Making Piston Rings. (See "Piston Rings 2" for the results of this experiment)

Instagram: mr_crispin
In this video I discuss and demonstrate various methods related to the manufacture of simple Cast Iron piston rings. The piston rings shown are for my 5" Springbok which is a scaled down live steam locomotive.

[@samshublom8761]

The trumpet chamfering technique was particularly clever.

[@TheOwlman]

I was thinking initially that you would be using a boring bar to perform the part but I really was pleased to see trepanning, an underrated technique these days. I should have guessed that a thrifty Northerner would not turn a very handy remaining piece of stock into a big pile of scrap in the chip tray!

[@pontoonrob7948]

I so enjoy both the machining and the quirky humor.

[@howardosborne8647]

A wonderfully well balanced mix of technical know how and sharp wit perfectly blended.

[@andymakes1499]

As a fellow Yorkshireman, I believe the main reason for this wonderful method is so you don't waste the core !

[@zaraak323i]

Trepanning and you still have most of the iron left. Brilliant!

[@howardosborne8647]

The less wastage the better. That'll be music to a frugal Northerner's ears.

[@oldbloke135]

@@howardosborne8647 This is why northerners invented multi-cylinder engines. The piston rings get smaller each time so you need more cylinders for the same power.

[@andrewstambaugh8030]

I thought the same thing. Great for a homeshop limited budget and everything he did could be done on a low power machine.

[@cobre7717]

Something deep down gave me the feeling that you would be returning to check out your new springy rings in your finest sleeping attire.

[@mr.b2232]

Sterling work as usual ! When you said you would come back to have a look before bedtime, I found myself saying "please be wearing PJ's and a dressing gown"....... I wasn't disappointed. The nightcap was a bonus. Cheers.

[@alanreynolds5985]

Great video. No blaring music, no waffling, and.......I learned quite a lot! Thank You. I never knew a Myford like mine could do such precision work.

[@madeljacky]

As an engineer myself I can say thats a brilliant tutorial on how you made piston rings, never had to make piston rings myself yet but after seeing this I now have a better chance of making them if I ever need to make some.

[@TonyWeirPD]

It's wonderful seeing tutorials here made in 1953.

[@bcbloc02]

I thought you were going to bore them off. A+ for trepanning them off to save material

[@stumccabe]

Nicely thought out process! I can't think of a better approach. I particularly like your ring splitting device and the "safety nightcap"! Thanks for the video.

[@rayhathaway7831]

Great video Mr C, 48 years as a machinist and I am still learning new tricks 😎

[@joseywales3789]

@Ray Hathaway, here's to another 48 years of you slinging chips! There's nothing like manual machining, many moons ago I had the pleasure of visiting the JCB factory and watching the 5,000 tonne press chop through 1.5" steel for the chassis. The ground shook when the press came down and the press was embedded 30' into the factory floor but the thing that really got my juices flowing was the friction welding of the hydraulic rams. Rotating the cap against the tube under extreme pressure, very impressive.

[@bostedtap8399]

@@joseywales3789 JCB, have five friction welding machines, four of which are Thompson brand, the company is still in business, and doing very well. Regards John.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

My CNC turning instructor at the RR Apprentice school had done a stint at JCB friction welding shafts. He used to comment it was the kind of job to avoid as it was extremely boring! 2 minute cycle time and allot of loading components.

[@bostedtap8399]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises Basic operator fare, though JCB is a very unique company to work for, very unique!. The control desk with a VDU, was always damaged from angle grinder sparks on dressing incomplete turning of the weld flash!. Their solution was to add a 10 mm polycarbonate protector. I used to install, commission and service the Thompson machines, and even though the friction welders were down, causing production stoppages, it was a pain in the bum to get inside?. Though, it amazes me how they build such an excellent product. Better not say anymore.

[@geoffgreenhalgh3553]

Only 48? I beat you by 1 year!!

[@johnmcdyer7297]

Extremely informative and very entertaining just loved that film thanks for posting mr crispin

[@dicksargent3582]

Absolutely great video!! I really like the trumpet chamfering tool, it's such an elegant solution.

[@mopedmarathon]

Another interesting and entertaining video sir! The thought process was excellent yet again and the parts produced look fantastic. The night cap had me in stitches. I had to watch that section again to hear what you were saying. Keep on keeping on.

[@klaasbloem]

Hi MrCrispin, your knowledge is beyond doubt but your humor makes it even more enjoyable to watch. Thanks again!

[@jeff1176]

I've never seen rings made in that fashion. Very interesting and nicely done.

[@handsofrhythm3415]

Am I a homeshop machinist? -Yes. Did I learn some very effective techniques to add to my quiver? -Yes. Am I ever going to build a steam loco? -No............... (not in the next 20 yrs) Am I very grateful for another excellent Crispy vid? (and I do mean Crispy) -Yes Did I giggle my arse off from the trademark dry humour? - Undoubtedly :) Don't stop MrC, you keep me going, outside of the workshop.xx Thank you.

[@toolbox-gua]

Heat treatment with a flame over a wooden bench! This is my kind of New Year’s gift. Love it. Looking forward to every step of the locomotive build.

[@youpattube1]

I am glad you are back making videos. They are better than ever.

[@sanctuaryjunction8413]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video and learnt a lot. I just knew you would have a matching night cap, its the attention to detail that makes these videos worth watching.

[@johnjohannemann1220]

Growing up and an automotive machine shop I absolutely loved this video and look forward to many more, thank you.

[@stuartsurkitt2585]

mr Crispin, you have talent beyond your years. just brilliant.

[@pravado81]

Excellent video, I don't need piston rings at the moment but I am going to try each of those machining techniques. I learned alot. Thank you Mr.Crispin for your time

[@leerogers6423]

Ticked several box's on my learning curve . Thanks , great video.

[@boots7859]

Not a machinist but watch quite a few, and this is a seriously under-rated channel. No click-baiting, dramatic intro sequence, begging for sub/'Hit the Like Button; etc, etc. Humor is unique yet not indicative of a repressed comedien yearning to break into the big time, and simply quality informative work thats explained properly without being too dumbed down nor journeyman jargon. Subbed of course.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks for your generous feedback. I'll keep trying!

[@michaelcarroll6400]

Great video, especially the colour coordinated jammies and night cap

[@alexiselsass1143]

I got to say, I discovered your channel with this video, impressed by the ingenuity and techniques used in the making of the rings !

[@copasetic216]

I learned so much from this video. Thank you

[@jameshodgson1609]

Love the Mr Scrouge bed cap goes well with the miserly technique to minimise expensive cast iron !

[@samcoote9653]

loved the splitting die, very cool! and so satisfying!

[@richardmeyer418]

Well done, Sir. Not only were the trepanning and trumpet chamfering excellent ideas, but you can now sell the rest of the stock to another Yorkshireman who wants to make piston rings for smaller pistons. Bravo. I jest, of course. Watching the way you work is an education. Don't know whether the humour or the machining is the best.

[@rickswazey9472]

Interesting techniques, Mr Crispin. I especially like your hat boomerang tossing method to get it to land on your drill press every time! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@chrisseats]

The humor, the machining...this has it all!

[@JannieH]

Built three locos in my days, one using the Springbok boiler. Also done cast iron rings, but your method of "cracking" the rings left me in awe..superb.

[@sharkrivermachine]

Very nicely done. I have installed thousands of piston rings in my career but have never made one. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulmeynell8866]

Really enjoyed that. Amazing how satisfying watching those rings break was.

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

I am thoroughly impressed! Brilliant solutions.

[@alasdairhamilton1574]

David Wilks will be proud of your trapaning, 8:50 was waiting for a snowball to hit the window 👍👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@slawnski]

Great video Mr Crispin! Lovely work.

[@steved8038]

Absolutely Brilliant , thank you and I appreciate your sense of humour !

[@kcraig51]

Been machining 33 yrs. Never would've thought of trepanning those rings off to save all that stock. Excellent!

[@peterridgway7355]

Clever way of keeping most of the material for another job! 😉

[@ActinOut]

Love how you did this. Saved a ton of material from hollowing out the middle so you've still got bar stock from the core for another project. 👍

[@ettoredicarlo1679]

Great technique mr Crispin. Thanks a lots

[@bruceferrero8178]

Very nice. And a big chunk of iron left over!

[@robertlewis4666]

Nice watching a master craftsman!

[@MatthewTinker-au-pont-blanc]

I enjoyed your economic approach to making the rings!!

[@michaelrandle4128]

Thanks for sharing your skills Mr Crispin, that's one of the smartest set up I've seen on u tube, and minimal waste to your expensive piece of cast,

[@mikhailshneyder9131]

I am 67 years old and I learned something new today. I like your attention to detail and the way you describe the process. Nothing is getting omitted. Somebody can actually follow your process step by step. When I compare your instructions to HP network printer setup guide, you win without any questions.

[@bengunn3698]

Thank you for showing that Mr Crispin.

[@chrisjohnson4165]

Excellent video, thanks. I was a mechanic for many years, and always liked the precision of piston rings.

[@chrisjh777]

Very well thought out, planned and executed.

[@TheKnacklersWorkshop]

Hello Mr. C, A clever order of operation and a pleasing outcome... Take care. Paul,,

[@retromechanicalengineer]

A beautiful piece of work, the methods you used were very well thought out. I learn new techniques every time I watch your videos. . Thanks for taking the time to share your skills and ideas. Best wishes, Dean in Oxfordshire.

[@terryhowlett1434]

I discovered this channel via a pro board Model Engineering forum. What a find! Clear and concise explanations of how to do stuff, combined with an excellent balance of wit and humour. I am a 66 year old newbie, and I am learning so much from you young sir! Thank you.

[@AJR2208]

Very well done Mr. Crispin in every sense. I think you have a very bright future ahead of you. Stay safe and well :)

[@mattharrington4887]

As always, a light hearted video with some very useful detail.

[@wmc7870]

Turns out that yorkshire men are not just careful with their 'brass', a very enjoyable saving of cast iron too ;-)

[@millomweb]

Wonder if he sold it back to the supplier ?

[@stanfischer6175]

I saw a trepan job at a shop once where they were preparing material that would make two parts, the inside slug would make the smaller dia. part.

[@jbaker8871]

Brilliant mate. One of the best machine videos on you tube. Really enjoy the commentary and descriptions for accuracy. Super impressed.!!

[@johncarey9400]

Thanks Mr Crispin! Cheers from Toronto!

[@elburropeligroso4689]

I like your different approaches to various problems. Very informative. This channel makes me think of Keith Appleton and his channel regarding steam engines and shop practice.

[@brucewilliams6292]

I am very impressed with the setup. I hate seeing stock wasted and you did a superb job of avoiding that. Thank you for the excellent video. Stay warm.

[@warrenjones744]

LOL, up to an hours work for a normal machinists and turn it into a 5 day ordeal... I love it! well done Mr. C 🍻

[@richardjones2151]

beautiful fracturing...loved this thanks buddy

[@Engineerd3d]

Piston to you too! Wonderful work. Enjoying this channel immensely.

[@randysiemens5491]

I truly enjoyed this for both its informative value and entertainment. Thank you.

[@bclare2544]

Very informative Crispin.

[@twotone3070]

This is why I watch YT. I'm not going to make a steam engine or a single piston ring, I don't even possess a decent set of drill bits, but this is absolute gold, thank you for the effort you put in.

[@100yojimbo]

Excellent set up saved a lot of wastage of stock doing it that way. Was on the edge of my seat when you split the rings. Enjoyed this so much 👍👍👍👍

[@Bartyron]

that's a satisfying snap when splitting. I tremendously enjoy your videos.

[@millomweb]

What's known as breaking things carefully.

[@mikemichelizzi2023]

The hat bit never gets old! Clever work on these piston rings - I've come away with at least three things I might be able to put to good use one day. Thanks!

[@cecilcolclough9788]

that was brill. Love the detail. Keep up the good work.

[@richb419]

HI Mr Crispin, very elegant way to make the rings and the bonus of saving the material! Rich

[@monsterg4603]

Very informative, and a pleasure to watch. Keep em coming

[@user-de8bu5es6f]

I watch Joe Pie & Stefan Gottswinter & This old Tony with considerable Respect, but this video just glazed the cherry that's on top.

[@timmallard5360]

Great video showing your work flow!

[@TERRYB0688]

Well, there's one thing for sure you are a very talented young man, enjoyed watching this and learnt a lot, cheers 👍

[@toddsheffield4271]

Crispin, you amaze me every time. Well done my friend..good stock left over..smart..very smart.

[@svnautidreams]

Excelllent video! Extremely well thought out, explained and demonstrated.

[@jerryleejohnsonjr1377]

I just love this channel! Great work and thanks for sharing

[@danmartinrc]

I just found your channel and I think you make some great content. The tool grinding advice is very helpful. Thanks for sharing

[@jpfolly2739]

... Mr Crispin, I have very much enjoyed watching your videos. I believe I have watched them all, alas.. Such accuracy ! ... such precision ! I admire the geometry and the logic of the procedure. Also, the pieces you produce are quite beautiful. Thank you.

[@richardmills5450]

Massive attention to detail.. Fabulous

[@rogerdeane3608]

A true perfectionist with no BRAGGING.

[@oppanheimer]

Bravo mate, I learned and enjoyed. Thank you for sharing your great skills and knowledge.

[@Rustinox]

Trepanning is a good idea. Saves you lots of material.

[@opticalmechanic]

Absolutely magical. It would be cool to see a slo-mo of that crack propagation. Great video Mr Crispin.

[@dreamsteam8272]

Nice Technics!

[@Mister_G]

Very nice work, and very entertaining - Thank you!

[@velwheel3135]

You are a serious machinist. Good job.

[@FirstnameLastname-uh4rk]

I’ve been in engineering and machining of one type or another all of my working life. I’ ve seen this, done that, and got the T shirt, but I learn something new in every video from this guy! Thank you for taking the time and effort to produce these educational lessons.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks for your comment!

[@stevetheengineer]

Brilliant, superb mix of how to and humour

[@theonlybuzz1969]

Another winning video from Mr Crispin, some more very clever thinking (and machining) in making your piston rings. I do enjoy watching your videos on making your small gauge locomotive engine, it’s fascinating to watch how you meet and overcome the particular problem in hand. I like (as do many other people) wait for your next video and seeing the coming piece in your workshop . I wish you the very best wishes for 2021. Phil

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks

[@mog5858]

sometimes it's not the destination but the journey along the way. thanks for bringing us along with you keep up the good work.

[@Adams-mj3qz]

I enjoyed this greatly. Thank you for sharing.

[@andrewgreen619]

john mills aka 'douleboost' has his cammera mounted from the celling above the lathe on an flexible arm so that he does not have to work around the tripod. It allows him to put the cammera anywhere he wants. Love the videos and the dry humour!

[@daveharriman2756]

Very impressive, well done!

[@tompas11A3n52KkX]

Lovely video and very well explained. Very smart method of splitting the rings. Thanks. Subbed.