Cabin Fever 2023

[hmemLHM]

Just got back from the show. This was the first model engineering show I have ever attended, and of course the first since I took up this hobby. Five hour drive down to Harrisburg from here in Erie. And worth every minute and every mile. I was simply blown away by the size of that place, the range of different activities and displays, and the sheer expertise on display by the exhibitors. The place was pretty busy on Friday, and packed today (Saturday) with attendees. I picked up some tools (being such a newbe, I can honestly still say I -need- them), and a lot of good advice on how to do a bunch of new to me machining techniques. Even though my main focus is on heat differential engines (Stirling, Hot Air, etc.) I had a chance to pick up on so many ideas on how to implement mechanisms on all those different hit and miss, and steam, and model automobile engines. Just a lot of absolutely beautiful work. Folks were very friendly and willing to answer questions. Sorry, but I was too enthralled to take any pictures, but I'm sure somebody else will have taken some and hopefully post them here.

 

[GreenTwin]

I am going to try and make Cabin Fever next year.
I have heard a lot about it (good things).

I attended NAMES in 2019, right before all the COVID stuff, and I was impressed with the builders and engines (folks like Rich Carlstedt, etc, some world-class builders).

I went around and discussed casting engine parts with every vendor that had castings for sale at NAMES, and also talked to a fellow who had his 1/2 scale tractor patterns cast by someone in gray iron. He had the tractor at the show, and it was running and fully operational.

Shows are a great way to meet, greet, and share information, and in a way that is much better than any other method I have found.
I can learn more in 1 hour at a shown than I can learn online in years.
Folks at the shows always seem more than happy to explain how they built their engines.

I am sure someone will post some photos of this year's Cabin Fever here.

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[G-Force]

This was my my first time at cabin fever. I don't know why it took me this long to attend. Everyone I talked to was nice, friendly and dieing to tell you all about there engine and the history of it.My kids and I had a great time. Here is a few photos. I wish I took more. I was too distracted, so much to see.

 

[GreenTwin]

Nice Bernay and Corliss (picture with red table cover).

Thanks for the pictures.

I hope to make it next year.

Pat J
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[Aerostar55]

I am going to try and make Cabin Fever next year.
I have heard a lot about it (good things).

I attended NAMES in 2019, right before all the COVID stuff, and I was impressed with the builders and engines (folks like Rich Carlstedt, etc, some world-class builders).

I went around and discussed casting engine parts with every vendor that had castings for sale at NAMES, and also talked to a fellow who had his 1/2 scale tractor patterns cast by someone in gray iron. He had the tractor at the show, and it was running and fully operational.

Shows are a great way to meet, greet, and share information, and in a way that is much better than any other method I have found.
I can learn more in 1 hour at a shown than I can learn online in years.
Folks at the shows always seem more than happy to explain how they built their engines.

I am sure someone will post some photos of this year's Cabin Fever here.

.

 

[Aerostar55]

Cabin Fever Expo in Lebanon, PA this past weekend

 

[TonySteamHobby]

I posted some videos on the previous cabin fever thread. I’ll bump it so it’s easy to find.

 

[TonySteamHobby]

If someone knows how to move them, I could put them here.
I have pictures too…

 

[pileskis]

Nice Bernay and Corliss (picture with red table cover).

Thanks for the pictures.

I hope to make it next year.

Pat J
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Thanks! Those two engines are mine!

Sid

 

[oldCB]

Finally made it to Cabin Fever despite crash.......on wat to PT therapy, will post lots of pics when I can. Met really cool people espically a guy named Pete who did these incredable little sculptures outta welding rod! Plua he's resorting a inline Indian! Only bad was my motel room!! Death trap no fire detector, faulty electrical outlets and I got lice or someting while there.............

 

[TonySteamHobby]

 

[TonySteamHobby]

 

[davidyat]

A question for the future. When I make my steam engines, I make them to run on compressed air. To power them, I fit them with male compressed air fittings. Easy to hook up my female fitting along with an on/off valve. What kind of fittings do you use at a show to show how your engines run? What kind of fittings does the show provide?
Thanks,
Grasshopper

 

[GreenTwin]

I have not run a steam engine at a show yet, but if I did, I would use the setup that can be seen in one of the photos, where there is a pressure regulator with a male fitting that plugs into the air line, with a pressure gauge, and then a needle valve at the steam engine.

You never really know how much pressure may be in the air line.
I guess it depends on the setting of the air compressor feeding the line.
I noticed that NAMES has a rather large air compressor outside feeding its lines, so the pressure could go up pretty high.

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