The Home Machinist!

Charles T. McCullough wrote: ↑Tue Mar 21, 2023 7:51 am That is Gorgeous! (And that from a guy that hates Diesels with as much passion as I love Steam!)

Heh! My thoughts, exactly. I'm not interested in trains, diesels and electrics specifically. I'm interested in steam, but it's hard to not pay attention to such pretty and exacting workmanship.

H

Thanks for the information, guys. I hadn't taken time to read the site, just tried it to see if it worked. I'm pleased I asked, as it gives hope to those who are in need.

H

Hmm, I posted the website earlier however it did not come up. https://miraclerailroadproducts.com/?fbclid=IwAR0DZ_Mc9knsxKYaSUV3KIkcN2ZBwHL801TTZ7huyhUsEvCs-bwxgLLisoQ That was Connie’s site. The link isn’t working. Hmmm. Works for me. Don't know if it's the correct site now that she sold her busin...

Gun taps are not easy to start by hand due to the two flutes. I recommend you make a bushing that holds the tap erect and allows you to bear down on the tap while starting. It will also be quite useful in keeping your tap erect while tapping through the plate. There's a real benefit beyond just help...

While a rear clamp might be somewhat more rigid, I suspect that you won't have any issues with the provided clamping area, especially with light cuts.
I hope the workmanship in the rotab is as good as it looks. Nice looking piece of gear!

H

Groan!

H

Wishing you a successful endeavor. I hope I speak for all when I say thanks for all you do in providing us with this venue.

Harold

<snip> steam will find its way into the ring groove where it will exert equalized pressure under the ring, expanding it against the bore, thus acting to help center the piston. Likely a small contributing factor to the position of the piston, but it should not be relied upon for centering, and, ass...

but it would seem to me that if the groove allows the ring OD to become flush with the piston OD, then the ring's ability to center the piston or keep it from contacting the bore, will be lost. Rings in a steam engine should NOT attempt to center the piston. If they must, the engine has not been bu...

So, it occurs to me that I have a coal burning stove to supplement heat in my house. Can this be used as a heat-treating oven for this steel? Also, would I still need the Heat treat compound and how long would I leave the links embedded in the red-hot coals? Hmmm. Not sure about that. It's desirabl...

Haven't I read that heating with a carbon rich flame will add carbon to the steel? Yes, it will, but it's a slow process, much the same as pack hardening (ten thou per hour penetration). The heat treat company I used to use when I ran my shop did that and also controlled the atmosphere of their hea...

If you can be happy with 30 gauge Teflon, there's a nice offering on eBay that might suit you. https://www.ebay.com/itm/333573493596?hash=item4daa87935c:g:4BwAAOSw-9lek4vI&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAA4CoD3K6HIbFvxJxq1uVSJdnJ7ampIDSpbKHlng6zKlOQdrK47FjlH7Nrc7wTYrZwZMaQI738whML3RijX7DZlM5%2F62CN6%2FBPO1E...