The Home Machinist!

jscarmozza wrote:When a completed engine that has been in service needs to be hydro tested, what is the procedure? Is the entire engine tested or are the relief valves, steam chests and cylinders, etc disconnected/removed and the holes plugged?

What did the inspector at your club have to say about hydro precedure?

Hi John, Yes, I did see that the original intent of the IBLS was to put like minded folks in touch with each other. Is this still done? How is it done? Is this "service" different or better than what the internet offers? Many folks have been able to contact each other because of the intern...

What are the benefits of being a "member"?

David

If the smoke box is already drilled for the smoke stack and the blast tube, these should be exactly on opposite sides of the smoke box. If they are not drilled, they should be done at this time. The center lines for the blast tube and smoke stack can be extended to one end on the smoke box. These ce...

You sound like you are not associated with a live steam club. This is the very first thing I did when contemplating building a live steam locomotive. Building a boiler and then figuring out what to do with it after is backwards. All your questions will be easily answered by belonging to a club. The ...

Sounds like an awesome event! Thanks so much for the information!

David

Does this event usually attract lots of folks? Is there ever concern about crossing the border with steam equipment?

David

Your injector looks quite normal. That elbow on the bottom for the water supply could be a problem, I've been told that the steam and water supply like to have sweeping turns in the piping. Elbows can cause restriction or resistance. But if it works, don't bother. If you are having problems, this is...

Interesting!! Looks like the "American" type is also vertical instead of horizontal. Are the miniature American types really fabricated like the drawing, or, is this for a full size? This would seem unnecessarily complicated to make in miniature. Looks like the over flow check ball has fal...

Actually my injector from England has model engineer threads. The difference in price might even be more than $100, that is, the English injector is $100 less than one from the U.S. and it works just fine. This cannot truly be the definition of an "English" injector? The question remains, ...

What is the difference between an English and an American style injector?

David

Hi John, Yes, a steam operated pump is an "extra" bit of jewelry that is usually added after everything else is done. Is your injector English because it came from England? I just recently got my injector installed and working. It is from Blackgates in England. It seems to work pretty well...