Belated Introduction

[ART]

Hello, My name is Earl Abbott, and I live just outside Dover, Delaware, USA. I am 62 years old, and received my BS in Art Education with an emphasis in three dimensional design in 1978. Rather than teach, my first "real" employment was as a modelmaker/machinist in the small R and D department of a local company which designed and manufactured space suits among other items. We had several full size machine tools, but no DRO's or Cad capabilities just good mics and a lot of patience. I left that company in 1986, and went into business for myself. In 1991 I attended a local steam and gas engine show and met Hamilton Upshur, and spent most of the day talking with him about his model gas engines and how he made them. Soon after I purchased a Sherline Lathe and Mill, and begun to build both steam and gas model engines. I soon realized that I needed  bigger machines to do larger engines and purchased a Grizzly Combo Lathe/Mill. I am still using my good 36 year old mics. From my Art Ed training I also fabricated a small casting foundry, and enjoy making my own small patterns and casting parts in both aluminum and bronze to use in my engines. A few of my engines can be seen on youtube, just plug in Earl Abbott. I have several additional ones, and hope to add them soon.

[crueby]

Sounds like a great combination of skills and toys (tools!). Looking forward to seeing your next project!

[Kim]

Hi Earl,
Welcome to the forum!
Kim

[Don1966]

Hi Earl and welcome to the forum!


 

Don

[10KPete]

Come on in, Earl, and welcome! It's a great place with great folks.

Pete

[zeeprogrammer]

Welcome to the forum Earl.

I look forward to seeing your projects.

[b.lindsey]

Glad to have you Earl. Do you still have your Sherlines?

Bill

[vcutajar]

Hi Earl and welcome to the group.

Vince

[fumopuc]

Hi Earl, welcome to MEM and yes some pictures please also from your foundry if possible.

[rudydubya]

Glad to meet you Earl.  Nice work on the Upshurs and other models you posted on Youtube.  Looking forward to more photos and videos.

Regards,
Rudy

[sshire]

Welcome Earl
There is a small group from the forum in Southeastern PA. We get together for breakfast about twice a year for breakfast at the West Chester Diner. It seems that one is due over the summer. I'll keep you posted.

[philjoe5]

Hi Earl,
Glad to see you here.  I like your A-1 beam engine and those Upshurs.  I hope you show your other models here, they're impressive.

Cheers,
Phil

[Roger B]

Welcome to the Forum   

[scc]

Welcome along Earl,              I look forward to your posts and pics.       Regards              Terry

[Dave Otto]

Hi Earl

Welcome to MEM!

Dave

[ART]

Thank you for your welcome.
       Bill, Yes I still have, and use often the Sherline Lathe and Mill. I purchased the riser blocks for the lathe headstock and tailstock, and have made several custom toolposts at the correct height from 1.5 x 1.5 alum barstock. I , also made a rear sided parting tool holder from this barstock which works much better than the original front mounted one. I , also made a Z axis riser block for the mill which raises the Z column just above the vise on the cross slide. This clearance gives me a little more room to work.  These modifacations are more or less permanent. Last year I made an ER32 collet adaptor to use on the Sherline spindal nose which uses Shars collets. I found this made setups repeteable , and a lot easier,  especially when using the 4 jaw chuck for smaller pieces. The grip with the collets is better to use to thread stock with a tailstock die holder. The 3 and 4 jaw chucks would let the stock slip which was very annoying.
                                                                                                                             Earl