source for steam engine parts ?

[lou passejaire]

i'm planning to build some steam cabs from old miniature cars .

if the boiler can quite easily be built ...
any idea of a source for bits as
- piston
-transmission
-chain and chainrings ( i'm not sure of using the correct word  )

merry christmas to all 

[Dewbakuk]

Pistons are easy. Just use two sizes of plastic rod and cut to length. Or if it needs to be variable, use a tube for the top half.

[jestermon]

There are tons of small chains in the craft stores look in the jewelry section they have plastic and metal ones, could use the clasps for the attachment points.

They also sell the pieces to make various types of keychains those could be used for some flexible steam tubes.

You could go into the various sections and find small plastic gear pieces and run some styrene rods through them to make the transmissions.

Most of those run pretty cheap as well.

http://www.michaels.com/Switching-Style-Gears/31808,default,pd.html?cgid=projects-beads-bracelets
http://www.michaels.com/Industrial-Chic%E2%84%A2-Chain/bd0917,default,pd.html

[Dr DeAth]

Do you have a traditional jeweller nearby, one who does clock/watch repairs? - they can be a good source of metal and plastic gears and other useful items from scrap clocks.