THE WORKSHOP

My Summer restoration projects.

I had spoken briefly with Miss C. about my new aquisition. I have always wanted to build a steam engine. A real one. One that could do real work. Problem was, I don't own a lathe nor a mill, and while I know it is theoretically possible to build said without either, I don't have the patience. The

A few words about your home shop compressed air system. Your compressed air system is the most expensive utility in your shop. If setting up a new place or upgrading your system, here are some things learned after correcting deficient systems. The compressor is where it all starts. For intermitte

Hi All, my first post. A bit of background; I did an apprenticeship as a toolmaker in the 1970s. I then moved on to a bank and didn't get my hands dirty again for 25 years. A few years ago a backache turned out to be kidney cancer, and I spent months having some of my innards removed, and lying in a

Just acquired a simple air compressor. I'm now trying to figure out which fittings I should get. Are 1/8" npt fittings and 6 mm tube the usual size for connecting steam engines to an air source? Found some nice quick connectors on Aliexpress. Now I hope I can use them.

Thoughts on work holding. Everything starts with a foundation. The better the base, the better everything on top of it will be. This applies not only to our house and life in general, but directly to our shop work in every respect. Workbenches; Need to be of solid construction, flat, rigid, and