The Home Machinist!

THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!

Hi Glen,

I think your engine was actually a Herculese built Economy engine. The economys had the square opening in the water hopper like yours while the engines that were sold by Herculese had an oval shaped opening.

Another good site is www.smokstak.com.

Everyone I have talked to has told me the same thing. Gas burning tankless heaters work great! Electric Tankless heaters are real energy hogs and do not keep up.

You want to be sure to use 30wt Non Detergent oil in your fuel mixture. I believe that they want to be at a 16 to 1 ratio.

I have one of those 1/4 scale steam tractors too. It was given to me, so I haven't steamed it yet until i can tear it apart and have a real good look at the condition of the boiler. That being said, i too would encourage you to look for a damper. Mine actually has two. One in the back, and one in th...

Do an e-bay search for "Model Steam Fittings" I think I saw some last time I checked.

If the one in the video is the one that you are refering to, It is a toy engine. I think built by Weeden. The most it could be used for would to maybe power an erector set, or various toys that are built for these engines.

If you do elect to heat and re- silver solder, you might try some of the heat sink materials that are out there to keep the heat localized. Check with your local welding supply house.

I will admit that I haven't built a small scale steam locomotive, but I do have some experience with the 12" to the foot scale. :mrgreen: While I can't say what size of washout plug you will want for your particular boiler, I will say that you want one at each corner of your firebox, as close t...

One thing that you might want to consider is that when you apply a welding heat to ductile iron, it usually changes the molecular structure, so that it is no longet ductile, but becomes plain old grey iron.

Thanks Harold. I'll also extend to you an invitation that if you're ever up this way, let me know, and we'll talk shop. Also, the engine on the Virginia V is pretty much silent since all of the exhaust goes to a condenser. Most of the noise comes from the forced air fan on the boiler. If you're inte...