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Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:45 pm
by OddDuck
Yeah, that's a bit larger than I could handle. That's definitely in the commercial foundry range, just from a safety standpoint. That's a lot of iron. And several hundred pounds of sand per mold. Not to say that it would be impossible in an amateur hobby foundry, but difficult. If it were me, this is an application where traditional pattern making would work well. The cost of plastic filament and machine time is probably what pushed the cost up so high.
Anything slightly smaller? Glenn, the handbrake wheel and wheels would be doable.

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 5:58 pm
by Mike Walsh
Ratchet and Pawls for 12"/15" would be nice. McMaster charges an arm and leg, last I checked.

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 7:22 pm
by mattmason
That's awesome Scotty. I will look for your PM. I have a ton of wheels, just no frames--yet..

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 9:45 pm
by 0351
DRGW Brake wheel, ratchet and pawls in 3” scale.

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sat Sep 14, 2019 11:39 pm
by Glenn Brooks
Whooo, Nyle, did you really mean to say that the clydiners you mentioned are 3” scale (1/4 scale)? 18.5” tall Seems awfully large for 3” scale miniature loco....

If so, What gauge and useage do you contemplate with something that big? Fascinating project!

BTW, I have a couple of the RMI couplers. I like them so far, but I believe they are in the 2.5” scale range. A true 3” scale build would need a bit larger coupler, I think. :)

Thanks,
Glenn

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2019 12:34 am
by LIALLEGHENY
Glenn,

18,5" height is to the top of the saddle. I'm building a 3" scale, 15" gauge Berkshire using Jim Kreider's drawings, just scaling everything up.

Nyle

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 11:25 am
by Glenn Brooks
odduck, are you still casting builders plates? I would like to talk to you about doing one for my Ottaway, and a second for my Campbell (14” ga) loco.

Thanks
Glenn

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Tue Sep 17, 2019 6:18 pm
by OddDuck
Glenn, PM sent.

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 6:54 pm
by Glenn Brooks
As a followup to your initial request for possible Park gauge castings, here is my wish list. Basically these are the minimum castings needed to reproduce my 1904 era 4-4-0 in 3” scale (12” or 15” gauge). Sort of In order, from front to rear:

Headlamp - 2 5/16” x 5 7/8”, base = 2 5/16” x 4 3/16”

Smoke stack- base 5 1/2” diameter x 8” tall

Sand dome - 7.5” x 7.5”

Steam dome 9” OD x 8.5” tall

Hand rail stanchion

Smoke box door - 15 1/4” OD

Rear frame spreader - 1” cast bar frame, vertical end pieces: 5” x 5 3/4” tall

Fire box door 7.5” x 6” tall

Smoke box saddle (2 parts) each side 10” wide

Steam Cylinders - 6” x 4.5” Outside measure

Brake cylinder - 3” long x 2” do, flanges are 2 1/2” do

Main drivers - 18 spoke, 13” diameter

Pony wheels, 9 spoke, 6” diameter

Front truck main bearing - two part, male and female socket assembly, approx 4” square, bearing 1.5” OD



Glenn

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:07 pm
by LIALLEGHENY
Glenn,

Is that the 1902 A. S .Campbell ? So you want to start building them again....sounds like you need to set up a pattern shop and foundry.

On another note, I really like the Japanese inspired garden you put together....take some pictures in the spring when everything takes root and starts to fill in. Should look great!

Nyle

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:27 pm
by Glenn Brooks
Nyle, yes, the same. I’ve always had it in mind to build another one, based on this scale and design- or freelance a ten wheeler, 2-6-2, or larger, using the castings. Everything else is made of bar stock or fab’d up on a mill and lathe. Day dreams maybe. Iam sortof waiting with bated breath to learn if the original patterns still exist. Mr. Campbell’s grandson remembers a box with the word “Patterns” written on it. He is back east now looking for it on the family farm, and said he would forward on if he finds it.

I will be starting back up my reconstruction thread on the loco, likely next week. I do want to get this one serviceable again and “in varnish”. I have an old thread in the build log, but it’s been dormant for couple of years now. Now just finishing up taking measurements and trying to decide what direction to go forward regarding a new boiler. Should be cleaning up and wrenching on the engine starting next week.

Thanks for your kind words regarding the Saikei garden. That’s been a surprising interesting project this summer. I’ve finally finished most all the plantings. Hopefully next spring it will fill in start to take off.

Glenn

Re: A wish list for large scale castings

Posted: Thu Sep 26, 2019 6:10 pm
by OddDuck
Wow, yeah, that would be cool if the original patterns still existed. If nothing else they could serve as templates to make new patterns to use. Most of those look doable Glenn, guess I've got to step up my game. Here's the thing, even I would have to charge quite a bit for that casting set. How many people out there would actually want one? I don't mind doing a one-off, it sounds like a neat project, but if you are going to go through the trouble of making one, might as well make two or several.