John Cudahy by steamschooner - FINISHED - 1/4" scale - Steam Tug

[Omega1234]

Gotta agree with Mark. Really nice!

[Mirabell61]

Just found your log Steve,

 

very nice engine room details, all those steam auxilliary machines...

 

Nils

[captainbob]

Looking good.

 

Bob

[steamschooner]

Thanks everyone, having fun with these little details.

[steamschooner]

Well I have been getting a few minutes here and there to work on my model. This is what I have gotten done on the boiler at this time.

[Omega1234]

I love the pipe work as it adds an extra dose of realism to the boiler. The round pressure guage is a really nice touch too.

 

Well done.,

Edited September 26, 2015 by Omega1234

[mtaylor]

That is a great looking boiler.

[steamschooner]

Well after several tries and some errors I managed to get a good cast with the steam engine block. Still needs to be cleaned up some more. I than like to sand blast the parts to get that cast iron look . Parts will then be coated with black india ink.

[captainbob]

The castings look good.  What did you use?  That's something I need to learn.

 

Bob

[steamschooner]

Bob, I use a product from Castaldo which is a vulcanizing rubber for the molds.  The metal is a low temp alloy called cerrocast ,no lead, tin and bismuth mix.

Whats nice about it is that parts that do not turn out right can be put back in the melt pot and reused. I am still learning things every time I cast.

[captainbob]

Thanks for the info.

 

Bob

[Omega1234]

Happy birthday and all the very best!

[steamschooner]

After getting a good cast for the steam engine block I cleaned it up a bit. Flattening the top and bottom sides and filing away flash from the mold i had what you see in the middle picture

Third  picture is of the engine block after it was sand blasted to give it a cast iron look.

First picture is of the engine block after treating it with india ink

 They did not show up in the order I loaded them but you can see the different steps I've taken.

[mtaylor]

Steve,

 

The engine looks good.

 

As for the pictures.. after uploading them (use Attach This File) , if you hit the "Add to Post" on each in the order you want them that will set them in the proper order.  In other words, if you want the third one showing in the thumbnails to be first, click the "Add" on that one first.

[dgbot]

I just came upon your log.  Your engine looks great.

David B

[steamschooner]

Mark, Thanks I will try that the next time I post pictures.

 

David B, Thanks for stopping by

[Mirabell61]

wonderful, those steamengine cast parts Steve,

 

Nils

[steamschooner]

Thanks Nils,  I am happy with the cast iron look, now to add all the shiney stuff

[Mirabell61]

Hi Steve,

 

you technique in making molds from Silicone rubber, and casting low melting Point alloys has wakend my interest very much.

Your work results are looking great

 

Nils

[steamschooner]

Nils, There is a steep learning curve. So I am learning every time I make a mold and do a cast. Most of the time it works out and some times not! I do enjoy the challenge.

[Mirabell61]

Hi Steve,

 

that`s the right attitude and approach, first the inspiration, then the ambitious ideas and the challenge, then the fruits of it , ....and always fun along the way, any improvements will be a welcome spinn off during the learning curve anyhow...  ...., and share with others...

Beautiful work... !

 

Nils

[steamschooner]

Well after dealing with walking pneumonia for the last three weeks I have gotten a little bit done on the pilot house. After a few tries I got a roof I liked, others were to big or to thick, Also made crown molding for the lip on the roof. Made and installed window sill below cabin windows. Working on cabin doors which I will mount in the open position.

[Mirabell61]

Nice wheelhouse Steve,

 

Nils

[steamschooner]

Thanks Nils, It's nice to make some progress.

[Omega1234]

Hi Steamschooner

 

Pneumonia is nasty stuff and I'm glad you've recovered. Nice wheelhouse, too, by the way!

 

Cheers

 

Patrick

[steamschooner]

Thanks Patrick , I am glad it's behind me as well. Now maybe I can get some things done on my project.

[Jim Lad]

Nice looking wheelhouse, mate!

 

John

[captainbob]

Looking good.  You're doing a fine job.

 

Bob

[steamschooner]

John and Bob Thanks for checkin things out.

[steamschooner]

I have been jumping around on my project getting little things done. The last couple of days it has been some metal work . Made and installed  a stem strap with a shackle at the top, and both port and starboard mast stay straps. Had to pierce the caprail to do that and was worried I would mess something up.

I make my straps from mild steel wire that I run though a bead roller to flatten it out. I use copper wire and brass wire the same way. Depending on how many times you past it though you can get an assortment of thickness and width.

 For pinning the straps I use some railroad spikes I got at a hobby store once. They are small dia. nails with a off set flat head. I file the heads to more or less a round shape and cut to length before starting them in a pilot hole.

 

 

 

 

And I got the doors on the pilot house