British 0-4-0 Toy Locomotive: he said

[bearcar1]

Zeep', all of this time I thought that you did have Sherline machines. I remember the thread about you setting up your work space and for some reason had it in my mind that you had bought Sherline equipment. What is it that you are operating? It can't be too out of whack. Although, now that I begin to actually think about it, The tailstock of the Sherline's provide no means of off-setting the ram, it remains fixed. I had the same problem you encountered when I first got my SB, it took me some fiddling around for a couple of sessions before I finally got the beast dialed in and I still have to tweak it every once in a while. New machines!! Man oh man! Now "T" is a keeper for certain. :bow: Maybe you could get her another box of wine and she would allow you to purchase the CNC set up, wouldn't that be a gas!


BC1
Jim

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks Pete. The request has been put in. (Please T? Please?)

MTB = mountain bike. So maybe I can get some valves at the bike shop near here.

I knew about filling the boiler with water. I'm glad you mentioned filling the pump with water as well. I suspect there's still some air in it but with your setup the air would remain in the pump. Am I right?

Jim...

I have a 7x12 (5278) Mini-Lathe from ToolsNow and a Mini-Mill (44991) from Harbor Freight.

I think the issue with the lathe is that the tailstock sits a tad high. And I can't shim the headstock. For lack of experience (knowledge) and not being sure whether that's the problem, I haven't tried to fix it yet. As I get to know the machines more, I'm more able to make modifications. I've run across some threads/sites that talk about this.

I'm not suggesting that by moving to Sherlines I can avoid these kinds of problems. When I started this hobby I was unsure that it was for me, that I would continue, and if I did, what I wanted to do in the future.

Well I am going to continue...and I want better equipment...and I don't think I need bigger. ;D

As for 'T'...she's certainly a keeper. But the price in honey-dos to support my hobby can sometimes be quite high. I like to think she doesn't use the fact that she's a keeper against me...but then I'm an idiot. She often tells me so. :big:

 

[deere_x475guy]

You all might remember my recent trip to get a bread pan for oil. The reason was to blacken my machinist clamp that I made early last year. It was perhaps my 3rd or 4th project and I'm somewhat proud of it. It looks 'good' but it wasn't good machining...it was good elbow grease and lots of sandpaper.

Anyway...here it is...

And then blackened...

And here it is put together with a shot of the steam dome with tubing...

I left the tubes extra long. I figure I'll assemble what I can and see where I need to make the cuts.

Two more solder joints!!!

I still need to figure out how to pressure test the boiler...but I've been getting some help from a forum member and I have some ideas.

---------------------------------------

So what's for dinner Marv?

Zee, I have been following your build on this and am very impressed. Nice job so far. Also...in regards to your blacking, I haven't tried this yet....but...I need to do some of the parts on the macro focusing rail....I have just about completed all the anodizing and should have it warped up today....thanks for posting your blacking pics...they look great.

 

[ozzie46]

Zee: Have a look at this,

http://mikesworkshop.weebly.com/tailstock-modifications.html

it may explain your tail stock woes.

Lots of good info on this site. These lathes are all about the same just badged with different names.


I know when I drilled with mine I could visibly see the tailstock ram lift up.
Can't drill concentric holes that way.

Ron

 

[fcheslop]

Hi Zee,My train of thinking was that without the pipes soldered in you can work on each side seperatly.As you already mentioned a bit like two seperate engines but not being familare with the model not sure.Am I right in thinking its a single acting cylinder but there is a guide bush fitted at the bottom of the cylinder ?
best wishes Frazer

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks for the link Ron. Very helpful information there.

Frazer...yes. I've been calling it a guide bush. You can see the finished example of the loco at the beginning of the thread.

The following picture should help show why I don't think soldering the port blocks matters whether the cylinders are tight. (Although I've gotten things loosened up a lot more now.) The pivot pin would go through the cylinder, through the port block, and into the stretcher. (I need to retap or remake the stretcher.)

The white sheets is the stuff that Dean was kind enough to give me. Hopefully it'll help prevent the frame from getting discolored.

See that gap between the tube and the hole in the port block? I worry about that.

You'll also notice the gasket at the steam dome. I wondered whether I should leave that or not. But I have spare and wanted to keep the spacing right.

Well folks...I'm about to do the last first time machining/soldering operation. Soldering the tubes to the port blocks. If this goes awry...it's new port blocks and the thingie that everyone here is telling me looks like a part to a lampshade. :big:

Wish me luck.

 

[fcheslop]

Thanks Zee the penny has dropped.The pipes loose in the cylinder could they be expanded with a tapered mandrel
regards

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Hi Frazer. I thought about expanding the tube but didn't have a tapered mandrel. It didn't dawn on me until later that I should be able to make one.

In any case, I think I was successful. I think.

The frame got scorched but I think it's from the fabric. I expect (hope) it will clean up just fine.

The porting blocks look bad and fuzzy but that's because the fabric stuck to it and is torn up. I'm going to put it in the pickle and see how it cleans up. So far it looks good.

I am concerned about the pivot pins. They got pretty scorched and were difficult to get out of the porting blocks. Can those be pickled? I've only seen copper and brass get pickled. If not then I'll clean them up with some paper as best I can. I can always remake them.

So far so good. He said.

 

[Deanofid]

Shoot. I sure wasn't expecting that brown stuff from the fabric, Zee. Like you said, blame Dean!

You can put the pivot pins in the pickle for a while. Wash them after about an hour and dry well. They
may flash rust, but that will go away with light oiling.
Some say that putting steel and copper alloys in the same pickle is not good. I don't know why,
and do it as needed without ill effects.

Dean

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks Dean. No blame to you...I'm quite happy with the results...thanks again for the help.

I'll try pickling the pivot pins. Worse thing that can happen is to remake them.

I'd wondered cause I saw what happened to some aluminum that was pickled when I was doing the boiler...the aluminum looks pretty badly etched. No problem for this because the aluminum part is only used for testing the boiler.

I suspect the brown stuff is a combination of oil and fabric. I'd kept the frames lightly oiled so they wouldn't rust.

 

[fcheslop]

Hi Zee, another step foreward she will clean up OK.Not far to go?
all the best

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Hi Zee, another step foreward she will clean up OK.

Thanks Frazer. Yeah...it does seem to be cleaning up okay. Here's where I'm at so far...

I'm still working on the boiler but I'm happy with it even now. I'm a little worried about that pitting in the steam tube (to the left of the upper port block). But I think it's going to be okay.

I did some water tests and all the holes are still clear!

The picture actually makes it look better than it is. I'll have to remember than...learn the de-focus setting on the camera. :big:

Haven't worked on the frames yet...but I'm sure they'll be fine.

Not far to go?

Yeah...I'm afraid there's still a ways to go. After all...I need to get to page 100 and keep kvom happy... :big:

'T' ordered the pump that Ron mentioned. (Thanks Ron...er..I mean...thanks T...I mean Ron...ah..you understand don't you Ron?)

But it sure is starting to get exciting!!!

I don't have track to run the thing on...so I need to make up a stand with idlers. I'm looking forward to that actually. The downside is my folks are coming to visit this week...and then I'm on vacation (doing T's bidding). The upside is...my folks are coming to visit this week...and then I'm on vacation (doing T's bidding). :big: :big:

This was a great weekend. Thanks guys.

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Not that this weekend doesn't have its bummers...

Anyone thinking they can make this loco look like the model in the first post...and have it run...think again. Certainly not if they've only built 3 or 4 engines in their life.

And no way you can apply heat to melt solder (hard or soft) and have it look like that. I consider that false advertising.

The kit comes with small screws for which I bought Acu-Min 58-0150 drivers. They don't fit. I don't know if it's the screws (did they get a deal on them?) or the drivers (shoddy quality).

Anyway...still at it. grumble mumble grumble

 

[zeeprogrammer]

IT'S NOT DONE!!! But I wanted to share some pictures of the loco put together after cleaning up a bit. It's going to be a while before I can get back to it.

I'm kind of pleased with the boiler and the front end. Looks good. We'll see if it runs.
Here's another shot from the side.

The above is the 'good side'. The other side looks similar except for a blob/glob/dribble of solder going down the side from the rear bushing.

Again, the pics don't do it justice. It looks worse that it does in the pics. Quite the opposite effect when looking at pics of me. ;D

At least I can show it off to the folks and friends at work.

 

[cfellows]

I think it's looking pretty sweet, Zee. I know it's been a bit of a tough haul for you, but the results are sure pleasing!

Chuck

 

[ozzie46]

Uuuhhh, Can't take credit for the pump Zee.

That was Pete AKA doubletop.

Ron

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks Chuck.

Ron...thanks. You're right. Sorry Pete. Both you guys gave me good help and I got confused.

Hee hee. I'd emailed the pump link to 'T'. She likes to do the eBay thing. I went upstairs later and started to ask 'T' if she'd seen my email...but before I could finish the sentence she said "yeah yeah..I ordered it".

I don't ask myself why I've been married 34 years. I'm a lucky ____ (fill in the blank).

 

[larry1]

Zee, Really a great looking locomotive, I have really enjoyed this post, even if you don't make a 100, it has been a great ride. larry1

 

[Deanofid]

Oh! It looks like it cleaned up very nicely, really. Bravo, I say!

And, nearly 700 posts. Whew! Dash the page count.

Dean

 

[Troutsqueezer]

So nice...so very nice. I'd be popping buttons if it was mine.

I remember, Zee, when I was approaching done-ness on my Trout's Twin, you were the first one to ask me, "what's next?"....well....what's next? ;D

-Trout