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Here are some ideas that may simplify the construction of live steam equipment.

Layout
You can use a dial caliper to directly mark lines on steel. The image below illustrates the technique. If you watch the video you will see he is applying a lot of pressure, which is sure to wear out the tips of the caliper. It is suggested you use layout dye on the part being marked, which only requires the lightest touch when striking a line with the sharp point of a caliper. You will want to use only low-cost calipers for this method.

The technique is illustrated starting at time 5:06.

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Center Punch
A center punch is used to place a small divot at the exact center point of the holed to be drilled. Without the divot the drill will tend to walk and eventually dive into the metal at a random place (not where you wanted it).

Rounding Corners of Linkage
This technique is quite useful when making linkages, such as brake levers.

The technique is illustrated starting at time 5:06.

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