Recent content by Neil K

Jack: Regarding the Harris Steam Roller, I do not recall any previous communications regarding the drive on the roller while I was editor at Village Press. I'll take a look at my copy to see if I can add any constructive comments. Neil

Brian: Glad to hear things are working out! Also, I want to let you know that I just got off of the phone talking with Mike about his engine. He has a piston drawing but needs to dig it out of his archives. He also offered to communicate with you directly through his email. It's 3261ford at...

Brian: I'm not sure of the author's status at this time, but will check him out with the circulation department. I'll let you know what I've discovered. Regarding a piston for your engine, since you're planning to run on air, the requirements are a little less than that for running on steam...

Brian: I checked our archive S&S3 and did find a note to the effect that the piston drawing is missing. There also is a note that the valve stem thread is mislabeled. These items are to be resolved for the next reprint of the book (not sure when that will be). Anyway, thank you for bringing...

Hi Brian: I'm a little puzzled as to what details are missing from the Pileski engine. Could you email at neil at livesteam dot net with the info? I'll see what I can find out. Thanks! Neil

BFS: I have a quick-change tool post from A2Z. It's worked out just fine. Little Machine Shop also carries one. The QCTP is set up for 1/4" tooling and I use tools that have inserts for ease of use (TCMM if I remember correctly). I also have several holders for 3/8" dia boring bars. The QCTP...

Blackfox: Are you using your lathe as a mill, i.e. attaching a mill vise to your cross-slide? I would have to agree about not using your three-jaw to hold the cutter; you obviously could but eventually the jaws will lose their gripping capability. If you're going to use headstock collets to...

Thanks for the photos of the piston and connecting rod. I believe you might have greater luck with a longer piston skirt. The connecting rod will place an angular load on the piston that will tend to bind it in the cylinder. Others have mentioned a crosshead arrangement...that will place the...

I'm trying to understand the piston arrangement... Since there are no crossheads and the cylinder is fixed (not like an oscillator), I'm assuming that there is a wrist pin at the piston end (like in a car) that allows the main rod and the piston to articulate. If so, is the piston long enough...

Steve: Could you let me know which boiler plans you are referring to? I'd like to look up the information to see if we've missed something. Thanks! Neil LSOR

At one of the big-box lumber yards last weekend, I did see that saw with the counter-rotating blades. The description said it could cut darned near everything a home metal worker would encounter. It's a whole lot cheaper than one of those cold-cutting saws too. I was sorely tempted but didn't...

Turkeyss: That is one very interesting, umm, steam device! I wouldn't know what to classify it as; a locomotive, or a traction engine - maybe a tracomotive..:) The drive arrangement has my attention! Neil

Mitch: I don't remember the name of the manufacturer, but I can tell you the engine was marketed in the mid-50s. I bought one of those engines with my paper route money from a TV repair shop/hobby shop in 1959. Had it for thirty-some years and sold it in a garage sale (now wishing I hadn't)...

There are a lot of "steam" engines made from aluminum that run almost exclusively on air. You'll see them at any model engine show. Some of them are operated occasionally on steam, but need a lubricator as part of the setup. The addition of steam heat to the alumnum will make some of the...