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When I started my apprenticeship under my father’s watchful eyes, he made me write everything I needed to do to make a piece part. Then we would go over the list to make sure I had the proper sequence. We did this for quit sometime. It got to a point where I did not have to do the process every...

Good evening, it has been a while since my last posting, so I thought I would bring you up to date. My wife and I went to the Cabin Fever Expo in Lebanon, Pa. with the LaFrance and Rope Engine. What a special treat that was. So many great steam and gas models under one roof was a sight to...

Oops, finger hit the reply button before I was ready. As I was saying, I am making 6-32 flat head machine screws. The head will protrude out of the block just enough to machine down to give a clean surface with no trace of the screws. Anyway, That is my intent.

I totally agree about the screw sizes. There are several areas that are out of portion. I am making 6-32 flat head screws

Been a while since my last post. My wife and I loaded up the LaFrance Fire Engine and went to the Cabin Fever Expo. What an awesome time. So much to see and do. I must say I was not prepared for the immense amount of compliments for the LaFrance. At times it was overwhelming. The only down side...

Dave, sounds like a great idea. Thank you.

Back to the Corliss engine. Was able to finish the basic machining of the flywheel today. Have not made up my mind on how to secure the flywheel to the shaft. Can’t say I like what the drawing calls for. Two angled set screws clamping on the shaft. That setup is asking for trouble, if the...

Machined the center out of the eccentric straps this evening. Used the same basic setup except I clamped the strap down to the jig plate with 3 SHCS & washers. Rotated the turn table to get the desired bore.

No power !! Just a static work of art.

A side note. Had a chance to browse through a fantastic antique mall in Greensboro, NC. this past Wednesday. There I found a “punk art steam fire engine”. Thought you might enjoy. By the way, it only cost $4500.00. Duh !!

Got the basic profile of one eccentric done.

I do hope all had a great Christmas, I know I did. Anytime you can get with family and share a meal is always special. The more I get involved with the Corliss project the more I feel that a lot of parts are out of proportion to each other. So as time goes on you will see where I have trimmed...

Just finished the two Dash Pots. There was one mistake on the drawing concerning the bottom cap. It called for a 13/16-20 thread, but the bottom of the main housing called for 3/4-20 thread. So I made some caps out of bronze and will put some holes around the perimeter for tightening against the...

Almost in every instance, what tooling we have dictates how we go about machining a piece part. Faceplate will work very well. Just put a piece of sacrificial metal between your part and the faceplate so you don’t leave any scarring on the faceplate. Good luck and hope to see some pictures in...

Interesting conversation on the safety trip mechanism of the governor. It will interesting to see how it actually works once the Corliss is up and running. Richard, sounds like you may have a good start on your Corliss. Do not hesitate to ask for help via this platform. So, in that regards to...

He probably got it about 30 years ago. He would buy casting kits from Coles and salt them away until retirement time.

Was able to work on the eccentrics this weekend. There is a 1/8” off set of the centerlines. The picture shows how I I set up the off set in a 4 jaw chuck. I bored out an emergency 5C collet to hold the OD of the eccentric to do the grooving operation. Used a 1/16” wide parting blade and took...

The crankshaft is pretty much done, same thing with the connecting rod drive disc. Did finish the governor pulley for the crankshaft. Next are the two eccentrics. Sure is good to get back into the shop and turn some handles.

I have bought cast iron from McMaster-Carr, Speedy Metals and Amazone.Com. Give them a try !!

Thank you Stan, what an awesome compliment you have given me. I wish my father could have give me words of encouragement like all of you awesome model makers have done over the years. I am sharing a picture taken in 1959 out West at an unknowns location. It is interesting that they called the...