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The coupler I was fighting was indeed a taper-lock connector like the one shown, and came off pretty easily once I knew the trick. I'm not entirely sure why such a connection was used though. Behind the taper-lock was nut that was preloading a pair of ball bearings. The taper lock just holds...

Bringing this back up. I'm finally between projects enough to have the time to disassemble my CNC lathe. I need to make sure the leadscrew isn't bent. It seems more and more likely as I remove parts I find nothing else wrong. So far I've removed the bearing on the TS end of the leadscrew and...

My full-size Associated 2 1/2 hp engine (later version of the 2 1/4 hp) had flywheels that would have touched the floor if it wasn't on skids. I wonder if the flywheels got bigger when they increased the rating to 2 1/2?

Ok, I coaxed my phone to take a video. The sound is a bit off and stops partway through, but I have proof that it runs. This was a room-temp startup. One flick was all it took. Initially the piston was snug, but I've run it for probably 5 or 10 minutes total now and it's limbered up and even...

Beautiful! Now that I've finally gotten my Poppin to run I plan to start in (slowly) on a Farm Boy.

It runs!!!! Sorry, no video (stupid dog chewed the "record" button off the camera) but I assure you it runs beautifully. I promise to get a fideo up once I've finished the base and made the cap for the burner and loctited all the screws in place. What was wrong, you ask? Piston-to-cylinder...

Just a quick update. Here's a shot of the engine, burner, and base (unfinished): Still not running. The burner is filled with 99.8% Isopropanol now, still nothing. I'll spend a few more nights playing with the timing before I tear it apart for cleaning and make a new valve.

I just wanted to say that I love this picture. Really drives home the scale of the engine.

Bob, that's a great idea. I'm working on a spacer for the engine so I can get the burner closer, and I've picked up some 99.8% pure isopropanol. Next step, failing that, is a new valve arrangement. Up next "A poppin for valentines day" :)

I've heard of being overqualified for some jobs, like working at mcDonalds, becasue they figure you won't stay. I'd think being too good at a manual machine job is different, though, but I guess they're afraid you'll take a better job as soon as one comes up.

Mike, I tried a propane flame once from my mini soldering torch. It immediately warped the .002" valve. I'll try a different fuel once I get the head cleaned back up and the engine on a riser. Hopefully I'll have some time this weekend to play around with it.

Very nice. One of my longer-term restoration projects right now is a full size Monitor ball-hopper pumpjack engine. The pistons is remarkably stuck, and being a headless side-valve engine getting it out is proving tricky. How does she run?

Quick question, did you hand-file the edges of the spokes or did you machine that roundover? They look very nice, but I would think to machine that roundover you'd need a radius bit with a small-diameter equal to the endmill diameter.

Well, sadly I have to report that at this time the Poppin still does not run. It does spin longer with a flame than when simply spun by hand, so I can assume that it is sort of trying to run, but alas no sustained running. I have two things I need to try. I'm going to make a small riser for...

I'm thinking I want to build one of these as my next engine (and my first IC). Looks good so far. Subscribed.

I've long had a very love/hate relationship with this style of boring bar. Two things I have found they are very sensitive to. The most important is rake. Since they are round you have to set the rake by hand, and if you mount them in the holder wrong the rake can end up way off and produce a...

That's a great looking valve. Thanks for the in-depth pictures, not just of this stage but the whole process. I'm always glad to see another update in this thread when I log into the site. I know I'm going to learn something.

I ordered my graphite rod from Amazon.com. Seriously, just type "graphite rod" into their search. It's listed in inch sizes, but it machines quite easily (use a vacuum/wear a mask though).

You know, I'm going to be in the minority here and say that I do occasionally use gloves in the shop, but not in the way you're trying to use them. Grease and metal shavings on your hands is a fact of machining. My shop, unfortunately, is unheated and nothing chills you faster than gripping a...

Haha, I thought something was wrong with my phone because it would never finish loading this site. I can only get here via my laptop. Hope they take care of it so I can get my mobile model fix :)