The Home Machinist!

Well done, Carddo. Regardless of the quality of the original workmanship it's always tough to come in on something built by someone else. Little things that the builder might remember aren't available to the rebuilder and there are always mysteries and surprises. Keep up the good work.

PM sent w. email and phone.

Geof:
Your choice as to freezing. I shrunk some tires on drivers by putting the driver centers in the freezer and the tires in the oven. I had to move fast but it worked. Considering the size you're working with I'd probably go for the dry ice.

Chris:
Are you running straight or differential air? From your description it sounds like differential.

Well, Carl, I'll answer anyway for the benefit of those who may not have thought of this: the loaded to empty weight ratio of our cars is much greater than the prototype so we need to play some games to make things work.

The Tom Bee unit looks like it is using a plastic tank. If it is, I would not keep the tank. While there have been many online discussions about plastic pipe for air, and many people have successfully used it, some years ago I decided to skip the conjecture and personal opinions and called an engine...

When fitting, are you also going to freeze the axles?

Carl makes some good points. Something I've done is to put a round-head screw at the top of the bolster where it contacts the frame. Thus when the car is empty and the bolster is at the top of it's slot in the frame, the screw provides a pivot so the truck remains flexible regardless of the strength...

Here are the two currently on the Horrible Fright website. Remember that 20 percent off coupons are everywhere and on certain holidays they'll have 25 percent off. I have no idea as to how loud they are. I believe Ken Schroeder uses them for his brakes. They're cheap enough that you could buy two in...

giggle.... it never ceases to amaze me that folks think things are OK to do just because someone has 'gotten away with it'...or written a chapter in a book...or published on the internet...THEREFORE it must be OK to do. “The problem with quotes on the internet is that it is hard to verify their aut...

Regarding paint... there's a product called Metal Prep that passivates the surface. If you can't find it at a hardware store, try a automotive paint supplier. Also, the late Cal Tinkham told me that when he worked in the SP shops in Sparks, Nevada, after an engine was overhauled, there was an old gu...

Tom:
I'm drooling on my keyboard!