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NGG16.com
A Garratt In Miniature
Doing things the easy way
Posted by on January 19, 2010
From the start, this project was going to be a mammoth task, with lots of head scratching and hours of wondering. As I have a full set of drawings for the full size locomotive, I had a good start on the construction. Having spent the good part of two months learning TurboCad, work was started on translating the full size drawings to a usable 5″ gauge set. The main reason for using CAD was to enable a bit of cheating on the project!
Some model engineers will cringe at this sort of construction and the use of a laser to cut metal, but when you are presented will hundreds of curves, holes and intricate shapes which need hacksawing, milling and filing – I know what I’d rather do! And besides, the hacksaw I use tends to only cut curved lines, although i’m sure its not operator error!
Once into the swing of TurboCad, I found it a very easy program to use and one i’d recommend. It exports to .dxf, which is a standard drawing format used for laser cutting.
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I think using modern day equipment is just a natural progressing for model making. I use 3D CAD to do alot of pattern making for models which alot of people could see as cheating, but I look at it as my skill is having the ability to drive the software to get the finished product.
I live in Australia, and I am making a 32mm gauge Garratt NGG16, using Roundhouse boiler, and running gear. The chassis and othe parts I am making myself. I have a good workshop with 2 lathes, and a mill.
There are many photos of the NGG16 on the net, but no good side views that I can scale. I am going to use the Round house boiler, inside a dummy boiler 76mm OD. I note you have drawings of the NGG16. Is it posible to obtain an outline of the NGG16.
Tnanking you, BobRoach
Hi Bob,
I’ve emailed you.
Cheers, Chris
Hello Bob – I am also in Australia an am also making an NGG 16 in 32 mm gauge. Perhaps we can collaborate?
If you give me your email address I will happily send some drawings of the Garratt in profile.
Rgds
Geoff
Thanks
Looks like a very nice job you are doing.
Please keep me posted.
Rgds
Geoff
Hi Geoff, I have just noticed this site and I would love to talk to you about the 32mm gauge Garratt.
I live in Adelaide at 14 Woodlake Drive, Craigburn Farm, 5051 and my phone number is 08 8278 5268.
please give me a ring. I have nearly finished the garratt.
send me back your email address.
Bob Roach
I don’t think using CAD and laser cutting is cheating – I think it’s just plain common sense. If steam were still being built today on a commercial scale, that’s how it’d be done. Also, there would be none of those silly plain bearings that the ME types seem to love – there would be sealed roller bearings everywhere. And, strangely enough, that’s just how I build my locos. . . .
Agreed Peter. You have no arguments from me. Although for scale reasons, there will be some bronze bushes, but where I can, I’ll use needle rollers. I already have a set for the wheels.
Cheers, Chris