The Home Machinist!

Walton Tap Extractors have been around for 100+ years. That said my experience with them has been very hit or miss, some machinists think they are a bit of a gimmick. https://www.waltontools.com/products/extractr.htm I've purchased a couple individually from McMaster-Carr: https://www.mcmaster.com/p...

Something to consider if space is tight. Pictured below is my commercial roller and my homemade roller, both fit 1/2" K copper tubing. The home built roller doesn't have many clearance problems. They seem to work equally well. Rollers.jpg Excuse my ignorance but what is the threaded looking po...

As Keith said - I have a 3/4" Friends Atlantic with baker gear and slide valves and it runs just fine.

What VGC says is also correct, the combination lever has the linkage swapped at the valve rod in this configuration.

Marty_Knox wrote: ↑Wed Feb 08, 2023 3:59 pm March/April 2019 Live Steam has an article by Dennis Larrick titled 'Why Two-Inch Scale'.
In it he compares 2" scale models to 2.5" scale models.
Could this be the article you're looking for?

That's the one! Thanks Marty!

I seem to remember reading an article that went over some nuances of different scale factors for narrow gauge engines modeled in (I think) 2" or 2.5" or 2.6" and running on 7.5" gauge track. I cant remember the details but I remember reading the article some time ago. Looking thr...

I have been looking into investment casting. But the entry fee and learning curve have put me off. I've been casting low temperature alloys in silicon molds with all in all good success. However, I now need somethings stronger in brass and/or bronze. I can make the patterns and 3D print the waxes. ...

Now you know why I just make waxes and then send them, or take them to the foundry. I am more than happy to pay what I am charged for castings :D . Making consistent good castings is not easy. Jack I do the same thing although I typically take my master pattern to the foundry and let them make a mo...

Bigger than a handheld hardware store type torch but smaller and cheaper to run than my rosebud. Shown running at a couple psi. It'll run up to 20+ psi. It was about $12.00 to build. Simply a smaller version of foundry burners shown online. Curious how you utilize this torch, in general I love the ...

I printed the oscillating engine several years back just for a little fun. The prints came out and went together just fine but it would not run, not even a little. At a model engineering show I saw someone with one on their display table (not running) I asked the gentlemen about it and he said that ...

Here is a shot of the front tubesheet under construction which shows the tube configuration along with the superheater which had already been constructed at this stage. The superheater design is quite elegant/simple.

I am simply cross posting pictures from the facebook group where Chuck's son Jim has posted updates so I do not have details of the engine, anyone who wants to know more would have to get in contact with Jim or Chuck. Chuck is truly a master craftsman, he does all of his own pattern work and casting...

Beautiful model of the S2! I have to wonder if it is truly steam powered of electrically motored. I love it! It is steam powered with a copper pot like any proper 3/4" live steam loco. 104932089_10102364885562390_2081812651090758985_n.jpg 58379941_10101928446070630_6548188572061532160_n.jpg