B Guenther
Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:05 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?
Replies: 17
Views: 10735

Re: Gasket thickness for steam chest & cylinders?

Locktite 510 works well also.
by Tim B Guenther
Tue Aug 11, 2020 7:13 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Help identifying photos
Replies: 54
Views: 39274

Re: Help identifying photos

PVLS would be Pioneer Valley Live Steamers, not Pennsylvania as noted on some of the images.
by Tim B Guenther
Wed Jun 17, 2020 7:26 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Plates
Replies: 13
Views: 10813

Re: Plates

There was an article in the May/June 2020 issue of Live Steam on how to etch your own plates by Chris Rueby. It doesn't look like a very difficult operation.
by Tim B Guenther
Tue May 19, 2020 7:28 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Camelbacks
Replies: 19
Views: 21189

Re: Camelbacks

I am currently building a 4-8-0 camelback in 1/8 scale. It will be dual gauge - 7-1/4 and 7-1/2. It is modeled on an 1899 Brooks design used by the CNJ and the DL&W. I have very basic general dimensions of the prototype - wheel diameter, distance between wheels, etc. I am using Allen Models draw...
by Tim B Guenther
Thu May 07, 2020 7:37 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Class Lamps and Smokebox Heat
Replies: 15
Views: 10777

Re: Class Lamps and Smokebox Heat

It might not be a problem. I have an LED and a battery inside the head light mounted to the smokebox of my Shay. It has operated for two seasons without a problem.
by Tim B Guenther
Mon Apr 13, 2020 10:35 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Extended Piston Rod
Replies: 4
Views: 4230

Extended Piston Rod

Brooks Locomotive Works was building many engines with "extended piston rods" from around 1890 into the early 20th century. Can someone tell me the purpose of this feature? Thanks.
Tim Guenther
by Tim B Guenther
Thu Jan 02, 2020 11:16 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Free 2D CAD Software?
Replies: 27
Views: 24280

Re: Free 2D CAD Software?

I have been using Linux since I retired, so I am always on the look out for functioning open source software. I recently discovered QCAD. It is free and works very similar to my recollections of Autocad for DOS circa 1990. Their website https://qcad.org/en/ says it will work with Mac and Windows as...
by Tim B Guenther
Wed Jan 01, 2020 4:59 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Free 2D CAD Software?
Replies: 27
Views: 24280

Re: Free 2D CAD Software?

I have been using Linux since I retired, so I am always on the look out for functioning open source software. I recently discovered QCAD. It is free and works very similar to my recollections of Autocad for DOS circa 1990. Their website https://qcad.org/en/ says it will work with Mac and Windows as ...
by Tim B Guenther
Fri Nov 22, 2019 8:29 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: shipping engines
Replies: 14
Views: 9394

Re: shipping engines

When Marty Knox shipped a boiler to me earlier this year, I also used Freightquote.com. The price and service were excellent, but the crate was not on a skid. Sure enough someone punched a hole through the crate with a fork. Fortunately, it missed hitting the boiler by an inch or so. Mounting a crat...
by Tim B Guenther
Tue Aug 20, 2019 1:27 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Question about coal
Replies: 12
Views: 11632

Re: Question about coal

The Pocahontas coal from WV sold in upstate NY is sold as "Blacksmithing coal." One load a few years ago was too big and I had to whack it all with a hammer on a steel plate and then screen it. Still great coal!