British 0-4-0 Toy Locomotive: he said

[TroyO]

What an astounding thread! Thank you, Zee for letting me "Look over your shoulder" at the whole process. I ended up reading through all 700-ish posts in one shot I was so hooked.

I learned a lot I hope to remember.... and a few things I hope to unlearn. (Tutu?)

I guess as someone who goes to the RenFaire in a traditional kilt I can't say much. ;-)

Anyway... looks good! (The engine.... not the tutu... tho I'm sure you have great legs! ;-)

 

[Deanofid]

The Tutu! Heh, that was a while back. No one's going to forget, Zee.

Dean

 

[metalmuncher]

Hi Zee, Its been a long haul for you but its nice to see it finished, though I think it would have been easier having a baby lol. I have put this on my to do list but it will be a long while before it gets done, I have a big ossilater to build after I get done with my currant build. All the best mate you crack me up with some of the stuff you write, do you wear the tutu when you are machining? Regards Keith.

 

[doubletop]

Zee

It looks great, I don't know why you were so worried.

Burners can be a real pain so if you haven't got the pump yet and you haven't tried it remove the steam dome or pop out the pistons and try out the burner to see it at least boils the water.

Then get it pressure tested and show us the video of it running. You know that's the only reason we've worked through 46 pages of posts with you.

Pete

 

[seagar]

Zee I think it looks great and thanks for the ride along the build track. :bow:

Ian (seagar).

 

[bearcar1]

The awaiting of your test pump to arrive will give you plenty of time to put together another one of your unique happy dances as well ;D I take my hat off to you Z', for your ever present tenacity and fortitude to continue blazing through unforeseen obstacles and to get back up in the saddle and try again (and again?) until success is achieved. BRAVO!! I think your loco is quite charming despite what you may feel are warts, but that is what gives it the character and appeal magnetism. It draws on the memories of our childhood and returns us back to that time once again, so joyous and yet just out of reach. Your house guests will be thrilled to be a witness to all of your hard work and I am confident that the first steaming will be a success for you. Well done indeed. :bow:

BC1
Jim

 

[arnoldb]

Carl, it looks very nice Thm: - congratulations!

I can't wait to see you fire it up; that first live steam run is as much a buzz as getting the first engine built

Regards, Arnold

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Hey thanks everyone.
Like I said...it's NOT done. It needs to run and I need to put together a video.
It'll be a while though. Folks visiting, vacation, and then I'm expecting a business trip to Mexico.

Thanks larry1.

Thanks Dean. Yeah I'm pretty pleased how it came out.

Thanks Dennis (Trout). I don't know what's next...got some ideas though. Marine engine with boiler and a boat. Probably too much to chew but I can't get it out of my head. I'll probably do something else first though.

Thanks TroyO. I really appreciate that.

Thanks metalmuncher. No I don't wear the tutu when I'm in the shop. It would get ruined.

Thanks Pete. Nice idea. I'll see if I can get some fuel and try it out.

Thanks Ian.

Thanks Jim. I'll try my best for a satisfying dance. (No I won't.)

Thanks Arnold.

I took the engine to work today. People were suitably impressed.
Or good liars. :big:

I hope I thanked everyone by name...if I missed someone...it's my mistake.

 

[putputman]

Carl, that is a piece of work to really be proud of. It is a terrific feeling when you finally put all the little pieces together and you end up with something as nice as that locomotive. Congratulations. :bow: :bow: :bow:

 

[tmuir]

Great work Zee.

Now we want to see a video of it steaming down a trak.

 

[deere_x475guy]

Carl, your humor and writing style has always kept me both interested and amused...... I think you should compile your project posts someday and publish a bedside reader.....It will put on smile on anyones face.!!...Nice looking loco....really nice.

 

[joe d]

Carl, your humor and writing style has always kept me both interested and amused...... I think you should compile your project posts someday and publish a bedside reader.....It will put on smile on anyones face.!!...Nice looking loco....really nice.

Whilst in agreement with the basic sentiments expressed here, I think Zee would have to edit out the bits about his tutu or the book would be on the naughty shelves of the bookstore.... ;D ;D

This project IS looking good, Zee, I've been enjoying following along.

Cheers, Joe

 

[kcmillin]

Zee, Great job on this entire process. Your openness on this forum is very admirable and the reward has been sweet indeed. You have accomplished everything needed to complete this project and your first try at silver soldering went great. Everything cleaned up real purdy like. You should be very proud.

And WOW!! 1st and 2nd most replied too topics, and by a landslide I might add.

Wait, upon further research, number 8 too!!

Aren't we the popular one :big: :big:

I'm a stickler for stats.

Once again, Well done and congratulations on a great build.

Kel

 

[T70MkIII]

Good job, Zee - a really nice looking locomotive.

So, carriages next? Kaboose, Kimosabe?

 

[IronHorse]

I used the alternate method of testing the boiler from the article "Testing Model Boilers" and it worked very good. Basically you plug all the holes, attach a pressure gauge and fill it completely with water and make sure there is no air inside. Heat the boiler slowly with a propane torch on low heat. It will take a few minuit's and the pressure will start to rise. Continue to slowly heat and watch the gauge until you reach the test pressure. I did it this way because I broke my pump testing my last boiler It sounds a bit scary, but I think it is as safe as using a pump.

IronHorse

 

[b.lindsey]

You've made a lot of progress Zee and it all looks great. Have a great vacation and visit with the relatives. Since I'm going to be gone for a bit too, maybe I won't miss too much.

Bill

 

[fcheslop]

Hi Zee, That is one fine loco looking foreward to video.Iv enjoyed reading the posts and have enjoyed your style of writting and openness when the going became challenging :bow:
Now the big question WHATS NEXT
Best wishes Frazer

 

[Kermit]

Yes yes. What's next?
:bow:


I need something new to check in on everyday since I'm not making anything but dirty dishes and dirty clothes at the moment. ;D
Kermit

 

[Philjoe5]

Congratulations Zee. You suffered through all the obstacles to get there - lesser men would have quit :bow:

Looking forward to the video

Cheers,
Phil

 

[zeeprogrammer]

Thanks putputman.
Thanks tmuir.
Thanks Bob. A bedside reader eh? Yeah I can put them to sleep.
Thanks Joe. Edit the tutu? No...must always remain true to oneself.
Thanks Kel. It's very easy to get a large number of replies on this forum...you can either ask for help...or do something that offends the nature of the machinist.
Thanks Ironhorse. That seems a workable way. Especially once I get some pressure gauges. I really want to build firebird's water pump.
Thanks Bill.
Thanks Frazer. Don't know.
Thanks Kermit. Don't know! Sheesh.
Thanks Phil. Can't quit. Put a lot of money into this the last year. She'd kill me.

I got the pump that Pete suggested. At first I was a bit wary. For one thing the price seemed too low. $18. For another, there's no a label/etching/sticker anywhere on it indicating 'Made in ...'.

But I tried it on my bike and it did pump it up. I was real surprised. At first I couldn't tell it was doing anything...pumping away provided no/little resistance. Then I felt the tire. Nearly hard as a rock. A few more pumps and I could see the pressure gauge had definitely moved. I stopped at about 30psi.

Then I read the instructions...an excerpt...

"6. It may be heard leaking sound when unscrew. but it wasn't leak from shock. All the leaking air is come from hose area."

Okay. Now I know where it was made. I've never understood why they don't just hire a native English speaking person to write the documentation. I'd be happy to be hired for that and spend a little time over there.

No slight on the manufacturer. I see lots of references to the makers of our mini-lathes etc but they're catching up fast. Remember the first transistor radios from Japan? Junk. You can't say that now.

Now that I think about it...I can hand that instruction to the doctor the next time I see her. :big:

Here's another excerpt...

"4. Non-scratch rubber sealing system."

I don't like rubber that scratches.