Shop Tips

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.

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  Using a caliper to directly scribe a layout line on steel.

The technique is illustrated starting at time 5:06.

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).

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  Using the center punch to mark the exact location of a hole in preparation for drilling.

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  Drilling hole in center-punched steel.

Rounding Corners of Linkage

This technique is quite useful when making linkages, such as brake levers.

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  Drilling hole in center-punched steel.

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  Creating a jig from wood block and drill bit for rounding linkage corner.

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  Leave the drill bit embedded in the wood block.

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  Clamp the block jig on the grinder bed so that the linkage does not touch the wheel when perpendicular. Then slowly rotate the linkage to begin rounding the corners.

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  Adjust the block closer and closer each pass until the desire radius is obtained.

The technique is illustrated starting at time 5:06.