Cylinders

Drilling Steam Passages

Eccentric Engineer posted on Facebook, December 2015:

When cross drilling steam passages... It seems it's much easier to mill at an angle than it is to drill at an angle. Mill out the pocket at the same angle as your drill angle. Will save your drill from wandering.

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  Eccentric Engineer showing poor results from trying to drill steam passages at an angle.

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  Eccentric Engineer showing much improved work when the port face is first milled at the correct angle, then passages are drilled at 90 degree angle to face.

Fabricated Cylinders

Cylinders can most often be fabricated from standard bar, cylinder and round stock. This avoids the need for casting the cylinders. Here are some articles to review when considering cylinder fabrication.

• "A Simple, Low-Cost Way to Fabricate Cylinders", William S. Van Brocklin, Jr., Live Steam Magazine, September 1977
• "Southern Pacific Mogul", Andrea Clerici, Live Steam Magazine, December 1974
• "Fabricated Cylinders", Don Young, Model Engineer, 6 April 1973
• "A Stanley Model 735v Engine", Chris Rueby, Live Steam & Outdoor Railroading, January/February 2021

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  Fabricated cylinder for 3/4 inch scale USRA 0-8-0 switcher by "Old England", from Chaski.org

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4-10-2

A set of fabricated cylinders was posted for sale on eBay.com, December 2021:

1-1/2 inch scale live steam cylinder set for large engine. These parts are made for a 4-10-2. Machining has been done on the cylinders for the drain valves and snifter valves. The front and rear plates have been cut from 1/2 inch plate steel the cylinders have been drilled and tapped for the end caps.

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See Also

• A New Design for Piston Valve Locomotive Cylinders
• ""Billet" Cast Iron Cylinders - Not a casting", Chaski.org
• "Cylinder Head Material", Chaski.org
• "Machining Cylinders - How to Do?", Chaski.org
• "Slide Valve Cylinder Castings", Chaski.org
• "3/4" Hudson Project" (fabricated cylinders), Chaski.org