The world of model and hobby engineering

Subscribe

The Modelling Hub Logo

The world of model and hobby engineering

Subscribe
Buy Latest Issue

Forums

Help

Register

Log in

Cylinders : Gunmetal v Cast Iron

Advert
New Replies
Report Bug
Help/FAQs

Cylinders : Gunmetal v Cast Iron

Home › Forums › Locomotives › Cylinders : Gunmetal v Cast Iron

Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
  • Author
    Posts
  • 10 August 2011 at 14:02 #73120
    Steambuff
    Participant
      @steambuff
      Sorry for asking a simple question but as a beginner I am getting conflicting advice.
       
      I am at the stage where I need to think about ordering the castings (or material) for my loco cylinders.
       
      I have the choice of Gun-Metal or Cast Iron. (In all my 16mm loco’s I used Brass).
       
      What are the Pro’s and Cons of Gun-Metal v Cast Iron for the Cylinders and Pistons. (Other than Cost) Also can both be made of the same material – The piston does have a rubber ring on it.
       
      Many Thanks.
       
      Dave
       
      Advert
      10 August 2011 at 14:02 #1029
      Steambuff
      Participant
        @steambuff

        Pro’s and Cons of Gunmetal v Cast Iron

        11 August 2011 at 19:39 #73211
        Jim Nolan
        Participant
          @jimnolan76764

          Dave,
          Like all technical questions on this forum you can hear the tumbleweed blowing through the answers. You should have asked a question where the answer was an opinion not something that required a bit of knowledge.

          What might help and bring more of the knowledgeable persons on here out of the woodwork is if you could expand on gauge / scale as it might give the responders a clue as to how to advise you

          Jim

          Edited By David Clark 1 on 11/08/2011 19:59:10

          11 August 2011 at 19:55 #73212
          JasonB
          Moderator
            @jasonb
            Posted twice

            Edited By JasonB on 11/08/2011 20:07:50

            11 August 2011 at 19:59 #73213
            JasonB
            Moderator
              @jasonb
              Well I’ll chuck in a couple of thoughts.
               
              CI
              -Possible risk of hardspots due to parts of the casting cooling too rapidly.Not something you can spot straight away, there are ways around it and a good supplier may well replace a defective casting
              -Risk of rust in the cylinder if left with condensate in them
              -Some people don’t like the dirty nature of the material when machined, does not bother me.
              -Easier to work than GM as it does not grab when drilling or tapping
              – Less expensive
               
              GM
              -Less risk of corrosion
              – Softer material which can easily be marked by chuck jaws or over clamping
              – Can grab when drilling and needs a sharp tap to avoid problems when threading
              – Expensive compared to iron
              – Unlikely to have hard spots
              – Probably less abrasive on “O” rings than iron
               
              Iron on iron is not a problem but GM on GM could cause gauling, however the piston does not actually touch the cylinder wall, it will have a littel clearance and the O ring will be whats in contact with the cylinder not the actual piston. So in this situation it does not really matter if the metals are alike or disimilar.
               
              J
            • Author
              Posts
            Viewing 5 posts - 1 through 5 (of 5 total)
            • Please log in to reply to this topic. Registering is free and easy using the links on the menu at the top of this page.

            Latest Replies
            Report Bug
            Code of Conduct
            Help & FAQs
            Advert

            Latest Replies

            Home › Forums › Locomotives › Topics

            Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)
            Viewing 25 topics - 1 through 25 (of 25 total)

            View full reply list.

            Advert

            Latest Issues

            Subscribe
            Buy Latest/Back Issues

            Newsletter Sign-up

            Latest Replies