Search found 797 matches

by Kimball McGinley
Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:16 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Breaking the hold of Loctite
Replies: 9
Views: 81659

Re: Breaking the hold of Loctite

I am struck by the fact that your wheel cracked in the spokes, not in the hub. Radial cracks in the hub are typical of an excessive press fit. The hub actually fails in tension due to hoop stress. Note that all the original replies assumed, as was reasonable, a hub crack. It seems likely to me that ...
by Kimball McGinley
Thu Nov 23, 2023 11:16 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Preferred fittings in a smokebox?
Replies: 20
Views: 6609

Re: Preferred fittings in a smokebox?

Sam 3183 - I am kind of stuck at this point on my loco. I like the SS hose idea - can you suggest a supplier and some specs if needed?
by Kimball McGinley
Mon Nov 06, 2023 10:58 pm
Forum: Build Log
Topic: N&W S1a Project - Tender Build
Replies: 73
Views: 70443

Re: N&W S1a Project - Tender Build

Make sure to include a flat on your bearings where the setscrew will land. If the setscrew just bears on the bearing OD, it will dig into it, and you will one day really struggle to remove it. What slipped in won't just slip out again! I learned this the hard way...
by Kimball McGinley
Sat Mar 04, 2023 10:48 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rolling test stand
Replies: 11
Views: 3220

Re: Rolling test stand

Having experience with both, I would go with the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) over the Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) UHMW is very low friction and so wear-resistant it is used to line dump truck beds, conveyor chutes, etc. PEEK is also way expensive. About $20 at McMaster-Carr wil...
by Kimball McGinley
Thu Nov 10, 2022 9:34 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Small bolts
Replies: 33
Views: 8200

Re: Small bolts

I made my thin-wall sockets from hex drive setscrews, not socket head bolts. I just tapped the end of a bar and loctited it in place. For extra clearance, grind off most of the thread O.D.
by Kimball McGinley
Wed Jul 20, 2022 6:24 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Nevada Northern LS - Ken S G'ville track run days?
Replies: 3
Views: 2876

Re: Nevada Northern LS - Ken S G'ville track run days?

Thank you both for your thoughtful replies. Looks like I missed it - darn it. Kimball
by Kimball McGinley
Tue Jul 19, 2022 3:54 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Nevada Northern LS - Ken S G'ville track run days?
Replies: 3
Views: 2876

Nevada Northern LS - Ken S G'ville track run days?

I have been there several times but have lost track of when they run. Can anybody help me out? I am a member of the OCME club but am here in Lake Tahoe for a couple weeks. Thanks in advance
Kimball
by Kimball McGinley
Sun May 29, 2022 10:22 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Live Steam Clubs in Europe?
Replies: 14
Views: 6981

Re: Live Steam Clubs in Europe?

Just wanted to post a hearty thank you to all the helpful posters! You all gave me very good info and certainly plenty to consider. Yes, maybe just selling out CA land and buying a cheaper house will be OK for us... Kimball
by Kimball McGinley
Tue May 10, 2022 8:43 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Live Steam Clubs in Europe?
Replies: 14
Views: 6981

Live Steam Clubs in Europe?

Wife and I are thinking about retiring in Europe in a few years. Make our money last longer than here in the U.S. Where would I find a list of all the ride-on live steam clubs "over there"? Not interested in British Isles; taxes are too darn high there too. Would not be taking any equipmen...
by Kimball McGinley
Wed Mar 02, 2022 3:10 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: Arizona Gandy Dancers
Replies: 100
Views: 53497

Re: Arizona Gandy Dancers

So, what does it mean when your post totally kills a thread? Is that a good or bad thing? I figured my post on 2-22-22 would generate some good discussion, but -- nothing...?
by Kimball McGinley
Tue Feb 22, 2022 8:11 pm
Forum: Grand Scale Railroading
Topic: Arizona Gandy Dancers
Replies: 100
Views: 53497

Re: Arizona Gandy Dancers

Back to welded rails... Rails that cannot expand lengthwise just grow in overall section - wider and taller. Real railroads get away with welding long strings because the track is well-ballasted to prevent sideways movement. The rails themselves resist lifting out of flat, because of their I-beam sh...
by Kimball McGinley
Sat Jan 29, 2022 11:26 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Loading Ramp Angle
Replies: 16
Views: 6820

Re: Loading Ramp Angle

I grew up with a family trailer hitch business. If you have a receiver hitch that uses a "ball mount", you could get an extra-high ball mount. Just swap them out at the track when you get there. There are also adjustable ones that you could adjust at the track, but it would be slower. That...