Steering Shaft

[David Watson 3Participant @davidwatson3]

As I mentioned before I have inherited a part built 2" Clayton. I still cant find a suplier for the steering shaft and nut. I haver tried screw cutting and I am not shure if the Mini Lathe I have inherited is a good choice for learning to screw cut , let alone a two start thread. I wounderd if any one could sugest an engineering company that would manufacture the shaft and nut for me. So far the wagon seems well built and I am getting on with the cylinders and other other bits to finish the chasis. Then it will be boiler time,

[David Watson 3Participant @davidwatson3]

2″ Clayton Steam Wagon

[Phil PParticipant @philp]

When you make the steering linkage you need to be aware of a problem.

As designed it does not work correctly, the drag link needs an additional axis of movement where it joins the bottom of the drop arm from the steering box. It needs to be able to swing from side to side to follow the radius of the steering arm on the hub.

Most of the ones you see are wrong in this respect, and the joint will have been made very loose fitting to allow for the misalignment.

Phil

[David Watson 3Participant @davidwatson3]

Hi Phil, Thanks for the coments about the steering linkage. I might have missed some thing here but I cant quite see the part of the steering linkages you mean. The two drop arms from the steering box go to the front hole on the steering quadrant, the drop arm then fits into the lower of the three holes. The shape of the drag link then should alow enough movement to take the steering full lock both ways. Mine apears to do this but the steering shaft and nut are so badly made there is a lot of slack before the steering moves from any position. I belive the nut is at fault and I may re-make the nut using my 1/4 Whit taps and see if that helps if I cant find a suplier. I am going out to the shed so I will turn my wagon over and have a close look at what you sugest. For what people say about these Claytons it will give me a steam project within my workshop and no need for a track. I will be happy to chug about on it localy once I get finished. There must be some other people who like Claytons. Thanks again Dave

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