The Home Machinist!

Inspired by the recent boiler discussion, I'm starting the search for materials for my boiler build. Does anyone have recommendations for suppliers of A516 gr. 70 plate and A106 gr. B pipe. So far I've found Trupply for the pipe and Metals Depot for the plate. It looks like they both accept small or...

As noted there is an issue with the rear tank overflowing if plumbed per plan. The cross head pump draws from both the front and rear tanks but only returns to the rear tank. My half thought out plan is to put a larger diameter tube connecting the front and rear tanks to equalize. The piping diagram...

So I'm still going to build a fire tube boiler. My plan is to do all of the fab work and then hire out the welding. I'm hoping that it will not be difficult to find someone willing to weld it. My concern is that no one will want to touch it decause it is a boiler. Work has slowed on my Clishay. Ther...

I finally cut the keyways in the main gear and shaft for my Clishay. There is a lot of torque transmitted through this joint so I didn’t want to rely on Loctite alone. The engine crank shaft will get the same treatment. The most time consuming part was grinding the tool for broaching the keyway in t...

I decided on a different design for the journal covers on my Clishay. The plans called for a hinged cover that I was not all that wild about. I also really didn't like the prospect of having to tap two small holes in each journal. The final design might be a bit more modern but on a freelance engine...

More progress on the steam chests for my Clishay. Hole layout was done by hand then drilled on a drill press. I still need to open up the mounting holes to full size. I'll do that after I match drill the cylinders and covers. I have to say Bob Maynard really liked to cut things close. Not much meat ...

That's a pretty good deal. Unfortunately I lack the funds and I have enough other projects going on right now. Good luck!

They were built up on the original as well. The idea was that it could be built without a milling machine. It I had access to a bigger mill I might have considered making the steam chests from a solid piece.

More work done on the Clishay. I got the steam chests silver soldered together. Not a hard job but I'm starting to get fed up with the Bernzomatic oxygen mapp gas torch. It is quite finicky and goes through oxygen too fast. One of these days I need to invest in a better torch. I also tackled a drive...

The boring wasn't too bad. It was one of those cases of using what you got. I was able to get a .010 cut without too much chatter and a straight bore.

The boring itself probably took about an hour and a half for each cylinder.

I got the cylinders for my Clishay bored to size a couple of weeks ago. It was slow work on my 9” Logan. I really miss having access to a larger lathe. They still need to be honed and the valve ports need to be machined but the bulk material removal is done. IMG_20200927_112817752_HDR_resize_4.jpg I...

I thought I would post a bit of an update on my Clishay. Work slowed considerably over the summer. There were too many other things to do. I also picked up another project locomotive project. I’m building LBSC’s 2-1/2” gauge Rose. It is a really fun project but it is taking time away from the Clisha...