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Finally Here

Ishmael

Quis dolor cui dolium?
After a period of difficulty, I have finally managed to register with this site thanks to the support and patience of members trlvn and Susquatch, both of whom I thank for their assistance.

I am a self-taught bungler from the Belleville, Ontario area with no technical background whatsoever; I do, though, enjoy trying to make little steam models using plans from magazines and other sources. Some work, some don't....

I also like finding "project" or incomplete models and wreaking havoc on them.

Things in my little shop include a Logan Model 200 lathe, a Craftex B2071 lathe/mill, a Burke #4 horizontal milling machine, a Sherline lathe, a Sherline milling machine, a cheap drill press, a Cameron precision drill press, a 1" belt/disc sander, a 14" wood/metal bandsaw, and one of those ubiquitous offshore 4x6 horizontal/vertical metal band saws. Most of these came over the years from yard sales, chance discoveries, or the local dump. Of course, I have the usual assortment of hand and measuring tools, again gleaned from various sources.

Though I don't think that I can contribute much of value to this forum, I do hope to learn machining methods and learn of others' projects and experiences.

Thank you for allowing me to participate.
 
Welcome from Vancouver! All contributions are encouraged, even if you don't think they're worthy, we all have experiences and knowledge we can share.
 
@Ishmael Good to see that you have finally 'come in from the cold' as it were. We like pics around here so feel free.

The Burke #4 has a skinny table with a single T-slot, doesn't it? How do you like it?

Craig
 
Welcome from Lillooet BC. It sounds to me like you have plenty to contribute to the banter around here. We all enjoy pictures and it's great to follow along on many of the projects that the various members have on the go.
 
Though I don't think that I can contribute much of value to this forum, I do hope to learn machining methods and learn of others' projects and experiences.

I've already said my welcomes, but welcome again anyway!

But I think you are wrong about your ability to contribute. Knowledge and opinions are welcome here too. Then there is the topic creep. You never know where a simple discussion about colour or temperature or timing will lead.
 
Wow! Many thanks to all of you for the warm welcome. I'll try to deserve your praise.

trlvn has asked how I like the single table slot of my Burke #4 milling machine. The answer is "no problem". I have made an aluminum plate that allows me to secure all kinds of stuff to it for machining.
I'm working on refurbishing a 3.5" Baldwin-style locomotive that's well over 100 years old, and it came to me missing the driver connecting rods, so the attached photos show how I was able to make new ones.

I hope the pictures make this clear. I lose very little headroom this way, but can still machine a lot of things.
 

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I'm working on refurbishing a 3.5" Baldwin-style locomotive that's well over 100 years old
Very cool! How did you come into possession of that old beauty? Is there a local live steam club where you are? Are you planning to re-certify the boiler? Is there a track to run it on?

Craig
 
Wow! Many thanks to all of you for the warm welcome. I'll try to deserve your praise.

trlvn has asked how I like the single table slot of my Burke #4 milling machine. The answer is "no problem". I have made an aluminum plate that allows me to secure all kinds of stuff to it for machining.
I'm working on refurbishing a 3.5" Baldwin-style locomotive that's well over 100 years old, and it came to me missing the driver connecting rods, so the attached photos show how I was able to make new ones.

I hope the pictures make this clear. I lose very little headroom this way, but can still machine a lot of things.
Yeah! That is what we are talking about! Nicely done.
 
I am a self-taught bungler from the Belleville, Ontario area with no technical background whatsoever; I do, though, enjoy trying to make little steam models using plans from magazines and other sources. Some work, some don't....

I also like finding "project" or incomplete models and wreaking havoc on them.

Welcome, steam engines rule!

Things in my little shop include a Logan Model 200 lathe, a Craftex B2071 lathe/mill, a Burke #4 horizontal milling machine, a Sherline lathe, a Sherline milling machine, a cheap drill press, a Cameron precision drill press, a 1" belt/disc sander, a 14" wood/metal bandsaw

You and I are the only two people I know with Cameron Precision drill presses. Lucky us, we should start a special club that makes things with very small holes. Does yours have an Albrecht chuck too?

Though I don't think that I can contribute much of value to this forum, I do hope to learn machining methods and learn of others' projects and experiences.

Thank you for allowing me to participate.
You'll fit right in.
 
Very cool! How did you come into possession of that old beauty? Is there a local live steam club where you are? Are you planning to re-certify the boiler? Is there a track to run it on?

Craig
It was in a picnic cooler in the basement of a place where I had gone for a different reason. Unfortunately, someone had decided to start refurbishing it before me and had lost a lot of parts, including those connecting rods, the entire smoke box door assembly, and a lot more. I have a picture of it before it was disassembled, so it's my restoration guide.

I'll never be able to steam it, as the boiler is riveted and caulked with soft solder, and no one at my local track (near Kingston) would let me run it even if I wanted to. But it will make a fine display of an 1890s-style model (I have been told it's that old), and it will run on a bit of air. Here it is when I first found it; note the plywood connecting rods:

 

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You and I are the only two people I know with Cameron Precision drill presses. Lucky us, we should start a special club that makes things with very small holes. Does yours have an Albrecht chuck too?
Yes, it does.

Here's what it looked like at the garage sale where I found it.

I have since added the clear plastic pulley guard, as all those RPMs scare me....
 

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