Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

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

Moderator: Harold_V

Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

Finally got some good machining done after a week long hiatus to repair the lathe. The oilers in the headstock bearings had worn out after sixty years, so I was getting hot boxes. Anyway, got the last of the axels turned so they are awaiting their turn in the mill to get their key seats. Also finished the first of the four fireman's side journals and started on the second.
I'm also getting the lathe set up to do the drivers while my dad continues to work the journals, although its just me in the shop during the week.
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

I'm now set up to start machining wheels in my four jaw chuck. Any body have any tips for turning 6-1/8" spoked, cast iron wheels? I know interrupted cuts are hard on tooling. Also, what do you guys use for the tread taper? I know IBLS calls for 2 degrees, 50 minutes but I don't know of a lathe who's compound rest read angles more accurate than a degree.
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
TheBoiler
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:38 am
Location: Como, CO

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by TheBoiler »

There is a thread about a tool specifically set up to do IBLS.
Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

TheBoiler wrote:There is a thread about a tool specifically set up to do IBLS.
A full tread tool? I have a flange tool that does about a quarter of an inch on the tread.
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
User avatar
makinsmoke
Posts: 2260
Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2003 12:56 pm
Location: Texas Hill Country

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by makinsmoke »

Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

Yep, that's the one I have. What about the rest of the tread?
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
gcarsen
Posts: 575
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:39 pm
Location: Tigard, Oregon

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by gcarsen »

The best way, is too cut the flange area with the tool, flip the wheel around and with the compound, turn a taper and blend it into the finished area,,
Grant
kvom
Posts: 1163
Joined: Thu May 08, 2008 11:38 am
Location: Cumming, GA

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by kvom »

gcarsen wrote:The best way, is too cut the flange area with the tool, flip the wheel around and with the compound, turn a taper and blend it into the finished area,,
Grant
That's how I did it. For turning I held wheel in 4-jaw to face the back side and drill/bore the hole for the axle. Then used a mandrel to turn the flange and face the front.
jcbrock
Posts: 511
Joined: Tue May 22, 2012 7:50 pm
Location: Oregon

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by jcbrock »

As for the 2 deg 50 angle, I would just set your compound between 2 and 3. I don't think anyone is going to call you on this one. The idea is you need a little taper so the wheels center between the rails and keep the flanges off the railhead.
John Brock
Soot n' Cinders
Posts: 983
Joined: Wed Jun 27, 2012 5:24 pm
Location: Marietta, Georgia

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by Soot n' Cinders »

Thanks Grant!
What speeds and feeds should I use for the various operations?
-Tristan

Projects
-2.5" scale Class A 20 Ton Shay

Steam Siphon: https://www.shapeways.com/shops/leavitt ... tive-works
TheBoiler
Posts: 32
Joined: Mon Jan 28, 2013 1:38 am
Location: Como, CO

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by TheBoiler »

Little machine shop has a nice calculator.
gcarsen
Posts: 575
Joined: Sun Jul 08, 2007 7:39 pm
Location: Tigard, Oregon

Re: Building the 2.5" Scale Shay

Post by gcarsen »

Speeds and feeds,,,,, way to many variable to start throwing numbers out!!! the machine and its condition, workholding and set up, actual material, all plays into the #'s
best to start slow and work ones way up, dont want to see any colored chips! or any obnoxios sounds! if its screaming, its not happy either,,
best to ruff out the details, and use the tool just to finish, fastest, and most efficient way.
Grant
Post Reply