The Home Machinist!

One trick to get the paint mask over uneven surfaces is to take a hair dryer and heat up the vinyl and push it down to conform over the uneven surface.
-Kevin S.

On my American, I have them plumbed separately and each go into the boiler separately. On one side I have my hand pump plumbed into the supply side, so this side will always put water in. On the other side, I have a bypass plumbed in between the pump and the boiler check valve, so I can regulate how...

Pat, there are clear coats with different shine levels. The standard is gloss, then you have satin, and finally a flat. The flat would give you the look you want without that old with clear coat look. Are the decals a waterslide or a vinyl ?
-Kevin S.

If you do have some stubborn deposits that the vinegar does not remove, take some stranded copper wire and strip a small section of insulation off. Use the wire as a brush with the vinegar. Barry had told me to do that with a safety valve a few years ago.
Kevin S.

I am in the process of making new drivers for my RRSC American. In the past I have had the neddle bearings on the axels, a few times they have gone bad due to wear. I am looking at putting sealed bearings instead of needle bearings. The only bearings I can find that fit the id and the od are about ....

Looking for suggestion on what everyone is using for electric switch actuators.
Thanks Kevin S.

Mike, what is the paint manufacture for the above paint formula, as different manufacture have different codes and names for color. Also There is different paint lines from the same manufacture to allow for different VOC laws around the country.
-Kevin S

One thing I have done to get a color match is to go and buy the small bottles sold at the hobby store for H.O. models and take that with me to the paint store. From there I choose a color that is a close match, if you are a few shades off either way no one can tell the difference.
-Kevin S.

rkcarguy, most of those paints are available from sign supply stores, although the paint formulas have probably changed. I agree with you having paint mask made. The person doing the cutting should be able to scale the letters to any size you need. I know with Corel Draw or any cut program you can s...

Dianne, another option is to apply gold leaf.
-Kevin S

Whose trucks are clubs using for riding cars for pulling the public? I would like to hear both positive and negative comments.
Thanks,
Kevin S.

Well said Mike.
-Kevin S.