Search found 704 matches

by Bruce_Mowbray
Fri Mar 15, 2024 9:12 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Ballast Tamping Tools
Replies: 8
Views: 3064

Re: Ballast Tamping Tools

If you're building track from scratch, a powered plate tamper is your best friend. Getting the subroadbed packed and relativly level first goes a long way later. I purchased my plate tamper from Harbor Freight when it was on sale at 30% off, it still cost over $300 but worth every penny. I also have...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:51 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rail Bender
Replies: 36
Views: 1642

Re: Rail Bender

Speaking from personal experience with building my home railroad: If your radius is 50 feet or less, I highly recommend using a rail bender with aluminum rail. Even though aluminum rail is generally a soft easy to bend alloy, once the rails are put in place in a track panel, they do not bend smoothl...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Tue Mar 12, 2024 8:50 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rail Bender
Replies: 36
Views: 1642

Re: Rail Bender

Power went out mid proof reading. Had to repost
by Bruce_Mowbray
Fri Mar 08, 2024 8:52 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: steam channel
Replies: 43
Views: 2247

Re: steam channel

With fewer younger folks in the hobby, I believe a lot of it has to do with the removal of trade skills teaching in the middle and high school curriculum where kids can get a taste of making something with their own two hands. Back in the 70's when I was in school, I had full access to a wood, metal...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Wed Mar 06, 2024 8:33 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rail Bender
Replies: 36
Views: 1642

Re: Rail Bender

Here's my version of the railbender I made, Mostly from odds and ends bits I had laying around. I just clamp it to the front bumber of my ATV and bring it to the work site. I can bend a 45 foot radius on aluminum rail just by pushing the rail through.
by Bruce_Mowbray
Wed Feb 21, 2024 8:31 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: old photos
Replies: 41
Views: 3651

Re: old photos

An oldie from 1975 -ish. In the forground is Ed Loomie's 4-4-0, myself on the center track with my newly finished LIttle Engines 0-4-0-T, and Ken Owens with his mostly scratch build Little Engines 0-6-0 on the far track. This was the first time I had my locomotive out at the Long Island Live Steamer...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Sun Feb 18, 2024 8:33 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: How to get started?
Replies: 49
Views: 10532

Re: How to get started?

It's very important to separate your hobby from family life. Once my wife and I were separated, I had a lot more time for my hobby :D
by Bruce_Mowbray
Tue Feb 13, 2024 9:07 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: How do I center this nut?
Replies: 13
Views: 612

Re: How do I center this nut?

The Bottom nut should never come off. I tightened mine with an impact gun and it hasn't come loose since it was installed 20+ years ago. The trick is to NOT overtighten the bolt and put a dab of grease on the threads each time you change the filter (I change mine yearly). The trick to getting the ga...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Fri Jan 26, 2024 10:11 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: A question about engineering drawings....
Replies: 44
Views: 1600

Re: A question about engineering drawings....

:=) I use a board with a sliding parallel and a pencil ...lew... I wish this board had a "Like" button. I also have a large drafting table that was headed for the scrap bin when CAD took over the engineering department. This, along with a Keuffel and Esser drafting machine and a set of sc...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Thu Jan 25, 2024 7:20 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Built up cylinder sealing
Replies: 10
Views: 3708

Re: Built up cylinder sealing

At one time I was making military tank periscopes and reflective gun sites. These were aluminum casting that needed to be gas tite as they were filled with inert gas after assembly. Could this same "Impregnative" sealant be used for this as well? This was appled in a vacuum to fill all of ...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Sat Jan 20, 2024 9:58 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Advice On Buying A Wiggler and Centre Finder 5 Piece Set.
Replies: 21
Views: 13290

Re: Advice On Buying A Wiggler and Centre Finder 5 Piece Set.

Both General and Starrett have good 5 piece wiggler sets. I have both but use the pointed attachment the most to pick up scribe lines on my mill. I have never used it on my drill press but I agree that it could be used, especially with a x-y table for really fine adjustments. I'll admit, the older I...
by Bruce_Mowbray
Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:05 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Boiler insulation
Replies: 21
Views: 42585

Re: Boiler insulation

I use 2 sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil and multiple layers of woven fiberglass fabric (depending on how thick I need it to be. Once cut to shape, I staple the edges to keep things together. The foil is easily formed around the boiler. I bind it in place with some thin wire. The foil acts as a he...