Large Scale Central

USAT F3 repalcment Farr air grilles, any interest?

Modeling
#1

I’m interested in replacing the chicken wire intake covers of my USA Trains F3 locomotives… Thus far I have created a CAD drawing and obtained a quote for a replacement stainless Farr type horizontal grilles (typical of the F7 engines).

The new replacement ‘A’ & ‘B’ unit grilles will be chemical machined or photo etched of annealed .0155 316 stainless steel with an etched matte finish. The new grille will fit in the original opening without modification and is a few thousandths shorter to allow for heat cycling. I’ve also been asked about producing a shinier finish verse the matte or brushed finish, which is doable…

Cost is about $22.00 per grille, each unit requires two grilles. I may be able to get a better price as I’m still shopping around. To realize the $22.00 per grille the minimum quantity is 105 pieces per grille type ‘A’ & ‘B’ which includes tooling costs.

If you have interest please share your thoughts.

Regards
Michael Glavin

#2

Yup, I’m in as we spoke on the phone. Should be a cool project.

Nick

#3

Pictures of what you are taking about? I don’t know if this is something I need for my OCS F units or not.

#4

USAT’s F3 depicts a third quarter 1948 production phase III engine with chicken wire air intake, See picture below. 4th quarter production released iteration phase IV with Farr Air stainless grilles. Subsequent F7 construction began in February 1949 with the same Farr Air grilles.

Phase III F3 below:

(http://condrenrails.com/FSVB/Engine-Terminals/jmages/FR360.jpg)

Phase IV looked like the engine below with stainless Farr grilles:

(http://espee.railfan.net/nonindex/f-unit_photos/6122_sp-f3s-gene_deimling.jpg)

#5

Yep, that’s what is on the NS OCS power:

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h t t p : / / i m a g e s h a c k . u s / a / i m g 8 2 4 / 4 5 0 8 / f r h u . j p g

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Thats sad, I had to break up the entire URL with spaces to get it to show up.

Depending on arrival, or payment arrangements, I would definitely be interested. I was considering having these made by having them cut out of styrene sheets with a laser, but this could work as well.

#6

Great, now I can’t get graphics to show up.

Nor will my links!

#7

I think Michael only needs a few more commitments for this to be a go.

#8

Yeap, as Paul has suggested a few more commitments would get this project on the rails…

JD, I don’t know the minimum cut capability of styrene with lasers, but the space between the grilles scales to about .018”. That said it’s an interesting suggestion as you could emulate a much thicker grille; as it should be or was in the real world. The etching process material thickness limits are dictated by the smallest etched dimension, which in this case as noted .018”. So I have to use .015” stainless to accommodate the etch process.

Several additional quotes have came in and I’ll be able to get the grilles fabricated for less, perhaps $18.00 USD.

Michael

#9

I would be interested.

#10

Michael, do you have graphics of the screens? I can send them to my laser-cutter buddy and get a quote for styrene versions?

#11

Mike, Its great to see this project moving along so quickly, Were you able to find out about the polished S.S. ?

Nick

#12

JD, I’ll contact you via PM for more info.

Nick, I’m going to have the grilles produced less the etched MATTE finish, so the stainless finish will be unadulterated. If you want shiner than not stainless we’ll have to experiment with polishing the grilles as an after thought.

I have enough interest to move forward and place an order. I still need to sale several pair of grilles, but feel confident they’ll sale sooner than later once I have the grilles in hand.

Michael

#13

John,

I’ll note you’re interested and advise when I move forward. Please hit via PM with contact info.

Michael

#14

Michael… did you get my email? you might need to check your spam folder. fccorp.us was spoofed a while back for spam.

#15

Still Waiting ???

#16

I am in for a pair, and maybe more pairs a bit later, please advise, thanks!

#17

I am still waiting also… put in my order, guess it never happened.

I thought it was a done deal.

Greg

#18

They do look cool. I would have to get a set just to have in my parts bin, for if/when I get to a project rattling around in the back of my brain.

#19

Gentlemen,

I’m at a stand still on this project, I received two sets of samples that were not acceptable. I need to make some changes to the CAD files to refine the etching process and fine tune the dimensions to fit the body shell a little looser to prevent the grilles from bowing out like the stock grilles are known for… I’ve beening printing the grilles on my drawing plotter/printer to test fit the grilles, problem is the plotter needed parts and service all of a sudden, subsequently this stalled my efforts and then work got in the way. Anyway, the grilles will be produced in the near future.

I’ve been working for better than eight months on a large time consuming industrial linen cleaning/pressing plant construction project which is nearing completion, we made the March 1st start-up date. I have much to do to complete the facility, probably 30 days or so to close up. Thereafter I hope to have time play with my train projects. Working six and seven days a week, twelve hours a day takes it toll on my interest to play when I get home… Self employment has its drawbacks!

Michael

#20

Michael, I understand. Sometimes life gets in the way.

Its nice to know the the project hasn’t died, its just been placed on the back burner to simmer for a while.