CONWAY 0-4-0 3 1/2" GAUGE LOCO

[cnr6400]

Hi Rich, do you trust Loctite inside a boiler? Not sure I would, the wet and the heat do adhesives no good, but it may work fine. Have any others done it? 

[Steamer5]

Looking good Rich.
That should sort the passing regulator issue once & for all!


Cheers Kerrin

[Firebird]

Hi

Thanks Kerrin 

cnr6400, I think one of the red loctites should do.



Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

Got a block of bronze



And started to machine to size



Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

The bronze block finished and a test fit



A short extension from bronze to take the height up to the top of the dome







I have used the links from the old regulator, just had to shorten them







A bit of video

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENLcFjL9RI4" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENLcFjL9RI4</a>

Cheers

Rich

[Kim]

Looks like it works well Rich!  That must feel good.  It seems to have a bit of a snap between the open and closed positions.  Is that intentional?  Or is it more smooth of a transition and it just looked that way in the video?

Also, can you tell if it will shut down completely?  Does it feel like the valve is closing all the way?

And hopefully this one won't have that leak!

Kim

[Firebird]

Hi Kim

Yes it works quite smoothly. The handle is loose at the minute (no nut ) and the back head cover isn't on which has the handle stops on it. I have tried blowing down the top of the regulator really hard and seems to open and close ok.

Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

But we have another problem now

The dome doesn't fit. I thought it did but when the regulator is operated it gets jammed on the side. When the lever on the ball valve is at 45° the dome fits but when the lever turns towards the horizontal it hits the side of the dome.

Cheers

Rich

[Jim Nic]

Hi Rich
You probably have the interference sorted by now but how much contact is there?  Would rounding off the ends of the lever clear it?
Jim

[Firebird]

Hi Jim

It catches too much. If the lever was in the centre of the dome no problems but because it sits further back it catches.

I think I will have to make a new dome

Cheers

Rich

[Kim]

The fun just never ends, does it?   
I'm sure you'll work it out, but this kind of thing can be so frustrating.

Kim

PS But it's also what makes it so rewarding.  Go figure... 

[Firebird]

Hi Jim

Lets just call it a challenge. But I have 4 or 5 other part built locos (thanks ebay ) waiting so everything I do now should help with future builds.

Having got the ball valve regulator in and working I am now reluctant to take it out so a new and larger dome will be the answer I think.

Cheers

Rich

[Admiral_dk]

It may sound stupid, .... but is there a way to move the links to the other side of the "arm" it moves - so it comes close to the center ...?
I am aware of this being a compromise, but if I at least trigger a useful thought, then 

[Firebird]

Hi Admiral

Not sure but I'll have a look.

The lower lever will only accept the links where the are or they will foul the bronze block. I might be able to move the upper links behind .

It will need 2 new links with a deeper crank 

I can't get back into the workshop for a couple of days

Cheers

Rich

[Firebird]

Hi

I have replaced the 2 socket head cap screws on the upper lever with button heads then attacked all the edges with a dremmel type tool rounding off all the edges





The dome now fits 

Cheers

Rich