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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jun 13, 2015 10:16:10 GMT
This is an American Crab ( not the English ) , its a later version of the Grasshopper , the difference being the cylinders are horizontal . As I have mentioned before I made the boiler many years ago for the operation of stationary engines but I lost interest in them so not wanting to waste it I decided to build an engine around it using my stock of materials , after some research I discovered this in an old book and also found that Little Engines in US has the plans for it . that is how started , hence the following photos , I think Roger saw this when he was here .
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Post by fostergp6nhp on Jun 13, 2015 10:56:00 GMT
That looks like it will be a different and interesting little beasty.
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Post by steamcoal on Jun 13, 2015 21:18:19 GMT
Very industrial looking, very good.
What mechanism allows the eccentric follower for the pump to remain following the eccentric? We use cam followers on our machines at work and they have done tens of million of cycles. Well hardened and well lubed they should not wear out.
What might be the diameter of that boiler?
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jun 14, 2015 10:21:24 GMT
The pump has a SS spring inside to do that . The boiler as I mentioned before was built for stationary engines , the diameter is 5" , I hope it will do the job , only time will tell . I don't intend to have this one for passenger hauling , just for playing trains .
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Post by Roger on Jun 15, 2015 7:29:56 GMT
Indeed I did see this great little locomotive, it's an interesting project and nicely built.
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Post by benlmaggi on Jul 2, 2015 16:26:33 GMT
I have never built one but have heard reports that the axle pump arrangement is less than ideal.
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Post by Jim on Jul 2, 2015 21:04:55 GMT
That looks a very interesting model Shawki. Did you cut your own gears?
Jim
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jul 3, 2015 8:48:15 GMT
Hi Jim , I am not set up to do that , with locos there are not a great need , therefore I never done that , no skills to do it and no great interest to learn . I bought the gears from Amazon for little over $100 , It will cost more to buy cutting tools not to mention divider and so on .
Ben , that is a matter of opinion and open for arguments for and against , I use injectors on my locos as well as Axle pumps , I like axle pumps , each to his own .
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The Crab
Jul 3, 2015 9:42:12 GMT
via mobile
Post by Roger on Jul 3, 2015 9:42:12 GMT
I think the comment about the axle pump was to do with the mechanical design, not whether they are a good idea or not. I guess the side loads imposed by the cam arrangement are less than ideal, but all the axle pumps I've seen put significant side loads on the ram too.
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dirk
Member
Posts: 7
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Post by dirk on Jul 3, 2015 16:21:00 GMT
Long ago I built a "grasshopper". It is a 5 gauge. He has enough ability to draw 2 adults. Dirk
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jul 4, 2015 8:14:14 GMT
Very nice Dirk , crab is basically the same engine with cylinders horizontal , the photos I have seen the Crab has water tank and on one even a cab , it looks like all different styles , the drive gear is the same . Thanks for posting the photo .
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jul 4, 2015 8:27:55 GMT
Roger I agree with you on the tech matter concerning the pumps , I like the idea that they work all the time that one is driving putting water in the boiler , injectors when they are working are great , I use them too , I am a compromising person , I Accept the bad effect with the good and that is why I said each to his own . There is no free lunch , if one gets something then must lose something else . I don't drive to perfection , I am very happy with average or may be a little more if I can .
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Post by benlmaggi on Jul 7, 2015 17:05:32 GMT
Ben , that is a matter of opinion and open for arguments for and against , I use injectors on my locos as well as Axle pumps , I like axle pumps , each to his own . I like axle pumps too. My point was that on this specific engine, it is well known in the USA that the Little Engines' "Crab" design utilizes an axle pump that is finicky to set up, and which is not designed particularly well. Truth be told there wasn't much room to stick it on the engine, but they squeezed one in and it doesn't work great. You might be better off setting up an axle pump on the riding car to run off of one of the tender axles.
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Jul 8, 2015 7:41:10 GMT
Thanks for the information , I will have a hand pump at the other side for emergency , if I have problems , I will find a solution .
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Feb 7, 2016 6:13:13 GMT
After a long time I thought giving this project a little attention it deserves . I made a water tank for it .
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Post by Jim on Feb 7, 2016 7:28:41 GMT
You're a very modest man yet a man of many talents Shawki. I admire your philosophical approach to the hobby, the models we make are our creations built to whatever standards we choose to accept and of course it has to be fun. Thanks Shawki. Jim
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Feb 8, 2016 9:42:18 GMT
Jim wrote The models we make are our creations built to whatever standards we choose to accept and of course it has to be fun. Read more: modeleng.proboards.com/thread/10718/crab#ixzz3zZGQb4mqAbsolutely , it is a hobby we must make the best out of it and the bottom line is it has to be fun . Thanks for the kind words .
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Mar 15, 2016 7:04:32 GMT
Posting a little progress on this project , boiler fittings , smoke box and chimney , cladding and some plumbing .
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Post by Roger on Mar 15, 2016 8:23:46 GMT
That looks great Shawki, at this rate you'll have it running in no time.
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Post by Shawki Shlemon on Mar 15, 2016 8:56:26 GMT
Thanks Roger , I don't think so , I have more than one project and I change from one to another according to my mood of the day . LOL .
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