Search found 28 matches

by GardenSteamer
Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:13 am
Forum: Mamods & MSS
Topic: Mamod SL1 / MSS Loco Changing Reverser Block
Replies: 3
Views: 4638

If you are going to disturb the reversing block get two new 1/4" x 1/8" replacement O rings to seal the pipework. The existing ones go hard after a time and then leak steam if they are moved.

Jim
by GardenSteamer
Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:14 pm
Forum: Projects
Topic: Vertical Traverser / Hoist System
Replies: 8
Views: 6142

That sounds do-able using vertical movement instead of horizontal.

Given a completely free hand, what would be your ideal number of vertical stages to move through?

Would you need horizontal movement as well as vertical movement?
by GardenSteamer
Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:52 am
Forum: Projects
Topic: Vertical Traverser / Hoist System
Replies: 8
Views: 6142

Like Peter, I built a traverser in 4mm scale many years ago using just 4 tracks on the moving portion. It wasn't computer controlled just using logic chips. It had 4 pushbuttons on a control panel and pushing one of the buttons moved the traverser to the corresponding track number for loading/unload...
by GardenSteamer
Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:01 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: painting brass
Replies: 5
Views: 4010

My preference for painting locos, including boiler, is Precision Paints enamel.
by GardenSteamer
Fri Oct 03, 2014 12:26 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Exhaust regulator
Replies: 9
Views: 4153

I have found exhaust regulators are very effective at taming Mamods or any other oscillating cylinder locos. The design I make fits horizontally in the smokebox and uses the "smokebox dart" to adjust the amount of throttling. I have it wide open to clear the condensate at the begining of a...
by GardenSteamer
Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:17 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: Leader thread sizes
Replies: 2
Views: 2388

I don't have a Leader to confirm the thread, however the standard Accucraft thread is M5 x 0.5

Hope this helps
by GardenSteamer
Wed Nov 13, 2013 11:19 am
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: How do you use your Radio Control Set-Up?
Replies: 14
Views: 7006

I have my locos set up with "throttle" lever controlling the regulator and the "gear" switch controlling the reversing lever. As we seldom notch up the reverser in this scale I find that using a switch is more convenient.
by GardenSteamer
Mon Oct 21, 2013 10:57 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: LGB Point Motors
Replies: 12
Views: 7606

RC servos work by sending a pulse on the signal line that varies in length between a nominal 1mS and 2mS. This is repeated 50 times a second. Once the servo has rotated to the position equivalent to the length of pulse then it will draw very little current. For point use a continuous variation of th...
by GardenSteamer
Mon Jun 10, 2013 7:18 am
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: 16mm today issue 081
Replies: 7
Views: 3838

PM sent with scans
by GardenSteamer
Sun Jun 09, 2013 10:29 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: 16mm today issue 081
Replies: 7
Views: 3838

I've found the article and a follow up in issue 92.

I'll scan both tomorrow and send them to you
by GardenSteamer
Sun Jun 09, 2013 7:07 pm
Forum: Garden Railway Technical Help & Advice
Topic: 16mm today issue 081
Replies: 7
Views: 3838

Hi Matt

I've got a copy of SMT issue 81. Which article are you interested in and I'll send you a scan

Jim
by GardenSteamer
Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:36 pm
Forum: General Garden Railways
Topic: Did i buy the wrong coal?
Replies: 32
Views: 20305

Make sure the charcoal isn't too large - each piece should be about the size of your fingernail. The stuff they sell for BBQ's is far too large for coal firing. The best source of small size charcoal that i have found is TME Engineering The charcoal should be completely saturated with paraffin and a...
by GardenSteamer
Sun Mar 24, 2013 7:33 pm
Forum: New Models & Reviews
Topic: SWIFT TRAM KIT.
Replies: 16
Views: 6408

OK, I confess to being a sucker for a steam tram but this kit looks absolutly fantastic. I'll certainly be making a bee-line for your stall at Peterborough.
by GardenSteamer
Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:36 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Changing of a Roundhouse Silver Lady - Steamy Clare
Replies: 123
Views: 82556

The matt black just finishes off the loco well.

I just wish Roundhouse wouldn't paint their smokeboxes gloss black!
by GardenSteamer
Thu Mar 14, 2013 7:32 pm
Forum: Videos
Topic: Be even MORE afraid.....................
Replies: 7
Views: 3864

That certainly rat-chets up the fear :lol:
by GardenSteamer
Fri Feb 08, 2013 8:36 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Early Roundhouse Piston Ring Sizes
Replies: 3
Views: 2912

That seems to be a really odd size - almost 15/32". Probably the best thing to do is to phone Roundhouse and ask if they have any records for the cylinder bore they used way back then.

I have found them very helpful and they may even have some O rings in stock. Let us know how you get on.

Jim
by GardenSteamer
Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:10 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Early Roundhouse Piston Ring Sizes
Replies: 3
Views: 2912

Hi Paul,

Some of the early Roundhouses use 1/2" bore cylinders. Can you remove one of the cylinder covers and measure just to check?

Jim
by GardenSteamer
Thu Jan 24, 2013 10:58 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Burner lighting
Replies: 6
Views: 4000

If your Ragleth lit properly in the past, it could be a piece of dirt has become trapped in the gas nozzle giving the trouble.
by GardenSteamer
Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:52 am
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: Boiler Painting - Coal Fired - Midland Red
Replies: 4
Views: 3841

I have used Precision Paints enamel and this doesn't seem effected by the heat, even on a dry backhead.

Immediately after spraying I put the component in an electric oven at 100 deg C for an hour. This stoves the paint to a very hard finish
by GardenSteamer
Mon Jan 21, 2013 8:02 pm
Forum: Locomotives - Live Steam
Topic: DJB Robert
Replies: 22
Views: 9746

Yes, you most certainly can notch up Hackworth gear and I have found that Robert runs much better "notched" when fully warmed up.

I often run it at steam shows as it is such a tame engine to run that you can chat to people without letting the fire out (been there, done that etc!)