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The way he has it drawn will work fine - if there is steam on both the top and bottom opening, the force on the valve is balanced so nothing to work against, since both ends are connected through the pipework on the outside. That is an outside-admission spool valve - if you swapped the steam/exhaust pipe hookups, you would make it an inside-admission valve. Both ways work, both were done on locomotives - it all depends on the timing of the valve gear moving the spool valve. No worries - it will work as drawn.
Yup!Also, by going to the master with a disc the assembly can be shorter front to back.
Its been awhile since I've been on MEM, but I see I have been missing a lot!You have started a new build project that is very inspiring, and I didn't want to hijack your build thread for off topic questions. You mentioned a magazine you write articles for? Is this something you would share? I would love to know more? If your articles are as good as your build threads, I would like to read. Next question, You posted a picture of what looks to be an early electric motor that was built by Gustav Froment.
I found this electric motor while searching the internet, probably 20 years ago now. I thought it was cool and was going to try to build a simple version of it. My project stopped when I could not find any information I could understand on making coils. I would love to talk to the guy that built it. RonGinger posted later on your build thread ( reply# 351)(It was built by Joe Higgins of Portland Maine) If anyone knows him, I would love to talk to him about his replica motor. It looks amazing! I actually saw that picture somewhere a few years ago at one of the big shows where Joe must have been.
Just a thought - if you had the shop elves drive you , them in the Mann truck and you in a lawn chair in a big balloon tired garden wagon towed behind the Mann, you could just relax and enjoy the scenery! If you started out in 2nd week of August you'd be in Maine by October for sure. Think of the savings in gasoline! Oh wait, the shop elves' beer bill and the roadhouse bust-up repairs would cost more than the gas and the car...........to say nothing of the cookie tab! (well it was just an idea.)