I would like to add a couple of comments in regards to a pattern pool
and powdered metal wheels. I think would be a great idea to have a pattern
pool for driver wheels. I really like Trents idea of powedered metal wheels.
If I am understanding his train of thought that his intention is not to be
making driver wheels but wheels for rolling stock. (correct me if I am
wrong). I guess that my question would be is there enough of a market for
powdered metal wheels to make it worthwile? I imagine that the proposed
wheels would be suitable for all Ga. 1 construction but there would need to
be a number of wheels for each scale. If the tooling cost would be absorbed
by the company that Trent works for perhaps Gary Raymond would be interested
in marketing them probably others would be too.
Addressing the pattern pool. As I understand, Harry wants to form a
pool for driver wheels of various configurations to supply the individuals
that are interested in scratch building live steam locomotives. During the
heyday of steam locomotives there were hundreds of not thousands of different
wheels manufactured with a wide variety of profiles. First I could not begin
to guess the number of people that are into scratch building live steam
locomotives. I would think that the number would be less than 700
individuals. Of that number there would be probably less than 10% that want
the same identical driver wheels in same configuration or scale. Making
dies that cost in excess of $10,000, weather it be for an EDM, powdered metal
process or die casting, etc., would be cost prohibitive for the small
quantity of wheels that would be needed. As stated earlier in a post that
most foundries do not want to mess around with small quantities and getting
them cast would be somewhat of a problem. I suppose that would be up to the
individual that wants the wheels to resolve. Another comment that was made
was that if the patterns were all stored in one location that they would be
subject to loss by fire, death or some natural disaster.
I would propose that the keeper of the patterns make rubber or RTV
silicon molds of the patterns, cast them in wax and make permanent metal
patterns. Permanent patterns could be either investment cast or sand cast. I
have seen some very detailed sand cast parts. Then the original pattern
could be returned to the owner. I realize that this is a time consuming
process but it would protect the patterns from loss and provide a source of
driver wheels for everyone wanting to build a locomotive from scratch. I
have made a number of parts for a small stationary steam engine using this
process and it is not difficult, it just takes time. Maybe this is just
complicating the issue.
I have in my future plans to make several live steam locomotives. It
would save me considerable time if I had access to a variety of wheels so
that I would not have to make my own wheel patterns. I am willing to support
this driver wheel pool any way I can.
Note to Susan
would you contact me, off list, regarding the wax pattern process
<"They have a 3D wax printer and can therefore make wax models for investment
casting direct from the CAD files"> I am very interested in this!! At least
point me to where I can find more information.
Thanks to all
Salty, old, retired, with too much time on my hands.
