Clueless in Camano
New guy to this, figured after pounding rivets for 20 years at Boeing a new Hide from the Bride hobby was in order. Acquired an old Craftsman 109 some years ago and other than turning some sleeves for pressing suspension bushing for the old 70 Monte, never actually made anything. Retired last year and the gotta do set in. Spent a few bucks getting the old little lathe in shape, dozen or so blank bits to practice with, tool grinding 101 began. I know a hundred ways not to do that task and now full of confidence, (the bride uses the yourself) grabbed a copy of Steam and Sterling to find something that looked like I could handle, and so, went for it.
Picked the Three-cylinder Oscillating Steam Engine, the robustness suits me, well it took no time at all to get the idea that what looks easy enough surely isnt. Perhaps a two cylinder model? ah No. Down to a single version, at least with the stone axe and flint knives I have in the barn I can hack out some pieces.
After more hours than I care to admit ended up with some sort of engine. Crank is a one piece and that was fun. Yup its a going round and a cutting little by little, oh shinny things. Only had to make two of em. Something about measure once cut twice, ah who remembers such things, cylinder also a one piece to which a pot of coffee was downed prior to beginning so the brain could keep in order measure twice and cut once, knew I heard that from somewhere.
Actually surprised it rotates at all, the mass of the flywheel is less that the piston/cylinder but she do go round.
Dont know what will be next, thinking some type of finger engine, something that can be tinkered with on the table without extraneous equipment. As it is too cold in the barn to spend more than a few minutes before the hands go purple, sitting at the computer conveniently located close to the wood burner occupies some time, if only I can convince the bride to the notion that every living room needs a lathe in it.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzrZeURNhZA[/ame]