Search results

If you like to draw using points, I highly recommend OpenSCAD. That's exactly how it works. 100% math and geometry based. I find it to be the easiest 3d modeling software I have used. It is completely intuitive to anyone who designs the way you described. The down side is you need to use...

That's a nice trick. I started buying prescription safety glasses and regular glasses online at Zenni optical. I can get single vision glasses in a very nice frame for about $40, and progressives for everyday wear for about $130. Safety glasses about the same, and I love them. This includes...

I found one thing to help with the clutter of old tools and multiples of tools and excess materials - many acquired at auctions and events like Cabin Fever. I'm naturally a pack rat, but started forcing myself to put some of them in a Rubbermaid tote every so often and taking them to the...

I'm terrible at this. I never saw a flat (or near flat) surface I couldn't put more stuff on. About once a year I do a major titivation and I'm both happy and satisfied with the result, but it only lasts at long as it takes to start the next project. Special things in special places is also...

I really miss the old live auction format. It just isn't the same, and now that every lot has to be organized and numbered, you don't have the chance of getting a "treasure" from the tables full of "stuff from somebody's garage" as they bunch some of the stuff together under the flag for a...

Brian, I am watching with great anticipation as things continue to come together. It is a beautiful machine and shows your skill and care! I'm looking forward to the running video!

Holy smokes! Brian, I am always amazed at how fast your models go from drawing board to workbench. This one is really cracking along! I'd still be fiddle-farting around with the cylinder, but you have this thing halfway finished already!

Excellent! Best of luck on the final few bits, Brian! We're all looking forward to seeing (and hearing!) it run!

Hot dawg! That thing runs like a scalded cat! Nice job, Brian! I guess the "squirt oiling" method will work, but you can probably still lower the oil level a little bit more and still get it to splash just off the influence of parts flinging around in there. Or you could add an oiler tube...

Great stuff! I'm really looking forward to seeing this run! Any further thoughts on making a "second half" to make it a V-4? -Dave

Man, that looks really sharp, Brian!

Engine is looking really good, Brian. I am always impressed with your casual skill in machining what you designed. Probably would have taken me three times as long and several "do-overs" on the way.

I have used FreeCAD on and off for a couple of years. I still use it to generate dimensioned drawings to use in the shop, but I have found OpenSCAD to be very friendly for creating 3D models and output files to use in my 3D printer. It is completely parametric and once I got used to it, much...

Very interesting combustion engine! In fact, it sounds more like a combustion version of a Skinner Uniflow than a flame licker. Best of luck with the project!

Solid progress, Brian. As Purdue used to say, "It takes a tough man to make a tender chicken." All your hard work and attention to detail pay off in spades when your engines are finished and run. This is going to be one pretty engine!

It's on walkabout. Happens to me all the time. It will come back soon and you'll be back to work. ;)

Brian, did you know you can download the SolidWorks CAD models of al most everything they sell directly from McMaster? I do that occasionally when I am working on something and need to have the mundane whatchamacallit I bought from McMaster in my model. I love watching these threads where you...

This doesn't look like the same "Steam Centipede" in the original post, but here are a couple of videos of Phoenix log haulers running. Phoenix Log Hauler, Wabeno WI Show 2010 Phoenix Log Hauler They are both pretty interesting with the vertical engine arrangement. They look like they'd...

A more conventional arrangement for a condenser for a steam engine (turbine or otherwise) is to have the cooling medium running through the tube bundle and the steam flowing over that bundle to be cooled and collected in the hotwell. That way the condensing steam and water don't get locked up...

As I said, I don't mind the online bidding so much, but I will truly miss the un-numbered lots auction, and I suspect (based on comments at the show) that there are a good many others who will also. I sincerely hope they will restore that part of the auction, in conjunction with the online...