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« on: September 10, 2010, 07:57:14 AM »
It's been a while since I posted here and here is a good place to get back into the swing now that summer is over.
As Jason mentioned, the material used for the pins was chosen for it's characteristics. It just so happens that it's the same material used for axles. Also, it was about the same diameter for both parts. Originally, I was to make all of the the axles for #11. It was later decided to make the crank pins. So I just used the chosen material to make the crank pins instead.
Great work on the patterns Bernie. Am I sensing another circular "backshop" style BBQ in the spring?. Right now I am making parts for the big lathe at the WW&F shops so that future projects, like #11's wheelsets, will go smoother. I will be coming up this fall to get that machine back in running order. My buddy Ed G. and I plan to spend some time on the machine improving some of it's less than desirable traits.
Removing 1/4 to 1/2" of material from parts as big as wheel centers is not a big deal. When not in mass production, it's better to have more than enough material to machine off rather than not enough. This eliminates some of the "we shoulda' left more meat on in that area" discussions. It's far easier to take material off than to add some on.
As far as taking time away from the #9. Like someone said, it's easier to make parts from afar to engineered drawings for a new locomotive that will be built from scratch where known fits can be predetermined. I live in PA and to travel to Maine for more than a couple of weekends a year is difficult for me. I have a desire to help the WW&F museum achieve it's goal by offering my machining experience. I can do that by making parts here in PA and bringing them up when I can or shipping them with someone who will be Maine bound. The #9 is up there in Maine and many of the parts are already there awaiting rehab. This rehab requires having the mating part(s) on hand to check for fit and operation along with decisions being made on whether to make new parts or reuse the old ones.
Also, to have a big part of the #11 on hand is good incentive for some to keep the project moving forward. It shows that the museum is serious about building the #11. In the not for profit museum world, this is a good "seed" for getting the funding needed to keep the project moving forward. When benefactors and granters see their donations become something tangible, they feel good about donating again.
Time to go off to the shop and make some chips.
Looking forward to my next visit.
Bruce Mowbray
Springville, PA
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