Balanced Air Brakes from Scratch: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Railroad Car Parts]]
[[Category:Railroad Car Parts]]
by [[Daris A Nevil]]
by [[Daris A Nevil]]
Fall 2015
During the summer of 2015 I began studying [[Air brakes|air brakes]] and how live steam modelers build working air brake systems on their trains.  I was well into building a [[Building a Kitsap Caboose|Kitsap Live Steamers caboose kit]] and decided to build a fully operation [[Air_brakes#Balanced|balanced air brake system]] for the caboose.
This is my first attempt at building operating air brakes, and I am quite pleased with the results.  Air brakes will certainly be added to my other equipment.


== Equipment ==
== Equipment ==

Revision as of 09:58, 14 October 2015

by Daris A Nevil

Fall 2015

During the summer of 2015 I began studying air brakes and how live steam modelers build working air brake systems on their trains. I was well into building a Kitsap Live Steamers caboose kit and decided to build a fully operation balanced air brake system for the caboose.

This is my first attempt at building operating air brakes, and I am quite pleased with the results. Air brakes will certainly be added to my other equipment.

Equipment

Here is a spread of Clippard parts used for the balanced air brake system.
  • Clippard parts:
    • UDR-17-1 : Stainless steel double-acting cylinder, 1 inch stroke, 1-1/16 inch bore, 5/16 inch shaft
    • CT4 : #10-32 to 1/8” ID Hose Connector, designed for Clippard's Polyurethane hose
    • T44-4 : Tee fitting, 1/8 inch ID
    • URH1-0804-BKS : Urethane tube 1/8 inch ID
    • TV-3SP : 3-Way Toggle Valve, ENP Steel Toggle, 1/8" NPT
    • MCV-2 : Check Valve, #10-32 Ports
    • 15090-1 : 1/8” NPT to #10-32 “L” Fitting

Tools and Supplies

Build Gallery

  • I started with the air tank. It is constructed using 2 inch diameter PVC pipe (schedule 40) with a pair of caps. A hole was drilled and tapped for 10-32 threads to accept a Clippard fitting. An adhesive dot was placed over the hole before painting.

    I started with the air tank. It is constructed using 2 inch diameter PVC pipe (schedule 40) with a pair of caps. A hole was drilled and tapped for 10-32 threads to accept a Clippard fitting. An adhesive dot was placed over the hole before painting.

  • PVC glue was applied to the threaded hole before inserting the Clippart CT4 1/16 hose barb fitting. Be careful with the glue. As you can see it will remove paint.

    PVC glue was applied to the threaded hole before inserting the Clippart CT4 1/16 hose barb fitting. Be careful with the glue. As you can see it will remove paint.

  • In an effort to save money I decided to cut brakes from a ring of aluminum purchased from McMaster-Carr. The pipe has a 4 inch inside diameter and a 6 inch outside diameter.

    In an effort to save money I decided to cut brakes from a ring of aluminum purchased from McMaster-Carr. The pipe has a 4 inch inside diameter and a 6 inch outside diameter.

  • A 1/2 inch width of the aluminum pipe was parted off on the lathe. Here it has been blued and marked for cutting.

    A 1/2 inch width of the aluminum pipe was parted off on the lathe. Here it has been blued and marked for cutting.

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