Recent content by tomfilery

wtaylor3 - no one has actually answered your question yet, so here goes! The measurements you quote in your original post are all the gauge of the track the locos run on - 3.5", 5" and 7.25" - this is the distance between the rails. These gauges equate to roughly 3/4"/ft, 1"/ft and 1.5"/ft...

Tony, Many thanks for the response - crystal clear, thank you. I'd picked up from the Ceramic Burner thread that you were in Madeira, so wasn't expecting an immediate answer. Regards Tom

Hi Tony, Could you please say a little about the ball seating jig you show in post#14. I expect it's use is fairly self evident, however, what wasn't clear to me was how you determine the "maximum clearance" - by the angle of the valve stem, by measurement with feeler gauges, or something else...

Pat, I haven't read all of your posts really carefully, but how about loading Oracle VirtualBox (in Linux) and running Windows from there? You must have a copy of your Windows system to do this (though I understand you can download a free image of XP Pro from Microsoft to run on Virtual Box -...

Dale, I echo the expressions of admiration already added to your posts - truly beautiful work! Are the springs (in your last picture posting) machined from solid, or made up of individual cut strips? Regards Tom

Tony, Great stuff - as usual - and nicely explained. I would most interested in you showing us how you do the version with the integral blow down valve - if you can find the time. Regards Tom

Tony, Although the conventional wisdom seems to be that boiler bushes MUST be bronze (and that was the case going back many years), I have, so far, failed to find any indication that it is compulsory to make all external fittings from bronze. I suspect this is the next big lie we are to be...

Tony, Lovely work and good explanation - as usual. I'll be watching with interest. Regards Tom

Simon, Nice work - as usual! For your 1/16" pin, I'd use a piece of blunt 1/16" drill shank (I tend to keep them in the scrap box, rather than throwing them out for just this type of situation) - you might need to anneal it to allow you to cut/ file it. Regards Tom

I agree fully with Kenny's view that:- "The rule here has always been to welcome everyone with open arms, treat every question asked with respect and help the other person become good at what they are wanting to do. If a person proves themselves to be a spammer, then cut their nuts off and let...

Dan, Great - I (and clearly others) will look forward to your posts. Have a good holiday. Regards Tom

Dan, I know you are still posting on the forum and assume you've been diverted to other things, but was wondering if you are still progressing with the beautiful work you were producing on the Shay? Regards Tom

Paul, No - I just leave the double-bevel top of the blade as it comes. I know that what Ramon says (about them just being blanks which need grinding) is correct, but I didn't bother and it works for me (I have an ancient Myford Super 7). I rarely have parting problems (but tend to only work on...

Lensman, And side view - pretty much as per Ramon's (but without the shaped tip). Regards Tom

Lensman, Photos as requested:- End-on showing the "peak" running along the top of the tool. Regards Tom