Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines

A good look at the horn plates and the castings for the crankshaft, has revealed what I already suspected, that I will have to make new ones the machining is pretty poor quality to none existent. After feeling quiet dismayed by it all I thought I would see if I was flogging a dead horse, and plugged the boiler up to see if it would actually hold water, and didn't have any prevalent leaks. thankfully I can say that the boiler held up and even after been left overnight with hot water in it there was no signs of water under the engine in the morning, so signs are promising for a hydraulic test.

 The next question I have for you all, given the castings are so badly machined and I will be making new horn plates anyway, (they aren't parallel in any axis), would it be easier to fabricate the second shaft and rear axle/suspension bearing or machine a casting. I have yet to work out how to machine inside the rear axle bearing holder, other than with a really small long series end mill. So for me building up would seem easier on this part. unless any of you have any ideas on how to machine inside it? woodruff cutter would be too larger a diameter to get fully to the top of the slot.