Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
Once again, Brian, thank you.
Just one more thing. Do you make your own smokebox door handles?
Jon
Just one more thing. Do you make your own smokebox door handles?
Jon
Jennifer Who?
- Thread starter Jon Nazareth
- Start date
Brian McKenzie
Western Thunderer
Haven't needed to ! Any of the prototypes of interest to me neither had, or soon discarded clamping handles in the centre of the door, and used bolted clamps around the periphery.
This seemed to occur when smokebox lengths were extended, soon after British and American built locos were imported to New Zealand, to improve their steaming. I've never seen an explanation as to how this improved matters.
A casting could be made - should you not wish to turn them?
Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
It looks as if I’m going to have to have a go at making them myself, they look such fiddly things.
Jon
Jon
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NickB
Western Thunderer
Re central versus peripheral clamps, if the smokebox door was at all warped, clamps around the edge would reduce leakage, improve the smokebox vacuum and improve the steaming that way. Peripheral clamps take longer to release and do up, but make access to the smokebox easier. It probably comes down to the size of the door, how much effort goes into making a good casting in the first place and how much effort is put into truing it up. Both were used on British railways in the nineteenth century, often in combination, but central clamping seemed to win out in the end.
Smokebox door turning. Mike's method is fine if you are happy with an impression of the profile curvature, but if you want it dimensionally accurate one of the other methods described here is required, with all the prep work that that needs. I'm not making a judgment here, it's an individual decision.
In G3 I would make the handles by turning the "handle" part to drawing. For the boss, drill the central hole in the lathe then drill a perpendicular hole part way through for the handle. Back on the lathe, finish the outside profile of the boss. Solder the handle in place. Soft solder is sufficient for most purposes, but hard solder if you are making a live steam model or intend frequently to show your friends how your smokebox door opens. Then back in the lathe and part off, being careful to avoid the handle wizzing round.
Nick
Smokebox door turning. Mike's method is fine if you are happy with an impression of the profile curvature, but if you want it dimensionally accurate one of the other methods described here is required, with all the prep work that that needs. I'm not making a judgment here, it's an individual decision.
In G3 I would make the handles by turning the "handle" part to drawing. For the boss, drill the central hole in the lathe then drill a perpendicular hole part way through for the handle. Back on the lathe, finish the outside profile of the boss. Solder the handle in place. Soft solder is sufficient for most purposes, but hard solder if you are making a live steam model or intend frequently to show your friends how your smokebox door opens. Then back in the lathe and part off, being careful to avoid the handle wizzing round.
Nick
Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
Nick
I'd not quite thought of making handles that way but, I'll give that method a try. Thank you.
Jon
I'd not quite thought of making handles that way but, I'll give that method a try. Thank you.
Jon
Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
In all of the drawings of this engine that I’ve seen, there appears to be only one smokebox locking handle…..mmm.
Jon
Jon
Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
I’m very pleased to hear that, Nick.
Jon
Jon
Brian McKenzie
Western Thunderer
Done ! 
Jon Nazareth
Western Thunderer
That’s easy for you to say ☺️