The Home Machinist!

Save the fines and bond them into coal briquets.
RussN

I sent over 20 years raising each of my two sons, and they are STILL not completed!
And that "ended" over 15 years ago...
Life.
RussN

Well said, Greg.
I try to help people and not make editorials about their approach.
We all began our journeys somewhere.
RussN

I continue to be amazed to see the pieces you create, and then remember that they are only patterns for molds for castings!
I don't have the mold making skills or access to lost-wax casting facilities. Or at least I've never pursued those capabilities.
Keep cutting...
RussN

PilotBug has gone silent.
I hope we didn't scare him(?) off with our reality checks.
RussN

Adding the two angles pieces was a simple solution for widening the loco cab and rear frame!
Nicely done.
RussN

Jack: Thank you for sharing your insights into building your wonderful creations. It is always nice to learn of fellow Craftspeoples'' motivations, and to understand that the hours spent creating items is similar to my own time. 'Makes me feel almost sane... Yep, the enjoyment is our measure of succ...

I see answers to two different definitions of "side slap on rods."
Are you referring to sideways motion of the main rod bearings on the drive pin, perpendicular to the track rails?
Or fore/aft motion between the drive rod bearing and the drive pin, parallel to the track rails?
RussN

I think the answer would depend partially on how much lateral motion exists in the three drive axles. I prefer to allow more lateral motion in the front and rear axles and keep the drive rod axle fairly tight. Then the drive rod side motion can be minimal to reduce wear, while the engine can still n...

Wow! Congrats!!
Another job well done...nearly.
You ARE Brilliant.
RussN

The entertainment. That's my measure of success building our creations!
RussN

Jack:
Really fun to see your progressive construction using silver soldering. My favorite method for complex parts.
Good old hand cutting and filing. Usually faster than using a CNC mill for one-offs. And I've done both methods...
Thanks for sharing.
RussN