Littlelocos Model Engineering

Let's finish the pulleys.

Cutting between the pulley's mounting feet can be a bit nerve wracking. First, I offset by 1/2 the diameter of the 1/4" cutter plus one half of the width of the foot, shapping the side of the foot for each of the three feet. Then offsetting to the other side, repeated the same operation. From there, the 3/8" radius arc between the feet is cut by rotating the rotary table. This is a slow, but effective process.

Continuing with the pulleys, I purchased a blank MT #2 arbor and turned it to the ID of the pulleys, and then drilling and tapping for a 10-32 retaining screw. I then turned washers to the OD of the base circle of the mounting fl**ge (0.750") and the ID of the base (0.531"). Now to finish machining the pulleys.

Machining my own castings is a rewarding task. At this point, we've gone from part and pattern design, 3D modeling, 3D printing, constructing and finishing the matchplates, sand moulding, and then pouring ~2000F bronze to cast the part. I'm producing two sets of matchplates for the New Holland model. The prototype plates work with 8"x 12" flasks for my own use. The second, production set are mostly 12" x 18" to be cast at the foundry.

Short post tonight. 8 freshly finished flywheels. Now for the pulleys.

Finishing up 8 flywheels for this batch by drilling and tapping tiny holes, and milling with a 1/16" diameter end to reshape the governor weight clearance areas.

Given that the cam for the NH is TINY, I decided to have them laser cut by OSH Cut saving me (and other builders) a bunch of time. Given the 1/8" thickness and the 1/16" locating hole, it's a tough job and a big ask. OSH Cut came through with flying colors! The cam is part of the silver-soldered Cam Gear Assembly. For scale, the 48-tooth, 48-pitch gear is just over an inch in diameter.

While we've got the keyway broaches out, let's go ahead and machine the small timing gears. These stock gears had set screws like the flywheels, but will now be about half as wide and driven with a 1/16"-wide key. The set screws are not needed as these are captured between the flywheel and the main bearing.

I mentioned in the previous post that the New Holland governor is pretty complicated. Here's a screen shot of the general assembly and exploded views. The call outs are not completely filled in as the part and fastener numbers may change.

The prototype flywheels used three 2-56 set screws to secure them to the crankshaft. I've changed that to a 1/16" square key and 1 set screw so that everything stays in line and in time. Given the tiny keyways, the broach can easily be pushed using the lathe's tailstock ram.

We have one, mostly complete engine and numerous castings in several different versions and in varying states of being machined. Let's start with the flywheels... The rims on these need to be dressed out so each wheel is set up in the 4-jaw to narrow the rim slightly and provide neat surfaces for polishing and for painting.

After a long hiatus from the shop, I'm finally making some forward progress on the New Holland engines. I'll be building four prototypes from leftover parts and partially machined castings. This will take care of an obligation we have in purchasing the project and will leave LLME with one complete, running engine for display. Come along for this adventure. I'll be posting progress regularly through this effort. Enjoy!!

Impressive!! 😍🥸

There was a heat advisory in Huntingdon County today.

#16

I found this video of a very nice build of our Pip Radial Engine by Cor Rademeyer. Nice job!

3 Cylinder Radial Engine By Cor Rademeyer 3 Cylinder Radial Model Engine

Here's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to buy the contents of a turn-of-the-century powerhouse, complete with several steam engines, generators, equipment, etc. But.....please be aware that the rigging company you hire will likely require it be abated of all asbestos before starting to remove 20+tons of awesome equipment. It appears to have settled like snow throughout many of the photos. (p.s. I'd love to purchase it and move it across country tho. :-) )

Murphy Calendar Company Powerhouse Contents & Engine This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own a piece of history! This Powerhouse was built by the Murphy Calendar Factory to power in 1920. It was used all the way into the 1940s until it was shut down and locked up. The 120hp Corliss engine, 2 additional steam engines, and contents remain untouc...

Joy and I have had to stay close through February with her having foot surgery early in the month and complications a few weeks later. As such, I've spent a lot of time on the New Holland drawings, mostly detailing and dimensioning. The design is really starting to come together. Here are a few screen shots of progress.

After a long, rough February, I was able to spend most of this morning cleaning up an auction purchase for resale. Dissassemble, clean, polish, reassemble, relax, unwind.
This is the base of a Dumore sensitive drill press I purchased for the head. I have a second base that has X-Y cross slides, but no head. That will be another little side project. More to follow as I take care of some small projects in preparation for diving head-first into machining the New Holland prototypes. Stay tuned......

Now this is a different-looking steam engine.

Hard to believe this shot from 21 years ago at the Cabin Fever Auctions & Expo, then held in the Old Main building at York Fairgrounds. We just finished the 2024 show and have reserved our booth for '25.

Todd and Joy at Cabin Fever 2003, York, PA