Hello form California

[jd736]

Hi am JD from California. I have a 12 x 35 Grizzley lathe and PM-728. I've been interested in in engines of all kinds all my life. In my youth I was a machinist at an ag company but have been behind the desk for some time now. Am current starting my first steam engine an PM Model 1 in my limited spare time. I am hoping to retire in a couple years.  I plan on developing my skills on casting kits then move to bar stock and finally into casting. As I mentioned before I enjoy all kinds of engines so I thought I would start my journey with steam and work to IC engines. Also interested in building a traction engine one day. With that all said am currently gathering up kits and tools to accomplish these goals. My first question would be what raw materials, sizes and shapes should I gather up before I retire? Thanks in advance.

[CI]

Welcome JD, glad to have you.
I am approaching retirement, but not there yet.
I started trying to build barstock engines, and discovered it could be difficult going with my Grizzly lathe and mill, since it requires a lot of rough hogging out of the metal pieces.
I branched into pattern making and castings, and I find that to be a better way for me to make engines.

I started collecting 356 aluminum ingots, and then got into iron work, and so collected about 1,000 lbs of electrical motor end bells, which are made from some very good iron.
I make my own castings in gray iron these days, and some aluminum permanent pattern work.

There are many paths you can take to get into the hobby.
Lots of nice folks here to share your work with.

Good luck, keep us informed of your progress.

Pat J
.

[Dave Otto]

Welcome to MEM!

My recommendation for material would be to have a good range of free machining steel, aluminum, and brass. I like to keep these materials in stock up to 1" in diameter. Most other metals are purchased as needed.
I have been at his for awhile now, about 38 years so my stock has built up pretty good over time.

Dave

[Sanjay F]

Welcome JD from Essex UK - enjoy the forum.

I'm in a similar situation, working but looking at the retirement horizon 
I have put away a few casting sets both steam and IC and restoration projects all in anticipation of the future.....

We would love to see photos of your projects

[crueby]

My favorites for machining are 303 stainless steel, 360 brass, and bearing bronze (goes by several different numbers depending where you are). Sizes? There are LOTS! I try and stock up on the typical sizes, 1/16, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2, etc of round bar, the flat stock depends a lot on what you are building at the moment. Don't forget fasteners - I go through 2-56, 4-40, 5-40 screws by the box full, I prefer the hex-headed ones but they are getting harder to find in some sizes, the socket head cap screws work great but don't look quite as good.

[Dave Otto]

I do also keep 303 SS and bearing bronze in stock but forgot to mention them. I keep both 12L14 and 1144 Stress Proof in stock. I have grown to prefer the 1144 over the the 12L14, it breaks chips much better in the lathe. The 1144 is not available in diameters under 1/4" where the 12L14 and 303 both are. There is also a decent assortment of drill rod on the shelf too.

Dave

[Kim]

Hi JD,
I'm from up north of you, in Oregon.  I just recently retired, and I can tell you, it is a wonderful thing!

I tend to do mostly bar stock projects.  And rather than buying a bunch of material I think I might need someday, I tend to just buy extra of whatever I need for the current project. So when I'm buying material for a project purchase it in the most economical length (that doesn't cost a fortune to ship). That tends to be in the 3-4' range.  That usually meets the needs for the current project, then gives me extra to put in my stock to save for future projects.  At least, that's what I do for the small sized rod and bar stock (like, under 1").  For larger stuff, I buy closer to what I need, usually because it becomes a lot more expensive fast as you move to larger sizes - plus, the larger dimensions get heavy fast too!

I always find that no matter what project I'm working on, I always end up using material for things I didn't anticipate when I started, like for jigs or new little tools I need to make to do some operation.  So having some extra rod and bar stock on hand is always a good thing!

I don't have nearly the collection of stock that Dave or Chris do, but I'm working on it!  I'm sure my kids will have a grand time cleaning out my shop when it comes time to deal with my estate! 

Kim

[jd736]

Thanks for the tips. I have a lot of experience with 304ss and some with 316. I've never machined 303. In steel my experience was C1018 and A36. Hope the picture below comes out me and computer have a love hate relationship.



https://photobucket.com/bucket/d7801962-c79a-4060-a17c-36ecd1428a6e/media/101b3ab0-e3f2-4b38-9b0a-93314d02427c

[crueby]

The picture link just takes me to a login screen...   




If you give 303 a try, you will definitely  notice the difference to 304.  Also,  303 won't  work harden like 304, so its more forgiving in that respect. As mentioned,  its not available  in all shapes and sizes though.

[Kim]

303 is much friendlier than 304!  I like to work with 303.  304, not so much - it's tough stuff to work with.

Kim

[Roger B]

Welcome to the Forum   

[jd736]

I hope this pic works. As I have said I have limited time to work on it but this as far as I've gotten to date

[crueby]

That pic came through fine!