Author Topic: Just Joined...  (Read 4269 times)

Offline bouch

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Just Joined...
« on: January 15, 2015, 03:55:02 PM »
Hi folks,

Just joined the forum, so I should introduce myself...

Name is Mike Boucher, live in north-central Mass.  I'm primarily a "Steam guy".  I've been going to the Waushakum Live steamers in Holliston, MA, for over 40 years.  I own a 3.5" gauge pacific (which needs a new throttle right now) and I started another 3.5" gauge engine years ago.  I discovered that I wasn't a good enough machinist to build the loco, so I started building stationary engines as practice.  Since then I've built many stationary engines, the biggest being a Stuart Turner #1.  I've also built quite a few of Elmer Verburg's engines.  I've acquired quite a backlog of castings to build, so I have plenty of projects "in the queue"

I'm also a member of the New England Model Engineering Society (NEMES) and regularly attend their show with my engines.  Being involved with them, I've become interested in building a gas engine at some point.  I have the castings for Bob Shores "Hercules" and plans for Hoglet and a 5 cyl radial, and I'm also interested in building a "Seal" at some point.

My shop consists of a 10" South Bend, a 7x12 benchtop lathe, a drill press, and a 7" AAMCO shaper.  In another location I have a bridgeport which needs a strip down, "rebuild" and wiring.  Right now I'm renting a house that has no place for the mill, so it'll have to remain as a "future project".  I do have access to my father's shop, and he has several milling machines I can use when necessary.

Right now, for health reasons, I'm not allowed in the shop, but once I can (this spring hopefully) I'll get back to working on some of the projects in mid-stream.  Two things I've started are a P.M. research #5 "coke bottle" engine and a 3.5" stroke x 1.5" bore stationary engine.  Once I get those finished I need to fix my pacific and then start working on the other locomotive again.

Mike

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #1 on: January 15, 2015, 03:58:40 PM »
Welcome to MEM Mike and thanks for posting the intro. Sounds like you will fit right in here !!  I hope the health issues are soon behind you so that you can return to the shop also.

Bill

Offline mhirst121

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #2 on: January 15, 2015, 04:56:07 PM »
Welcome to the forum Mike, I'm sure you will enjoy your visits.
Carlisle, Cumbria, UK
A creative mess is better than idle tidyness !!

Offline vcutajar

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #3 on: January 15, 2015, 05:03:12 PM »
Hi Mike and welcome to the group.  Did you manage to find the Corliss plans?

Vince

Offline Don1966

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #4 on: January 15, 2015, 05:10:32 PM »
Hi Mike and welcome!

Don

Offline Roger B

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #5 on: January 15, 2015, 05:34:03 PM »
Welcome to the forum  :ThumbsUp:  :ThumbsUp: I hope you can get back in the shop soon.
Best regards

Roger

Online Kim

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #6 on: January 15, 2015, 06:18:34 PM »
Hi Mike, Welcome to MEM!
Kim

Offline bouch

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #7 on: January 16, 2015, 03:01:38 PM »
Hi Mike and welcome to the group.  Did you manage to find the Corliss plans?

Vince

Yup.  Someone sent me the link to where I could download the pdfs.  Looks like an interesting project to put in the "round tuit" file.

Offline cobweb81

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2015, 04:56:27 PM »
Welcome Mike!

Offline fumopuc

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2015, 06:54:01 PM »
Hi Mike, welcome to the group.
Kind Regards
Achim

Offline RonGinger

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2019, 02:04:58 PM »
I am very sorry to report that Mike Boucher lost his fight with leukemia last week. This has been about a 6 year ordeal.

Mike was involved in the early days of the New England Model Engineering Society where he took care of all the paper work so we were legally organized. He continued to be very active, at least as far as his medical condition allowed. He was at the last show in February, but told me there he was headed to a new round of treatment the next day.

We will miss Mike at the club and his posts here.

Offline mike mott

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #11 on: October 09, 2019, 02:15:03 PM »
My condolences Ron.

Mike
If you can imagine it you can build it

Offline Jo

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #12 on: October 09, 2019, 02:46:14 PM »
 :( I know Mike has been following along on many of our builds: we will miss him.

I had a look through his Utube videos and was rather taken with the first one he posted:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7q_WSMPkVY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7q_WSMPkVY</a>

His son must be about 15 now: What an age to loose your Dad  :'(

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline RonGinger

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #13 on: October 09, 2019, 04:31:01 PM »
Yes, his son is now about 15,  and I think a daughter about 10.

I have seen photos of Mike similarly riding a live steam train with his Father, Dick at about the same age. Mike and his father have been connected with a lot of live steam activity around New England.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Just Joined...
« Reply #14 on: October 09, 2019, 06:03:04 PM »
Sorry to hear of Mike's passing Ron, especially with such a young family. I am sure he will be missed .

Bill

 

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