Project Plans for Sale

I have been involved in model engineering for many, many years and have accumulated many plans and designs. Most of the items I designed were intended for my own use but I usually make drawings before I start to build a project. It is easier to change a design on paper than to change it in metal.

I was encouraged to prepare articles and write about the projects by my long time friend Frank McLean. He wrote articles for many years for Live Steam, Home Shop Machinist, and perhaps Modeltec, although I cannot recall any specific articles he did for Modeltec. I had performed the duties of Editor for The Link, the monthly newsletter for the Ottawa Valley Live Steamers and Model Engineers and Frank was a member of the club so he was also familiar with my writing and projects.

A number of my articles appeared in Home Shop Machinist, the book Projects One by Joe D. Rice and Frank used one article I did with J. D. McIntosh in his book The Shop Wisdom of Frank McLean, again published by Joe D. Rice. Regretfully, I no longer seem to have the time to indulge myself in creating new projects.

Quick Change Gearbox plans for 9" South Bend Lathe

This project was completed in 1982 and I made drawings for all the parts before I started to manufacture the gearbox (what can I say, I am a mechanical engineering technologist employed as a designer).

The drawings are for a 9" South Bend Model B or Model C bench lathe. The gearbox has a range of threads from 4 tpi to 480 tpi. The right lever selects 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7, or 7.5 tpi and shifting the left tumbler lever doubles each pitch to give 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 tpi., through to 480 tpi.

The gearbox can also cut 11.5, 27, and 54 tpi by changing the stud, screw, and/or idler gear. The new South Bend parts required are a stud gear and a screw gear that are both 32 tooth (18dp). The standard South Bend 80 tooth and 72/18 tooth idlers are required and a 16 tooth stud gear and 46 and 54 tooth screw gears are required to cut the odd threads. I have also played around with the Metric 100/127 tooth combination to get a range of Metric threads. A thread indicator dial is required also. I have a design for that as well and it would be included in the drawing package.

There are more than 30 drawings for this gearbox but no detailed instructions for the manufacturing processes. The drawings were revised (or currently in the process of revision) to accurately describe the "as built" gearbox that has been in use since 1982.

Price: Plans $200 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

9" South Bend Lathe Carriage Stop

I have sketches of a carriage stop for a 9" South Bend Lathe. The stop fits the left or right side of the carriage. Send me E-mail and we'll talk about getting the sketches to you.

Circle Cutting Jig for Rockwell Delta 14" Bandsaws

I needed a circle cutting jig for my 14" Rockwell Delta bandsaw but nothing suitable was available to do the job. I looked at some other commercial jigs that limited the radius and had some other problems so I decided to design my own. My good friend, J. D. McIntosh helped with the project so we decided to share the credit. J. D. built the jig for his Taiwan version of the Delta bandsaw and shared all his design and manufacturing expertise. All of the materials to build the jig are easily available .

The plans include a detailed drawing of each part and a one page article about the manufacturing. The jig allows diameters to be cut from 2.5" up to 30". If you have need of cutting larger diameters just increase the length of the Part A in the drawings. Please note that the smaller the diameter of the item you wish to cut the narrower the bandsaw blade you must use. This jig design allows you to compensate for various blade widths.

Price: Plans $8 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

Changeable Tool Holder for Small Lathes

This lathe tool holder with changeable tool blocks has had many designs over the years. This design uses simple materials and allows the operator to quiclky change from one tool to the next without adjusting the centre height of the tool each time. This design is best suited for a 9" South Bend or similar lathe but may be adapted for other lathes.

Each tool bit is held in a 2" x 2" x 1" block of steel that clamps onto a 1" diameter tool post clamped in the "T" slot of the compound rest. I have seen numerous variations of these tool blocks for standard lathe tools, threading tools, boring bars, knurling tools, cutoff tools, carbide tools, radius turning tools, etc. I currently have 18 tool blocks for my lathe and a number of blanks ready to build more tool blocks. It seems once the idea is understood there is no limit to the adaptations you can make.

Price: Plans $8 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

Adjustable Base for Drill Grinding Attachment

Many model engineers and hobbyists over the years have purchased the swing type drill grinding attachment designed to work with a standard bench grinder. They are sold under various names , Sears, General, Reliance, etc. The problem is that the attachment need to have an adjustable base to allow the proper distance adjustment between the wheel and the drill.

My friend J. D. McIntosh completed the original design and I produced the drawings so we agreed to share the credit.

Price: Plans $8 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

3/4" (3 1/2" gage) Model Railway Trucks

I have complete plans for 3/4" model railway trucks. I have built a number of riding cars using these trucks. The design calls for castings but all components may be made from stock materials or you may make your own patterns and castings. My patterns have deteriorated somewhat and may not be any longer useful.

The trucks use ball bearing axles so they roll easily and the trucks are flexible so they follow rough tracks easily. The drawing set has three 8.5" by 11" pages.

Price: Plans $16 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

1" (4 3/4" or 5" gage) Model Railway Trucks

I have complete plans for 1" model railway trucks. The design calls for castings but all components may be made from stock materials or you may make your own patterns and castings. My patterns have deteriorated somewhat and may not be any longer useful.

The trucks use ball bearing axles so they roll easily and the trucks are flexible so they follow rough tracks easily. The drawing set has three 8.5" by 11" pages.

Price: Plans $16 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

3/4" (3 1/2" gage) Model Railway Riding Car

I have complete plans for 3/4" model railway riding car. I have built a number of riding cars using these plans. The design calls for castings and you may make your own patterns and castings. My patterns have deteriorated somewhat but may be still useful if we can find a local foundry doing green sand castings.

The riding car uses my trucks with ball bearing axles so they roll easily and the trucks are flexible so they follow rough tracks easily. The drawing set has three 8.5" by 11" pages.

Price: Plans $16 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

SPECIAL: Plans for 3/4" car and trucks, last set of castings for the car and trucks, all small components such as springs, bearings, etc, cast iron wheels, angle and channel for riding car. $275 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address so you may send payment).

1" (4 3\4" or 5" gage) Model Railway Riding Car

I have complete plans for 1" model railway riding car. The plans are dimensioned for both 4 3/4" and 5" gage. The design calls for castings and you may make your own patterns and castings.

The riding car uses my trucks with ball bearing axles so they roll easily and the trucks are flexible so they follow rough tracks easily. The drawing set has three 8.5" by 11" pages.

Price: Plans $16 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

Steam Driven, Air Injected Locomotive Whistle

I have complete plans for a 5 note steam driven, air injected locomotive whistle. The design is intended to use the steam to operate an air injector to supply the whistle. This reduces the temperature and pressure at the whistle inlet giving a lower note.

TThe steam driven air injector is designed with a variable opening that can easily be adjusted to accomodate your locomotive steam supply. Since this system used steam to inject air into the whistle it takes very little steam to operate the whistle.

The plans include all the details to build the whistle, which is about 8 1/4" long by 3" wide by 3.4" deep. Also, there are complete plans for the air injector. A one page writeup is included.

Price: Plans $8 (CDN$) FOB Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Send me E-mail to get my address then send a stamped, self-addressed envelope and the payment for the plans and the plans will be mailed back to you.)

Please send correspondence to: wyliecoyote@igs.net