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Drew, Thaks for the helpful information. I'm starting to get a picture in my mind of how to do this. I would appreciate to follow your updates on yous setup. What are you using for joging and memory? Rudy

Don, I'm trying to resist the urge going full CNC. I might breake down some day. And then, I would probably regret. Looks like the price difference isn't all that big. I sit by the computer all day with electronic "CAD" at work and I really enjoy the old school manual machines on my spare time...

Glad it worked out for you to Graham. The winding with thinner wires is for feedback if you want it to generate a constant arch. Just leave it not connected. I believe this is a nice model engine coil, both the price and size is nice. I have been running my Farm Boy on the setup I show in the...

RM-NM, I'm in no hurry. I assumed the struts could do nothing but good, making the head lighter. However, thanks for the tip. I can easily do afterwards it if needed. Rudy

Thanks Don. I watched those videos. He's machine is smaller than mine, but I'm more confident with NEMA 34 size so far. I will also get a closed loop type in case I will go for a full CNC conversio som time later. So far I have figured out that I need a controller, power and a manual hand...

blighty, so if your bigger machine handles the Z with a 1200 oz/in (8,5Nm) motor, mine will certainly do with the 12Nm NEMA 34 I suggested to my selves. I will also put on gas struts anyway to neutralize most of the head weight. Thanks for the info! Rudy

Thanks. I guess I'm into a lot more torque. Pulling X and Y on a smaller machine doesn't have to lift heavy loads, just overcome friction and tool pressure. The head on my medium size mill weights maybe 30 kg. And the rails have to be relatively tight. Thats why I'm brought to believe I need...

Well done! this looks like a very good design for beginners. Bar stock and looking very old school at the same time. If the plans are available I guess it could be interesting for others too. Now I would want a boiler for it. Something that matches the engine. Keep up the good work! Rudy

Making this, and other bar stock engines has that benefit that you can make parts over and over again. My first project, a Stuart 10V built from castings, there where no way back and I was a bit intimidated by that. Did some of the parts on my Farm Boy 3 times... (BTW, the valves and fly wheel...

I'm a big fan of this Farm Boy engine. I always recommend it. Very well designed. So good fun to make and it works so well. Love sit watching it puff away. Another tip that came to my mind, the collets for the flywheels. I didn't want visible runnout on the flywheels. Did the flywheels very...

Hi, I want to improve the Z-axis on my ZX32 mill. Not a CNC conversion, but it will probably require the same considerations as if I did. I will of cause make it compatible with making it a CNC if I go to the next step. The reason I want to do a motor driven Z-axix is that I want a more rigid...

Hi Earl, You will have a good time building this engine. I have just finished my #651. It has been a pleasure to build it. Lots of machining. This was also my second project. I have a thread on my build. The biggest challenge I encountered was getting the main bearings in line. A reamer did't...

Jim, Have you tested the circuit on steam? My guess is that the steam, moisture and bubbling inside the boiler will create lower resistance over the plug gap and trigger the circuit before the water level reach it. A drop of water will look like it's submerged. Maybe possible to calibrate...

bmac2, I believe we are on our own here. This coil pops up many places and looks like a generic component. Rudy

Thanks bruedney, even better! Have you tested it? Mine works very well on my low compression Hit and Miss engine. Can´t tell if it creates enough energy for higher compression engines. Rudy

Found another source for this coil: https://www.ebay.com/itm/15KV-3-7V-High-Voltage-Inverter-Generator-arc-Cigarette-Lighter-Coil-Module-New/162968392363?hash=item25f1ac52ab:g:H9wAAOSwVQ5Z5Cc7 Rudy

Got them from Aliexpress. They come in many variants and from many suppliers. I have had them for a year or so and so far works fine. This is of cause not any heavy duty items, so they will probably not last for a hundred years, but I like the compact size that makes the installation very neat...

I said I moved the clocks out of the way when I used the compound, that's because I made short wires to make it more tidy. Longer wires will allow the compound to be rotated without moving the clocks. Rudy

Here is my DRO setup. Not a C4, but I guess something similar can be applied to any lathe. I first attached the scale on the apron with double sided tape, but that added a small hysteresis to the measurements. The clocks are magnetic and easy to move out of the way when I use the compound. Rudy

Thanks for sharing Jim. Think I will do all of your attachments. I do have DRO on the apron and cross slide (highly recommended) but not the tail stock. Rudy.