Your shop is great and it is a gem. So relaxing and your attention for detail is most fascinating, even honoring the past ways. Keep up the great work.
Another really good video David. I especially like hearing the old shop wall clock tick-tock in the background, as you explained how to set up without using modern DRO's etc. As an observer, I put myself into the position of being an apprentice paying close attention to the journeyman. Cheers.
Hey David, stumbled on your shop the other day while looking at model steam engine repair. My maternal grandfather was an upholsterer and a furniture maker with a modest shop setup on the side of his house. He passed away before I was old enough to learn any of his craft, but seeing your videos takes me back to being a young boy in his shop, watching him work. Keep up the good work sir, even products of the digital age like me can still appreciate old, reliable tools.
Great story, The thought came to my mind, how a simple, even crude line shaft running a few machines will run for a hundred years with nothing but a few drops of oil now and then....and can be pulled down, thrown away and forgotten in a few minutes....Dave
G'day what a fantastic original display of steam power, fascinating to watch I have subscribed and look forward to future videos. Kind regards John Kinnane Tasmania Australia
I just found this site by accident... I have been binge watching each video for hours. Thanks Dave for the videos. I relate as I am involved in a steam show in Bird City KS, last weekend of July; Tri State Threshers. We run my circa 1930 Belle City Thresher with steam. I have a WD9, 1952 International to run it when I don't have some one belting into it with steam. Love the series. Thanks Ron
Just started watching your video's and I'm highly enjoying them. I highly respect the old school methods and am amazed at the precision & knowledge of our forefathers in not only utilizing these great machines but also in designing and making them. Your steam powered belt pulley system is impressive as is your machinery. It'll take me awhile to get caught up to your present additions as I'm just going to enjoy the journey. Carry on.
Hey David, Nice to see you again. Strange I've been in a lot of shops but yours has a different sound...must be steam power! At my count, 286 likes and ZERO dislikes, that says it all. Look forward to your next video.
man you are really getting the hang of that editing, the intro is freakin sweet, I love the music you picked too. One of the best "free domain" tracks I've heard. great job, really great.
Just watched all 6 back to back. Subscribed and looking forward to more fascinating videos. VERY interesting stuff, and for a first try at making RUclips videos, you must be a natural ! Thank you and keep 'em coming !
I've watched you use your Van Norman 10" vertical dividing head. Can't say anyone else has shown using it on RUclips. Looking forward to seeing how you adapt this riser & to what dividing head it is for!
Me: Is nervous about using the autofeed on the lathe. David: Running multiple jobs on multiple machines while walking around, feeding the boiler, keeping the steam up. I have once nudged the chuck with the tool, so I never leave a machine running.
Great to see another of your superb videos David. The lighting gives them so much feeling. Your friend's garden railway is stunning. Thanks for sharing. Mike.
I love watching the shaper whittle away material. Its great to see a machinist that can start a shaper and do other things while it strokes across. I heard they quick making them, too slow, and OSHA had a problem with the stroking arm added to their demise several decades ago. I like slow and steady. I love your explanations of the pre-digital methods many experience and skill based. Keep them coming.
+James Procyk Thanks for watching James, The old shop saying about shapers goes: "You can make anything with a shaper....except money". too slow....Dave
hi dave, really like your channel. looking to buy a 1926 south bend 9" lathe , complete good shape, he wants $1500.00 for it, good or badprice? thanks, bob wolff
Thanks again for such entertaining video. I was taught to use a mic and Vernier calipers. Always enjoy watching the machines cut. When you said he had a backyard railroad. Great work. Used to work in a shop with a gantry crane. It rolled on rails like those. Real handy when moving forklift counterweights and masts.
David, Your videos keep getting better and better as you go along. That said, I new to your channel as of yesterday. I'm watching your videos in order and I'm enjoying every minute of it. And yes, I'm subscribed :)
What a great channel and another great video! I have an AMT much like yours with the 8 speed headstock. Very inspiring to watch what people with ambition and skill can do.
+fcarp1685 I looked at your lathe, it must be about late 1930s? At one time, the American records were being kept by a company (I forget the name) that was making parts for them and othere machine tool things. They could tell from the Ser# the actual day of manufacture. Mine is 1925, called a "relieving lathe". at one time it had a gearbox on top of the feed change box that had a drive shaft (w/ universals) to the cross slide and ran it in and out timed to the spindle for roughing out things like milling cutters, taps, and reamers. Seemed amazing to me.
It would be very cool to learn more about the lathes history, it was given to me about a year ago. That gearbox that was on your lathe sounds very interesting and would be awesome to see in action. It seems as though they were very solid machines for their time.
Ah, that shaping machine, my first real encounter with a machine tool as an apprentice....A slow but sure method of making your Vee Block project.... Plenty of time to sweep away the swarf...lol.
David - I love your shop. I am very interested in how and where you found/purchased/made the drive train. I would love to get more information about it. I know that if I visit every old barn within 1000 miles I can find stuff like this. Just wished I could refine the search more. (old style google search - shanks ponies get tired).
Totally worth subbing! :) Really awesome channel you have going here. Great to be able to see all this type of equipment do it's thing. That little rail line is outstanding, by the way.
I really enjoy your shop and machining talent, simply awesome! Railroad was very enjoyable. What gauge is the rail system/train? Thanks for all of your video efforts! ....13
Congrats on all the subs. You obviously do great videos people like! That mill may not know how to act when it goes back on the line shaft. Watch out for those bronze injector bore inserts on that R head. They are notorious about leaking. I have had to machine several new ones in the past. I highly advise a strong pressure test to be sure they don't leak before they put that head back on. Looking great and enjoyed the little railroad. I need some more track for my bridge crane, do you know a good place to get that small rail?
great videos, you defenitely have yourself a new fan and subscriber. Thank you for doing these videos, just curious what happened to video number 3, it seems to have dissappeared somehow I think. Cant wait for the next video.
+cae chirp #3 accidentally got deleted into cyberspace by me. (no back-up). I can't really remake it because it was about having the shop steam engine disassembled for modification. Next video will be #3 1/2 which will be mostly on the engine and boiler. Thanks for watching....Dave
awesome, cant wait! I was really interested in those two and also how the line shaft stuff works to engage/disengage the machine's belts. You briefly went over it in the one episode but didnt get a very good look at it.
Good stuff David. Those steam engines are awesome, close your eyes and listen and they sound like the big boys.Is that 1' gauge?. Do you have any idea how heavy the rail is?
I like the close up shots and angles of the machines and belts in action. If you don't mind me asking. There seems to be a lot of metal coming off of that head. Will you be using shims/thicker head gaskets or are you going to shave the heads of the pistons. Also won't there be interference between the pistons and valves? Just curious.
love is i see your still using the Latin tool posts I need to build one to fit my 150yer old school lathe . i's going to have get some feed back from you can you do that most do it so give me your idea's on it , spent half. my life in stream Power stations Scotch boiler's Las Thompson . England .
great setup you have there. do you have any issues with belt slippage? I have mine setup with a gas engine and always have to use belt dressing to keep them from slipping. keep up the good work!!
+steamer123 The only belts that have been a problem are the final drive on the lathes. I switched to a rubber lined belt on the Large lathe and that pretty much solved that .
Dave: I don't understand why you feel that you can't use a dial indicator when I was just reading where a John Logan of Waltham, Mass. applied for a patent on May 15, 1883. and it looked a lot like the current ones in use today. BTW, he was a watchmaker--I always thought indicators were like a watch or clock. Any thoughts? Dave :--))))))))))))
Awesome stuff bro. I was wondering, how often do you have to tend the fire in the boiler when working in the shop? I love your setup, would love to have one like that!
+8MADJACK Jack: Depends on the wood, old cut up beams burn slow so you have to throw some in about every 10 minutes or so. I run some soft coal with the wood sometimes, then it's about every 20-30 minutes.
+David Richards Makes sense, I figured that the harder stuff or coal would need less tending, but I also knew that you have to keep a good boil for the steam production. thats not bad at all and gives you a chance to move around a bit between cuts and stuff. Thanks bro.
I don't know the names of the things but on the end of the piston rod of your steam engine there's the pivot that connects the piston rod to the bar that connects to the wheel, it has the brass shim wedges. Anyway, I see there's an oiler that lubricates the top half on horizontal engines, what I'm wondering is how it auto oiles the bottom? Is there a hole through the entire unit? Thanks Mr Richards, I know I'm probably getting on your nerves, I've watched all your videos twice already and am on the third viewing.
+Shane K Shane, good question, no the oil just sort of ends up on the lower slide some probably drips down and hits it when the cross head is all the way at one end or the other. some engines do have a lower oiler, this one doesn't....Dave
+luc snippe Takes about an hour and 15 min to get it up and running from stone cold, If holds some heat overnite so next day it's about a half hour. There are 2 steam injectors for adding feed water.....Dave
+David Richards i'm volentyring for the steamgroup in holland its called museum buurt spoorweg its a local small track of abouth 9 kilometers in with we had a big steamup today there were 4 steamlocomotives running today i was helping feeding them coal and water it was just awsome to see them all running srry for the bad english greets from holland
Watching the lathe and the shaper running at the same time powered by a relatively small steam engine should cause people watching to develop a healthy respect for the power of steam. If your shop was run by electricity those two machines would be powered by large 220 volt (minimum) electric motors pulling power off the grid. It’s one of those pay now or pay later types of scenarios on where and how you obtain the power for your machine shop.
I grew up around flat belt equipment on the farm and at fairs and shows,while it is dangerous(running on steam more so) if you respect the equipment and trust your education it’s not that bad.
yesterday I bought a 20 year old Landrover for less the monthly payment on a modern small car, I want it because it is relatively simply and I can use it to tow, and carry things, the bloke I bought it from makes a living by stripping a few parts off modern 'unmendable' modern vehicles then scrapping all the sophisticated 'state of the art' machinery; by contrast your machines are almost 'eternal', except the key factor is you (and your mates) running a machine shop which is sustainable and appropriate to human needs (rather than the needs of the banks and apparently 'mad' corporations like Monsanto. The sad thing is that I don't see any young apprentices 'learning the ropes" from the 'old master machinist'. good luck to you.
It seems like most of the school and college age kids I've had around the shop a few times are not interested in history enough to see the sense of it I guess.....Dave
I sent you an email from dana.learman@gmail.com not sure if you recieved it or not or if it wound up in your spam box. Or maybe you've just been busy, which is fine. Just wanted to touch base with you. Thanks.
all these machines ran well at 50-56psi? Would you hook up a more modern machine, like a big cincinatti horizontal mill, with universal head, to your steam powr, or is that to away from purist?
Hi Roger, I guess you would say it keeps the drag off the tool point on the return. It would work without it but the tool would get dull sooner.....Dave
@@davidrichards5594 : oh, that makes sense, and if a shard is encountered on the cut surface on the return, the clapper allows that it won't forcefully drag it along scratching it. I wondered too about the back side of the cutter flicking shards into the gap of the clapper, if that was ever a problem. Your method obviates that concern. I didn't consider the drag back dulling the cutting edge, assuming it was ground to an obtuse angle on the back. Thanks for your explanation
What made the old boilers so dangerous and why did they blow up so often? They can’t be smart enough to build those machines and not know to put a relief valve in the boiler?!?! So I’m curious what caused them to blow up? I get it’s over pressure. But I’m asking the deeper reasoning behind it.
Hi James, They weren't and they didn't. It's just that when there was one exposed to gross neglect in maintaining or operation, it failed and took half the building out with it. Usually it was caused by not maintaining anything close to the minimum water level. If the water gets down so low that the "crown sheet" (top of the fire box area) is not covered, it doesn't have the water above it to transfer the heat to, and becomes red hot and looses it's strength, bulges out and pops, even at regular boiler pressure. The relief valve usually doesn't have anything to do with it. In the boiler, at normal operating pressures, The water is at a much higher temperature than it can exist in the outside air because of its pressure. When suddenly released to the atmosphere, and the whole boiler full gets that big pressure drop, this "super heated " water turns to steam instantly and with it's stored up energy, expands about 1,000 times by volume. Someone's definition of an explosion is "When things get really big, really fast". Another problem is very heavy mineral scale, etc. allowed to build up on the crown sheet area which will "insulate" the water from the metal and do the same thing. A boiler running way over pressure could explode if there were structural problems with it. That's why boilers are inspected and tested regularly to make sure they up to their certification "safety factor" of 5. Meaning that a boiler certified for 100 psi could ultimately fail at 500 psi. I can tell you that (although I would not try it) with the relief valve replaced with a plug, I don't think I could ever get close to 500 psi hand firing on wood. To me, boilers are like any other machinery, you need to know about them, maintain them and keep an eye out for small things that could lead to bigger problems. Thanks for watching and for a great question.....Dave
David Richards...thank you! Very detailed and thoughtful answer. I understand now. I can see where some guy being thrown into a job he really didn’t give a rip about, he’d get lackadaisical and wind up being blown Through the block wall. As middle aged young man, I VERY much appreciate you keeping this knowledge alive!! I truly hope and pray you have a young man that cares enough to let you teach him and pass this on to. I wish I could come study under you for a couple years, now days. As a child, my granddad used to take me to old shows, fairs, bake sales, and all that in the mountains of East Tennessee. He’d always try to get me to pay attn and watch the old steam engines whether they be milling corn/grain or a train engine or even fire engine, I’ve seen. But st that time in my child hood I was of course more interested in whatever toy I could con him into buying me from the venders. Or seeing the “monster trucks” instead of the old steam tractor pull he took me too. I like most children, didn’t care. But I surely do appreciate you keeping alive what my grandfather and great grandfather knew as everyday business. Thank you and be blessed!
Being originally from East Tennessee, I’ve been to “DollyWood” several times. There they keep allot of this alive as well. They have ALLOT of water wheels turning shafts for their shops. And I did enjoy that as a child even. Check that place out of ya ever get the chance. They have the old school blacksmiths and barrel coopers and all that stuff. Im out south of Seattle now days. So not allot of history old enough for that out here.
I know this post is late. But many explosions were with the horizontal boilers. Dave’s boiler is vertical. The crown sheet in a horizontal can get uncovered with water and still be exposed to the fire. When water hits a super heated crown sheet, it expands about 1600 times instantly. This explosion. My experience has been with stanley steam car boilers. These were extreme pressure vertical boilers. Some rated to 1000 psi. Because they were verticals, there was never a reported explosion of a Stanley boiler. With Dave’s boiler, you need to check your cocks and gage. If you let the crown get exposed, the boiler is empty. Not likely if you know anything about steam. Yes there is a pop off valve and it pops every so often.
I bet if you secured a rattle can of paint to the crank on your steam engine, It would be well shook up in no time , I'm just being humorous , but it could work ....lol
Your shop is great and it is a gem. So relaxing and your attention for detail is most fascinating, even honoring the past ways.
Keep up the great work.
Absolutely flabbergasted that this video has soo little views. This video illustrates what the industrial revolution was really well.
Thanks for the video. The quality is superb. Could watch this all day.....
All those machines running from that one steam engine is amazing to watch , thank-you for taking the time to produce this video
+Robert Perrigo Thanks again for watching Robert....Dave
Thanks for the video. Hats off to the builder of the train.
I always enjoy your videos David! Love your shop. Your doing a great job. I haven't forgotten I still owe you some tools.
Adam
Great video again Dave, really enjoy your shop videos.
Greetings from Vancouver Canada! Thanks for the great video!
+eastvanmedman Well thankyou for watching from Canada, and taking the time to comment...Dave
Another really good video David. I especially like hearing the old shop wall clock tick-tock in the background, as you explained how to set up without using modern DRO's etc. As an observer, I put myself into the position of being an apprentice paying close attention to the journeyman. Cheers.
+Rain Coast Well you should maybe get a second opinion on some of this stuff though....Dave
I would never be lonely in that shop.
That railroad is a VERY ambitious project!
Another awesome video! Keep makin chips!
Hey David, stumbled on your shop the other day while looking at model steam engine repair. My maternal grandfather was an upholsterer and a furniture maker with a modest shop setup on the side of his house. He passed away before I was old enough to learn any of his craft, but seeing your videos takes me back to being a young boy in his shop, watching him work. Keep up the good work sir, even products of the digital age like me can still appreciate old, reliable tools.
Great story, The thought came to my mind, how a simple, even crude line shaft running a few machines will run for a hundred years with nothing but a few drops of oil now and then....and can be pulled down, thrown away and forgotten in a few minutes....Dave
G'day what a fantastic original display of steam power, fascinating to watch I have subscribed and look forward to future videos. Kind regards John Kinnane Tasmania Australia
I think that's the first time I've seen a dial indicator in one of your videos! The working style was so different, even just 100 years ago. :)
Great video Mr.Richards. I enjoy watching you preserve these machines.
Dave its fun and educational watching your videos. All the sights and sounds in your shop are mesmerizing. Thanks for sharing!
I just found this site by accident... I have been binge watching each video for hours. Thanks Dave for the videos. I relate as I am involved in a steam show in Bird City KS, last weekend of July; Tri State Threshers. We run my circa 1930 Belle City Thresher with steam. I have a WD9, 1952 International to run it when I don't have some one belting into it with steam. Love the series. Thanks
Ron
Thanks Ron, hope you had a good show this year...Dave
Very artistic videography Mr. Richards.
awesome shop and video just awesome thanks David
Great stuff. You have interesting friends too!
+phooesnax Thanks, Jim is a true steam fan, railroader and mechanic....Dave
You've turned out "another" GREAT video, thanks!
There's something magical about that set up. Well done that man. Wishing you good health & many years to enjoy those old machines.
Subscribed and thanks for the great channel.
AWESOME share ! .. Loved the shaper cuts ..
Thanks Shawn, glad you have an interest in old machine work, we are the minority.....Dave
Very interesting video, just subscribed. Cheers
Excellent vid fantastic shop
Just started watching your video's and I'm highly enjoying them. I highly respect the old school methods and am amazed at the precision & knowledge of our forefathers in not only utilizing these great machines but also in designing and making them. Your steam powered belt pulley system is impressive as is your machinery. It'll take me awhile to get caught up to your present additions as I'm just going to enjoy the journey. Carry on.
Me too, I've got some binge watching to do... haha
amazing, what a joy to watch
Keep up the great work David.Enjoyed every one of your videos. Learned something useful every time. thanks
Hey David, Nice to see you again. Strange I've been in a lot of shops but yours has a different sound...must be steam power! At my count, 286 likes and ZERO dislikes, that says it all. Look forward to your next video.
man you are really getting the hang of that editing, the intro is freakin sweet, I love the music you picked too. One of the best "free domain" tracks I've heard. great job, really great.
+Max Maruszewski Thanks Max, there's a couple of good songs on there. Dave
The shot at 10:33 is awesome! i love seeing all the tools going with the steam engine in the background.
Just watched all 6 back to back. Subscribed and looking forward to more fascinating videos. VERY interesting stuff, and for a first try at making RUclips videos, you must be a natural ! Thank you and keep 'em coming !
Great video, enjoyed the trains also, Fancy track work to cross a switch with another track!
+Crystal Yelland Yeah, I've never seen a cross over through a switch, neither had Jim, so he tried one.....Dave
I've watched you use your Van Norman 10" vertical dividing head. Can't say anyone else has shown using it on RUclips. Looking forward to seeing how you adapt this riser & to what dividing head it is for!
See later videos for cutting several gears with it....Dave
Great video David, your shop sounds like it's got it's own heart beat with a couple of machines running. Thanks
The more you do the better I like it! A-PLUS Dave!
Me: Is nervous about using the autofeed on the lathe.
David: Running multiple jobs on multiple machines while walking around, feeding the boiler, keeping the steam up.
I have once nudged the chuck with the tool, so I never leave a machine running.
Enjoyed the video
David,
Thanks for taking the time and energy to produce these video's... Truly great work.. Very enjoyable!!!
Great to see another of your superb videos David. The lighting gives them so much feeling. Your friend's garden railway is stunning. Thanks for sharing. Mike.
Another great video David, Always love your intros.
Thanks David, you keep making these and I promise I'll watch them.
I love watching the shaper whittle away material. Its great to see a machinist that can start a shaper and do other things while it strokes across. I heard they quick making them, too slow, and OSHA had a problem with the stroking arm added to their demise several decades ago. I like slow and steady. I love your explanations of the pre-digital methods many experience and skill based. Keep them coming.
+James Procyk Thanks for watching James, The old shop saying about shapers goes: "You can make anything with a shaper....except money". too slow....Dave
hi dave, really like your channel. looking to buy a 1926 south bend 9" lathe , complete good shape, he wants $1500.00 for it, good or badprice? thanks, bob wolff
i would love to learn all you know and build my own shop like yours. thanks for all your time spent on these videos. Semper Fi from this old Marine.
+mikenabrz3 Thanks for your service Mike, hope you do...Dave
Thanks again for such entertaining video. I was taught to use a mic and Vernier calipers. Always enjoy watching the machines cut. When you said he had a backyard railroad. Great work. Used to work in a shop with a gantry crane. It rolled on rails like those. Real handy when moving forklift counterweights and masts.
Out Dang Standing video David. You are keeping the past machinists crafts alive. Thank you- Fred
+Fred Miller Thanks Fred, I think it's better than looking at some photo in a museum.
David, Your videos keep getting better and better as you go along. That said, I new to your channel as of yesterday. I'm watching your videos in order and I'm enjoying every minute of it. And yes, I'm subscribed :)
Great vid David. I look forward to the next installment.
Keep going.
Great video David! I really enjoyed it.
great content as always cant wait for more.
What a great channel and another great video! I have an AMT much like yours with the 8 speed headstock. Very inspiring to watch what people with ambition and skill can do.
+fcarp1685 I looked at your lathe, it must be about late 1930s? At one time, the American records were being kept by a company (I forget the name) that was making parts for them and othere machine tool things. They could tell from the Ser# the actual day of manufacture. Mine is 1925, called a "relieving lathe". at one time it had a gearbox on top of the feed change box that had a drive shaft (w/ universals) to the cross slide and ran it in and out timed to the spindle for roughing out things like milling cutters, taps, and reamers. Seemed amazing to me.
It would be very cool to learn more about the lathes history, it was given to me about a year ago. That gearbox that was on your lathe sounds very interesting and would be awesome to see in action. It seems as though they were very solid machines for their time.
Ah, that shaping machine, my first real encounter with a machine tool as an apprentice....A slow but sure method of making your Vee Block project.... Plenty of time to sweep away the swarf...lol.
Thanks for watching Murray: We try to keep that "indicator stuff" out of sight and do it the old way. Maybe check ourselves sometimes....Dave
Just wonderful. Thank You.
thank you !
David - I love your shop. I am very interested in how and where you found/purchased/made the drive train. I would love to get more information about it. I know that if I visit every old barn within 1000 miles I can find stuff like this. Just wished I could refine the search more. (old style google search - shanks ponies get tired).
+rtind Try searching ebay "hit & miss" or "line shaft" .
Totally worth subbing! :) Really awesome channel you have going here. Great to be able to see all this type of equipment do it's thing. That little rail line is outstanding, by the way.
Hi mate.Thanks for an other good video. Those steam trains are very nice. Did he build the both of them?
+Marcel Timmers I believe Jim collaborated on the 2-6-2 loco. Both are scratch built...Dave
I really enjoy your shop and machining talent, simply awesome!
Railroad was very enjoyable. What gauge is the rail system/train?
Thanks for all of your video efforts!
....13
+arkansas13 Thanks for the comment, Jim's railroad is 7 1/4" gage...Dave
Congrats on all the subs. You obviously do great videos people like! That mill may not know how to act when it goes back on the line shaft. Watch out for those bronze injector bore inserts on that R head. They are notorious about leaking. I have had to machine several new ones in the past. I highly advise a strong pressure test to be sure they don't leak before they put that head back on. Looking great and enjoyed the little railroad. I need some more track for my bridge crane, do you know a good place to get that small rail?
+bcbloc02 Hey Brian, I noticed Jim has quit a bit of odd pieces in the back lot, where are you at and how much do you need?
I am in central Ky and only need about 60ft worth.I need to look again but seems like mine is 3" tall rail.
David Richards
Looks like it is 45lb rail 2" top and just over 3 1/2 tall.
+bcbloc02 I'll check with him on the size and if he would sell any odd pieces.
bcbloc02 ask old brown to tea
Great video. No oil in the spindle bushing oiler?
great videos, you defenitely have yourself a new fan and subscriber. Thank you for doing these videos, just curious what happened to video number 3, it seems to have dissappeared somehow I think. Cant wait for the next video.
+cae chirp yea, video number 3 in your videos is missing.
+cae chirp #3 accidentally got deleted into cyberspace by me. (no back-up). I can't really remake it because it was about having the shop steam engine disassembled for modification. Next video will be #3 1/2 which will be mostly on the engine and boiler. Thanks for watching....Dave
awesome, cant wait! I was really interested in those two and also how the line shaft stuff works to engage/disengage the machine's belts. You briefly went over it in the one episode but didnt get a very good look at it.
Good stuff David. Those steam engines are awesome, close your eyes and listen and they sound like the big boys.Is that 1' gauge?. Do you have any idea how heavy the rail is?
+Eric Corse I think Jim said 40 lb/ft. It came out of an old defunct gun powder mill somewhere in Ohio....Dave
great show
I like the close up shots and angles of the machines and belts in action. If you don't mind me asking. There seems to be a lot of metal coming off of that head. Will you be using shims/thicker head gaskets or are you going to shave the heads of the pistons. Also won't there be interference between the pistons and valves? Just curious.
Noel: It's a tractor and there is lots of head and valve clearance to accommodate it. Not like a modern diesel...Dave
My boss has a large planer base that was modified by attaching to original Bridgeport heads, want that. it is huge
I knew you had to be involved with some kind of scratch built trains! Envious...
love is i see your still using the Latin tool posts I need to build one to fit my 150yer old school lathe . i's going to have get some feed back from you can you do that most do it so give me your idea's on it , spent half. my life in stream Power stations Scotch boiler's Las Thompson . England .
great setup you have there. do you have any issues with belt slippage? I have mine setup with a gas engine and always have to use belt dressing to keep them from slipping. keep up the good work!!
+steamer123 The only belts that have been a problem are the final drive on the lathes. I switched to a rubber lined belt on the Large lathe and that pretty much solved that .
+David Richards thanks for the reply. I'll look into that for mine. thanks
Tom
Nice.
Dave: I don't understand why you feel that you can't use a dial indicator when I was just reading where a John Logan of Waltham, Mass. applied for a patent on May 15, 1883. and it looked a lot like the current ones in use today. BTW, he was a watchmaker--I always thought indicators were like a watch or clock. Any thoughts? Dave :--))))))))))))
Awesome stuff bro. I was wondering, how often do you have to tend the fire in the boiler when working in the shop? I love your setup, would love to have one like that!
+8MADJACK Jack: Depends on the wood, old cut up beams burn slow so you have to throw some in about every 10 minutes or so. I run some soft coal with the wood sometimes, then it's about every 20-30 minutes.
+David Richards Makes sense, I figured that the harder stuff or coal would need less tending, but I also knew that you have to keep a good boil for the steam production. thats not bad at all and gives you a chance to move around a bit between cuts and stuff. Thanks bro.
I don't know the names of the things but on the end of the piston rod of your steam engine there's the pivot that connects the piston rod to the bar that connects to the wheel, it has the brass shim wedges. Anyway, I see there's an oiler that lubricates the top half on horizontal engines, what I'm wondering is how it auto oiles the bottom? Is there a hole through the entire unit? Thanks Mr Richards, I know I'm probably getting on your nerves, I've watched all your videos twice already and am on the third viewing.
+Shane K Shane, good question, no the oil just sort of ends up on the lower slide some probably drips down and hits it when the cross head is all the way at one end or the other. some engines do have a lower oiler, this one doesn't....Dave
Thank you
I am wondering, can you make modifications to your machines, or does that not keep up with the "Old Time Shop" theme?
this is really awsome how long does it takes for the perfect working presure and what for a water pump do you use
and great video's i subscribed :D
+luc snippe Takes about an hour and 15 min to get it up and running from stone cold, If holds some heat overnite so next day it's about a half hour. There are 2 steam injectors for adding feed water.....Dave
+David Richards i'm volentyring for the steamgroup in holland its called museum buurt spoorweg its a local small track of abouth 9 kilometers in with
we had a big steamup today there were 4 steamlocomotives running today i was helping feeding them coal and water it was just awsome to see them all running
srry for the bad english greets from holland
+luc snippe Thanks for the report, sounds like a great time....Dave
Watching the lathe and the shaper running at the same time powered by a relatively small steam engine should cause people watching to develop a healthy respect for the power of steam. If your shop was run by electricity those two machines would be powered by large 220 volt (minimum) electric motors pulling power off the grid. It’s one of those pay now or pay later types of scenarios on where and how you obtain the power for your machine shop.
David even the old timers used oil on their tools. I have a friend that still uses lard on his stay bolt taps.
I always notice the drip oiler on you're lathe sitting about empty!
That room looks soooo dangerous with all the belts everywhere
I grew up around flat belt equipment on the farm and at fairs and shows,while it is dangerous(running on steam more so) if you respect the equipment and trust your education it’s not that bad.
Was floor loading ever an issue for your many machines?
yesterday I bought a 20 year old Landrover for less the monthly payment on a modern small car, I want it because it is relatively simply and I can use it to tow, and carry things, the bloke I bought it from makes a living by stripping a few parts off modern 'unmendable' modern vehicles then scrapping all the sophisticated 'state of the art' machinery; by contrast your machines are almost 'eternal', except the key factor is you (and your mates) running a machine shop which is sustainable and appropriate to human needs (rather than the needs of the banks and apparently 'mad' corporations like Monsanto. The sad thing is that I don't see any young apprentices 'learning the ropes" from the 'old master machinist'. good luck to you.
It seems like most of the school and college age kids I've had around the shop a few times are not interested in history enough to see the sense of it I guess.....Dave
I aquired a hit and miss through an inheritence. I was wondering if I sent you pictures of it if you'd be able to tell me more about it and its value.
Sure, enginedrdave@gmail.com ...Dave
I sent you an email from dana.learman@gmail.com not sure if you recieved it or not or if it wound up in your spam box. Or maybe you've just been busy, which is fine. Just wanted to touch base with you. Thanks.
all these machines ran well at 50-56psi? Would you hook up a more modern machine, like a big cincinatti horizontal mill, with universal head, to your steam powr, or is that to away from purist?
I'm a little limited on room Ryan.....Dave
Is this just a hobby or are you making money while keeping the old machines alive?
Hey David what kind of oilers do you use on your equipment?
What ever I've got in the collection at the time, most are Detroit I guess....Dave
You ever thought about heat straightening that arbor.
+Greg Nowling It's a home made arbor, #10 Brown & Sharpe is a little hard to find. I'm going to see what I can do in the press cold first.
Is that a steam powered radiator in the engine shop?
+stefantrethan Yeah, I have steam lines running hither & yon. for heat and the parts washer.
your oil glass for the lathe spindl is empty sir 10:10
So the preference is to advance after the back stroke rather than the end stroke? What's the clapper for then?
Hi Roger, I guess you would say it keeps the drag off the tool point on the return. It would work without it but the tool would get dull sooner.....Dave
@@davidrichards5594 : oh, that makes sense, and if a shard is encountered on the cut surface on the return, the clapper allows that it won't forcefully drag it along scratching it. I wondered too about the back side of the cutter flicking shards into the gap of the clapper, if that was ever a problem. Your method obviates that concern. I didn't consider the drag back dulling the cutting edge, assuming it was ground to an obtuse angle on the back. Thanks for your explanation
Want another shaper, we don't use ours enough, call up Baski Well Instruments and see if you can buy it...
Thanks Ryan, what I'm looking for right now is a planer. Got one of those?....Dave
What made the old boilers so dangerous and why did they blow up so often? They can’t be smart enough to build those machines and not know to put a relief valve in the boiler?!?! So I’m curious what caused them to blow up? I get it’s over pressure. But I’m asking the deeper reasoning behind it.
Hi James, They weren't and they didn't. It's just that when there was one exposed to gross neglect in maintaining or operation, it failed and took half the building out with it. Usually it was caused by not maintaining anything close to the minimum water level. If the water gets down so low that the "crown sheet" (top of the fire box area) is not covered, it doesn't have the water above it to transfer the heat to, and becomes red hot and looses it's strength, bulges out and pops, even at regular boiler pressure. The relief valve usually doesn't have anything to do with it. In the boiler, at normal operating pressures, The water is at a much higher temperature than it can exist in the outside air because of its pressure. When suddenly released to the atmosphere, and the whole boiler full gets that big pressure drop, this "super heated " water turns to steam instantly and with it's stored up energy, expands about 1,000 times by volume. Someone's definition of an explosion is "When things get really big, really fast". Another problem is very heavy mineral scale, etc. allowed to build up on the crown sheet area which will "insulate" the water from the metal and do the same thing. A boiler running way over pressure could explode if there were structural problems with it. That's why boilers are inspected and tested regularly to make sure they up to their certification "safety factor" of 5. Meaning that a boiler certified for 100 psi could ultimately fail at 500 psi. I can tell you that (although I would not try it) with the relief valve replaced with a plug, I don't think I could ever get close to 500 psi hand firing on wood. To me, boilers are like any other machinery, you need to know about them, maintain them and keep an eye out for small things that could lead to bigger problems. Thanks for watching and for a great question.....Dave
David Richards...thank you! Very detailed and thoughtful answer. I understand now. I can see where some guy being thrown into a job he really didn’t give a rip about, he’d get lackadaisical and wind up being blown Through the block wall.
As middle aged young man, I VERY much appreciate you keeping this knowledge alive!! I truly hope and pray you have a young man that cares enough to let you teach him and pass this on to. I wish I could come study under you for a couple years, now days.
As a child, my granddad used to take me to old shows, fairs, bake sales, and all that in the mountains of East Tennessee. He’d always try to get me to pay attn and watch the old steam engines whether they be milling corn/grain or a train engine or even fire engine, I’ve seen. But st that time in my child hood I was of course more interested in whatever toy I could con him into buying me from the venders. Or seeing the “monster trucks” instead of the old steam tractor pull he took me too. I like most children, didn’t care. But I surely do appreciate you keeping alive what my grandfather and great grandfather knew as everyday business.
Thank you and be blessed!
Being originally from East Tennessee, I’ve been to “DollyWood” several times. There they keep allot of this alive as well. They have ALLOT of water wheels turning shafts for their shops. And I did enjoy that as a child even. Check that place out of ya ever get the chance. They have the old school blacksmiths and barrel coopers and all that stuff. Im out south of Seattle now days. So not allot of history old enough for that out here.
I know this post is late. But many explosions were with the horizontal boilers. Dave’s boiler is vertical. The crown sheet in a horizontal can get uncovered with water and still be exposed to the fire. When water hits a super heated crown sheet, it expands about 1600 times instantly. This explosion. My experience has been with stanley steam car boilers. These were extreme pressure vertical boilers. Some rated to 1000 psi. Because they were verticals, there was never a reported explosion of a Stanley boiler. With Dave’s boiler, you need to check your cocks and gage. If you let the crown get exposed, the boiler is empty. Not likely if you know anything about steam. Yes there is a pop off valve and it pops every so often.
I bet if you secured a rattle can of paint to the crank on your steam engine, It would be well shook up in no time , I'm just being humorous , but it could work ....lol
Electric motors didn't really change machining much. Computers changed machining.