Author Topic: "Hello" from Monte Vista, CO! (Read 3159 times)

JRP52 · « **on:** February 27, 2023, 04:12:10 AM »

I seldom write about myself, but here goes..

I'm Jim, and I live in Monte Vista, CO - via Denver, east central Florida, and Rhode Island. (Born in Philadelphia and moved out of the state to Connecticut [I wonder whatever happened to that lemon-filled doughnut that I heaved out the front door of our home in Norton Village?]).

I'm one of five kids - an older sister and three younger brothers - just turned 70(!), and move kind of slow these days. I started a machine shop about three times, have a Bridgeport mill and a Andrychow lathe, and have (on order?) the tools I don't have for building the Kozo Hiraoka-designed 0-4-0 A3 switcher.

Trains? "I love the smell of coal smoke in the morning!"

Kim · « **Reply #1 on:** February 27, 2023, 04:47:06 AM »

Hi Jim!
Welcome to the forum! Glad to have you here and hope to see you post your progress on your A3 project!

I'm really enjoying my build. I'm currently plodding along with the boiler - about the same point as Quinn is. Though she makes it look easy! I find I have to put a lot of thought and work into it. But it's all quite enjoyable and I'm learning a ton!

Hope to see your build soon too! Best of luck to you, it's a great journey!
Kim

Roger B · « **Reply #2 on:** February 27, 2023, 10:49:47 AM »

Welcome to the Forum

steamer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 27, 2023, 10:55:42 AM »

Welcome Jim!

Being from CT I'd a figured you for as a "Honey Dew" guy

Welcome!, Kim is neck deep in his A3, I'm he'd love company on it.

Dave

vtsteam · « **Reply #4 on:** February 27, 2023, 02:02:17 PM »

Welcome, Jim!

Dave Otto · « **Reply #5 on:** February 27, 2023, 04:54:29 PM »

Welcome to MEM Jim!

Dave

RReid · « **Reply #6 on:** February 27, 2023, 08:43:59 PM »

Hello Jim, and welcome!

JRP52 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 05, 2023, 12:30:03 AM »

I'm in the process of getting tools (for the lathe and the mill), and parts for the locomotive.

I've also been reading Kim's entry on the Kozo Hiraoka-built steam engine. He's got a LOT of stuff!!!

Prowler901 · « **Reply #8 on:** March 07, 2023, 07:06:04 PM »

Hi Jim,

I'm freezing over here in Gunnison. Also, working on a Kozo A3. Isn't Kim's build thread awesome?

Todd

JRP52 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 07, 2023, 09:10:23 PM »

Hi, Todd/Prowler 901!

Yes, it is - and I can't believe at the skills and equipment he has - and I'm only on Page 60-something!

(It's not freezing in Monte today - unlike Gunnison {been a while since I've been there!})

-Jim P (as opposed to the other 'Jim" who also writes in Kim's blog!)

JRP52 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2023, 07:04:24 PM »

Up to 'bout Page 100 on Kim's blog!

Kim · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2023, 11:23:10 PM »

Hey Jim, You're closing in!!

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2023, 06:12:46 PM »

A-yuh!

JRP52 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2023, 12:54:18 AM »

Reading thru Kim's page on his A3 build, I think I may have too big a size of machinery to do anywhere near the work he's accomplished! Even though he's working from Kozo's book/plans (and I have the same book - Merry Christmas to me!), my Polamco lathe and Bridgeport mill seema bit large for this project.

More questions later as I need to get back to reading (I'm on Page 130)!

Kim · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2023, 04:19:19 AM »

Quote from: JRP52 on March 21, 2023, 12:54:18 AM

Reading thru Kim's page on his A3 build, I think I may have too big a size of machinery to do anywhere near the work he's accomplished! Even though he's working from Kozo's book/plans (and I have the same book - Merry Christmas to me!), my Polamco lathe and Bridgeport mill seema bit large for this project.

More questions later as I need to get back to reading (I'm on Page 130)!

No, not at all, Jim! You should be able to do this project quite well with your equipment! Guess I don't know how big your Polamco is, but my lathe is a 14"x40" and I've had no problem with it. While your lathe may be bigger than that, I can't see why that would cause an issue. Unless, of course, you're looking for an excuse to get some new tools?

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2023, 03:26:44 PM »

Encouraging words, Kim!

My Polamco/Andrychow lathe is a 17x40 (with a removable under-the-chuck section making it a 20X40 metal-turning dee-vice), and I need to get a few more tools before I can really start in on the project. (I'm thinking the 5C(?) collect set-up you have would be handy...)

The Bridgeport? TBD (to be determined).

-Jim

Kim · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2023, 05:22:49 PM »

Why wouldn't the Bridgeport be useable for this project? I would think it would be perfectly serviceable. I've got the Grizzly G0695 which is a knee mill. Not as large as a Bridgeport, but I don't see why that should matter. If I had a Bridgeport, I'd certainly use it!

Yes, I love the 5C collet chuck! It is my most used chuck for my lathe. The 4 jaw next and the 3 jaw least. I've got a face plate but I've yet to use that (which I guess makes it actually the least used, not the 3 jaw

). Someday I'm sure I will use the face plate. But I haven't yet...

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #17 on:** March 25, 2023, 04:52:30 PM »

Kim:

I've looked up a Grizzly G0695 mill (nice, BTW) and I've seen what YouTube has for 5C collet use. As an R8 user on the Bridgeport, I have a lot to learn!

I'm up to Page 175 on your blog, so expect a few questions (I'm storing them up...but no elves - yet!).

Great vids and progress!

Kim · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2023, 09:12:40 PM »

Well, Jim, you're almost up to real-time now! I think the thread is at 177 pages at the moment.

Yeah, my mill uses R8.

I also got a set of R8 collet blocks - square and hex. Those have been quite valuable. And at some point I picked up an 5C indexer, which is handy from time to time. I've got a rotary table but there's always the problem of how to hold things on the RT. And with the indexer you have the whole fleet of 5C collets to choose from.

Looking forward to seeing the start of your Pennsy!

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 25, 2023, 10:05:32 PM »

I need to get a Sawzall (maybe tomorrow) to cut the A36 steel for the balance of the eight tender wheels (I currently have just one so seven to go!).

Among other tools...clamps, for example.

-Jim

crueby · « **Reply #20 on:** March 25, 2023, 10:58:47 PM »

Quote from: JRP52 on March 25, 2023, 10:05:32 PM

I need to get a Sawzall (maybe tomorrow) to cut the A36 steel for the balance of the eight tender wheels (I currently have just one so seven to go!).

Among other tools...clamps, for example.

-Jim

If you get one, make sure its variable speed so you can run it slower to keep from overheating and dulling the blade. I went through a number of blades before learning that...

JRP52 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 25, 2023, 11:49:21 PM »

Hi, crueby (Chris?)

I have a Big R about ten minutes from me, and their on-line ad sez the DeWalt "Sawzall' has a variable speed on it.

(I loaned my Kozo A3 book to a couple of friends so they could see what I was up to, but I'll prolly get it tomorrow when I get the Sawzall - or equivalent!)

Kim's got stuff in his shop I wish I had!

-Jim

crueby · « **Reply #22 on:** March 26, 2023, 02:54:06 AM »

Quote from: JRP52 on March 25, 2023, 11:49:21 PM

Hi, crueby (Chris?)

I have a Big R about ten minutes from me, and their on-line ad sez the DeWalt "Sawzall' has a variable speed on it.

(I loaned my Kozo A3 book to a couple of friends so they could see what I was up to, but I'll prolly get it tomorrow when I get the Sawzall - or equivalent!)

Kim's got stuff in his shop I wish I had!

-Jim

Sounds good!

Chris

Kim · « **Reply #23 on:** March 26, 2023, 05:15:23 AM »

Quote from: JRP52 on March 25, 2023, 11:49:21 PM

Hi, crueby (Chris?)

I have a Big R about ten minutes from me, and their on-line ad sez the DeWalt "Sawzall' has a variable speed on it.

(I loaned my Kozo A3 book to a couple of friends so they could see what I was up to, but I'll prolly get it tomorrow when I get the Sawzall - or equivalent!)

Kim's got stuff in his shop I wish I had!

-Jim

Well, I've got one of the ubiquitous Harbor Freight 4"x6" horizontal band saws. I picked it up on sale 10-12 years ago for $169. They've gone up since then, but you can still catch them on frequent sale at HF. One of the pretty decent pieces of equipment you can pick up from Harbor Freight!

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2023, 02:24:55 AM »

Got the reciprocating saw today (finally); haven't checked to see if it's got the variable speed on it yet - had to get feed and scratch grains for the chickenzz.

Also; got a friend interested in the goings-on, so I'll write him after I get done here! (May have to show his wife the same!)

...After some honey-do stuff - which if I don't do it, it don't git done!

Kim · « **Reply #25 on:** March 30, 2023, 05:02:41 AM »

One step closer!

Kim

JRP52 · « **Reply #26 on:** March 30, 2023, 08:33:37 PM »

Reminds me of ME!

longpinesdesign · « **Reply #27 on:** April 30, 2023, 09:21:14 PM »

Hi Jim. I'm over in Denver (Centennial). Looks to be a few of us from Colorado around here.

News:

Author Topic: "Hello" from Monte Vista, CO! (Read 3159 times)