1st off when machining a casting you need to check it over and plan the sequence of machining making sure you will leave yourself enough material for the casting to clean up

 

Image 1 is machine a flat face on the top of the casting where the regulator chest fits, using an angle plat, tipped cutter and the milling head on the super B, this face acts as a datum for marking out other key features.

Image 1

 

The next job is to plug the bore and boiler saddle with wood using no nail glue this gives you something to mark the bore and boiler centre onto so that you can mark out other features from these centres. See image 2

Image 2

 

Image 3 shows machining the cylinder bore The cylinder is set on a vertical slide that was first set up square and vertical to the table, this allows the tools to be driven in the head stock and the cut fed by the lead screw, first op is to rough out the bore with a 3/4" drill then finish the bore using a boring head with a tip tool with plenty of coolant I got a dead parallel hole with a great finish.  see image 4

Image 3	Image 4

 

Next a mandrel was turned that was a nice close fit on the bore threaded at both ends so that it could be clamped to angle or vertical slide for subsequent machining ops this ensures that everything is dead square to the bore so that the motion work lines up.

 

Image 5 shows the cylinder mounted on the mandrel on the vertical slide so that the saddle can be machined, using marking out as a guide to ensure you get it into correct position.

Image 5

 

Image 6 Show the set up for first machining a steam port face, and then machining of the ports using the over head mill head with cutters the same size as the ports, and the ports spaced out using the lead screw graduations and the in built accuracy of the machine. A check on the finished ports showed them to be spot on.

Image 6

 

The bore liner was next machined and sweated into the bore.

 

Image 7 Shows the set up for drilling the steam ways, the cylinder is clamped to 21/2" dia piece of ally fixed to the vertical slide the drill is mounted in the head stock, the vertical slide allows the job to be moved up and down to position the two steam way (two at each end)

Image 7

 

IMG 1336 Set up for maching across the top of the sadle, using over head mill and a rotary table, this could be filed but if you can machine it why not.

Image 8

 

Image 9 Set up for machining bolt holes for fixing cylinder to boiler, using over head mill and a rotary table, this photo also shows the steam ports nicely.

Image 9

 

Image 10 Attached Set up for machining radius on outside of bore again using over head mill and rotary table.

Image 10

 

Image 11 Set up for drilling end cover bolting holes into cylinder using drill and rottary table, steel washing being drilled at the same time so that it can be used as a jig, to drill cylinder cover so it will match spot on.

Image 11

 

Basicaly what I did was to follow the methodology recommended by L.C Mason in his book build the Minnie Traction Engine, but adapted to suite the Supper B and the kit I had.

Finished Item

 

I hope this is of use, I have other photos showing the manufacture of a boiler feed pump for the minnie and the lubricator ratchet that I can send.

 

I also plan to take photos of my build of a 3 1/2" loco currently I've got the frame completed and the wheels it will probably take me a couple of years to complete, I intend to use the Supper B as I think it is more than up to the Job.