Introduction

Stan · Jan 7, 2008

I came across a link to this board on another site and it appears to fit my interests. I have been doing machine work for a lot of years as a hobby. My full time job is caring for a handicapped wife for the past thirty years. I have built engines all the way from the gas four stroke without a camshaft to the Tesla Turbine and various steam engines running on air. Also a couple of Stirlings and a couple of Fireeaters.

Almost all of my engines started from a plan in a book or magazine but none were every finished according to plan. I used the material available and adapted machining to the equipment I had. Along the way, I made a lot of tooling (rotary table, dividing head, magnetic chuck, toolpost grinder, etc. ect.) when needed to complete a project. My current project is a long stroke oscillating steam cylinder turning a crank shaft to a 9-1 reduction powering a short stroke oscillating water pump.

My shop tools are old American (Logan 820 lathe & Benchmaster mill),
Chinese (4 x 6 bandsaw, drill presses & presses) and shop made (belt sanders). All power tools are on DC drives including an old scroll saw converted to a die filer.

I have reached the age where failing eyesight and shaky hands are satisfied when something works as planned without concern for the .0001"

Tin Falcon · Jan 7, 2008

welcometo theboard sounds like youwill fit in
Tin Falcon

deere_x475guy · Jan 7, 2008

Welcome to the board Stan. If you have pictures I know we would love to see them.

cfellows · Jan 7, 2008

Hi Stan, glad you joined us. I, too, have an old Logan 11 x 24 lathe. I had the ways reground a few years ago and it's now pretty accurate. I converted it to a 110 volt DC motor with a variac for speed control and a 3/8" pitch browning timing belt drive. Got any pictures you can post of some of your projects?

Chuck