The Home Machinist!

Steve: Some clarifications here: The domes on my Mikado are bolted to the boiler ONLY at the top of the radiused base. There are no through bolts to the top dome lid. The center pipe section is a light press fit onto the dome base and dome top, with some LocTite bonder for safety. The assemblies are...

If I made the centers out of solid round, I would have drilled a hole thru the center to accommodate the threaded rod. So, are you filling the bottom and center sections with the shot, or just the center section and bolting the top dome on? I lead shot filled the upper spaces only. The loco is heav...

I agree with what Bill and others have offered. Once I got my QCTP mounted on the carriage, I set up each tool+holder so the cutting edges were at vertical center or a hair lower. Now I can simply remove one tool + holder and mount the next set without needing to make changes in adjustment. "Qu...

First snow this season?
Beautiful.
RussN

I have read that the "hollow" plastic tires tend to lock better into the ballast to prevent movement.
RussN

Thanks Russ. I had not thought of filling the domes with shot however a good Ideal. Hindsight tells me instead of buying tube for the sand dome center sections, I could have made them out of solid steel that would have added a fair amount of weight and a lower center of gravity. You still need to a...

Something like this. https://www.amazon.com/MD-Lighting-Reptile-Infrared-Ceramic/dp/B07L2QGNV2/ref=sr_1_10?crid=2JPSWXX81E4AO&keywords=CHROMALOX+EDISON+SCREW+BASE+ceramic+HEATER&qid=1667450573&qu=eyJxc2MiOiIxLjQ3IiwicXNhIjoiMC4wMCIsInFzcCI6IjAuMDAifQ%3D%3D&sprefix=chromalox+edison+sc...

Looking good.
I assume you will bore out the top opening and fit the top covers.
Then you can fill the boiler-top mounted domes with lead (or steel) shot for added weight.
Traction assist.
RussN

The exhaust diverter on my Mikado works nicely.
Blowing compressed air in each side creates a nice vacuum in the other exhaust input.
Exhaust extraction when working. Simple.
RussN

I have successfully used my 2000 lb. engine hoist to move machines onto rollers, and in/out and about.
Also borrowed a fork lift with success to get a full vertical mill into my shop.
RussN

Specifying the sizes you need likely will get more specific responses.
RussN

Impressive!
RussN