Search found 1960 matches

by Steggy
Mon Feb 05, 2024 6:48 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Timing belts
Replies: 12
Views: 802

Re: Timing belts

Unfortunately, designing a reliable timing belt drive is not a simple engineering exercise.  In another life, I did such design work and can attest that there are quite a few variables to be considered.  Also, timing belts are best used in moderate torque, elevated RPM situations.  Low RPM and high ...
by Steggy
Sun Jan 28, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Headlights for Diesels
Replies: 7
Views: 822

Re: Headlights for Diesels

Some possible ideas here and here.  I opted to use incandescent flashlights, as LEDs’ color temperature is unnatural for all but the most recent generation of locomotives.
by Steggy
Tue Jan 23, 2024 1:02 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Drilling holes in brass, should I pilot hole?
Replies: 17
Views: 1135

Re: Drilling holes in brass, should I pilot hole?

Here is an image of a twist drill dulled for cutting brass/copper alloys. I use a diamond file to carefully dull both edges. The drill might squeal some during cutting, but I know it is drilling correctly. I don’t do much work with brass, but when I drill it, I usually use a little WD-40 to get rid...
by Steggy
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:45 am
Forum: The Junk Drawer
Topic: I am a human electric cell
Replies: 4
Views: 1267

Re: I am a human electric cell

tornitore45 wrote: Sat Jan 20, 2024 7:39 pmDo not tell me you never licked a 9V battery.

I have never licked anything that is electrically energized.  I value my taste buds.  They are some of the few parts of my aged body that are still functional.  :D
by Steggy
Sun Jan 21, 2024 12:42 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Boiler welding advice.
Replies: 21
Views: 2015

Re: Boiler welding advice.

I understand MIG is not an option. The problem is not in the process.  A skilled weldor can produce sound welds on pressure vessels using almost any process. Properly-made welds using the GMAW (MIG) process are as strong as welds produced by other processes.  Note that most ASME-rated air compresso...
by Steggy
Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:46 pm
Forum: Milling Machines
Topic: Atlas MF-B Horizontal Mill musings
Replies: 1
Views: 358

Re: Atlas MF-B Horizontal Mill musings

Any photos?
by Steggy
Wed Jan 17, 2024 5:04 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: International Brotherhood of Livesteamers site - wheels and common components
Replies: 9
Views: 34360

Re: International Brotherhood of Livesteamers site - wheels and common components

I am opposed to using Github for this sort of thing.  Github is a confusing mess and I can never find anything on it.
by Steggy
Mon Jan 15, 2024 1:32 pm
Forum: The Junk Drawer
Topic: Must be bad weather ouitside
Replies: 15
Views: 32016

Re: Must be bad weather ouitside

rmac wrote: Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:19 pm I guess this is where us obnoxious bastards from Arizona are supposed to gloat...

Yes, but how’s the “migrant” situation in sunny Phoenix?  :D
by Steggy
Mon Jan 15, 2024 12:07 am
Forum: The Junk Drawer
Topic: Must be bad weather ouitside
Replies: 15
Views: 32016

Re: Must be bad weather ouitside

The “atomic” clock in our family area says it’s -11° F right now, and it’s 11:07 PM as I write this.  Supposedly, temps will go down at least another five degrees before the night is over.  Cold weather didn’t used to bother me...until I got old.  :(
by Steggy
Sun Jan 14, 2024 7:51 pm
Forum: The Junk Drawer
Topic: Must be bad weather ouitside
Replies: 15
Views: 32016

Re: Must be bad weather ouitside

Blame it on global warming.  :D
by Steggy
Thu Jan 11, 2024 12:18 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Sad
Replies: 7
Views: 64831

Re: Sad

Not unexpected.  The average American blue-collar worker has priced himself out of the market.  We are seeing a sped-up version of this right now in the fast-food industry in California.
by Steggy
Tue Jan 09, 2024 2:46 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Propane firing
Replies: 14
Views: 123053

Re: Propane firing

I have a Railroad Supply 4-4-0 that’s set up for propane. I have a stock car to hold the propane tanks but it’s not tall enough to hold a 20 lb tank. I was thinking of using four 3 lb vertical tanks as they would fit and daisy chaining them together. I was wondering how much propane an engine this ...