The Home Machinist!

Steve Kuhn, I have never gotten an overnight package on time from UPS, and have had other issues with them as well. FedEx has never missed an overnight package! SteveM, I end up putting a cut down box inside the flat rate box and using a box stapler to staple the two together. I agree that the flat ...

For a little perspective, here are some examples of tube lengths: SP class A6 4-4-2 16 feet SP Harriman 4-6-2 (classes P1 through P7) 20 feet SP Cab forward classes AC4 through 12 22 feet Keep in mind that the AC4 - 12 had combustion chambers. The Atlantics had a 75" smokebox, and the Pacific classe...

I wouldn't bother removing the key in the spindle. With the size of your machine, it is highly unlikely you will ever shear the key. Your machine does not have the rigidity to ever get close to a situation to where the key will shear. In my 40+ years of machining in various shops, I was only in one ...

Glenn, I suspect that your bells lack of "carry" or ring is probably due more to the casting than the shape. If the bell was not fed properly in the casting process, you will have a dull thud rather than the bell ringing. The material could also have an effect also. I have seen cast unmachined bells...

The B&O grasshopper engine was built by the late Harry Harvey of Portland, Or. Harry was one of the founders of the Pacific NW Livesteamers, located just outside of Molalla, Or. The engine was often run backwards to keep the coal smoke out of ones eyes, or a pipe stuck in the stack to try to get it ...

What web site should we be looking for?

I'm only aware of the 4-4-2 in Baltimore, the 0-4-0 in Strasburg, and the 4-4-0 near St. Louis. Is it one of these, or is there another?

Thanks,

Doug

Jeff,

Soft copper works well in steam use. Willamette used it as a gasket between the steam dome and lid.

That being said, I'm not sure in model work if you would be able to apply enough pressure to get it to seal.

Regards,

Doug

If the shop does not work out for you, Sunnen also makes some portable hones that might meet your needs. They can be used in a mill, drill press, or hand drill, and are rigid hones, not spring hones, so will work to clean up your bore. One place I worked used Ammco (I think that was how it was spell...

Greg,

I can't speak specifically about Baldwin, but I can vouch that Climax Mfg. used a sheet metal folded seam roof in 1903. I would suspect that if Climax was using it, it is likely many of the others were using metal roofs also. Fwiw.

Regards,

Doug

David, I'm interested in your comment on the head light being an early Pyle National. Do you have any references to early Pyle products? I was told years ago by the retired shop foreman of Eugene, that these head lights were shop made on the SP. The few I have been able to examine had no identificat...

Here is a in service pic of the engine with a 70-C-9 tender behind it that a friend sent me and gave me permission to post to the board.

Note the over sized 20" head light. It makes the smokebox front look rather small.

Regards,

Doug

Hey Everyone, Does anyone have libraries, societies, and museums to reach out to for Baldwin drawings? I am looking for drawing information on a 70-C-9 Vanderbilt tender. I just reached out to the Sacramento Museum and the Southern Pacific Historical and Technical society, since this was for a Sout...