The Home Machinist!

How's the development going Chuck? I have two prototypes being field tested at a customer site. One change to make to strengthen a part but the concept is solid. The prototypes are designed as a bolt-on addition to the plastic Accu-Tie switch stand but I have plans to adapt it to other switch stand...

Does anyone have a formula for 7.x gauge transition curves?

I have always done it "by eye" but can't in this case.

I have looked at "full size" formulas but didn't know if these would scale (we usually aren't running as fast, scale-wise) or if they were overly-complicated.

I don't know about Shay castings but I have a full set of Richard's Mason Bogie castings for sale ...

boaterri wrote: ↑Fri Jun 10, 2022 7:22 pm Your system (from your website) has surge protection built into them. That is what I was suggesting to the original poster.

Rick

Ummm, I was the original poster

I know of an extremely effective and cheep way for a motor driven turnout to be taken manually.... Simply added a slide arm and a hole in the original operator handle connects the motor arm. To take it manual, pop the arm from the motor out of the way and swing the slide plate out of the way. The o...

You also want to consider lightning protection. The long control wire will make a dandy antenna in the event of a nearby lightning strike. I have over 12 years of experience dealing with lightning and 7.x" gauge railroad signal systems so that's not an issue :lol: http://www.minirailsolutions....

Hi Tristan, The design I'm contemplating would have a handle on it for manual operation. The handle would not cause any damage even if operated while power is applied and the motor moving. I think that, if the handle can remain protected, it's better to not have to go find a tool to operate the manu...

I am in the process of designing a switch motor for turnouts. My basic design criteria is: Must have a low current draw to allow it to be fed by long wires at a distant point on the railroad without the need for batteries, etc. Obviously it could still be used with batteries if desired. I want to ke...

An LED lamp will provide an excellent voltage (and therefore turbine RPM) regulator in itself. .... Yes, right up until the LED burns out or a wire is accidentally broken ... I would choose extra protection of the Zener/TVS as close as possible to the generator. .... Choose a resistor so that its v...

Be aware of the warning in the instructions "Do not operate the generator without load". If the load fails (i.e. bulb, LED, whatever burns out or gets disconnected) and the generator has significant steam driving it, the RPM will quickly exceed the ability of the armature to hold together ...

I once built a large lift table that used four 1" acme screws. Worked well but there was a hidden danger. The screws do not ware out but the nuts can ware out and, unless you grease and inspect them regularly you will get a surprise when one corner of the table suddenly drops a bit. This happen...

Chuck, always liked this design. what is the design size for the boiler, and could this casting set be modified to fit 12” gauge? If so, I’d be interested also. Thanks, Glenn Hmm, 7.5" to 12" ... I suppose it's possible. Cylinders, wheels, etc would all be ok but you would have to modify ...