The Home Machinist!

This is the only part lately machined that I had the presence of mind to photograph the work in progress: IMG_4480.jpg There were so many different setups that it was a holding challenge. In restrospect it would have been better to (a) use a larger piece of steel because the bits remaining afterward...

When I purchased this project the cylinder castings were not included. About a dozen years ago I was describing the project to Robert Morris who said something like " Dad may have cylinders for that !" So shortly in the mail arrived a very nicely machined pair of cylinders, Gratis. THANKS ...

WEWilliams,
I can use a file to square the notches if needed upon fit-up.
But as you mentioned, the curved bottoms (drilled) are stronger and as an added bonus, much easier to make.
Bill is correct, the forces involved at this scale are too small to worry about.
Regards,
Andy

Odyknuck,
I had not given a thought to making the radius rods in 2 pieces.
I followed Mr. Coventry's plans.
After reading your comment i examined the assembly drawing and do not discern any difficulty, so will be interested in your experience.
Regards,
Andy

There were a lot of different setups to make these. I kept them together on the same chunk-o-steel until almost all operations were completed. That allowed easier handling and machining options. I will do that on other parts from now on (having previously made stuff to size first).

IMG_4472.jpg I made these by silver-soldering 2 pieces together. The seam is visible. I was hoping to reduce the amount of machining but instead created more work. The Combination Lever, Part # 1128 is similar, and I will mill it out of solid instead of trying to repeat the silver-soldered rods sho...

IMG_4470.jpg These were a bit of a fiddle to hold. And I almost, almost forgot to make one left-hand and one right-hand. These were only grooved on one side. I may make a new jig and groove the opposite side ... just because. My old camera creates shadows where none appear when taking the pictures.

I forgot to polish these before attaching the pins, so the polish is uneven.

If memory serves me right there were portable milling machines available - not in the sizes to machine a full-size turbine shaft, driver tire, or locomotive cylinder (I have seen photos of those) but in the size that would have made any home machinist envious. Maybe someday i will remember the name....

I purchased twelve cast-iron wheel castings from John Kurdzionak at Friends Models: IMG_4466.jpg Then a bit of time was spent machining them. The 12-wheel tender of the P7d has the same diameter wheels as the pilot truck and the "Standard" 8-wheel tender used under the P7, P7a, etc., so th...

Dan,
Thanks for posting this.
I watched the whole thing and wished that it had been longer. What a treat. It was like listening to a symphony.
I wonder if the same trip filmed by the GoPro mounted on the starboard handrail has been posted?
Regards,
Andy

It appears that the line identified in the yellow box is the intended steam inlet. It appears that the line identified as for lubrication likely was to a mechanical or displacement lubricator. And what you have labelled "...the ‘typical’ inlets to the valve box..." is probably for a plug t...