Topic: A3a air tank

[Ferd]

 I know the feeling - I still find myself having to justify my toys and tools to management. (my very supportive and wonderful wife)

cheers Ferd

[GregE]

Yeah- that would be ideal    It really is a nice machine, and I'll miss the 'feel' when working on smaller parts.
But... I need the cash to fund the new mill. I sold my motorcycle this fall to fund a lathe up-size, and this is the next step.  I'm trying not to increase the capital I have invested in my toys! 

[Ferd]

Hi Greg
The ideal scenario is keeping the Shirline for small parts and purchasing a larger  mill for bigger jobs - that an ideal scenario - having said that Sherline mills and lathes hold good value.
cheers Ferd

[GregE]

Thanks but  ....     lucky if Christmas of 2009...

I'm working on what parts I can make with metal on hand before making a major material buy. I've been working through the book to make a material and tool list, but its kind of tedious so is going slowly.

I'm planning to sell the Sherline and get a larger mill too, so at some point I'll have to stop using it and tidy it for sale. In anticipation, I stopped buying/making new tooling for it, and that limits the operations I can do somewhat. Probably later this month.

[Ferd]

Hi Greg
Brilliantly creative - wow are you trying to get the loco running before christmas.   
I need to spend less time building the web and more in the workshop.
cheers Ferd

[GregE]

I was looking through my material stash for tube to make the air tank, and this old sink trap was just the right diameter!

I cut off a chunk and trued the ends- sanding off the gunk on it- and drilled for the rivets.
Top and bottom caps were turned from brass, and I made up a little condensate vent for the bottom.

I tested the paint on a spare chunk to see that paint would stick to the chrome- seems fine, no less scratch resistant than brass.

In Kozo's design this holds the battery for the headlight, but I'm planning to use an LED with a coin cell, so is just decorative.