Forming boiler sheets for three 3/4-in. scale Virginias

Andy R · Post by **Andy R** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:10 pm

Here's some progress photos of the three Virginias in 3/4" scale that Duane Simpson and i are building.

This is the outer wrapper former for the straight top (modern) boiler above the fiorebox. The tube shell is copper pipe of the same OD.

This is the outer wrapper former for the straight top boiler - first bend - two to make like this

Andy R · Post by **Andy R** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:12 pm

This is the outer wrapper former for the straight top boiler - almost done

This is the outer wrapper for the wagon-top boiler - half-way done

Andy R · Post by **Andy R** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:13 pm

Checking the fit of the outer wrapper for the wagon-top boiler -Sweet!

Needs a little clean-up, but the day's progress is good.

Andy R · Post by **Andy R** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:14 pm

All Clean and ready for marking to trim the excess.

Here's last week's work: The firebox wrappers ... all the same for the three locos.

Andy R · Post by **Andy R** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:15 pm

Now that they are clean, it's back on the former to scribe the cut to remove the excess.

The same effort on the three firebox wrappers:

Harlock · Post by **Harlock** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:32 pm

Very nice. What's with the gloved hand? for the blueing dye?

FredR · Post by **FredR** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 8:53 pm

Look!! It's Michael Jackson!!! Glove and all !!!!!

Harlock wrote:Very nice. What's with the gloved hand? for the blueing dye?

JBodenmann · Post by **JBodenmann** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:24 pm

Hi Andy
Very cool!! Those have to be the best boiler forming dies I have seen. Your boiler parts are looking fantastic!. Keep the updates coming.
Jack

Pennsy fan · Post by **Pennsy fan** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:33 pm

Boy I bet those were made on CNC........hand crank yeaaa right.
d.

pockets · Post by **pockets** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 10:04 pm

Andy,
A very nice approach to precision coppersmithing. Many of us are going to learn from your postings. Please, continue.

How many annealings in a wrapper like those?

It was gratifying to notice that I'm not the only one with a fair collection of "fitzemall" wrenches. In my shop, we refer to them as the metric set.

Greg B.

Dick_Morris · Post by **Dick_Morris** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:12 am

Nice!

Kimball McGinley · Post by **Kimball McGinley** » Tue Jan 13, 2009 12:21 am

Wow! That forming tool is fantastic! Why not just wood and hammers etc? Are you planning future production runs?

The Home Machinist!

Forming boiler sheets for three 3/4-in. scale Virginias

Forming boiler sheets for three 3/4-in. scale Virginias

More photos:

still more photos:

Cleaned and ready for more work:

Some layout work:

mold