3/4" scale coupler and knuckle castings......bronze, made by the "green sand" method in New England, USA. These are the first castings to be cast from the patterns in some 35 years.
At left, a pair of "Yankee Shop" couplers in 3/4" scale.
From 1931 to 1979, this design was THE knuckle coupler of choice, for American 3/4" scale equipment.
Friends Yankee Shop Models now has available bronze "knuckle" couplers in 3/4" scale. These couplers are the original "Yankee Shop" and "Friends Models" couplers that were available from the 1930s to the 1970s. They were designed by Laverne Langworthy in 1931 and are suitable for locomotives, tenders, and freight cars. They are the couplers that are used on my 3/4" scale Boston and Albany tanker, and on the 3/4" scale New York Central Hudson. They are suitable for any of your 3/4" scale steam engines and tenders, as well as any freight cars, cabooses, etc. that you have in 3/4" scale.
They are being produced by the traditional "green sand casting" method in order to provide you with a coupler that is the same in every respect as the couplers that were available to the hobbyists of prior generations.
Cost: $75 per pair, plus $8 shipping to the USA; or plus $15 shipping to Canada. Detail drawings are included. For other countries, please contact me for a shipping quote.
Time Required: A couple of evenings; or a rainy Sunday
Made in New England, USA in a traditional "green sand" bronze foundry
The photos show the first set of "Yankee Shop" coupler castings to be cast in about 35 years. They were cast from Laverne Langworthy's ORIGINAL 1931 patterns.
Thank you for your interest!
The Friends Yankee Shop Models 3/4" scale coupler. The space for the "knuckle" is cored into the casting, eliminating the need to drill and mill this area. A 3" swing (or larger) lathe, a drill press, a set of files and some sandpaper are all that's needed to finish a beautiful, functional knuckle couper in 3/4" scale.
At left, the coupler casting, as it arrives from the foundry. This is EXACTLY how it has arrived from the foundry since 1931.
At right, the coupler as it appears after cleanup and fitting of the knuckle. The gating from the foundry has been hacksawed off; the "flash" filed off. The knuckle has been fitted by filing and drilling; and the whole casting was brightened-up with a wire brush. The satisfaction in just getting it to this point is almost indescribable!
Another view of the coupler after cleanup and fitting of the knuckle. Working with the "sand casting", and getting the coupler to this point in its construction, provided MUCH workshop enjoyment!
A 3/4" scale coupler and knuckle, ready for assembly. Designed by Laverne Langworthy in 1931, produced by Friends Models in 2009. Prototype in photo built by Jack Bodenmann, California, USA. To get your castings for these couplers, see below.
Ready to Buy?
Click the Paypal link at left (below) to pay $83 ($75 + $8 shipping) for your pair of couplers to be shipped to the USA. Click the Paypal link at right (below) to pay $90 ($75 plus $15 shipping) for your pair of couplers to be shipped to Canada. For other countries, please contact me for a shipping quote.
Click the link at right to purchase your pair of couplers for shipment to Canada.
1" scale VanBrocklin "Duplex" water pump, rough casting set
Complete materials included!
Stainless steel balls, Viton O-rings, round stainless steel, and all brass stock (round, hexagon, rectangle, and 1/16" sheet) INCLUDED. Order now to receive all, but please check back soon for photos.
2-cylinder steam-powered pump for pumping water into boiler. Crossed ports, slide valves, no tricky shuttle valve or complex ports to machine.
Designed by William S. ("Bill") VanBrocklin Jr. of Dover, MA.
Castings for the 1" scale VanBrocklin "duplex" steam-powered water pump. Made in USA and proudly offered by Friends Yankee Shop Models.
The 1" scale VanBrocklin duplex water pump. Click on photo to enlarge.
Two bronze castings, 1 steam and 1 water, plus a complete set of drawings, as formerly available from William (Bill) VanBrocklin. Castings are brand new, made in New England USA. The drawings are copied from Mr. VanBrocklin's inked originals as formerly available from Power Model Supply and from Mr. VanBrocklin.
Tools required: 6" (or larger) lathe; mill-drill machine or small milling machine (or a good quality drill press with an X-Y milling table and a positive depth stop). A height gage (with scriber) for measuring and marking off the holes' locations, is recommended.
Builder will need to supply his own displacement lubricator (not included). Balls, O-rings, and ALL MATERIAL (brass, stainless, etc.) is included.
$225.00 plus $20 shipping to the USA; $30 shipping to Canada; $50 shipping to Australia. For other locations please inquire.
If you mismachine a casting, replacements are in stock & available.
To purchase, click the Paypal link below to pay with your Paypal account or your credit card. If you would like to pay by personal check, or by regular credit card (not through Paypal), this will be fine. Please contact me for details.
If not in the USA or Canada, please contact me for information on making a payment, or, for a shipping quote.
Australia Shipping:
Click on the Paypal Link at right for shipping your 1" scale VanBrocklin duplex pump to Australia
Other Pumps.....
Including hand pumps, will be posted on the website as they become available. Please check back often.
