The Home Machinist!

I'm living by the old adage of "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time." Honestly, I haven't given it much thought, but the idea of turning a wood mandrel and forming copper over it has crossed my mind. Metal spinning would be another way, but I don't think my lathe is up to that. ...

Here's the other photo showing the porting. DSC03450.JPG As mentioned, I completed the pilot truck. It is not a Bissel truck, I copied it from Argent 7, another H K Porter that happens to be much closer to me than the 3. I may live to regret not doing the Bissel. The pilot will be equalized with the...

First, I'd like to say thanks for the long discussions that have gotten me to this point. Sideframes are done, drivers and pilot truck are done. These cylinders were a major thinking exercise, but I am now spitting distance from completion of that major hurdle. I'm a single dad with a 40+ hour job, ...

I found this info on the IBLS website:
LocoParts
128 Country Meadows Dr.
South Mills, NC 27976
(252)943-1346
locoparts@embarqmail.com
www.locoparts.biz

Thanks. Getting back to what Fender was saying about the tube length calculation, I went to the GGLS website and found Winton Brown's engineering data. It looks like the same info in the RR Supply book, right down to the typeface. https://www.goldengatels.org/library/Tech%20articles/Winton%20Browns%...

Laff! Russ, thanks for that. Yup, I have fired oil on 12" to the foot scale as well, luckily we had some young pups to clean flues. Had one young man learning to fire that didn't *quite* have the "cut down the oil when you cut down the steam" idea down, now a big charred spot on the t...

The formula is specifically for model locomotives. I'll be firing on oil or propane, not coal. I'd prefer propane, but I am not sure at this point if I will get enough heat out of it. Again, the 5/8" tubes give me the tube area I need, the 1/2" will not. The boiler will be a wagon top, the...

tube length between sheets is 16.5" The 5/8" OD tubes work better for getting the required free gas area. From the "Engineering handbook for Recreational Railroaders" TE/500 = grate area. Grate area/8 = tube area I'm back checking those figures with Jim Erwin's calculations http:...

I saw the reference to "ligament" - is that Oz speak for the width of steel between tubes? I.e., w/ 1/2" tubes, my .187" should be .25"?

I would not mind seeing the design for the roller if it is not too much trouble.

thanks

I'm laying out a tube nest, small 2 1/2" scale engine, will use either 1/2 or 5/8" od tubes. I've checked the sources I have, and searched this forum, and don't find the info I am looking for. What is the minimum recommended distance clear between tubes? If it isn't enough, the holes will ...

He states the "coal car" is 9" wide, and the top of the stack is at 14" above the rails.

NP317 wrote: ↑Tue Jun 16, 2020 10:12 am Unscrew the Zerk fitting and stick in a wire or wooden Q-Tip end to see what comes out upon removal.
RussN

I've done a bit of that getting grease out of oil passages... just sayin.
Tiny little drilled holes in a casting. They had to open it to pack it with grease.