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Hey guys! My name is Justin, from Idaho, and I'm at home most of the time so I really need a good hobby.
My main interest at the moment is in building a steam engine that can eventually be adapted to do any number of tasks. However, I don't have machine shop tools, like a mill, lathe, etc. I do have a lot of regular garage tools, and I use them well, but I don't have machining stuff yet (an thus far I don't have the cash to get what I "need").

Anyhow, perhaps my main goal here is to become self sufficient. What I mean by that is I want to create a few things that could be used if times/economy/governments get bad and I find myself needed to survive on my own....You get my meaning, I'm sure. Eventually, I'd like to learn to find my own metals in the ground and (forgetting the names of the steps) sift out the dirt and metals, melt them down, make some molds and make my own casts. Is this really weird??? Probably :eek: but it's an interest of mine either way. But right now my main interest is in finding simply steam engine plans that call for materials I can get at a Home Depot or somewhere else, and where I don't need any millwork (though if only a little was needed, I'm sure I could find a neighbor with something that would work). Anyhow, i'm off to go read the forums.

This seems to be a wonderful site, thanks Rick.

Justin
 
Welcome Justin.

Check HERE for plans called the 'hardware steamer' No mill or lathe needed.

Good luck and don't be afraid to as questions.

Eric
 
Hello to all. I am a newbie from Greenville, Alabama. This site is a Godsend. I am not a very religious person but I have to say, may God bless you Rick and all the moderators and help you have here and to all that are willing to share with us newbies. thank you, Jerry
 
Hi Jerry, Yes you are correct this site is a .............very knowledgeable collective of very nice people ;D

How much of a newbie are you?


Is greenville Alabama near a place called Flatrock?


Just curious!



Ralph.
 
Flatrock ? Is that where Barnie Rubble lives ???

John S
 
Close John.... Very close!! ::)


Go back to the armchair and find the kids TV channels.... Then report back to me with the correct answer :big:






Ralph.
 
Ralph, If this is the place you and I spoke of it is not the same Greenville. Just a couple states left of us is Alabama. Flat Rock NC is just a stones throw north of where Steve and I live here in upstate South Carolina.
Tim
 
Welcome from another new member. For the short time I have been on the site I have been nothing but impressed. They certainly are a friendly and just as important, knowledgeable bunch!
 
Right you are Tim, geography was never my strong suit!

I was just trying to find out info again ;D



Looks like next year anyway :(



Ralph.
 
Hello to all. Well Ralph I use to think I knew my way around. But a lot has happened in all our lives. I was a trained electronic tech most of my life. I worked the last 15 years as a manufacturing engineer. After an accidential stroke in 2004 I retired on disability. Before my stroke I was very familiar with the functions of a machine shop as I worked with machinist to make all kinds of test equipment for the seatbelt manufacturing plant where I worked here in Greenville. I never actually had any hands on operating a mill or lathe. I was very familar with drawings.
I am extremely slow now. I can remember very little and have to research everything that I do.
I see lots of flat rocks each morning when I wake up. Ha, Ha,. There are 3 flat rocks on the Alabama map. 2 about 2 to 2.5 hrs north of Greenville and one about 45 minutes south of here. I guess flatrock is a pretty common town name. At least in the south.
Hi John S. Barnie lives right down the road from me. I will tell him that you ask about him.
Hey Tim. Sometimes I think Greenville,South Carolina is a mirror image of Greenville, Alabama.
Glad to here from another newbie Mickey. You do seem to be way ahead of me. I see you got your drawing out and seem to be hard at work.
Well guys it is good to here from you all. You make me feel very welcome.
I have to admit I have spent most of the day reading of your and others exploits. I love this site already. thanks again, see you later Jerry
 
Heya Jerry,

Welcome to the club. We were all newbies at one time. In fact I still probably am. :) Never fear about asking for help or opinions here, we will help in whatever way we can. Do you have a mill or lathe yet?

Eric
 
Hello Eric.
Good to hear from you.
Yes I stumbled across a brand new made in China Mill/Lathe on ebay. I know China gets a bad rap, but I had to get what I could afford. I was looking into he-lo engines trying to find something that I could play with when I felt like it. I am a chronic pain case. Back and neck mostly. I usually have from 4 to 16 hrs a week, if I am lucky, that I feel like doing anything. I had just as soon not bore you with all the details. I just mentioned it so you will know why I sometimes take a lot longer than others to get things done. I just don't feel like doing much when I'm hurting.
Now lets cut some metal. Anyway I bought it for $150.00. I think it sells new for $620.00 or so new. It seems that the drill spindle cover had gotten bent in shipment to the original owner and he refused it. It was put up for auction, and now its mine. After I washed all of the protective grease off of it, it looks really good to me. It's a Central Machinery Model 5980. It's a combo Mill and Lathe. It's strictly manual operation. If I had my ruthers? I had rather had a CNC Mill and a CNC Lathe. But for now I have been reading everything I can about Mill and Lathe operations. I have seen a lot of parts made for holding fixtures on a mill where I use to work and designed some of them myself. I have never really seen much of anything done on a lathe. I am not in any hurry. I will continue to read and study. I am slowly gathering up my milling materials and tools. I will soon start gathering up my lathe tools.
I would love to have a good set of plans on a 1 to 2Ci V twin, water cooled engine with air cooing fins on the heads. Jerry
 
Thanks Rick. I am really glad that you started this site. I feel like it will do a lot of good for a lot of us would be machinist. Thanks again. Jerry
 
Welcome Chuck!

Nice to have another Missourian on board! I'm just up the road outside St. Louis.
 
Hello!! I found This site just today, and it is what I have been looking for! My main goal is to design and build 4, 6, and 8 cyl four stroke engines with about a two inch bore and stroke. I have done casting in aluminum, But I would like to cast cast iron, for cranks and camshafts,etc. I am a Master ASE auto tech, and I build racing and street big blocks for street rodders, But my interests have gotten smaller. From about
 
Hi guys,
I have just added two penny worth to one of the main stream-posts so thought I'd better introduce myself!!
A resident of the UK ( lincolnshire ) I'm a long in the tooth, 70 year old, retired, in flight engineer with a background that has over the years spanned heavy engineering (Power station Steam turbine manufacture), Electronic engineering, in flight engineering with the R.A.F and after some 18 years, on leaving the service I was appointed works manager to a large furniture manufacturer. Following retirement some six years ago Model boats became my passion and many models later I sought a new challenge and a visit to YOU tube tempted me to have a go at one of Jan Riddings designs. only time will tell how I fare as workshop is minimalistic (mini-lathe, pillar drill, lots of hand tools ) although time is plentiful and thanking the good Lord eyes and hands and legs are all in good working order.
I look forward to meeting you all in the fullness of time in order to pick your brains
Kindest Regards
Minerva
Aka Terry t

PS How do you attach Avatar to posts?
 
Welcome to HMEM, Terry. Glad to have you aboard!!

Chuck
 
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