Agreed. Ignore the detractors. 100+ years of model making experience supports everything you do and we love to see how you learn and practice your art and craft. Looking forward to finally seeing the boiler and steam engine finished and running down a track with you and Sprocket in the Engineer's seat. Only problem I foresee is finding a little Engineer's cap for Sprocket. 😁
As a career manual machinist, I watch your content religiously, even if the work is on a different scale, I greatly enjoy the level of explanation, tips and tricks in your content. Nothing but respect for you and your skill. Remember, no one hating your process is actually doing better than you.
Even though I have no interest in doing a steam project, I watch every video in case I might learn something that I could apply to the projects I'm working on.
Ignore the negativity, you're great and doing awesome stuff. I've been model engineering for 30 years and I'm about to start my first loco boiler... because of you. Always been too feeble and bought one! I admire your honesty and ability to inspire others. Keep it up. You make the Internet a better place :)
The "modern method" would probably be to use a brushless DC motor and LiPo packs. Doing things the modern way is somewhat missing the point of building a working model of an old locomotive.
Gosh - a REAL FIRE - you're definitely coming up in the world! I always like the way you can organize your thoughts in real time, and give patient, detailed answers to questions, even if you may have answered them previously.
Hey Quinn, I'll echo what someone else said, far down this list of comments: that we appreciate your occasional Q&A videos. Your talent for (re-)explaining things in a manner that I find gloriously clear and understandable continues to thrill me! The Q&A adds yet another layer or perspective to the already-multi-dimensional explanations in your step-by-step videos. You are truly a gift to us folks who enjoy learning. Thank you!
I doubt that sprocket is a certified boiler inspector. But I appreciate the time you put in the boiler making videos. Cant wait for the continuiation on the A3. Next the frame?
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did my first, it was a couple hundred years old and about six or seven lathes back. You will never regret it, they are the mother of all machine tools.
I appreciate your videos, my random internet friend. I’d never in my life make a steam train, but I love watching you share the experience. I think some never learned the golden rule: DBAD. (Don’t Be A Dingus)
Some people become a bit too „invested“ in your project, and forget that it is YOÄuR project. So they might get a bit „excited“ when they think they could do it better, or faster, or . . .take your pick. But Quinn, I watch because I like to hear your voice calmly explain how YOU are doing it. Have a wink and a smile, and I can’t wait to see you try make some steam on the lathe 😂
The "intellectual humility" aspect is very important. A lot of very smart people have solved problems we do not even understand. And, simple solutions are traps laid out for those not grasping the problem.
Quinn, I so felt for you each time you had a leak, repaired it and a different location would leak. Heating that mass of metal up to soldering temperature is such an problem without accidentally overheating one part. It is both a blessing and a curse that the heat is conducted away so quickly. A blessing in that other locations do not remelt and you maintain the joint elsewhere. A curse in that rating and maintaining the temperature with such awkward shapes without overheating is so difficult. From my days of furnace and hearth soldering some tips you or others may find of interest In a different discipline. 1) for aesthetics: say you are soldering a small brass rod into the copper sheet ( a valve etc.) apply your flux first and fit the part, then draw a thick pencil line around the joint 1/8-1/4” away, this will contain the solder within the pencil border, solder doesn’t stick to it. Be careful to clean off all the pencil once the joint is complete. 2) consider using different melting ranges of solder. use the highest melting range of temperatures first, subsequently use lower melting temps for subsequent assemblies or joints. This has the advantage of being able to add components and repair a higher melting joint with a lower melting solder without compromising the existing joint. I have no idea what ranges of solder are available now. There used to be comprehensive temp ranges of silver solder available. 3) practice, practice, practice, complex joints 30-40 times and I don’t mean I’ve made a model before. However competent you are the frequency you do complex joints makes it become second nature. Try to Add extra pieces without compromising the existing joints. Try Joining assemblies together. For example I would make dozens of lost wax castings, without a problem (typical thinnest sections being 0.3mm). Go on holiday return and have 2 failures. There was something I did differently, I was just as competent, after that back to normal. 3) one day a rep came into the lab and offered a tub (quart/litre size) of this compound used by welders and protected material close to the soldering area. Sorry can’t remember the brand name, Amazing stuff we were able to repair broken components 700c (1300f ) without damaging plastic within 3/8” 10mm. Cleanup just washed off in water. Amazing stuff, maybe someone knows the name of an equivalent product. This may be an option protecting areas you don’t want to damage. I could see a couple of occasions where use of that compound could have protected the areas around where Quinn was trying to solder. No trolling here intended nor telling of how to suck eggs. Once you’ve completed a complex task you, get better the next time particularly if done again soon after the first until you become expert. And it becomes your way of doing things. Hence the anecdote of the bee keepers. Hope this helps someone. Graham
Thank you for inspiring me to blow the dust of my Myford lathe and mill after 20 years. I've learnt more in the last three days watching you on RUclips than I could have ever done looking at books and magazines magazines 20 years ago.
@@jeffarmstrong1308 I have read that at steam locomotive can pull a load that it can't get started, while a diesel locomotive can start a load that it can't pull. Sounds like the steam part agrees with your experience.
@@mikewatson4644 The power profile of the different engines is very different. Diesel engines are actually diesel generators feeding electric traction motors, that generates maximum torque at zero rpm, and their torque drops off as the rpm increases. So when they run into conditions that require higher amounts of torque to pull the train, they have to slow down until they hit the right point in the torque/rpm curve. From my google-fu, it looks like the steam engine actually can have a flat torque across its' rpm range, because the steam can be fed it at max temperature and pressure from rpm 0. If the engine is sized to have just enough torque to pull at speed, there isn't any extra to overcome inertia when stopped. That's a weird condition.
My father was a steam guy and ran stationary engines at shows with his small boiler. We had neighbor when I was a kid in the 70's had a small track loop in his back yard. He had a couple of steam loco's he built in his shop. It was always a great day when he fired up one of his steam locos and did some railroading. I never knew anything of the construction of them, but sure enjoyed being the engineer when I had the chance. I don't do any model engineering myself, (I fix construction machinery) but I sure enjoy hanging out with those who do. I had a friend and steam guy who always said "internal combustion is a passing fad" Rest in peace Keith you were so right.
As a welder, I can almost guarantee that the people recommending TIG welding are only are only experts in watching videos about TIG welding. As you alluded to, TIG welding exotic metals is difficult thing that takes lots of practice to get good at. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing the finished product
I'm a two decade long tig welder, got to it forty years late, and I approve of your statement! I've done stainless to aluminum, and have done a bit of titanium, perhaps the toughest of all. Copper wicks the heat away, lots of current!
@@JohnMcClain-p9t yeah, titanium flows like butter and gives you a false sense of security 😅 as long as you have plenty of gas coverage. Stainless isn't as difficult if you're good at basic TIG skills and back purge the weld. Copper..., That's an entirely different beast I just can't seem to get a handle on. I can fuse it, but it ain't pretty 😅
That's why we ask. Only ever seen tig being done and Only ever held a tig torch once way back when I was learning About all I do anymore is stick welding.
@@Henning_S.I have not tig welded copper but I have done aluminum and you are correct that you really have to ease up on the foot pedal once the heat starts to build. Tig welding well takes practice as you have be doing several things at the same time and not everyone's brain can handle it right off the hop. It's kind of like patting the top of your head and rubbing circles on your belly at the same time.
The fact that your boiler passed the club's inspection tells me you did it right Quinn. I am beginning to machine the big PM research vertical steam engine kit (frame and vase done). I don't think I could have done it without your videos. And I grew up in a machine shop! Keep at it and just ignore the magpies! Thanks!
I THINK I understand there could be some frustration in re-answering common questions you've been asked and have answered before, but I'd offer an encouragement. Your audience is not static. I just tuned in after a long absence, and really enjoyed this Q&A. You certainly can't do something like this very frequently, but once in a while it's very helpful to parts of your audience. Your explanations make the work understandable even for a noob like me. So, I enjoyed the Q&A even though it's repetitious for you; thank you.
You are so good at teaching from the sweet spot between grace and justifiably annoyance. Your cat is pretty and your videos make me feel at ease. Thank you for the learning!
I enjoy your content which has inspired me to buy a lathe. Like so many others I ask you to ignore the negativity and continue your journey. In fact, turn off comments if the repetitive questions and naysayers are detracting from your own enjoyment of sharing your journey with us. Thanks Quinn.
I'm a bicycle framebuilding. We use silver and oxy fuel torches a lot to add bosses and mounts to frames. Until this video I was wondering how you can do such delicate work with a large torch but the heat sinking effects of the copper makes a lot of sense. With what I do even brazing or soldering relatively thin steel (compared to model engineering) that heatsink effect is pretty pronounced at times.
I'm an old electronics tech/engineer, and I've burnt up a soldering iron or two having to attach components to copper ground planes. It's amazing the amount of power required to get even electronics solder to melt in those conditions.
@@rallen7660 I did avionics for twenty years and ran across about a 150 watt soldering iron, old one, that gets things up to temp pretty quick for "large ground plane applications", had one in the Marines like that as well. As you say, quite a chore getting it up to temp.
You are much more accommodating to this type of feedback and comments then I could be. Ignore the naysayers and know it alls and keep the videos coming! I may not always be interested in what you are doing but I watch to see how and why you do it hoping to apply something learned later.
Loved the fireside chat Quinn! I'm not a steam guy, so I watch your videos to see how you solve problems. I have learned a lot from you! Thanks for all that you do!
I gotta admit like 90% of the reason I'm following is because I just cannot picture something this small actually pulling people and i wanna see it happen
At 2:50 techniques that have been developed over time, I refer to them as "organic" knowledge, they usually didn't just happen , but were developed over a considerable length of time. This generally results in someone quoting a procedure without delving into where it came and this is why some of those archaic sounding instructions seem odd at first.but they do work. Whew! Cheers and thanks for the vid Quinn!
Boiler making and steam engines really isn't my thing, but its amazing to hear how well thought out every step is and the reasons behind them. I really enjoy these types of videos
Copper is the second best metal for heat conductivity behind silver. A bit under 10 times better than steel and not quite 2 times better than aluminium. Maybe that puts it into perspective for folks who have welded or brazed those materials.
Watching this whole boiler series has really inspired me. I’ve got hundreds of repair jobs to do around the house and even added together they don’t come anywhere near the effort and complexity of building a miniature steam boiler. I feel like a new man who can do anything (except build a fucking boiler)
Sprocket got some experience working a firebox @7:45. Sounds like the Switcher should have no trouble pulling her along too. Thanks for the information, Quinn!
I admit I don't watch all of your video series. But I do watch every video of the series I commit to. Quite often, several times each. I have enjoyed the Pennsylvania A3 Switcher so far, and I have learned many new-to-me old-school techniques, and I am looking forward to learning more. Thank you!
I was one individual who asked about the boiler being inspected and certified. I appreciate your answer because I was unaware of the process. Every time I ask a question on your channel it comes from a place of my own ignorance and not of malice, so my deepest thanks when you enlighten me.
I too queried about inspection and certification and your comments have clarified what was happening behind the scenes. Model Live Steam societies are very careful about about boiler safety - especially when dealing with larger scale models.
Wow, what an informative installment! I am in awe of your knowledge and patience. Thanks for all the wonderful projects and instruction. Keep up the good work!
When you showed a picture of that guy riding the locomotive I remembered when I was a kid nearly 40 years ago I went to a track that had those I had forgotten all about. I now appreciate all the work that has gone into it. Hello from Newcastle Australia
All of these comments that you answered is just basically logic to me been watching you for a long time and this is the first time that I ever commente
Much respect Quinn, love watching, learning from your work and have used some of your methods. Couldn’t have done it as well without watching you. Keep it up along with the funny bits. Stay well and thanks for sharing your hobby.
I was at a tractor pull once and after all the flame throwing nitro charged so called tractors were done an old steam tractor tractor was brought out. It pulled that sled around at any speed and distance it wanted to. I don't think it even knew that sled was hanging off the drawbar
The important factor there is weight. Tractor pulling tractors are restricted by weight. This means they struggle to get the power onto the ground. The steam tractor on the other hand is much heavier so it's wheels can dig in and grip. If you built a similar weight pulling tractor it could get away with a relatively small engine. Of course it would be banned from competition but that is beside the point.
steam makes power at zero rpm, internal combustion doesn't make power except substantially about idle. Steam engines are pretty much always underrated.
Really enjoy your work, not a model engineer but enjoy the machining aspects and always like learning about things. You are always well prepared and easily understood. Thanks 👍🇺🇸
Excellent Q&A session, Quinn! You've done an awesome job on the boiler build (on all of your boiler builds!). Thanks for taking the time to record, edit and produce interesting, educational videos on all the work you do. I really enjoy all of your videos. As many people have said, you explain things in such a clear and intuitive way. I learn something from every video of yours I watch. Thank you for sharing and for all the work you put into thiis. Well done!
Talking about traction, I had a summer job where I was driving a small diesel locomotive with 75 hp, and my load was 2 wagons with salt water, totaling about 50 tons (metric ones), about 110 000 lbs. As you say, some slippage when accelerating, and being carful to know how far ahead you need to break. But works without problem.
I love a good Q&A! I have noticed that normally when I have a question during a video, you normally answer it unprompted shortly after I think of the question, so I try not to ask too many. :-)
I did a beekeeping course a few years back. One of the trusted, old hand, beekeepers who'd been doing it for decades and taking us on the course said many things that were useful in life, not just beekeeping. There are two quotes from Bill that seem appropriate here: 1) If you ask three beekeepers for an opinion on something to do with beekeeping, you'll get four opinions. And, 2) If you've got two successful beekeepers arguing about the best way to do something, chances are it doesn't matter which method you choose. I've really enjoyed and learned a _lot_ from this series about stuff I don't know about (note: I know a little bit about TIG and MIG welding of both steel, stainless, and aluminium - I may have given away my nationality with the spelling there! - and the idea of TIG welding copper can get in the sea - it's just not worth it) and brazing/soldering - depending on temperature - is _absolutely_ the right method for this. I love it. Keep up the great work, and ignore the idiots. :)
I have been enjoying your videos concerning your A3 to no end. I'm a little bummed out though. I was hoping this was an old project; & I'd get to watch & listen to the whole project from start to finish. Now, tonight, I just found out how current these videos are. I thought I was going to watch the kit & kaboodle of this project from start to finish. Bummer!!! Now, I have subscribed to your channel & will have to wait for future videos to come out. I must commend you on how well made your videos are produced before uploaded onto the tube. I am from Texas & I appreciate that at least one time in one of your videos you used the phrase " you all." Texas has been invaded by sooooo many Yankees the last 40 years, that say "you guys" so much, I get culture shock in my own state: The Republic of Texas, that is.🤠 Y'all have a good night now, ya hear?
Quinn, you are a gift to all of us watching. Your ability to clearly explain what you are doing and why is so tremendous and can't be overstated. Thank you for your intellectual honesty and humility. I have lots more videos to watch, but am looking forward to starting my own journey. After digging into your blog, my first step is to weld a nice steel workbench in prep for order and delivery of a lathe. Thank you so much for the journey ❤
After watching your series, and particularly this video, Teddy Roosevelt's speech about being "in the arena" came to mind. Your skills, narratives, and humor are greatly admired. Thank you for having such a wonderful channel that's full of instruction and entertainment.
Hey Quinn, thanks for the sit down and explanation for so many questions. Great content and glad to see you are winning with the boiler build. Thanks so much for your time, effort and putting up with us looking over your shoulder. Cheers
I thoroughly enjoy your posts and particularly enjoyed when you produced a 19th century article. Why, a set of volumes i inherited from my grandfather are bound volumes of "The Model Engineer" dating from 1894 to 1914, 20 years of reading enjoyment, with embedded history. A column width photo with caption that reads "the winner 9f the all Briton model glider competition, Mr. A V Roe, keep the good work up." Well he did.
Thanks very much for this, Quinn. I watch with an open mind, not critically but with a lot of curiosity. Despite my having watched every episode so far (and most of your previous build episodes), you helped consolidate and deepen my understanding of what you're doing. I'm sorry so many people feel empowered to make blanket comments about safety, etc. It's courageous of you to put what you're doing out for public observation as that inevitably draws the opinionated but not fully experienced to make such statements. Please keep up the great work--I am just one of many who enjoy your videos and the knowledge and experience they contain.
7:06 - about 7:50 re: scribe lines and "model boilers are built with safety margins in the 1000% range". Can't help noticing that Sprocket seems to have been built with some decent margins too. I see he is also able to check the firebox while it's running.
Thank you Quinn. Because of you I am now getting interested in these engines and your explanations make me a better machinist. Shrug off these hater/losers as I've not seen any of them showing anything better.
About the scribelines and punchmarks. There is no isssiu with Copper or normal tensile strengh steel have a very high fracture toughtness, but aluminium or some higt tensile strengh steel are very subsceptible for fractures from scribelines or punchmarks. The problem is not the line or the dimple, its the microscopic fractures induced by this process. And when the material have a low fracture toughtness, the fractures can start to grow and lead to a failure. But with your copper boiler, don't wory about this failuremode.
Dear Quinn... Just recognized your big field of interests... for some years I watched your vids about machining, now have seen a vid about you introducing veronica and so on... my biggest respect! I am also a bit into electronics... as example I built my own Amp. And I love machining... so I know what set of skills somebody needs to have to "drive as wide as you, on the road of hobby-building". Long story short my dearest Quinn: For my personal me, there is no difference between women or men doing some stuff. if somwbody is doing the same amount of work in the same quality, for me its the same...no matter if it is a women, a men or anything inbetween. If somebody builds a homemade computer its cool! if somebody build a whole little locomotive its cool!!! Its hard for me to find the right words, maybe i have already written something that makes somebody angry?! but thats not what I wanna do. If I did that, then its just because english is not my everyday used language because I'm a swiss guy. Well I really lift my hat for you Quinn! Not because of any shit like: 'oh she does well for a women' NO hell NOOO! I dont make a difference between genders. I really lift my hat because you did extremely well for a homo sapiens sapiens:-) You are like a combo of Steve Wozniak, Adam Savage , the all time greatest Marie Curie and Caroll Shelby himself... 😊 So ignore amy kind of nasty comments... just dont look at them! If it seems to be a nasty or mean one...just scroll down:-) greets Ron
I either use MAP gas or propane on hand-held torch for any silver soldering I do. I get my paste flux and roll of silver solder from the welding supply shop at Hust Bros. auto parts here in northern California. Never had an issue. I also put my copper and brass parts in a bowl of plain ol' white vinegar. Doesn't take very long for scaling and color distortion to disappear. That and some super fine steel wool for clean up and polishing. I am currently restoring/ rebuilding a 7.5 gauge Little Engines American 4-4-0. Been two years on project. Keep up the excellent work, Quinn. Mistakes are half the fun. Couldn't learn without them.
Hello Quinn! You are a excellent teacher! -and a model of integrity! I have learned from you why I have blown holes through my projects using my Smiths Little Touch, and I now embrace the Larger Flame Technique". LFT has changed my life! I also proudly own several micrometers now! And two Rose indexes! It is no exaggeration to say, that your works have inspired me! Seriously! (And heart felt!) Thank you! Damn the torpedoes!
I don't have any questions! I watch everyone of your videos (its a Saturday evening date!) and I have to say that watching your processes and explanations with all of your projects has greatly improved my own methods in all of my endeavors! Thank you!
Note about using citric acid to pickle things: If you heat it up a bit it works much quicker. Maybe not practical for something as large as a boiler, but for jewelry it's good, and getting a set of clothes (and luckily nothing else) ruined from idiocy resulting in a sulfuric acid splash, well, one time is enough for me. I use an old coffee brewing thing to keep the citric acid hot, and it does the job in around five minutes without me having to be too careful with it. Plus, you can buy citric in pretty much any food store. I never commented about it, but I did wonder about the brass screws. Good video. I am looking forward to seeing this thing on the tracks.
Your channel is so refreshing and you attention to detail, presentation and delivery is excellent. I'm not into building boilers because part of my day job is to design and inspect pressure vessels. I can design stuff and machine stuff but its all mechanical. I have some very talented model engineering friends but boilers are so unpredictable lol. I also like cats and Sprocket is absolutely gorgeous!
Quinn: Enjoyed watching you silver solder the locomotive boiler. Good luck with the rest of the approval process. Really appreciate the videos you create.
I probably won't ever build any model steam engine myself but your videos are always really calming and interesting. Can't wait for all the next videos.
Hi, Quinn! Thank you for taking the time to do this project, and also for taking the time to put out a Q&A video about it. You do amazing work, and an even more amazing job of explaining the work you are doing. Many have enough skill do do a thing, but few have enough skill to teach a thing in the process. (I hope that made sense.) At any rate, you do you, Boo. Keep on keepin’ on! You mentioned that Kozo has built more steam boilers than you and me combined. Interesting side note: the number of steam boilers that you and me combined have built is exactly equal to the number that you alone have built! As for the naysayers, I say you should say “NAY, you naysaying naysayers!”. They can put up or shut up. Unless they want to post a video showing how they would do it, let ‘em go eat beans.
I wrapped my head around the whole "heat sink effect" when I tried to solder wires to the print bed of a 3D printer, the bed is basically a large PCB with large copper layer. Needed to wait for the puny soldering iron to heat up the whole for the solder to flow.
I am fairly certain that I have heard you answer all of these questions before, which is not a dig on you but a testament to how much of a PITA it must be dealing with back seat steam engine fabricators. Thank you for persevering and not shouting at us that you will turn this car around if they don't settle down.
we came back from lunch and my steel boiler hydro test gauge was sitting in the sun at 1000+ psi, for my 120lb operating pressure boiler. So I agree that they are every so gently overbuilt.
As you say: intellectual humility is a very useful attitude and can potentially avoid errors that have been made many times before. When I began studying philosophy I was taught that a useful habit when considering any question - no matter how modern and novel - is to first check whether Plato had something to say about it! Learning from experience takes brains, but learning from someone else's is even smarter, and generally a lot less costly!
Ignore the nasty comments. You are doing a great service and work on this project.👍
Agreed. Ignore the detractors. 100+ years of model making experience supports everything you do and we love to see how you learn and practice your art and craft.
Looking forward to finally seeing the boiler and steam engine finished and running down a track with you and Sprocket in the Engineer's seat. Only problem I foresee is finding a little Engineer's cap for Sprocket. 😁
Glad your still around,,,,
And not part of the Forrest fires...
As a career manual machinist, I watch your content religiously, even if the work is on a different scale, I greatly enjoy the level of explanation, tips and tricks in your content.
Nothing but respect for you and your skill.
Remember, no one hating your process is actually doing better than you.
Even though I have no interest in doing a steam project, I watch every video in case I might learn something that I could apply to the projects I'm working on.
Ignore the negativity, you're great and doing awesome stuff. I've been model engineering for 30 years and I'm about to start my first loco boiler... because of you. Always been too feeble and bought one! I admire your honesty and ability to inspire others. Keep it up. You make the Internet a better place :)
What a lovely comment👍🏻👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
I see Sprocket gave your boiler a cat scan. Guess it passed!
Sprocket seemed to be very interested in the fire too!
Tldr: just because modern methods are different does not mean old methods are wrong.
The "modern method" would probably be to use a brushless DC motor and LiPo packs. Doing things the modern way is somewhat missing the point of building a working model of an old locomotive.
Gosh - a REAL FIRE - you're definitely coming up in the world! I always like the way you can organize your thoughts in real time, and give patient, detailed answers to questions, even if you may have answered them previously.
Also a lot of takes. 😄 In real life I’m a babbling fool.
@@Blondihacks We will still brook you as that as well, for we all babble.
Sprocket going all-out to steal the limelight! Thanks for all you do, Quinn - fascinating at every turn.
Hey Quinn, I'll echo what someone else said, far down this list of comments: that we appreciate your occasional Q&A videos. Your talent for (re-)explaining things in a manner that I find gloriously clear and understandable continues to thrill me! The Q&A adds yet another layer or perspective to the already-multi-dimensional explanations in your step-by-step videos. You are truly a gift to us folks who enjoy learning. Thank you!
We need “Kozo Himself” stickers or shirts, pins maybe.
Kozo: The Master
I doubt that sprocket is a certified boiler inspector. But I appreciate the time you put in the boiler making videos.
Cant wait for the continuiation on the A3. Next the frame?
Frames, wheels, suspension!
Loving how this doubles as a technical Q&A and a Cat video. 🙂Looking forward to seeing more of this project.
I'm a simple human. Quinn's videos are a delight. Thanks for documenting what you do, a friend and I are on the cusp of getting a lathe :)
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did my first, it was a couple hundred years old and about six or seven lathes back. You will never regret it, they are the mother of all machine tools.
Actually, just tell them that you are going to turn it into a hobby. Something that you have trying to get around to doing for a while.
You're in the right place! Joy of hitting your dimension and getting that press fit to work - worth the price of admission.
I appreciate your videos, my random internet friend. I’d never in my life make a steam train, but I love watching you share the experience.
I think some never learned the golden rule: DBAD.
(Don’t Be A Dingus)
Some people become a bit too „invested“ in your project, and forget that it is YOÄuR project. So they might get a bit „excited“ when they think they could do it better, or faster, or . . .take your pick. But Quinn, I watch because I like to hear your voice calmly explain how YOU are doing it. Have a wink and a smile, and I can’t wait to see you try make some steam on the lathe 😂
Simply put I admire your intellect and am thankful that you are willing to share your knowledge with us.
The "intellectual humility" aspect is very important. A lot of very smart people have solved problems we do not even understand.
And, simple solutions are traps laid out for those not grasping the problem.
Quinn, I so felt for you each time you had a leak, repaired it and a different location would leak. Heating that mass of metal up to soldering temperature is such an problem without accidentally overheating one part. It is both a blessing and a curse that the heat is conducted away so quickly. A blessing in that other locations do not remelt and you maintain the joint elsewhere. A curse in that rating and maintaining the temperature with such awkward shapes without overheating is so difficult.
From my days of furnace and hearth soldering some tips you or others may find of interest In a different discipline.
1) for aesthetics: say you are soldering a small brass rod into the copper sheet ( a valve etc.) apply your flux first and fit the part, then draw a thick pencil line around the joint 1/8-1/4” away, this will contain the solder within the pencil border, solder doesn’t stick to it. Be careful to clean off all the pencil once the joint is complete.
2) consider using different melting ranges of solder. use the highest melting range of temperatures first, subsequently use lower melting temps for subsequent assemblies or joints. This has the advantage of being able to add components and repair a higher melting joint with a lower melting solder without compromising the existing joint. I have no idea what ranges of solder are available now. There used to be comprehensive temp ranges of silver solder available.
3) practice, practice, practice, complex joints 30-40 times and I don’t mean I’ve made a model before. However competent you are the frequency you do complex joints makes it become second nature. Try to Add extra pieces without compromising the existing joints. Try Joining assemblies together.
For example I would make dozens of lost wax castings, without a problem (typical thinnest sections being 0.3mm).
Go on holiday return and have 2 failures. There was something I did differently, I was just as competent, after that back to normal.
3) one day a rep came into the lab and offered a tub (quart/litre size) of this compound used by welders and protected material close to the soldering area. Sorry can’t remember the brand name, Amazing stuff we were able to repair broken components 700c (1300f ) without damaging plastic within 3/8” 10mm. Cleanup just washed off in water. Amazing stuff, maybe someone knows the name of an equivalent product. This may be an option protecting areas you don’t want to damage. I could see a couple of occasions where use of that compound could have protected the areas around where Quinn was trying to solder.
No trolling here intended nor telling of how to suck eggs.
Once you’ve completed a complex task you, get better the next time particularly if done again soon after the first until you become expert. And it becomes your way of doing things. Hence the anecdote of the bee keepers.
Hope this helps someone. Graham
Thank you for inspiring me to blow the dust of my Myford lathe and mill after 20 years. I've learnt more in the last three days watching you on RUclips than I could have ever done looking at books and magazines magazines 20 years ago.
I built and ran a 5" locomotive, in the narrow-gauge style ("Sweet Pea" design). I had no trouble pulling 12 well-built adult men behind it!
How many poorly-built men would that equate too? Just curious.
@@ericmueller6836 what about us overbuild guys, 6’5”, 270lbs, size14 shoes?
@@jeffarmstrong1308 I have read that at steam locomotive can pull a load that it can't get started, while a diesel locomotive can start a load that it can't pull. Sounds like the steam part agrees with your experience.
@@mikewatson4644 The power profile of the different engines is very different. Diesel engines are actually diesel generators feeding electric traction motors, that generates maximum torque at zero rpm, and their torque drops off as the rpm increases. So when they run into conditions that require higher amounts of torque to pull the train, they have to slow down until they hit the right point in the torque/rpm curve. From my google-fu, it looks like the steam engine actually can have a flat torque across its' rpm range, because the steam can be fed it at max temperature and pressure from rpm 0. If the engine is sized to have just enough torque to pull at speed, there isn't any extra to overcome inertia when stopped. That's a weird condition.
@@rallen7660 Thank you for the explanation. As I said in my comment, this is something that I read.
What an unsung virtue is ‘intellectual humility’! Best wishes from the land of Mr Crispin! 😊
My father was a steam guy and ran stationary engines at shows with his small boiler. We had neighbor when I was a kid in the 70's had a small track loop in his back yard. He had a couple of steam loco's he built in his shop. It was always a great day when he fired up one of his steam locos and did some railroading. I never knew anything of the construction of them, but sure enjoyed being the engineer when I had the chance. I don't do any model engineering myself, (I fix construction machinery) but I sure enjoy hanging out with those who do. I had a friend and steam guy who always said "internal combustion is a passing fad" Rest in peace Keith you were so right.
As a welder, I can almost guarantee that the people recommending TIG welding are only are only experts in watching videos about TIG welding. As you alluded to, TIG welding exotic metals is difficult thing that takes lots of practice to get good at. Keep up the good work and I look forward to seeing the finished product
I'm a two decade long tig welder, got to it forty years late, and I approve of your statement! I've done stainless to aluminum, and have done a bit of titanium, perhaps the toughest of all. Copper wicks the heat away, lots of current!
@@JohnMcClain-p9t yeah, titanium flows like butter and gives you a false sense of security 😅 as long as you have plenty of gas coverage. Stainless isn't as difficult if you're good at basic TIG skills and back purge the weld. Copper..., That's an entirely different beast I just can't seem to get a handle on. I can fuse it, but it ain't pretty 😅
tig welding copper is really hard!! Especially on thin walled parts. Anyone who asks that has clearly never tig welded copper.
This! 💯
That's why we ask. Only ever seen tig being done and Only ever held a tig torch once way back when I was learning
About all I do anymore is stick welding.
@@Henning_S. gotta stop and start again. the opposite of a preheat lol. sharp tungsten high current. maybe pulse would help too?
@@Henning_S.I have not tig welded copper but I have done aluminum and you are correct that you really have to ease up on the foot pedal once the heat starts to build. Tig welding well takes practice as you have be doing several things at the same time and not everyone's brain can handle it right off the hop. It's kind of like patting the top of your head and rubbing circles on your belly at the same time.
The fact that your boiler passed the club's inspection tells me you did it right Quinn. I am beginning to machine the big PM research vertical steam engine kit (frame and vase done). I don't think I could have done it without your videos. And I grew up in a machine shop! Keep at it and just ignore the magpies! Thanks!
Thank you for taking the time to answer some of your viewers questions with a nonjudgmental and fact based approach. Another outstanding video.
I THINK I understand there could be some frustration in re-answering common questions you've been asked and have answered before, but I'd offer an encouragement. Your audience is not static. I just tuned in after a long absence, and really enjoyed this Q&A. You certainly can't do something like this very frequently, but once in a while it's very helpful to parts of your audience. Your explanations make the work understandable even for a noob like me. So, I enjoyed the Q&A even though it's repetitious for you; thank you.
Great build!
Shame on anyone leaving a negative comment. To you negative comment makers, step up to the plate and let's see what you can do.
You are so good at teaching from the sweet spot between grace and justifiably annoyance. Your cat is pretty and your videos make me feel at ease. Thank you for the learning!
Thank you for sharing answers and being a patient teacher. You make the hobby of machining better.
I enjoy your content which has inspired me to buy a lathe. Like so many others I ask you to ignore the negativity and continue your journey. In fact, turn off comments if the repetitive questions and naysayers are detracting from your own enjoyment of sharing your journey with us. Thanks Quinn.
That snow leopard scale really shows you how big that boiler is 😁
We need more lynx to that sort of videos.
Great video. You are far more patient and kind than I think I could be under the circumstances, I'm envious.
I'm a bicycle framebuilding. We use silver and oxy fuel torches a lot to add bosses and mounts to frames. Until this video I was wondering how you can do such delicate work with a large torch but the heat sinking effects of the copper makes a lot of sense. With what I do even brazing or soldering relatively thin steel (compared to model engineering) that heatsink effect is pretty pronounced at times.
Funny, I build bicycles myself, thought I was alone following this series.
I'm an old electronics tech/engineer, and I've burnt up a soldering iron or two having to attach components to copper ground planes. It's amazing the amount of power required to get even electronics solder to melt in those conditions.
@@rallen7660 I did avionics for twenty years and ran across about a 150 watt soldering iron, old one, that gets things up to temp pretty quick for "large ground plane applications", had one in the Marines like that as well. As you say, quite a chore getting it up to temp.
You are much more accommodating to this type of feedback and comments then I could be. Ignore the naysayers and know it alls and keep the videos coming! I may not always be interested in what you are doing but I watch to see how and why you do it hoping to apply something learned later.
Loved the fireside chat Quinn! I'm not a steam guy, so I watch your videos to see how you solve problems. I have learned a lot from you! Thanks for all that you do!
I'm enamored with the phrase "intellectual humility" I'm going to use that in future.
I gotta admit like 90% of the reason I'm following is because I just cannot picture something this small actually pulling people and i wanna see it happen
At 2:50 techniques that have been developed over time, I refer to them as "organic" knowledge, they usually didn't just happen , but were developed over a considerable length of time. This generally results in someone quoting a procedure without delving into where it came and this is why some of those archaic sounding instructions seem odd at first.but they do work. Whew! Cheers and thanks for the vid Quinn!
Kudos to you for recognizing same and working within said constraints, of course videoing does keep one honest most times!
Boiler making and steam engines really isn't my thing, but its amazing to hear how well thought out every step is and the reasons behind them. I really enjoy these types of videos
Copper is the second best metal for heat conductivity behind silver. A bit under 10 times better than steel and not quite 2 times better than aluminium. Maybe that puts it into perspective for folks who have welded or brazed those materials.
Watching this whole boiler series has really inspired me. I’ve got hundreds of repair jobs to do around the house and even added together they don’t come anywhere near the effort and complexity of building a miniature steam boiler. I feel like a new man who can do anything (except build a fucking boiler)
You did a brilliant job on this boiler. Don't get turned off the projekt. You're doing great.
Sprocket got some experience working a firebox @7:45. Sounds like the Switcher should have no trouble pulling her along too. Thanks for the information, Quinn!
It’s sad to say, but intellectual humility is a rare, but precious, commodity these days.
I admit I don't watch all of your video series. But I do watch every video of the series I commit to. Quite often, several times each. I have enjoyed the Pennsylvania A3 Switcher so far, and I have learned many new-to-me old-school techniques, and I am looking forward to learning more. Thank you!
Always impressed by the skill and breath of knowledge given in each of these build videos!
I was one individual who asked about the boiler being inspected and certified. I appreciate your answer because I was unaware of the process. Every time I ask a question on your channel it comes from a place of my own ignorance and not of malice, so my deepest thanks when you enlighten me.
I too queried about inspection and certification and your comments have clarified what was happening behind the scenes. Model Live Steam societies are very careful about about boiler safety - especially when dealing with larger scale models.
I watch every one of your videos. You are part of why I bought my own lathe!
Even though I watch all of the videos, I still enjoy these good question and answer videos.
Well done as usual.
Thanks, and Meow to Sprocket.
Wow, what an informative installment! I am in awe of your knowledge and patience. Thanks for all the wonderful projects and instruction. Keep up the good work!
When you showed a picture of that guy riding the locomotive I remembered when I was a kid nearly 40 years ago I went to a track that had those I had forgotten all about.
I now appreciate all the work that has gone into it.
Hello from Newcastle Australia
All of these comments that you answered is just basically logic to me been watching you for a long time and this is the first time that I ever commente
POÄNG armchairs and a real fire! I like it!
Thanks for the videos, Quinn. I learn a lot!
You are unique and I enjoy learning from you when I do, most of all I enjoy your videos and approach
Much respect Quinn, love watching, learning from your work and have used some of your methods. Couldn’t have done it as well without watching you. Keep it up along with the funny bits. Stay well and thanks for sharing your hobby.
7:53 Just seen why you have an enclosed fire. Damn cat wants to play chase and catch with the flames, lol!
I was at a tractor pull once and after all the flame throwing nitro charged so called tractors were done an old steam tractor tractor was brought out. It pulled that sled around at any speed and distance it wanted to. I don't think it even knew that sled was hanging off the drawbar
The important factor there is weight. Tractor pulling tractors are restricted by weight. This means they struggle to get the power onto the ground. The steam tractor on the other hand is much heavier so it's wheels can dig in and grip. If you built a similar weight pulling tractor it could get away with a relatively small engine. Of course it would be banned from competition but that is beside the point.
steam makes power at zero rpm, internal combustion doesn't make power except substantially about idle. Steam engines are pretty much always underrated.
I like your Shop Cat! Sprocket knows who is in charge!
Really enjoy your work, not a model engineer but enjoy the machining aspects and always like learning about things. You are always well prepared and easily understood. Thanks 👍🇺🇸
Excellent Q&A session, Quinn! You've done an awesome job on the boiler build (on all of your boiler builds!). Thanks for taking the time to record, edit and produce interesting, educational videos on all the work you do. I really enjoy all of your videos. As many people have said, you explain things in such a clear and intuitive way. I learn something from every video of yours I watch. Thank you for sharing and for all the work you put into thiis. Well done!
Talking about traction, I had a summer job where I was driving a small diesel locomotive with 75 hp, and my load was 2 wagons with salt water, totaling about 50 tons (metric ones), about 110 000 lbs.
As you say, some slippage when accelerating, and being carful to know how far ahead you need to break. But works without problem.
Thanks for the great Q and A video Quinn and Sprocket.
Yay!!! It's Blondihacks time!!!
I love a good Q&A! I have noticed that normally when I have a question during a video, you normally answer it unprompted shortly after I think of the question, so I try not to ask too many. :-)
I did a beekeeping course a few years back. One of the trusted, old hand, beekeepers who'd been doing it for decades and taking us on the course said many things that were useful in life, not just beekeeping. There are two quotes from Bill that seem appropriate here:
1) If you ask three beekeepers for an opinion on something to do with beekeeping, you'll get four opinions. And,
2) If you've got two successful beekeepers arguing about the best way to do something, chances are it doesn't matter which method you choose.
I've really enjoyed and learned a _lot_ from this series about stuff I don't know about (note: I know a little bit about TIG and MIG welding of both steel, stainless, and aluminium - I may have given away my nationality with the spelling there! - and the idea of TIG welding copper can get in the sea - it's just not worth it) and brazing/soldering - depending on temperature - is _absolutely_ the right method for this.
I love it. Keep up the great work, and ignore the idiots. :)
We have the saying that if you ask 3 beekeepers, you will get 6 different answers.
I have been enjoying your videos concerning your A3 to no end. I'm a little bummed out though. I was hoping this was an old project; & I'd get to watch & listen to the whole project from start to finish. Now, tonight, I just found out how current these videos are. I thought I was going to watch the kit & kaboodle of this project from start to finish. Bummer!!! Now, I have subscribed to your channel & will have to wait for future videos to come out. I must commend you on how well made your videos are produced before uploaded onto the tube. I am from Texas & I appreciate that at least one time in one of your videos you used the phrase " you all." Texas has been invaded by sooooo many Yankees the last 40 years, that say "you guys" so much, I get culture shock in my own state: The Republic of Texas, that is.🤠 Y'all have a good night now, ya hear?
Excited to see what you'll work on next for the train, now that you finished the boiler! And the die filer
Quinn, you are a gift to all of us watching. Your ability to clearly explain what you are doing and why is so tremendous and can't be overstated. Thank you for your intellectual honesty and humility.
I have lots more videos to watch, but am looking forward to starting my own journey. After digging into your blog, my first step is to weld a nice steel workbench in prep for order and delivery of a lathe.
Thank you so much for the journey ❤
After watching your series, and particularly this video, Teddy Roosevelt's speech about being "in the arena" came to mind. Your skills, narratives, and humor are greatly admired. Thank you for having such a wonderful channel that's full of instruction and entertainment.
I so enjoy your work, skill set, humor and most of all the quality of your videos. God Bless.
Hey Quinn, thanks for the sit down and explanation for so many questions. Great content and glad to see you are winning with the boiler build. Thanks so much for your time, effort and putting up with us looking over your shoulder. Cheers
Thank you for sharing your experience and bringing us on your journey.
I thoroughly enjoy your posts and particularly enjoyed when you produced a 19th century article. Why, a set of volumes i inherited from my grandfather are bound volumes of "The Model Engineer" dating from 1894 to 1914, 20 years of reading enjoyment, with embedded history. A column width photo with caption that reads "the winner 9f the all Briton model glider competition, Mr. A V Roe, keep the good work up." Well he did.
Thanks very much for this, Quinn. I watch with an open mind, not critically but with a lot of curiosity. Despite my having watched every episode so far (and most of your previous build episodes), you helped consolidate and deepen my understanding of what you're doing.
I'm sorry so many people feel empowered to make blanket comments about safety, etc. It's courageous of you to put what you're doing out for public observation as that inevitably draws the opinionated but not fully experienced to make such statements. Please keep up the great work--I am just one of many who enjoy your videos and the knowledge and experience they contain.
Thank you for this series. Thanks for the Q&A.
Thanks for the review, you answered all of my questions. Can't wait for your next project.
7:06 - about 7:50 re: scribe lines and "model boilers are built with safety margins in the 1000% range". Can't help noticing that Sprocket seems to have been built with some decent margins too. I see he is also able to check the firebox while it's running.
Thank you Quinn. Because of you I am now getting interested in these engines and your explanations make me a better machinist. Shrug off these hater/losers as I've not seen any of them showing anything better.
About the scribelines and punchmarks.
There is no isssiu with Copper or normal tensile strengh steel have a very high fracture toughtness, but aluminium or some higt tensile strengh steel are very subsceptible for fractures from scribelines or punchmarks.
The problem is not the line or the dimple, its the microscopic fractures induced by this process. And when the material have a low fracture toughtness, the fractures can start to grow and lead to a failure.
But with your copper boiler, don't wory about this failuremode.
Dear Quinn... Just recognized your big field of interests... for some years I watched your vids about machining, now have seen a vid about you introducing veronica and so on... my biggest respect! I am also a bit into electronics... as example I built my own Amp. And I love machining... so I know what set of skills somebody needs to have to "drive as wide as you, on the road of hobby-building".
Long story short my dearest Quinn:
For my personal me, there is no difference between women or men doing some stuff. if somwbody is doing the same amount of work in the same quality, for me its the same...no matter if it is a women, a men or anything inbetween.
If somebody builds a homemade computer its cool! if somebody build a whole little locomotive its cool!!!
Its hard for me to find the right words, maybe i have already written something that makes somebody angry?! but thats not what I wanna do. If I did that, then its just because english is not my everyday used language because I'm a swiss guy.
Well I really lift my hat for you Quinn!
Not because of any shit like: 'oh she does well for a women' NO hell NOOO! I dont make a difference between genders. I really lift my hat because you did extremely well for a homo sapiens sapiens:-)
You are like a combo of Steve Wozniak, Adam Savage , the all time greatest Marie Curie and Caroll Shelby himself... 😊 So ignore amy kind of nasty comments... just dont look at them! If it seems to be a nasty or mean one...just scroll down:-) greets Ron
Great! Your patience is impressive! I learned a lot. 😊
I either use MAP gas or propane on hand-held torch for any silver soldering I do. I get my paste flux and roll of silver solder from the welding supply shop at Hust Bros. auto parts here in northern California. Never had an issue. I also put my copper and brass parts in a bowl of plain ol' white vinegar. Doesn't take very long for scaling and color distortion to disappear. That and some super fine steel wool for clean up and polishing. I am currently restoring/ rebuilding a 7.5 gauge Little Engines American 4-4-0. Been two years on project.
Keep up the excellent work, Quinn. Mistakes are half the fun. Couldn't learn without them.
Q&A without an opening with the Machinist's Handbook upside down? I am disappointed.
Look, the supervisor was present. You can't whip out the books with the supervisor looking over your shoulder
You rock! Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Hello Quinn! You are a excellent teacher! -and a model of integrity! I have learned from you why I have blown holes through my projects using my Smiths Little Touch, and I now embrace the Larger Flame Technique". LFT has changed my life! I also proudly own several micrometers now! And two Rose indexes! It is no exaggeration to say, that your works have inspired me!
Seriously! (And heart felt!) Thank you! Damn the torpedoes!
I don't have any questions! I watch everyone of your videos (its a Saturday evening date!) and I have to say that watching your processes and explanations with all of your projects has greatly improved my own methods in all of my endeavors! Thank you!
Note about using citric acid to pickle things: If you heat it up a bit it works much quicker. Maybe not practical for something as large as a boiler, but for jewelry it's good, and getting a set of clothes (and luckily nothing else) ruined from idiocy resulting in a sulfuric acid splash, well, one time is enough for me. I use an old coffee brewing thing to keep the citric acid hot, and it does the job in around five minutes without me having to be too careful with it. Plus, you can buy citric in pretty much any food store.
I never commented about it, but I did wonder about the brass screws. Good video. I am looking forward to seeing this thing on the tracks.
I use citric acid to actually clean my coffee electric kettle, once it has too much hard water scale build up😄
Vinegar should do the trick too and that is easy and cheap to get.
Your channel is so refreshing and you attention to detail, presentation and delivery is excellent. I'm not into building boilers because part of my day job is to design and inspect pressure vessels. I can design stuff and machine stuff but its all mechanical. I have some very talented model engineering friends but boilers are so unpredictable lol. I also like cats and Sprocket is absolutely gorgeous!
Quinn: Enjoyed watching you silver solder the locomotive boiler. Good luck with the rest of the approval process. Really appreciate the videos you create.
I probably won't ever build any model steam engine myself but your videos are always really calming and interesting. Can't wait for all the next videos.
Hi, Quinn!
Thank you for taking the time to do this project, and also for taking the time to put out a Q&A video about it. You do amazing work, and an even more amazing job of explaining the work you are doing. Many have enough skill do do a thing, but few have enough skill to teach a thing in the process. (I hope that made sense.) At any rate, you do you, Boo. Keep on keepin’ on!
You mentioned that Kozo has built more steam boilers than you and me combined. Interesting side note: the number of steam boilers that you and me combined have built is exactly equal to the number that you alone have built!
As for the naysayers, I say you should say “NAY, you naysaying naysayers!”. They can put up or shut up. Unless they want to post a video showing how they would do it, let ‘em go eat beans.
I wrapped my head around the whole "heat sink effect" when I tried to solder wires to the print bed of a 3D printer, the bed is basically a large PCB with large copper layer. Needed to wait for the puny soldering iron to heat up the whole for the solder to flow.
This has me looking forward to an adventure up to Airdrie on some future Sunday just to see this wonderful project in motion!
You are a very patient person.
I am fairly certain that I have heard you answer all of these questions before, which is not a dig on you but a testament to how much of a PITA it must be dealing with back seat steam engine fabricators. Thank you for persevering and not shouting at us that you will turn this car around if they don't settle down.
we came back from lunch and my steel boiler hydro test gauge was sitting in the sun at 1000+ psi, for my 120lb operating pressure boiler. So I agree that they are every so gently overbuilt.
Loved it when Sprocket jumped on your knee.
You can almost hear him saying; 'Come on human, worship me'
I wish I could love this Quinn. Alas there is only a thumbs up.
Fantastic delivery of an excellent message.
Thank you for making this video! Sprocket answered all the questions I had!
As you say: intellectual humility is a very useful attitude and can potentially avoid errors that have been made many times before. When I began studying philosophy I was taught that a useful habit when considering any question - no matter how modern and novel - is to first check whether Plato had something to say about it! Learning from experience takes brains, but learning from someone else's is even smarter, and generally a lot less costly!