Advice Required

[David GreenawayParticipant @davidgreenaway21699]

I have recently purchased a 2" Minnie traction engine and need to replace the steering chain with something that looks "scale". I need SHORT-LINK, WELDED chain. Can anyone recommend a supplier?

Also, I am looking to purchase a small screw-cutting lathe and a small vertical milling machine for a total budget of around £1,000 – £1,500. Any advice would be most welcome (including those to avoid!).

[David GreenawayParticipant @davidgreenaway21699]

Chain suppliers + small lathe & milling machine advice required

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

David,

Welcome to the forum.

I have heard of people using a very fine blowtorch (cook's blowtorch type) to VERY CAREFULLY silver solder the links on a standard chain.

Best advice is to avoid 'multi-machines' usually the lathe part is good but the mill part is rarely much more capable than just milling with a vertical slide in the lathe.

You could get a mini lathe and a super X2 mill for that budget if you aren't shy of imported kit, will have teh capacity to build something comparable to a 2" minnie. If you can judge a good machine from a bad one or have a friend who can on your behalf, you can look at second hand lathes/mills.

Neil

[Author]

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