Search found 443 matches

by pat1027
Sat Jan 27, 2024 8:02 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Nylatron Bushing Use
Replies: 20
Views: 1760

Re: Nylatron Bushing Use

The record for distance covered by a miniature train in a 24 hour period is 204.9 miles. This is with a coal fired 4-4-0 using Vesconite bushings on the rods. https://www.machinedesign.com/mechanical-motion-systems/article/21838239/polymer-bushings-help-steam-locomotive-set-world-record-for-distance...
by pat1027
Sun Dec 31, 2023 1:51 pm
Forum: Riding Scale Railroading
Topic: Signal Scale
Replies: 5
Views: 3069

Re: Signal Scale

Based on the two railroads I run on with signals, 1.5" scale is probably the lower limit of what is easy pick out at a distance. The type of light, lens and how it's aimed have a big effect. There are a few signals that even though I know they are there that are difficult to pick out of the fol...
by pat1027
Fri Dec 29, 2023 8:47 pm
Forum: Lathes
Topic: Need help in getting an Atlas Lathe operating
Replies: 5
Views: 5189

Re: Need help in getting an Atlas Lathe operating

These are the pulley diameters on my Atlas 6".

6 Inch Atlas Pulley Dia.jpg
6 Inch Atlas Pulley Dia.jpg (24.76 KiB) Viewed 5023 times
by pat1027
Sat Dec 23, 2023 7:15 pm
Forum: Lathes
Topic: Need help in getting an Atlas Lathe operating
Replies: 5
Views: 5189

Re: Need help in getting an Atlas Lathe operating

That looks like an older 6" lathe. I have one similar to the lathe in this video. https://youtu.be/-3WUTFSSPWk?si=WYqPbQsr8wjecyjM Near the end you get a decent view of the drive set up. I can measure my pulleys when I get back home next week. From the factory the 6" lathe came with a 1/3H...
by pat1027
Sat Dec 23, 2023 11:51 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Oxy-acetylene welding steel boiler?
Replies: 21
Views: 31874

Re: Oxy-acetylene welding steel boiler?

Looking for where oxyfuel welding is still used I came across an EAA course on oxyfuel welding for aircraft work. I got a chuckle out of their description. They teach welding for aircraft, no tractors no cars. They will only talk about aircraft.
by pat1027
Wed Dec 13, 2023 1:51 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Oxy-acetylene welding steel boiler?
Replies: 21
Views: 31874

Re: Oxy-acetylene welding steel boiler?

While vaguely similar to TIG welding a major difference is the electric welding processes can apply more energy in the weld zone giving better penetration. We did the gas welded box exercise in school. The material is considerably thinner. Move up to boiler thickness materials and it would get much ...
by pat1027
Wed Dec 13, 2023 8:29 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: 1” scale air brakes
Replies: 26
Views: 36152

Re: 1” scale air brakes

Considering just the locomotive, it depends on reliability of the compressor and if 20-30PSI is enough pressure to give the braking you want. If the compressor is temperamental or 20-30PSI isn't enough then no. The difficulty with most steam brakes is they lack a regulator making them essentially on...
by pat1027
Thu Dec 07, 2023 7:39 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Silver soldering verses compression fittings
Replies: 10
Views: 5343

Re: Silver soldering verses compression fittings

I have a locomotive 30+ years old with brass sleeve compression fittings on copper tube and no reliability issue. A key with any of the tube fitting systems is alignment and support. Don't leave it to the sleeve, flare or ferrule to pull the tube into alignment with the fitting and restrain movement...
by pat1027
Wed Nov 29, 2023 10:01 am
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Axle box lube
Replies: 10
Views: 3098

Re: Axle box lube

We've run a 30w oil in a half bearing on a trailing truck. A felt pad runs against the bottom half of the axle. A couple squirts of oil each run has done nicely.
by pat1027
Mon Nov 27, 2023 9:47 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: New to me Loco - Next Q - Safety won't close
Replies: 21
Views: 5602

Re: New to me Loco - Next Q - Safety won't close

I have a pair of Super Scale Consolidated safety valves. In 30 years of use one was taken apart once for something caught in the seat. I don't use any sealant. The valves go into good bushings finger tight in the morning and come out by hand after the boiler is blown down. PTFE tape quality varies. ...
by pat1027
Wed Nov 15, 2023 6:12 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Brake regulator valve (Clippard MAR-1 operation)
Replies: 9
Views: 5139

Re: Brake regulator valve (Clippard MAR-1 operation)

As you turn the knob clockwise the plunger is depressed. Counter clockwise the pluger is released.
by pat1027
Sun Nov 12, 2023 6:17 pm
Forum: Live Steam
Topic: Brake shoe material
Replies: 22
Views: 18588

Re: Brake shoe material

The original shoes engine and tender were machined from Micarta which is a fabric resin composite. They seemed to work fine until needing replacement. On the locomotive I installed cast bronze shoes and on the tender relined using McMaster 6090K21. Stripes were epoxied onto the shoes using the wheel...