I'm get very very close to steaming my loco (honest) its been a bit of the trial and may still jump up and bite me, but I've been getting very itchy to design and build an engine.
This one is not all my design I've based it on Georges' design that you can follow her
http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php?topic=570.0 but as I'm on the metric side of the pond I've been converting Georges' drawing to metric friendly sizes, I've also designed it with a piston valve instead of the slide valve George used as I hope that will be easier to make:- we will have to see on that one.
I've attached the drawings for those who are interested
I made a start on it this morning, but the first thing I did before starting to make parts was to get a bit of kit together that I thought that I may need.
I use an ER32 collet on my mill which is fine for normal work, but I've found that with small parts and cutters it tends to obscure the job so I got a set ER16 collets and straight shank holder that I will piggy back on the ER 32

I shortened it by 40mm using a dremell cut off wheel it was too had for a hacksaw.

I made a tap wrench to fit in the chuck and a small die holder for the lathe, I also drilled and tapped few practice holes M1 and turned and threaded a male thread, as you can see in the chunk of ally in the shot
First up the base:-
Square a bit of ally to size.

When making small parts you need a small helper.

Mill the pocket in the base

Then mill the middle out and mill the steps

Then drill and tap the M1 holes


No broken drill or taps :whoohoo:
Then profile around the outside

That's the first bit done

Stew