The Home Machinist!

What holds the cradle on to the rest of the frame? It seems like a lot of weight would bear down on it and the picture only shows a couple of bolts holding it on. Am I missing something? What is hard to make out in the pic is that the cradle slides into milled pockets on the inside of the frame. Th...

Got some more done. Cradle is on, currently machining rear brake hangers. Cylinders are done and will be set on next. Rear and lead trucks are in the works along with the boiler.

James wrote>>I built one of these and yes, the castings do need work but it really wasn't that bad cleaning and squaring them. I did also used a thin coat of bondo to fill and smooth the casting exterior. Worked great. The frame and pieces aren't all that difficult either. This was the first thing ...

The castings themselves are pretty rough, with lots of little pock holes in the surface. I wonder if I could skim coat some Bondo over the surface, then sand smooth? Would it stick to the aluminum castings? The kit looked to be a quick and easy project, but it's not. Lots of steel chassis fabricati...

Wow really nice work

I got a little more done this past week

I have gotten a little more done since my last post

Wow Mike, cool. You just keep coming up with ways for me to spend money

Anyone want to swing by and pick me up?

Been awhile since I've posted. Made some progress today. Got the spring equalizers and center spreader installed. I have also started work on the springs and saddles. Drive wheels are also finished. Andy Pullen is doing the cradle, lead and trailing trucks and soon main rods, side rods and cylinders...

Pretty awesome work. I've been enjoying this also.

That's awesome Mike. Glad to see things moving forward for you.