Kombrink's American

Where users can chronicle their builds. Start one thread and continue to add on to it.

Moderator: Harold_V

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Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

Well I have been Sluffing off for long enough. (Navy Term).

I have been putting off replacing the Main Rod Bearings for a while now. With the continued leaking in the packing glands no the Cross Head Pumps, it became a good time to attack the Main Rods. There is significant slop in both ends of the rod and when running you can hear the clicking sound.

The issue is the jigsaw puzzle method of assembly process on the cross head area. It took over an hour to tear it all down to get to the pump.

Luckily I had the drawings to show that the cross head pin is a slip in fit that can only be knocked out from the inside. I was able to put a long thin brass rod thru the frame and tap it out of the cross head.
DSC_4266.jpg
DSC_4269.jpg
As I did on the Side Rods, I will measure the crankpin and make a bobbin for a test fit on the bushing while it is in the lathe collet. This so I will not have to pull it prior to turning the inside and outside diameters.
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
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Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

Spent the day working on my train trailer. Also my utility trailer and my lawnmower trailer. It is almost finished.

New main rod bearings out of bronze. This is the first part I have found that Larry built to the drawings. It was an easy matter to drill and ream the new bearing for the pin and then turn the outside to press fit it into the rod. The pin is .25 and the outside is .375 exactly.
DSC_4275.jpg




Big end tomorrow if there is time.
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
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Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

The right side main rod bearings are finished and in place. Before I can put the rod in place I need to go thru the cross head pump and re pack the gland. I have yet to track down any graphite thread. Question of the day, is Teflon a suitable replacement?
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
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makinsmoke
Posts: 2260
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:56 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by makinsmoke »

Good morning Charlie.

Thank you for your service Sir.

There are a couple of sellers of graphite string on eBay. Various
diameters.

Happy Birthday America.
Brian
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NP317
Posts: 4557
Joined: Tue Jun 24, 2014 2:57 pm
Location: Northern Oregon, USA

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by NP317 »

Pipescs wrote:[snip]
Question of the day, is Teflon a suitable replacement?
I use Teflon for all rod packing on my locomotives. I got a roll of 1/8" diameter material, and it inserts and compacts quite well in the packing glands. In 550+ real miles of running my Ten Wheeler, I've never even had to tighten the glands! And it's appropriately slippery stuff.
~RN
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Pipescs
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Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

I could not find the roll type locally but have taken the flat tape and rolled it up and wrapped a large amount around the shaft. Then tightened it down. When the pump is remounted (almost finished) I will run a pressure test on it with the hand pump that feeds the cross head pump line.
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
Glenn Brooks
Posts: 2930
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:39 pm
Location: Woodinville, Washington

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Charlie,

I see that McMasters Carr carries several types of packing.

Here is one for ceramic yarn that might work in the long run.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-packi ... s/=135n7de

Funny they don't offer Teflon packing.

Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum

Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
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makinsmoke
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Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by makinsmoke »

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Builder01
Posts: 726
Joined: Mon May 18, 2015 5:26 am
Location: Erie, PA

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Builder01 »

Hi Makinsmoke, you sent a link to teflon rod. I'm pretty sure we are talking about teflon packing. By the way, my local True Value hardware store carries both graphite and teflon packing. Look where faucet repair parts are.
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Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

I ended up using Teflon rolled into string. It seems to be working as I was able to test it with the hand pump.

Tonight I managed to make the big end bearing for the main rod for the left side. This leaves one more bearing to make for the little end and the engine will have a complete set of new bearings.

The left hand pump will need packing and the whole thing can go back together.

The next big rebuild project is the leading truck removal, tear down and repainting. I also need to make a set of counterweights to add to the main driver. Larry never got around to finishing a lot of the detail parts.
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
User avatar
Pipescs
Posts: 2194
Joined: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:16 pm
Location: Lester Alabama

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Pipescs »

Last of the rod bearings finished.

On to the pump overhaul
Charlie Pipes
Mid-South Live Steamers


Current Projects:

Scratch Built 3 3/4 scale 0-4-4 Forney
Little Engines American
20 Ton Shay (Castings and Plans Purchased for future)
Glenn Brooks
Posts: 2930
Joined: Mon Nov 10, 2014 1:39 pm
Location: Woodinville, Washington

Re: Kombrink's American

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Charlie - Just discovered a large roll of Teflon packing string in my shop - left over from a looong time ago. Let me know if you need some. I can mail you a couple of feet.

Glenn
Moderator - Grand Scale Forum

Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

Ahaha, Retirement: the good life - drifting endlessly on a Sea of projects....
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