The Home Machinist!

Is the smokebox on the wrong end?
-Mike

Hello, I to have been wanting to start something for sometime. Work is keeping me on the road a lot...so as a plus I have been able to read every book I can get my hands on. I don't know what you skill level is...My is a complete beginner. I like Kozo's engines, but even the 0-4-0 seems a bit comple...

I was wondering if I could ask members who if built beginner
engines, such as :

1) The newbie from Unka Jesse
2) Tich
3) Rob Roy
4) ???

Could you post some photos?

Think it would be interesting and inspiring.

Thanks,
Mike

Please keep posting photos. They are always great to see.
-Mike

My 2 cents. As a complete novice at all of this. I would love to have a pile of wheels in front of me to practice by hand with. I know I would turn a lot of them into a pile of junk, but I could sure use the practice! I also want to learn CNC someday...as I write software for a living; it will be a ...

Wow, those look really nice.
-Mike

This message was on the Railfan board, but I thought for sure somebody here may know the answer. Here is the question: "Have a friend who is wondering something. Someone from another country wrote and asked about whether Riveted boiler shells are still legal for use on American steam locomotive...

Thanks everybody.

This was really interesting.

-Mike

Looking at some designs for safety valves, I see they all seem to share some common characteristics. They all seem to have a spring and a steel ball. The spring seems to be compressed pushing down on the steel ball. I imagine, as soon as the pressure hits a certain point the steel ball is lifted and...

I think this place is great for all kinds of ideas:
http://npmccabe.tripod.com/steam.htm

See there notes on pressure without a boiler:
http://npmccabe.tripod.com/steamsource.htm

Perhaps that will trigger some ideas?

Where did you get the plans for that engine?
-Mike

Here are some interesting links for people into small scales.
http://www.nmia.com/~vrbass/steam/drawings.htm

Thank you! I have not bought the book, but in their website they mention 'sand'. My guess is that the put sand between the flower pot and the popcorn can. I wonder where I could try this in such a way that I don't upset the neighbors or have some spark catch something on fire. Thanks again for your ...