3" Fowler Update - Gears and Gear selectors

[@ninalli]

Great to see your project taking shape John. Do let me know if I can help with any castings, Owl Castings Ltd.

[@johnlintorn6768]

I will keep you in mind! I have never made any patterns before though so might need guidance if so

[@ninalli]

@@johnlintorn6768 That's no problem we can print the patterns, all we need is a drawing with dims on them.

[@union310]

If you look at the back issues of Engineering in Miniature, I wrote an article on how to machine a splined shaft from the solid with correct round tops and curved ends on the splines.

[@johnlintorn6768]

And where would one find the old issue in question??

[@union310]

@@johnlintorn6768 If you ring the office they will sell you a copy. It is a while ago but they do have copies. 3" fowler second shaft by Calder Percival.

[@OthamJohn]

Nice to see progress - I'm still working on the gears on the 2" A7. The 3" will be getting rather heavy by now I imagine

[@johnlintorn6768]

Well I still have everything in parts in boxes. My plan this year is to make the gears, selectors, and valve gear first. Attach the Bearing blocks and then, as the weather warms up paint the horn plates, tender and front end. Once painting is complete I'm looking to start putting everything together later in the year.... then she will start getting heavy haha!! Once I see how she sits on the flat I can buy the necessary thickness of rubber for the wheels.

[@johnlintorn6768]

What DP are the 2" gears and what machine are you using to cut them?

[@OthamJohn]

@@johnlintorn6768 John, they range from 6 to 10 and I'm cutting them on the mill with a BS-0 indexing head and cutters from eBay and RDG. I had a few mistakes to start with, but using the power feed on the mill and cutting full depth (despite reservations) it works well. I spend time making sure the indexing head is set up correctly with a dry run against a mark on the blank. If it doesn't line up after 1 full revolution I sort it out before I start cutting. Use the mandrel with the left hand thread and make sure everything is really locked down. I can send you some photos to your phone if that would help. I still have your number.

[@johnlintorn6768]

@@OthamJohn I'm always interested so see how fellow modelers are doing!

[@OthamJohn]

@@johnlintorn6768 sent you a photo of the final drive pinion being cut

[@carlweatherley4883]

Very nicely done m8