Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Hi I am Tony
I am building an Allen models Consolidation.
I was Machining the throat on the smoke box saddle to 4 3/4" radius.
It seems that the smoke box in the cast iron version has a diameter of 9.125.
I was wondering Is the outside diameter of the smoke box supposed to be turned down?
or does the saddle have to be machined with a radius of 5 1/16"?
Was the aluminum smoke box casting smaller in diameter or did it have to be turned down ?
Would appreciate any info , ideas or opinions.
Thanks
I am building an Allen models Consolidation.
I was Machining the throat on the smoke box saddle to 4 3/4" radius.
It seems that the smoke box in the cast iron version has a diameter of 9.125.
I was wondering Is the outside diameter of the smoke box supposed to be turned down?
or does the saddle have to be machined with a radius of 5 1/16"?
Was the aluminum smoke box casting smaller in diameter or did it have to be turned down ?
Would appreciate any info , ideas or opinions.
Thanks
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Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Best use a calculator, 4-9/16 radius for a 9.125 OD. A 4-3/4 radius would be a diameter od 9-1/2.
But no help in answering your question.
But no help in answering your question.
My wheels don't slow me down
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Thanks for pointing that out.
Mistakes due to trying to multi task and not concentrate all on typing.
Plans call for 4 3/8" radius for 8 3/4". Diameter.
Thanks again
Mistakes due to trying to multi task and not concentrate all on typing.
Plans call for 4 3/8" radius for 8 3/4". Diameter.
Thanks again
- Bill Shields
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Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
saddle ID must match the smokebox OD
Bore of the hot end of the smokebox ID must fit the boiler...whatever OD that is (it can vary).
Suggest you not cut the ID of the smokebox socket until you know the actual OD of the boiler...
Bore of the hot end of the smokebox ID must fit the boiler...whatever OD that is (it can vary).
Suggest you not cut the ID of the smokebox socket until you know the actual OD of the boiler...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
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Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Yes, I had to machine down the OD of my Allen Ten Wheeler aluminum smoke box.
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Thanks for letting me know the casting had to be machined down.
The thing is that the cast iron casting for the smoke box is quite hefty.
Seems that turning the two joined cast halfs could be quite difficult.
Would machining on the mill with a rotory table be a better method?
I'm not sure how I would keep the two halves of the heavy casting lined up .
The thing is that the cast iron casting for the smoke box is quite hefty.
Seems that turning the two joined cast halfs could be quite difficult.
Would machining on the mill with a rotory table be a better method?
I'm not sure how I would keep the two halves of the heavy casting lined up .
- Gary Armitstead
- Posts: 279
- Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 12:35 am
- Location: Burbank, CA
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
I also had to turn the OD of the aluminum smokebox casting when I built my Allen ten-wheeler almost forty years ago.
Depending on your experience and machining capability, this is how I did the job. Go ahead and machine the flats on the INSIDE of the smoke box halves and fasten these together. Then proceed with the OD turning and the machining to attach the smoke box to your boiler. All of this is custom to YOUR boiler, because not all boilers are finished the same way or to exact dimensions. I turned my smoke box entire in my 12X36 Atlas Commercial lathe. I was also a machinist by trade for almost forty-five years (Die Sinker).
Depending on your experience and machining capability, this is how I did the job. Go ahead and machine the flats on the INSIDE of the smoke box halves and fasten these together. Then proceed with the OD turning and the machining to attach the smoke box to your boiler. All of this is custom to YOUR boiler, because not all boilers are finished the same way or to exact dimensions. I turned my smoke box entire in my 12X36 Atlas Commercial lathe. I was also a machinist by trade for almost forty-five years (Die Sinker).
Gary Armitstead
Burbank, CA
Member LALS since 1980
Member Goleta Valley Railroad Club 1980-1993
Burbank, CA
Member LALS since 1980
Member Goleta Valley Railroad Club 1980-1993
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
I turned the smoke box on both of my Allen's. The method was close to how it was described earlier. I bolted the halves together as described on the prints but threading the smoke box shell and bolting from the inside. I'm only a hobbiest and not a Machinist so I worked slowly and taking small cuts.
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Thank you for the information.
My concern is now that the cast iron smoke box halves are extremely heavy.
I feel the aluminum is much lighter and easier to keep bolted together and lined up on the lathe.
I guess a sturdy 1/8" steel plate at each joint might be enough.
How did you deal with the extruding rivet or bolt heads while turning?
The picture is great!
Don't see a lot of Allen Consolidation pics.
Thank you on both replies
My concern is now that the cast iron smoke box halves are extremely heavy.
I feel the aluminum is much lighter and easier to keep bolted together and lined up on the lathe.
I guess a sturdy 1/8" steel plate at each joint might be enough.
How did you deal with the extruding rivet or bolt heads while turning?
The picture is great!
Don't see a lot of Allen Consolidation pics.
Thank you on both replies
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Sorry just reread and see the internal threading part.
Just worry about the weight issue with the cast iron.
Just worry about the weight issue with the cast iron.
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
The top half of the smoke box weighs 15lbs. And the bottom half is 18lbs.
Re: Cast iron Allen smoke box vs Aluminum smoke box
Possibly bolting a steel plate to to the rear lip as well.