Good evening all

[Jack PrendergastParticipant @jackprendergast96591]

Just a few lines to introduce myself

I have a keen interest in live steam and engineering and basic metal working skills, im looking to build a 3 1/2” or 5” gauge locomotive based on a mainline express

could anyone direct me to..

1) build diaries of similar builds ?

2) advice about who is trading live steam model kits/ castings ?

3) advice about basic tools needed to start off I frequently gave access to a lathe and workshop

4) are there any brands to be avoided ?

all the best

Jack

[Jack PrendergastParticipant @jackprendergast96591]

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Welcome to the Forum!

LOTS of experience and advice on here, if you need it; just ask!

You mention "basic metal working skills"

If you are not conversant with using a lathe and a milling machine, I would advise against launching into something as complicated as a locomotive as your first project.

If you are already an experienced machined, you can ignore the following, which is intended for a newbie.

But we all learn as we go along!

Become familiar with your machines. If you are new to the game, your first projects could be making a few tools, that you will use as you progress to bigger and better things. Possibly, starting with a Centre Height Gauge.

Another couple of early projects could be one or more taps wrenches (of different sizes), then a Die Holder to fit into the Tailstock, followed by a Mandrel Handle.

These will be tools that you will use for years to come. Better to make mistakes on an inexpensive project rather that an expensive casting!

As you gain confidence, other accessories or modification to your machines can be made. Suppliers, such as Hemingway, and others can supply kits and drawings to make other items, even upto a Cutter Grinder, Rotary Table, or a Gear Hobbing machine.

HTH

Howard.

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Hello Jack and welcome. Whilst I think that Howard is absolutely correct, there is another way of looking at it.

If you start on a not too difficult engine for example, you can make the simple parts to gain practice at using the tools while at the same time making progress on the engine. As you gain more experience you can move on to more complicated parts using different techniques.

Brian

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Just at the topof this thread you will see "latst posts" which displays all the posts in chronological order. Use it to skip back to the beginning of the year and start reading. You will pick up a thousand times more information than can be put into a single thread.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Two tips.

First

Don't build a model that you are not really interested in just because it's simple. Choose something you really want to build even if people say it's not a 'beginners model'. This applies to what I would call mainstream model engineering ie locos,traction engines etc of sizes that can be acheived on your machinery, I am not talking about emulating Chaddocks 1/4 scale BRM racing engine or Mike Sayers Bently engines.

Second

Make some of the workshop tools from Hemmingway Kits that you would find helpfull to you with the full instructions they come with you will learn a lot of skills.

best regards Martin

PS No one sees the bits you chuck under the bench.

[Author]

Posts