Quartering and Eccentrics - Pennsylvania A3 Switcher, Part 41

This episode on Blondihacks, I’m finishing the wheel sets! Exclusive videos, drawings, models & plans available on Patreon!
/ quinndunki
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[@daar1113]

As always, I came for the machining. I stayed for the dry sense of humor. Love it.

[@zukowski2023]

Silly tip, when you are parting off an eccentric after boring it out, put a sacrificial piece of metal in the bored hole to avoid the "thumping action" of the parting blade as it passed the shaft hole. Having something to cut is better than beating the daylights out of the tool and tool post when it hits a void.. Just a thought (it's what I have done in the past and it works great).

[@4GibMe]

Silly tip, down walk into another persons shop and start telling them what to do. Don't like it. don't watch it.

[@FishyBoi1337]

@@4GibMe dang bro, it's literally not that deep. Take a chill pill.

[@MrRedstoner]

@@4GibMe Did you miss the part about Quin literally taking Patreon suggestions? A respectfully worded tip is appreciated around here (unlike yours, which doesn't seem very respectful to me)

[@Firebird1005]

@4GibMe it's really a slippy tip. If the inserts slips you get the thump without expecting it. Disaster follows. A hss tool can easily deal with an interrupted cut.

[@steveh8724]

@@4GibMe Silly tip, don't treat mild suggestions as walking into a shop and "telling someone what to do." NOTE: This is just a mild suggestion. Feel free to keep over-reacting if you must.

[@halo6six6]

41 episodes in and I can’t believe how far you’ve gotten. I love watching the parts come together and start to become a locomotive! You’re doing an amazing job. Thanks for another great video!

[@ParanoidMarvinMk2]

I often give the advice when talking about making things easier down the road that "Be nice to the next poor sucker, because chances are that poor sucker will be you." Quinn obviously doesn't believe in that.

[@Argosh]

She believes in building character 🤣

[@MrRedstoner]

@@ParanoidMarvinMk2 Quinn is not the only dry humor channel using the leave things for future me approach either

[@steveskouson9620]

"...but she's a sucker, we don't have to worry about her." Quinn, NEVER stop! steve

[@tomgidden]

5:07 “That's a pain for Future Quinn and she's a sucker...” ... 23:07 “Past Quinn is dumb.” **sigh** They grow up so fast...

[@Hyce777]

Beautiful work Quinn. That jig is pretty genius. The tips on machining eccentrics I certainly appreciated! Couple real world steam connections: I've got no idea how big 2816's bore is, but it's darn big. I know the bore on our 1881 and 1899 ancient narrow gauges engines is 16", and our big K class is 20". The size of some of those engines out there is staggering. Only boat people get us... Lol! Also, many shops have drop pits instead of big cranes. I always wish I had a big crane and I've only ever had drop pits. Yucky nasty places, but the process is similar - just some removable rails that slide out of the way and a big ram or small crane to hoist one wheelset up or down.

[@Blondihacks]

2816’s bore is actually 22”. I misspoke in the video. 😕

[@andcrafter4790]

A wild Hyce appears!

[@RonCovell]

Excellent presentation, Quinn. I wasn't familiar with 'quartering', and I do like that ingenious fixture. I also enjoyed seeing that you like dogs, in addition to cats!

[@belatoth3763]

When you recentered the eccentric on the lathe I almost made a standing ovation. It is a clever and precise way instead of poking it with the live center or so

[@WobblycogsUk]

I've been to more steam and model shows that I can remember but it wasn't until I watched this series that I really got a feel for how much time and skill goes into making these model. I would never consider making one myself (woodwork is my thing) but I can appreciate true craftsmanship in any form.

[@howder1951]

Wow, I think the chassis looks beautiful at this state of assembly. All the precision has paid off, got to be proud of this accomplishment, cheers!

[@RichardMiller-o4w]

Interesting fact. Big stationary steam engines have a series of either holes drilled or some kind of pockets cast into the periphery of the flywheel to insert a jack or crowbar to muscle the engine off the top center or rotate the engine incrementally for whatever reason.

[@ChrisChandler-y4g]

I met an engineer from England who told me his first job was first thing in the morning to use a large prybar in a series of holes in the wall behind a large single cylinder horizontal steam engine that powered the shop to take it just past top center.

[@oldfarthacks]

And even bigger engines have small steam engines to drive a worm gear that will bar the engine over. Hand turn the small engine to a past TDC position, swing it into engagement with the crankshaft and then apply the steam to allow it to move the main engine to the starting position.

[@ThePhoenixAscendant]

And in today's video, an eccentric making an eccentric!

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Very interesting about locomotives needing two cylinders. Who knew?

[@PRR5406]

My dear Quinn, we are fashioning a locomotive nerd out of you. Excellent !

[@jimsvideos7201]

Thank you for making weekends into a particular treat. 😊

[@thoughtstream9591]

In fairness to past you, I still like "shut up, that's why" as a reason. It certainly never happens to any of the rest of us 😂. Between you and Adam Savage, I am slowly learning to be more accepting of my mistakes, errors and things I didn't think of.

[@AnonOmis1000]

9:05 idk why but i aways find it so satisfying when you pull back a reamer and see the flutes fill of chips. I guess it's because it shows the reamer did actually cut.

[@mattomon1045]

Quinn thank you for explaining Quartering of wheels

[@TheBlahblahblahhh]

God do I love this series. Thanks so much for making it.

[@johnmoorefilm]

Raining here in Dublin, loving this cosy warm!❤

[@dj51]

Quinn always does a good job of explaining what is happening in the video. This time she outdid herself. The explanation on quartering was excellent for someone who is not familiar with steam engines and the necessity of the practice. Kudos to you!

[@johnwiley8417]

5:37 "Wiggle room" with an eccentric. HA!!! I love your puns, Quinn.

[@Kim-kl5jh]

Wonderful job on the eccentrics and quartering your wheels, Quinn. Nicely done. You're quartering jig is really top notch! I made mine out of wood, which worked fine. I thought of doing a metal jig, but went the cheaper route. As you said, it has a pretty short lifespan! Always enjoy your videos, Quinn! Thanks. 😊

[@jeffarmstrong1308]

I love that quartering jig and wish I had seen it back in the day. The way I went was to split a block of steel a la bearing caps and machine it truly square, the clamp the wheels into it. Working on a sheet of 12mm thick float glass that I use as a surface plate, the first crankpin was set with a stack of gauge blocks, then the whole assembly rolled over 90° to set the second crankpin. Everything was locked up using a wicking grade of Loctite. A mate used my setup to quarter the wheel of a NSWGR Garratt loco. This is a 4-8-4+4-8-4 heavy goods articulated loco so he had eight axles to quarter. It is essentially two engine so he 'only' had four axles each but he had to do it twice! 😅

[@PointerGo]

Hi Quinn. I binge watched all of these episodes so now I am caught up. Thanks for showing this build.

[@RichardMiller-o4w]

That quartering jig is ingenious. I've had to fight quartering on all my multiple cylinder steam model with varying success

[@robertberger8642]

Great video, Quinn!

[@terrytopliss9506]

Well worked out project Quinn,lovely job. Thanks for the video.👍👍

[@austinallmond7211]

Watching this while restoring an old locomotive. I hope you're proud of me!

[@brianjohnston7855]

By the time this is finished I just might understand how a loco works! It amazes me, as a non-machinist, how all these operations work. Roll on next episode.

[@oldfarthacks]

Consider these videos training material on the processes of making a train.

[@vikingsofvintageaudio7470]

Telegraphed or teleported? 😅 Found it funny if it wasn't a miss? Love your videos Quinn, I've learnt everything I know from you!😊

[@brianpentecostaldeplorable9841]

Love it, great work ! You're a great teacher. Your wit and humor go well with your explanations.

[@geneard639]

WOOHOO! Getting closer to the first run!

[@yowie0889]

Thanks for continuing to explain steam locomotive concepts with reference to internal combustion equivalents/differences. Very handy for those of us into cars but with no idea about steam trains.

[@Wyllie38]

Model quartering looks like a fun task. I’ve only ever checked the quartering on larger wheel sets we’ve been refurbished at work.

[@nicholashacking381]

You gave me a lightbulb moment: "You can't plunge cut with this type of endmill...." This explains a lot. I really should get to grips with the basics of endmills before I fire up my mill again. Thanks for that, and for the absorbing videos.

[@oldfarthacks]

In general true. For plunge cutting, use a 2 flute milling cutter. They have a name for those that involves the word drill, but it slips my mind right now.

[@johnapel2856]

That pesky past Quinn. Why you ought'ta... Another neat step in the project. I never thought about the quartering. Makes sense. Yay! I know something new! Thanks, and Meow to Sprocket. Oh, and Woof to the dog. Settle down Sprocket. Plenty of love to go around.

[@r1mein54]

Another great video instruction from Quinn.

[@paulmorrey4298]

Thanks Quinn

[@perfectlyinsane1376]

Past Quinn is not dumb, present (and future) Quinn is smarter than past Quinn. Aka learning and hindsight.

[@carlweatherley4883]

I've seen a few eccentric straps with holes in too adjust grub screws in place

[@DavidLindes]

10:36 - fair, and maybe you don't like saying yahtzee for partings that you don't like doing? But you have me trained, so I said it (with just a hint of questioning tone in my voice) once I realized that you weren't going to, or at least not immediately (i.e. about half-way through the gap in you talking). P.S. Dang, (then-)present Quinn was being pretty harsh with both future (5:07) and past (11:49, 17:13, 23:07) Quinns! Bully! ;) P.P.S. 14:26 - aww, you look so happy in that pic! Nice! Yay for moments of joy. 🥰

[@RainShadow-yi3xr]

this project is going great! I'm so exited to see it run.

[@richardepps8500]

Im sooo excited for the future of this project. Im learning alot about how the train do...

[@allenlandis4504]

really enjoyed the video, thank you very much.

[@fellipec]

Can't wait to see this loco working!

[@feedthechunk9836]

Beautiful.

[@generessler6282]

Thanks for the great explanations, passing along terrific skills. "People work better in teams." Yeah.

[@eldonwilson712]

great video as normal Did 2816 get back to Calgary after the run to Mexico

[@firebird8600]

Yay! It's Blondihacks time!!!

[@raymondhorvatin1050]

Thanks for sharing your experience and your knowledge

[@randallcleaver6990]

Not sure if you ever watched "Cruising the Cut" on youtube but he just did an episode (338) on a steam powered canal boat.. You might enjoy seeing the engine. So much work to run the thing. You would love it.

[@Blondihacks]

I have seen it! I do watch him, as a matter of fact. I find his videos very soothing

[@randallcleaver6990]

Me too. And, honestly, I find your episodes the same calming experience with me also learning a lot. Thanks for the work you put into them.

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Looking good

[@RustyInventions-wz6ir]

Very nice work

[@Genubath1]

It's so exciting that it can roll by hand now

[@gregorythomas333]

YEAY! Nicely done!! :)

[@warrenjones744]

Great explanation of quartering. Thanks

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

peace be upon you

[@theothertonydutch]

Can't wait for Wallschaerts time!

[@johnopfer8065]

Could you have done the eccentric hole using the milling machine as a precision drill press?

[@tyzojack]

hi quinn love your vids you explain things very well, tony from the uk. any chance of showing how to use a dro on the mill. thanks

[@richb419]

Nice work!

[@mtm101designs9]

Thanks!

[@CrazyTrainOfThoughts]

Very excited to watch, but i must wait till tomorrow afternoon to commit the time. Thank you so much for the regular upload schedule. Best regards.

[@kim003jm]

very good idea the V blocks,

[@64Pete]

You have a roller, nice! ✌ 🇦🇺

[@ryanheath251]

Did you verify the back-to-back dimensions of the drivers as you fixed them to the axles? Back-to-back is critical to ensuring the flanges interact with turnouts properly and don’t bind on tight curves. Improper b2b leads to derailments on models and the real thing

[@pierrebourguignon1515]

I can't be the only person who kept saying Clarence every time you said clearance...am I?

[@oldfarthacks]

Rodger that Pierre.

[@garygenerous8982]

What’s our vector Victor?

[@fountainvalley100]

I like to do my eccentrics in the milling machine. Just center the machined part with a dial indicator then move one axis the required offset.

[@williamsanders]

Three-cylinder locomotives are “quartered” (thirted?) on 120 degrees (or some degrees from it, depending on the angle of the middle cylinder). So basically any angle would do.

[@oldfarthacks]

Just like with a 3 phase AC motor, but given smooth running, the closer to the exact angle, the lower the losses and better the running.

[@SonoIlFactotum]

Wonderful!

[@MrSupaman777]

Q- past, present, and future you are not dumb. We are only human. You're the best! Don't forget it!

[@manythingslefttobuild]

Great video Quinn. For parting into the eccentric hole, could you have inserted a piece of 7/16 round bar to fill the hole and just knock it out after the part is out of the lathe? 28:21 field trip?

[@mattomon1045]

great work Quinn

[@ZeroNilNada]

Today I finally heard the term I’ve been awaiting: “Walschaerts”

[@harleypruett]

This is a machining channel, so no complaints, but I feel like that quartering jig would be an excellent use case for 3D printing!

[@owengrossman1414]

It seems to me that when the piston on one side is applying maximum force to its pair of wheels that some torque will be transmitted through the axels to the non-driven wheels on the other side. This periodic condition wouldn’t be much different from a locomotive that only had a single piston on one side except for the issue of getting it started.

[@Blondihacks]

There’s almost no time when a steam cylinder isn’t producing torque. Every stroke is a power stroke and power is fairly linear. Steam is not like internal combustion

[@matthiaswandel]

@@Blondihacks its only a short time that only one cylinder is applying torque, but it happens twice every turn. And the other cylinder also has two dead spots, so for every revolution, there are four points where half the torque from the piston goes through the axle, in opposite directions.. Its the magnitude of the force, not the duration of the force that works it loose over time. Torque going back and forth also adds to help work it loose over time. But I don't see this engine pulling heavy loads for hours at a time, so unlikely to be an issue.

[@Blondihacks]

If your suggestion is that the Loctite will fail, it won’t. It’s far far stronger than required in this situation.

[@SpiralDiving]

How do the axle bearings get lubrication?

[@lydiahanke]

Great video!

[@donaldsutherland244]

Almost every installment of yours conveniently answers some problem that I have had recently or currently. -I did recently have a problem with Krazy glue NOT letting go of some printed Aluminum parts. Acetone, heat, brake cleaner, . . . nothing worked! I am assuming that being a printed part the irregular surface inside the hole for the shaft was irregular enough to create a net surface hiding pockets of glue to parts, that I couldn't reach with solvents, and maybe the heat applied vitrified the glue? -I ended up milling the steel shafts out! I love your videos! You are an excellent teacher! Thank you!

[@karlmansson8319]

Hey. How's that chuck key doing, Quinn?

[@frankwaters2133]

I'm pretty sure that I was watching Keith Appleton drill a hole in an eccentric strap so that he could access the eccentric adjusting setscrew in situ.

[@jamesmeader6539]

I wish the scrap fairy would visit me now and then and leave neat useful pieces of scrap in my bins.

[@Jeff-KN6UDG]

Well done 👍👍

[@seandooley8379]

Kozo kudos 👍

[@happymanharp1378]

14:26 PUPPY!

[@Ioughtaknowbetter]

When I was taking my apprenticeship The jig and fixture people (or as we called them, fig and jixture) were always the most creative and interesting. Also usually alcoholics.

[@LightBranches]

Next episode: the meaning of life.

[@oldfarthacks]

42

[@robertpearson8798]

Nice little blonde Cocker, it looks very much like our last one, Pippin. Our current one is mostly black and named Buster (short for Lancaster Dambuster).

[@robertburns2415]

As to parting Shakespeare with certainly agree

[@Propriated4one]

Nice

[@timothywalsh3003]

Woohoo! Choo choo!

[@raymitchell9736]

Past Quinn is not dumb... because that would make the present Quinn in the future... uh oh... "Shut up that's why" works for me. LOL

[@peterwooldridge7285]

Smashing

[@jorgkaminski5424]

Only one excentric for 2 Cylinders? I'm confused Thank You for your videos

[@oldfarthacks]

It all relates to the operator, that being in this case Quinn. Then, when operating, the machine will have two eccentrics.

[@thisnicklldo]

These aren't eccentrics for valve gear, they just drive pumps (oil and water), so no direct connection between these eccentrics' connecting rods and steam driving cylinders.

[@gregoryheim9781]

Past Quinn makes Present Quinn funnier.

[@OscarSommerbo]

What a weird looking cat you had next to the Empress locomotive.

[@oldfarthacks]

Sprocket agrees.

[@larrya3989]

❤

[@rtdg4419]

Checking out "The Empress" to see what you need to modify from your current A3 switcher?

[@antiussentiment]

A +4000 banana power boiler! That's super impressive. Does it have a brick arch or a large combustion chamber before the fire tube bulkhead?