1941 City of Los Angeles

[aww]

I like that. And the raised edges on the windows. I never did get the screens in those other two. I wanted see though to give the effect that there is a bunch of stuff going on in there. You are on your way.

Allan

[bob turner]

The plan was paper and cyano-acrylate, but those, unfortunately, are masking tape. Anybody got an old typewriter that could make a page of periods?

[R.K. Maroon]

UPS brought me two boxes today:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/30meib188iz4n9d67arl0/Taig-Mill-Arrives-01.jpg?rlkey=8hhvfnqofb6h27o5p5j0gxbm8

This is my long-awaited Taig Mini-Mill. I decided some time back to not go crazy buying tools just to have them, but once I decided I was going to tackle rebuilding the drives on my Adams units I pulled the trigger on this guy. Fortunately, I coincidentally decide to clean house this year and have been regularly posting items on eBay. Sales returns have exceeded expectations, and as such the mill was paid for with eBay sales, which keeps domestic tensions no higher than nominal.

Unfortunately, I am back to working late nights for work, so it may be a while before this gets setup. The last time I used a mill was in 1979, so I'm going to go slow. Fortunately, fellow club member Nortonville Phil is a pro so I will be looking to him for expert guidance.

Jim

[bob turner]

If it doesn't work, used Benchmasters can be had for around $400. They are not good for steel, but mine makes very nice brass frames. The Benchmaster may actually still be produced in the USA - last I heard they were pumping out mills in east LA for cheap.

Of course the answer is a used Cincinnatti mill - a forklift and a divorce are needed for those, but they take a huge bite out of mild steel.

[R.K. Maroon]

I unpacked and set up the Taig mini mill:


https://dl.dropbox.com/scl/fi/t856kyzabmbmydqea2fxf/Taig-Mill-Setup.jpg?rlkey=fnm84ccj5ql26vaub5rm6p34v

I am pleasantly surprised by this guy. It is bigger and beefier than I anticipated. My expectations were based an older Taig NC mill that I have. To get an idea of the size of this one, note the XY table is 18 inches long, just short of a standard 80' passenger car in O-scale. And while I can pick up my old NC mill by myself I would not want to try to pick up this one without help. Also, they made the lead screws 1/2" instead of the 1/4" you usually see on a table-top mill. Again, very please with what I see so far.

By the way, the 18" table was an option. So was the 1/4" HP motor. Standard is 12" table and 1/5 HP motor.
Jim

[GreggL]

Nice looking mill. My "starter" mill (Sherline) is due to arrive this week. Have never used a real mill - looking forward to having something other than a Lowe's drill press to work with .

[big bad jim]

I want one!

[aterry11]

How's progress going? Have you come up with a consist list of cars and what kits or sides are you hunting? Will help if possible. I might know of a source for streamlined roof blanks.

[R.K. Maroon]

Sorry for the slow reply, Terry. Between work, a sore back, and the need to get some of my surplus items sold on eBay I have not made much progress on the COLA, other than to inventory and inspect my existing assortment of UP passenger cars. I will be able to piece together a suitable string of cars from what I have. I will have to get some photos taken and posted sometime so you can see what the roster looks like.

Jim

[Rufus T. Firefly]

.....the need to get some of my surplus items sold on eBay.........

I know that need well and have been moving stuff out the door with due diligence.

[Tom Dempsey]

I'd like to hear more about your experience with that fancy upgraded mini-mill. Are you a satisfied customer?

[bob turner]

Here is mine. I have ten cars, but they all look like this one. Four of them have Wasatch trucks, and one is a Mac Shops Budd car.



I need to paint an observation car some day. Jim sent me one that will do fine, but so far it is still in PRR colors.

[R.K. Maroon]

I'd like to hear more about your experience with that fancy upgraded mini-mill. Are you a satisfied customer?

Tom, I am slightly embarrassed to say I have not cut metal yet. But only slightly embarrassed, as I have been otherwise busy and also fighting a bad back. I will post photos once I finally break it in.

Jim

[Tom Dempsey]

I think I've got you beat, I've had a Cameron MicroDrill in the box for over a year and haven't had a reason to set it up yet. Please let me know how you fare with the Taig if and when as a small mill is "on the list". Thanks, Tom Dempsey, Spokane, WA

[Rufus T. Firefly]

I think I've got you beat, I've had a Cameron MicroDrill in the box for over a year and haven't had a reason to set it up yet.

Hmmmm......... I've had the wood lathe that my grandfather made stashed up in between the trusses in my shop ceiling now for over 25 years.....

Beginning to think I might not ever use it again,