I have a Locomotive project I started a few years ago. It is a 4-4-0 built from a extended Kalamazo boiler and Kalamzoo motor block. The drive rods are still the same length, however when I lengthen the boiler it moved the pistons forward. the standard side rods for Kalamazoo are to short. Would love to make some from brass or aluminum. Has anyone made their own and what material used ?. Thanks for all the input and help… Travis
I once made a 2-8-0 out of B’mann 4-6-0 parts with a new brass chassis. I had to extend the side rods, so I used brass rectangular tube to connect the old bearings. A small 00-90 (?) bolt at each end held it together.
Serious machinists use steel and cut new rods to size.
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I laser cut side rods out of acrylic for someone on one of the forums. I think they may have been for a Kalamazoo or Hartland. I think it took two tries to get them right (he mismeasured). Worked out well for him.
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Todd, If I can get you the measurements what would you charge for cutting?
I no longer have access to the laser. I was a member of the Urban Workshop and used theirs, but not in a few years.
But, you could have them 3D printed and it is the same computer effort because you are really only dealing with two dimensions and the “Z” is a given.
Hey Travis good to hear from ya’ and hope all is well. When I did the model of Utility I used simple aluminum tube which was drop forged with a vise, a hammer and some modeling adhesive.
Now Utility does run, however it probably has a maximum of 1/2 hr run time so I don’t know how long the aluminum would last. So with that said I think if your planning on a constant runner I would go with brass and solder together.
Sounds nice and rugged. And not very hard to do.