Locomobile steering knuckles

Just received these back from the foundry the other day. These are for the Locomobile steam carriage I'm piecing together. These were made from the original Locomobile drawings. I haven't started the build yet, still gathering all the parts. These were cast in nodular iron.





-Ron



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/23/2012 01:58PM by IronChief.

Cool....

I guess this is a restoration, then? Otherwise, I'd be tempted to get out the arc welder, and turn, weld and grind these together. Castings are neat, but they don't save much work in the one-off projects in my experience.

- Bart

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Bart Smaalders [smaalders.net]

Hi Bart,

I considered that, but it is a rather complex part to fabricate. It would be butt welds subjected to considerble load and shock, and then trying to establish filets with hand grinders and files in areas that are hard to reach. It was just easier and cheaper to have them cast up and now they are one solid piece, no internal voids. Plus they put reinforceing wire in them as well. Nodular iron is tough stuff, what cast I/C crankshafts are made from.

-Ron

I think I'd be more into castings if I had more experience and a local foundry . Looks neat; good luck with your project!

- Bart

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Bart Smaalders [smaalders.net]