Search found 10353 matches

by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:26 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Reducing union tees
Replies: 12
Views: 582

Re: Reducing union tees

people who have never 'been there done that' giggle when I say

a chassis running on air is about 25% of the work and $$ to get a steamer on the track..

very nice...

hope you made a bunch and are willing to sell more than you made...
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Alloy similar to keys
Replies: 13
Views: 672

Re: Alloy similar to keys

how thick a piece do you need?
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 10:50 am
Forum: Build Log
Topic: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”
Replies: 276
Views: 62146

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

joe neilson's book is quite straightforward and simple and works a charm...as does the Raritan technique.

isn't rocket science..just think 1900's technology available

or you can do what I do now and purchase them and as needed thin the walls down to get the desired pressure.
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 7:32 am
Forum: Build Log
Topic: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”
Replies: 276
Views: 62146

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

Where a lot of us get into trouble is weight distribution on equalized suspensions and having to jimmy with leaf springs, pivot points and link lengths. There is a lot of logic to your type of typically British suspension which is much easier to adjust once you get the full wet assembly sitting ther...
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:39 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rail Bender
Replies: 36
Views: 1649

Re: Rail Bender

Perhaps because you do not have a Gmail account

When I looked, I was automagically signed in under my Gmail address which is linked to my browser.

Big brother now has another data point on me-> one that probably says that I am interested in 'being bent' or some such nonsense
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:34 am
Forum: Build Log
Topic: Building a 4.5 in scale Foden Steam Truck in New England
Replies: 76
Views: 213534

Re: Building a 4.5 in scale Foden Steam Truck in New England

I also, at one time or another, have misread a dividing head. Dykem with a scribe seems to minimize the scrap...but not eliminate. 4th / 5th axis programmable control has it whipped, as long as I get the euler values correct, but that is a different story for another time I put my practice runs into...
by Bill Shields
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:23 am
Forum: Build Log
Topic: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”
Replies: 276
Views: 62146

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

We all deal with that situation.

It is commonly referred to as "the interference of life".

Man plans and God laughs.

Be thankful for every completd part and the time/health to invest. 🙏
by Bill Shields
Wed Mar 13, 2024 9:44 pm
Forum: Build Log
Topic: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”
Replies: 276
Views: 62146

Re: Northern 4-8-4 Build 3/4”

I feel your pain. One of my blacksmith tricks is to make the stud longer than needed, put a small center in it to thread -> then cut it off with a Dremel wheel and dress the end as needed. I have a couple of very small, undercut centers and a can of white lead for just such jobs -> very similar to w...
by Bill Shields
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:23 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Ball Oilers
Replies: 7
Views: 363

Re: Ball Oilers

FWIW I have learned to deal with ball oilers by way of a short piece of clear tygon tubing stuck on the end of my oil pump can. Press the other end of the tube down on the surface of the ball oiler and pump away. Watching air bubbles travel into the ball oiler confirms lubrication. There are widgets...
by Bill Shields
Tue Mar 12, 2024 10:15 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Milling depth
Replies: 18
Views: 4417

Re: Milling depth

Index makes good machinery. Victor has a sould reputation.

You will soon find it easier to create your exemplary work.🙂
by Bill Shields
Tue Mar 12, 2024 4:11 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Ball Oilers
Replies: 7
Views: 363

Re: Ball Oilers

if you thread the holes, you need to be ABSOLUTELY SURE that you don't get any swarf / grit / sand / whatnot into the hole that the new lubricator will push down into the machine....thereby defeating the purpose of the exercise... my one-shot oilers are all threaded into the machine - but were done ...
by Bill Shields
Tue Mar 12, 2024 4:02 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Rail Bender
Replies: 36
Views: 1649

Re: Rail Bender

dare i bring Young's modulus into this discussion...

or just permit the slumbering canine to remain recumbent ?