The Home Machinist!

Atlas motor mounts are fairly common on eBay. You might find an original to match your lathe…

Glenn

I seem to remember smoke box temperatures for coal fired boilers run 900* up to 1200* maybe up to 1500*. Wood fired would be significantly lower- maybe 500* or less. No idea about propane. If you have old refractory cement, you can’t go wrong with chipping it all out and replacing with similar mater...

A brief historical note- I can’t remember if the live steam group was 12” or 15” gauge. The RR was a 1200’ loop on one corner of the power plant property. Years ago I found some orthophotograhy (aerial imagery) showing the track looped around one corner of the property. Around 15 or 20 years ago the...

Hello Jace, welcome to Chaski! A couple of photos and your location might help generate some responses.

Best wishes,
Glenn

Where do you find them most easily? Thinking about buying some for an upcoming project.

The most important bit of clearance is between the drivers and fire box. This is the place where a too tight fit really matters. Also depends on size of your boiler. Iam guessing 3/16” gap each side would be more than adequate for a 9” diameter boiler.

I like your use of square nuts. Gives the build a feeling of authenticity.

Going from memory here… I had a 3” scale model of a similar headlight on my 12” ga Ottaway. The Ottaway’s weren’t necessarily true scale reproductions of the original, and the parts were a bit oversized proportionally to prototype engine. Decent looking neither the less. My headlight had a threaded ...

RThomp wrote: ↑Wed Nov 15, 2023 10:06 pm I've seen this setup used before. This was from a build thread. Using Mike V's brake stand. Very slick!

Does MikeV have a drawing available, or contact info about finding his brake stand housing?

Thanks,
Glenn

VGC, Thank you for your post and PM. Your on line calculator is wonderful. I read your conditions of service and apparently will need your permission to develop and save a drawing file for my loco- it is built in 15” gauge. I am very interested in designing a valve gear with your app, but, at the mo...

Hello Hagard, Quick followup to your hydrotest question. Here is a discussion thread that may be useful to you, as you consider inspecting your boiler and steam fittings. https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/viewtopic.php?t=110442 Also, as FYI, approved national hydrotest standards can be found onli...

Nice looking loco. Should do you well. I had 3/16 and 1/4” copper brake lines on my 12” ga Ottaway, since new 70 years ago. No problems. BTW, inspect your boiler and fire to 30 psi or so and check for leaks. If no water gushes out, and a visual inspection is good, go ahead and run it. You don’t need...