Search found 706 matches

by John_S
Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:24 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to Dry out a boiler for winter storage?
Replies: 26
Views: 11494

Re: How to Dry out a boiler for winter storage?

John Parker at one time had his Bridgeport in his family room. I asked how he got away with that and his short answer was 'it was there before she was'. There were a lot of things about him that I admired. Now I will stop with the hijack. Thanks for this. It made me laugh more than anything in the ...
by John_S
Tue Nov 21, 2017 11:18 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: LITTLE ENGINES
Replies: 86
Views: 40398

Re: LITTLE ENGINES

Oddly enough (sarcasm), the original poster hasn't replied once in all this. Seems like a good time for a perm-a-ban from the forums.
by John_S
Sat Nov 04, 2017 9:21 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: CAD for raw beginners?
Replies: 23
Views: 9727

Re: CAD for raw beginners?

2nd'ing Draftsight. Free and easy to use. I've used it for years at home and use it at work every day -- Prefer it to Solidworks at the office because it's not as cumbersome.
by John_S
Tue Oct 17, 2017 7:32 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Steam down in the Atlanta Georgia Area?
Replies: 9
Views: 5497

Re: Steam down in the Atlanta Georgia Area?

There's also the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth to visit.

The North Georgia Live Steamers is out east in Conyers, but I don't know if they have anything going on that weekend.
by John_S
Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:43 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Allen Steam Brake Cylinder
Replies: 5
Views: 2987

Re: Allen Steam Brake Cylinder

I've been running my mogul with steam brakes built as designed without any issues. No need for a drain on the steam side. If I'm putting the loco up for a long while I'll pump the boiler up with compressed air and actuate the brake valve over and over again to get any residual water out of the lines...
by John_S
Thu Oct 05, 2017 5:51 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Allen axle pump modify
Replies: 8
Views: 5022

Re: Allen axle pump modify

Looks great Bill and Fred! While my mogul has the eccentric for the axle pump and I machined the strap for it, I never actually built the pump as I went with two injectors instead due to their reliability. John, Are you interested in selling the strap(s) ive purchased a used Mogul that has everythi...
by John_S
Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:31 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Technology is great
Replies: 17
Views: 13966

Re: Technology is great

Finished one of two stands tonight. It turned out nice. Lightweight, very strong, and rolls around smooth as butter.
Closeup of the fit between the diagonal leg brace and the rail tube before welding.
Closeup of the fit between the diagonal leg brace and the rail tube before welding.
Closeup of the joint between the leg and the rail tube before welding.
Closeup of the joint between the leg and the rail tube before welding.
Completed stand in cluttered garage.
Completed stand in cluttered garage.
Fun project, and I still have one more to go!
by John_S
Mon Jul 17, 2017 8:05 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Technology is great
Replies: 17
Views: 13966

Re: Technology is great

A little work tonight getting started putting the first of two together. Building it upside down on the shop floor.
Rails and spacers clamped, no square required!
Rails and spacers clamped, no square required!
Closeup of the tab & slot system for the rail spacers.
Closeup of the tab & slot system for the rail spacers.
Tacked together
Tacked together
Test fitting a leg and brace
Test fitting a leg and brace
Only downside to doing this on the floor is the awkward welding position with the TIG.
by John_S
Mon Jul 17, 2017 11:08 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Boiler Build Thread
Replies: 4
Views: 3659

Re: Boiler Build Thread

I documented building a new boiler for another member's loco here: http://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vie ... &start=108
by John_S
Sun Jul 16, 2017 10:02 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Technology is great
Replies: 17
Views: 13966

Re: Technology is great

Jawn wrote:Very nice! Is 1x1 going to be rigid enough for a loco, or is it for rolling stock only?
Rolling stock only, nothing over 150lbs.
by John_S
Fri Jul 14, 2017 8:14 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Technology is great
Replies: 17
Views: 13966

Re: Technology is great

Besides, why would you want to deprive yourself of listening to the screeching noises coming from the band saw as it cuts through thin tubing? :D Whir, whir, whir, whir, sccreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, whir, whir, whir, clunk! I do still have to cut up a bunch of 1/4x3 flat bar to make the ba...
by John_S
Fri Jul 14, 2017 7:32 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Technology is great
Replies: 17
Views: 13966

Re: Technology is great

standParts3.jpg Here's a video of the 9' long rail tubes being cut. It's hard to get good video because of the UV shield around the head of the laser. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kACHR1_3kXg kACHR1_3kXg Over the next couple weekends I'll get these welded up. I'll post more as I go along.