The Home Machinist!

...I would think the pressure gauge sees little change in the differential pressure due to the considerably larger surface area in the pressure gauge "bourdon tube" as compared to the cross sectional area surface of the water in the glass. Hence, if plumbed erroneously, the pressure drop i...

Jack, first time I saw your poppet valves...reminded me of the working part in the boiler check valves on my Rutland. Nice work. Let me ask...after silver soldering (I assume)...will you give that the same treatment as your steam turret? ...rounded the corners and face-to-face meeting with the sand ...

Greetings Jan and welcome!

Nice looking train/locomotive. Almost looks like it's on fire (sorry). Also looks like you set up the loco for radio remote control. Good for you. Can you tell us about your track? ...provide a drawing? Have any more photos of your railroad? Carl B.

Thanks Jack...but I don't smoke. I've been known to fume once or twice, but never a "pufter". How 'bout we trade the ceegar for Superscale valve and call it even?

Keep up the good (read GREAT) work and thanks for sharing. Carl B.

PRR Fan, Yes, attaching the sight glass to the legs of the turret WOULD provide a condensate drain, but this is not a recommended practice. As the use of any steam appliance fed from the turret would create a false water level reading in the glass. Therefore, the tops of water glasses should be plum...

Once again, a beautiful piece workmanship! I'm willing to be peoples are going to ask where you got that casting from. But it comes down to this...it doesn't matter what kinds of tools you have, as long as you can do something with the tools you got. Question...I've seen "Daylight Dan" fab...

Bob, Your paint job is lookin' nice! Good for you. One point...when you're done with the paint job, roll the beasty outside in the sun and take LOTS of photos. 'Cause, it'll probably never look that good again after you steam it up the first time. Then again, there's nothing wrong with a little &quo...

Steve,
Stated quite well! Carl B.

Damn gummit...you've got a "730' long vessel with an 11000hp Diesel in the basement." Now THAT'S some basement! Welcome aboard.

Maybe you can share some photos of your "regular" job engine/controls? Or are photos onboard prohibited? Carl B.

Chris, I don't know if this is too late for you to do anything or not, you're already pretty well along with your assembly... But, I would have used your design #2. Reason...in this case, I believe "bigger is better". You didn't say what kind of steel axles you were useing, but using a &qu...

Bill, The short answer to your question is...yes! Different truck manufacturers have bolsters that will have different heights over the rail head. This can be compensated for by adding height to the car body bolster OR depending on how the car frame was built, removing excess material from the car b...

Charles...I'm far from calling myself a "machinist". Having said that, I wouldn't worry so much about the "precision drilling" as I would more concerned with "precision layout". I see you have scribed lines in some of your pieces. A good layout job and maybe an optical ...