carriage build question?

[PaulB]

The problem I'm working on stems from the fact that I'm using 30" wheels on a half scale #2 field carriage. They should be 28.5" and the extra height will make the angle of the trail too steep. I'm thinking of extending the trail a bit to bring things back to the correct angle. What I'm wondering "should the elevator screw be verticle or does it lean rearward slightly?"

[little seacoast]

I'm nobodies expert but most seem to be vertical.  A 0.75" difference in height shouldn't make that big a difference in trail angle that it would cause problems on a half scale piece.  Draw it out full size on paper and compare.   

[PaulB]

Those were my thoughts exactly, the wheels came in a little over @ 30.5" but that still doesn't seem like it would be enough to make much of a difference. I have the wheels mounted on the axle and clamped a 2x4 to it @ the length it would contact the ground  and the elevator screws 13.3 degree doesn't seem to be quite verticle. I'll have to double check my numbers tomorrow. Thanks Paul

[Max Caliber]

The elevating screw on a #2 carriage leaned around 9 degrees to the rear when the carriage was in battery.

[Zulu]

PaulB,
Why are you making a #2 carriage?  Are you putting a Napolean on it?  It is a much heavier carriage than a #1.
Zulu

[PaulB]

Zulu, yes I am putting a napolean on it, but you're right it is a heavy carriage.  I'm using the std. amish built 14 spoke wheels so the main difference will be in the length of the cheeks and location of the elevating screw. Max Caliber, thanks, that explains what I'm seeing.

[Zulu]

Zulu, yes I am putting a napolean on it, but you're right it is a heavy carriage.  I'm using the std. amish built 14 spoke wheels so the main difference will be in the length of the cheeks and location of the elevating screw. Max Caliber, thanks, that explains what I'm seeing.

The trail is heavier than a #1 also.
Zulu

[JeffG]

I couldn't get the exact size wheels I thought I wanted either. What I did was to mock the whole thing up in carboard and re-scale it...

[Cat Whisperer]

Another CALENDAR picture!