I have a Shay and a Climax (On30) and I bought these castings to build a couple of wagons, not cheap and not real good, so I'm attempting to make my own.
I started with 1 x 3/16" fms.
Marked the centre, then split it with a 4" angle grinder with a skinny cut off disk.
Next it went into the mill to bring it down to 3/8"
I marked where the "pole" went and drilled a series of 1/8" holes with a centre drill (there's no flex in them like a normal drill)
I had the depth set so it didn't go right through, the holes were then joined with an end mill to make a nice 1/8" square slot for the pole.
Another slot milled for the couplers.
I didn't want to make the pole slot any longer because I need some solid metal to drill and tap for the trucks to mount to.
Cut a couple of bits of hardwood 1/8" square for the pole on my radial arm saw, and yes I still have all my fingers. :laugh:
I might have to make a longer pole, this is full lenght, and you don't get many short pine logs. Cut a couple of bolsters for the logs to sit on.
I started with 1 x 3/16" fms.
Marked the centre, then split it with a 4" angle grinder with a skinny cut off disk.
Next it went into the mill to bring it down to 3/8"
I marked where the "pole" went and drilled a series of 1/8" holes with a centre drill (there's no flex in them like a normal drill)
I had the depth set so it didn't go right through, the holes were then joined with an end mill to make a nice 1/8" square slot for the pole.
Another slot milled for the couplers.
I didn't want to make the pole slot any longer because I need some solid metal to drill and tap for the trucks to mount to.
Cut a couple of bits of hardwood 1/8" square for the pole on my radial arm saw, and yes I still have all my fingers. :laugh:
I might have to make a longer pole, this is full lenght, and you don't get many short pine logs. Cut a couple of bolsters for the logs to sit on.