Re: Turning brass domes--what do I need??

Posted by Jim Courtney on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/Turning-brass-domes-what-do-I-need-tp2591p2619.html

Good morning Robert,

Depending on price, I'd like at least 1, perhaps 2 pair of Cooke domes for the original Cooke 2-6-0.  I'm using the Overland #21 B-3-B mechanism and boiler, as the straight boiler and driver spacing of the rebuilt Brooks 2-6-0s are petty close to that of the original Cooke 2-6-0s prior to their early 1900s rebuilding.

I'd like 2, perhaps 3, pair of Cooke domes for the 2-8-0s.  I've planned on using Railmaster intermediate C-16 mechanisms and boiler for these conversions.

I'm still in the hospital, working today, but can forward the boiler jacket OD measurements later today.

As to material, I'm not a brass purist, but IMHO The Leadville Shops should consider casting both sets of domes in brass, to complement Bill Meredith's etching sets for the backdated 2-6-0 cabs and the South Park 2-8-0 etching set.  They are the only castings not yet offered to complete these locomotives.  For cast domes, I'd be willing to pay $40.00 per pair, similar to the brass truck kits, perhaps more.

As both domes would need to be removable for painting a multicolored scheme (think Russian or planished iron boilers), white metal cast domes would be acceptable as long as both domes could be screwed to the boilers.  This is why I considered 3-D printed domes if ever offered (see Oahu_Railway on Shapeways).  I cannot imagine that injection molded plastic tooling would be cost effective.

If you are considering actually turning dome from brass or nickel silver, I really don't have a good idea of the labor involved (the fluted Cooke domes have many, many concentric rings and grooves), so I don't know what price would be appropriate.  Perhaps Derrell could guestimate here.  My budget isn't unlimited, so I would have to cut back on the quantities purchased, if the true cost of production is high.

Thanks for your interest,

Jim