The Home Machinist!

I have been thinking about this pilot for quite a few years. I finally got around to making the 2 dies requipped to make the pilot.

Any pictures?

Progress from yesterday.

This was a test picture. The center section is the final piece. The outside plates are test pieces.

These are the final 3 plates. I still have a little work to do. I still need to cut out the step in each outside plate. Then weld them to the frame.

This the pilot on the only surviving IC Mikado. This engine is in Paducah, Kentucky.

Side view.

Very nice metal work! Those pilots were absolutely classics, and you've done a fine job of faithfully reproducing one in scale!

Thank you. This is my first time using a die . I first used a block of oak as the die. It would not hold up to repeated uses. It was so nice to see an idea come to life.

One of 2 dies I made to stamp these ribs. The center piece has a shorter rib.

This 20 ton press easily pressed the ribs.

Pilot frame.