1.5 A3

[shakeyjake36]

Hello, I'm band new to this forum. I've been looking around for a few day and like what I see. Kozo's A3 book just came in the mail today. I know there is a lot of talk on about this model and it will undoubtedly come in handy. I've also seen where guys have made cad drawings for the scaled up A3 I was just wondering if anybody had a complete set for inch and a half for sale or even willing to donate to the cause.

[kvom]

I don't mind sharing the DXF drawings I made. No guarantees on them.

[shakeyjake36]

I've just been thinking that the most high tech tool in my shop is a four function calculator. It would be nice to do my own but I would have to buy a computer from this century and then learn how to use a cad program. It could be costly in more ways than one. On the other hand photocopying and rewriting the original plans leave room for error too. There are lots of 1.5" a3's out there. What have those guys been doing?

[shakeyjake36]

Where are my manors. Thank you KVOM. I might take you up on that offer.

[kvom]

I didn't build or draw the tender, and also made some changes from the plan, both to correct errors and to make some parts via CNC vs. manual.

You still need a CAD program to read my files. I drew them in Draftsight, a free download.

[brinmac1]

i wouldnt mind having the dxf files also.

[shakeyjake36]

Is a download for Draftsight safe? I have been toying with the idea of making my own set of drawings for a scaled up 1.5". The only snag being I have NO experience with CAD? Are these programs expensive? Are they difficult to use? I really am behind the curve on this technology. I'm thinking it might just be easier to photo copy the book, whiteout , then hand write the new numbers. The trouble there is it leaves alot of room for error, and the lines won't be very sharp.

[kvom]

Draftsight is provided by Dassault and is the same company that sells Solidworks. Perfectly safe to download.

Regardless of how you get the drawings you need, be sure to read the errors/addenda section here, as there are quite a few errors that have been found in the book. A major source of problems is the fact that you cannot double the dimensions of parts that are crosswise to the frame. This is because the track gauge between the two scales is not 2x.

Some other things don't work well as drawn by Kozo in small scale. One big example is the throttle, which is in front of the turret. You'd need to be pretty agile to reach it easily.

[shakeyjake36]

Kvom , I just spent a few hours reading your thread. I very impressed with your progress. As soon as I saw the you tube videos I knew where you where running. Do me a favor and say hello to Mr. Bill B for me. Just tell him Jake from N.Y. says "hello". I can't wait to get back down there and play with #5!

Just a thought on things like throttles, unless you are a rivet counter, they can be simple ball valves. Enos Yoder uses them on most of his engines , works great. It's simple , easy , quick, and very little to go wrong. My guess with an engine this small you'll be wide open most of the time anyway and you can run them like the big boys and just notch back to slow down. My little engines American is like that and I love it. You may be past this point but to others , it works without any fuss.

[silversanjuan]

Hi Jake,

I'm also getting started building the A3. But, I'm staying with 3/4" scale as this is my very first loco build.

Where are you at in NY. I live near Schenectady.

Good luck with your build.

Todd

[shakeyjake36]

Silver I'm in Buffalo but I offen travel to Syracuse and Albany . Good luck on the 3/4! I know from experience 1.5 is the way I want to go. I'm going to buck the local majority and build 7.5 gauge so I can travel with the engine. It should pull well and two people can easily put this engine in the trunk of a car if need be.