The Home Machinist!

Amazing work! I can see why they sold out so quickly.

I got the power tapping to work on the drill press. Apparently in the lowest speed my center pulley doesn't adjust enough and the belt slips, so I had to crank it up to the next speed. Thankfully this is 3/8-24 fine threads so it wasn't that scary. No reverse obviously so I just loosened the chuck a...

I agree with BDD, the 2 pumps into one "Y" is likely choking off the flow and much of the 2nd engine/pump is going to be wasted power unless the Y and the hoses after it are all larger, as are the hydraulic motors(doubtful). If you are happy with the performance on one engine/pump, I don't see any r...

Chuck, have a look at "NEMA enclosures" via a google image search and see if there is anything you like. These are used by communication and cable companies for mounting junctions and electronics on the outside of buildings and on poles. Typically plastic with gasket doors/covers, with options for v...

I took the plunge and bought all the hardware for the locomotives trucks. This was a rather expensive venture for what it was, about $78. 32 bronze washers for the 'sliding" action of the truck suspension, normal and thin lock nuts for everything, and button head socket head screws for the pillow bl...

Looking good Glenn. For the castors I've found they are a bit of a catch 22. The round profile wheels seem to move easier but will drop into any cracks or expansion joints in the concrete. While the flat ones will go over such imperfections but are harder to move and come to an abrupt stop if you hi...

Got the inner truck assemblies all roto-blasted and primed with etching primer.

^^^^ Mikes track after trying notch 11

Things are starting to come together now. I welded the upper spring perches and bolsters into the inner truck sides, and bolted the cross tubes in. Here is some pictures of how they will go together. I still need to blast the assemblies and make/buy some thin bronze thrust washers to go between the ...

All your heat is likely going upstairs, if you close it off I bet you would notice a big difference. My first workplace was like that, we'd be cold on the machine shop floor and then all the lofts upstairs were ~80*. Wood isn't a great insulator, but aluminum is far worse. I'd almost bet there will ...

Great to see an update, looking good! I hadn't visited this thread since you posted the pics of the shop/equip, that's great you have most of the toys at home to build this beast. I'm not sure what kind of garage doors you have, some of them can have insulated panels popped into them. I thought I wa...

With tight radius curves, just widen the gauge 1/16” or an 1/8” to prevent hard contact on the flanges. Works very well on my 12” gauge track, with sub 40’ curves. The bigger problem for me is wet rail on uphill grades. Causes the drivers to slip when I don’t keep my speed up. The diverging route p...