Old Steam Powered Machine Shop 54 Under Way Again

[@vicdreyer6413]

You have a great deal of beautiful pieces of machinery in your shop, but the jewel in the crown in my view is that drill press. It’s a symphony of orchestrated beauty in which, somehow, form follows function anyway.

[@maineiacnorth1243]

This. This is what I wait for........Old Steam Powered Machine Shop!!!

[@wyrtwister4260]

I always enjoy tour projects and videos . Good to see you back . Thank you ! :-) Wyr God bless

[@jrb_sland5066]

Hi Dave! Your videos get better every year - many thanks! Watching you restore the boiler to operating condition after winterizing gave me a huge feeling of appreciation for all the work done by our predecessors figuring out how to make these steam systems work for us. I also got a fresh surge of gratitude for the work of Nicola Tesla [ genius inventor] and George Westinghouse [genius industrialist] creating three-phase electrical power systems with Tesla's induction motor. One big steam engine spins one big alternator to power thousands of small motors at the ends of miles of transmission lines, all at the flip of a switch. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

[@davidrichards5594]

Nicola had it figured out alright. A Genius....Dave

[@Wa3ypx]

Did anybody else notice the large orb that floated from the left rear of the shop at 2:55??? WoW Dave you have unseen helpers in your shop!

[@captainhgreen]

Great to have you back in the old steam shop. Awesome video!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@FrenchieFrench1555]

Welcome home Dave!

[@MrGeroth]

First thing I do when you post a new video is click the like button. You’ve never failed in posting an excellent video. Thanks

[@manusholm3536]

that steam engine is so polite compared to modern engines. i love it, and all your old machines. very nice

[@wayneacaron8744]

glad to see your plant back on line.

[@matttradie1341]

That picture at the end of the gigantic planer, my grandfather operated one of those in the railways. He actually rode it. Thanks for sparking that memory.

[@johnfplant]

Congratulation on buying the planer, that's the most exciting piece of news from any of the KZbin channels I subscribe to. Very much looking forward to seeing tin action. As a child (and since I am closer to your age...that's forever ago) my father had planer at the steel fabrication company he owned. I remember the bed as being 30 steps long and 4 steeps across, funny how that sticks in my mind after so long ( and yes I did walk on the bed). They used it to true up the bearing surfaces of bridge girders. Building railway bridges was their main business. In my 20's the table of the planer was still at the factory and had been set up as a large flatbed for measuring, the top section was gone by then. I am anticipating the videos of you setting it up, getting it up to scratch and then running it. Well done David!

[@davidrichards5594]

We moved it into the shop Monday, video will be up next week....Dave

[@larryshaw796]

The quickest fourty minutes on KZbin,thanks Dave ,atrue sign of spring!

[@silverbullet7434]

Welcome home Dave,, glad to see everyone and everything survived another winter. Glad I'm here too. Had another near death experience , lung collapsed from pain injections done wrong. Cost me two hospital stays and some lung function plus super bad pain I didn't need. Oh well it's life still that matters . Hear your going to see a planer , hope it works out are you going to move some machines to accommodate her. I was in the process of redoing my shop to get my new old planer and other machines set up. I'm now wheelchair Mobil when not in agony . Damn pain never lets up , the reason going for injections , nerve blocks , burned nerves epidural shots with no relief yet. Three years trying but not giving up . Need a real Jesus miracle . Again glad your home and working for us. Thanks from communist NJ

[@davidrichards5594]

Well, all you can do is keep on trying things my friend, you may get your miracle...dave

[@TheNemosdaddy]

You're an inspiration to those of us younger. I've got 20 years on the railroad and enjoy seeing how things would have been done years ago. Father was a machinist for a while during my childhood. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos, sharing history.

[@mcgama88]

I had been in my shop all day, with a brief afternoon concrete pour to a parking entry for my Honda CB900.*custom. Forty years old now, I saved it from the scrap heap, and am just finishing the new paint and testing the carbs across the industrial parking..tuned to the superbike form..you see....and checking up on the plywood and tin protection.. air box filters, hidden south of the intake air. The farings molding all done... but for a bracket or two. And hiding my fitters hand, complete to repair. But, relaxing in my shop, even with the retired diesel mech's tools handed down, I have been missing the sound of steam and pulleys. I am so pleased to see you and with steam up. I quite thank you for sharing that space, because my step grandson was hit by a car on his bike on his way to his work, and while he passed a doctors check up the driver sped away with no decent care or reporting to the injury's or damaged bike. Thus, my soul was vexed and I was truly needing that blending of how shop sounds can speak to me and are a place of useful peace. Your sturdy machines have a story. I am listening and thinking about what that means. M.

[@davidrichards5594]

Glad you are along Mark, Sorry about your son's hit and run experience, some people have no regard for anything....Dave

[@mcgama88]

I'm so relieved he was not badly hurt. I was upset. Thanks for the kind word and looking forward to the new machine to be placed.

[@jimwilloughby]

I love the sound of that clock, ticking away in the background. Hope you enjoyed your time away from the cold.

[@arthurhammeke8296]

I finally got one for my workshop after seeing his in previous episodes.

[@mauricelevy9027]

Good to You back "home" David .

[@robertmiller4545]

Hello again Dave. Nice to see you back again and to hear the belts slapping and the engine chonking away.Brings back Memories of over Seventy Years ago.That old Adjustable is worth its weight in gold. Looking forward to the next Vid Keep 'em coming andThanks for sharing...

[@Nf6xNet]

I enjoyed seeing what is involved in bringing the shop back online after winter. I didn’t realize how much you have to take apart and mothball, so this gave me a much better understanding of why you migrate south for the winter. I’m in Southern California, so I don’t have much of a clue about what it is like in colder regions. I’d also be interested in seeing your shutdown at the end of this shop season. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Mark, The trick to running in the deep winter would be keeping the feedwater system from freezing up outside. It would take a small steam line running with the water pipes and into the outside tanks as well as blowing out the water lines every night. Maybe keeping a "banked" fire in the firebox all night. It can be done.....Dave

[@cliffordfender1159]

Dave, I love the precision and sense of feel you exhibit when you tighten valves and things. It reminds me of watching my father work. Cheers, Cliff. P.S. I'm probably as old as you or older I think, so that gives you an understanding of the generation that I was trained.

[@davidrichards5594]

Old guys rule...Dave

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

Almost forgot, love the sound of the Clock in the shop.

[@jamesshanks2614]

Welcome back Dave! I'm retired and have steam locomotive experience both as a fireman and as an engineer. Last engine was AFT-1 ex Reading 2101 4-8-4 I ran from Milford, Ct to Devon tower took coal and water on Waterbury 2 then backed out facing east and sat on the bridge waiting for the train. Then took her to new haven, Ct. Where I was relieved. I'm now retired, need a volunteer fireman? I worked for PC, Conrail then Amtrak as a locomotive fireman and engineer. Cheers!

[@davidrichards5594]

Where are you located Jim?....Dave

[@michaellenz9121]

Hey Dave. Good to see you back in action. What a classy way to start the new season. Firing up the old spring powered clock. Ansonia i believe. I am not a machinist, But I repair those style clocks. They need to be oiled the same as the overhead line shafts. Let me know if that old clock needs repair.

[@davidrichards5594]

Mike: Ansonia. How can you date them? I think this one is about 1900. It's interesting how the complete Ansonia company was bought by the Russians....Dave

[@RobertKohut]

Nice!! Just amazing... :-)

[@94XJ]

9 seconds in and I'm already excited. Welcome back, Dave!!

[@cojones8518]

Yay! Finally thawed out and we get more vids. That's a big planer. Looking forward to the vid 40:00

[@leeklemetti1887]

I am so glad to hear that you have opened your shop. The ritual begins. Oil this and that, never miss a single one. Check the belts, and the governor and boiler too., by end of day you are done.

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Good to see you back. I don't know how many hand holes I have removed/installed/resealed probably 1000's. Use what ever works for you.

[@grahamsengineering.2532]

Talk about living the dream Dave. Steam powered machine shop, my two passions Machining & Steam. You must get very cold winters there to shut down. As for the sealant if it works why not. We use 567 Loctite in Australia which is most likely the same as you are using. I used it on my Miniature Live Steam Locomotive to seal the studs that hold the Clack Valves to the boiler, worked a treat. Love your workshop. Holy Cow the size of that Planer. Makes me think of some of the big machines that we use to have here in Australia that have been lost. Looking forward to the next video. Cheers.

[@davidrichards5594]

Yeah, It can't be slippery, and use it only on the one side against the inside of the boiler....Dave

[@byrnejr]

Great. Dave is back making steam! Awesome thank you Dave

[@dananelson479]

Glad you're back. Thanks for the explanation of how the boiler is constructed. Enjoyed seeing chips flying. Thanks for sharing.

[@metalworksmachineshop]

Good to see to o'll shop chooching right along.

[@griplove]

I’m new here, what an amazing shop. I’m gonna need to start working through your back videos!

[@davidrichards5594]

Glad you are along, thanks for watching....Dave

[@vicdreyer6413]

Good to see you back

[@johnleake708]

Great to see you back in the Northeast... cold as it is. Here in Utah there is fresh snow in the mountains close to the house this morning (maybe 1,000 feet above the house).

[@davidrichards5594]

Great country there John.....Dave

[@jackgreen412]

Always glad to see you back in the big shop.

[@RetroSteamTech]

Good to have you back Dave, looking forward to seeing that planer!

[@bclare2544]

Good to see you back in the old shop Dave.

[@mikedavis5397]

Glad to see you made it home safely! Was good to see your Flywheeler club too and projects and visitors. Looks like your shop wintered well. Looking forward to more new work and repair work too...you are an amazing man. Steam forever ! 👍⛏🔧🔩⚙️ Regards from Iowa.

[@davidrichards5594]

Iowa...Have you ever attended the big show in Mount Pleasant? I am thinking about making that one this year....Dave

[@mikedavis5397]

David Richards oh yea,,,very familiar with the old threshers assoc. This wood be right up your ally. I have a good buddy who was a director for many years, He was so busy with the event he never got see it all. He is a steam guy and a retired machinist for the Murray Iron Works ,Burlington Iowa. His interest is traction engines and owns several Case units. Most were rescues but he also has built several scale traction’s about 1/2 scale. Like you he builds everything including gears and boilers.and the steel spoked wheels. Wayne Kennedy is his name and has a few articles published if I recall. Search him lol. In his recent years he had noticed the decline in steam operation. He developed a “Steam School” that he ran every winter at Old Threshers ground. Limited class but always full of guys trying to understand grandpas old iron stored in the shed. As important as maintains engineers and equipment is safety, it’s the most important part of the class. Anyway,,you can see I get excited. Lol even though my health doesn’t let me out of the nursing home to often. Do you have a camper, looking for motels, or bed n breakfast in the area. Lots of private homes open up too...over all you need to attend once. Do you have an email? Mine is [e-mail]. Hope you can make it,,,Regards Mike Davis...ps: food will knock your socks off too....

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

Hi David, I apreciate you teaching things I've been wondering about for years, like the siphon under the manometer. Thanks a lot sir, I've subscribed to your channel. Keep up the good work, we all mai need it again some day!

[@southjerseysound7340]

There is just something relaxing about hearing that old steam engine tick away.

[@keithnoneya]

It' Spring and It's time to make Steam Chips again. Good to have you back Dave, we all missed you. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@robertburns2415]

Nice to have you back

[@oldpup4810]

Every time I watch one of your vids, it take me back to the early 70 to mid 80's when I worked in oil field manufacturing plants. Thanks for making the vid.

[@ericm8811]

Hey David Richards! Your shop freaking rules!

[@raincoast2396]

Waking her up and putting a heart of fire in her belly. Missed the whistle to start a new Summer.

[@marcpavlik1132]

Welcome back we have missed you (and your shop)!

[@georgesherman5345]

Spring has sprung, and Dave is back, WHOOOPEEE!

[@tom7601]

Spring has sprung. Fall has fell. Summer is here, And it's hotter than usual.

[@zmxl1020]

Welcome back, Dave, Your channel is too good to do without!

[@spnynorman5519]

Great to see you back in the NY shop, Dave. Love the old pic at the end of that enormous planer. WOW !

[@roncartwright8125]

Great to see you and the old shop in action again. Looking forward to many more video's.

[@bobfuller9759]

My favorite machine sop back online! Thanks Dave!

[@johnkinnane547]

G’day Dave good to see you again and showing the ritual of getting the boiler ready after a long lay off it was very interesting as was the whole video all the best look forward to the next one kind regards John

[@barkebaat]

Great work ! Thanks for letting us have a look.

[@johnleake708]

I am eagerly awaiting your videos for 2020 after you get back from Florida... It is cold and snowy in Utah....

[@IronClad292]

Welcome back David !! It's going to be an exciting summer watching your videos. Thanks for letting us watch the procedure for first steam-up of the season. I always learn a lot !!

[@wesbuhr548]

Great video. It's really good to see you back at the shop. Can't wait to see what projects come up this year.

[@georgeswindoll9138]

Very glad your back!!!!!

[@dwyaneengle9621]

Welcome back Dave, things are a little wet here in NY still but we deal with it. Looking forward to many more great videos.

[@gullreefclub]

Glad to see the shop is open for business now get to work 😁

[@scotth4760]

Glad to see you back in the shop look forward to next video

[@KG-yn9qi]

Hello and nice to see you back and Video uploading good job

[@k5at]

Glad to see you back in the NY shop!

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Herb, good to hear from Texas....Dave

[@glennmoreland6457]

Great to see you back Mr. Richards... We like a bit of "old steam powered machine shop" around here...

[@RickRose]

This is a great video for posterity Dave. This technology will always be useful. Every generation, a few enlightened souls will realize that. They'll be watching this video.

[@wildbill23c]

Very interesting, love the steam shop. I'm not a machinist but found this extremely fascinating. Thank you for taking the time to put the video together. New subscriber.

[@robertmcconnell3788]

Been looking forward to your return!

[@fzapp]

Welcome back Mr.Dave! Missed your vids and can't wait to see the planer!

[@davidrichards5594]

The planer should be home Monday...Dave

[@hisab-n8c]

Sign of spring, glad to see you back making steam!

[@chrisabad6666]

Yep, great to have you back!

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Nice to have you back, Dave. Looking forward to the new season...and the planer move. That should be interesting.

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

WELCOME BACK DAVE !! ... ya need to rig up BR549 and get Junior Samples on the line and ask him if he has a spare camera battery ..LOL.. ENJOYED !!

[@davidrichards5594]

He was just here, and I didn't think to ask him....Dave

[@jimharris4013]

Great job Dave. Be well.

[@Brian-1948]

Thank you for your expertise and your videos. The best mechanical orchestra on the web. Brian from the UK.

[@ramsay19481]

Condensation on cold metal is a real problem in Louisiana as well. Humidity is always high here and I cannot heat my shop so just have to keep everything sloppy with oil .. Mike in Port Allen, Louisiana

[@galbysvideos9867]

good your back in the steam shop, miss the engines, awesome video

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Glad to see you back....David hope everthing is OK with you and yours for sure...Thanks again for sharing.....My day is OK now....!

[@TangentJim]

Great Video -- It's like jumping into a time machine . I love it , nicely done .

[@fredwiley3731]

I operated 2 steam boilers. a 40 and 60 HP. We had the same size hand hole plates. All the cross pieces were mounted horizontally or crossways to the hole not vertically. We pulled them snug. As we got higher pressure we tightened them completely. Never had any leaks . Just a thought

[@davidrichards5594]

Fred: It would depend on the boiler configuration. The clamp bars should line up with the strongest part of the curve, parallel with the axis. Mine is a vertical boiler so they should go vertically. But I've see them installed both ways. Thanks for watching....Dave

[@MattysWorkshop]

Gday Dave, welcome back mate, I really enjoy seeing your shop in action, thank you for sharing mate. Matty🇦🇺

[@EngineersWorkshop]

Glad to see you back up and running under steam! Working to have a substantial source of compressed air soon to "run" the Skinner by early summer.

[@davidrichards5594]

That is a great old engine, Is it "uni-flow"? I takes a LOT of air volume to run one on air like that. When we ran the shop engine years ago at East Broad Top it took a V8 powered "screw" air compressor with two 3/4" air lines. It would barely run and the steam chest pressure would be only a few psi. You could also try putting something around the valve shaft to wedge the slide valve against the ports a little. It takes some air volume to hold it there (could be leaking past)....Looking forward to seeing it run......Dave

[@EngineersWorkshop]

@@davidrichards5594 I'm rebuilding a Schramm Pneumapower 35 from 1966. It's a Wisconsin V4 with two cylinders converted to compressors. Rated 35 CFM at 100 psi. The Skinner is not unaflow, it is an automatic cutoff governed 11x12 with a balanced slide valve. I think leakage is the main obstacle I must overcome to get the slide valve and the piston on the back of it to seat. I'll be happy with seeing it rotate at any RPM at first, even slowly! Here's an attempt to run on air, way too small airline and 5 HP compressor: m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKWxfoycp6yHa7s

[@theharbinger2573]

Dave, glad you are back in the shop. Just a suggestion, you might want to tell be they should "ring the bell" on the KZbin page. I am a long time subscriber, but had not rang the bell and my youtube page never showed me you had new videos. I had not seen any since Video 50. So I watched them all and rang the bell, now I will get notified when you post new content. Just another way KZbin mucks with people.

[@hughcasement5443]

That shop is like a living thing.

[@geoffreykail9129]

Glad you're back. Been along winter without OSPMS, welcome back.

[@Robothut]

Thank You for sharing.

[@jdubs-56]

Great to see a new video!

[@63256325N]

Good to see you back home and back at it. 😁 Thanks for the video. 👍

[@JustinLaudano]

Welcome home Dave!!!!!!

[@hpda44]

Glad you’re back Dave

[@davidquerry8869]

Glad to see you back. Can't wait till the planer vids.

[@aceroadholder2185]

I finally got some dry heat (electric) for the shop to hold the temperature at 55 deg. F at night and an oscillating fan for the shop in the Winter. It does cost a bit, but the shop is well insulated so it isn't too bad. But it's worth it to not having every piece of metal in the shop sweating faster than you can wipe it off. It also stops all the machines acting like large blocks of ice that make working miserable and taking all day for the shop to warm up so you don't need an overcoat. Cheers from NC/USA

[@keithnoneya]

You might try a Mass Rocket Heater, they work extremely well & they only use 1/10th the wood as a regular wood stove and you only have to fire them once a day. On a side note I work in Belle Chase Louisiana and when the AC goes out in the shop here in the summer the floor is covered with water as well as all the electronic work benches, so I know exactly what you mean by you can't wipe them off as quickly as they can form water again. Best Wishes & Blessings. Keith Noneya

[@MsRody2009]

exelente volvió el maestro david

[@aubreyaub]

Sweet music, hearing the beat of steam.

[@CraigLYoung]

Hey David, glad you're back! Hope you had a nice relaxing vacation. In January the Cumberland Times reported that Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) will have the C&O 1309 in operation a 2-6-6-2. But if you're thinking of riding her, check the WMSR web sight, there maybe delays.

[@chuckthebull]

I liked the straightening of the clock...HA made me laugh..its the little things that matter..

[@imysteryman]

I was wondering, did most shops have someone that would come in early to get the boiler fired and up to steam each day? You have a really neat shop and the ability to do something with it, Kool!

[@davidrichards5594]

And oil up the shafts, tighten belts, check laces, clean the flues, rake the ash pit, wipe down the engine, fill the lubricator, sweep the floor....Dave

[@jean3xyz]

Hi Dave, why do not you make a video or tell us about yourself? For example: what is your basic training, how long have you been in this workshop, how long have you been practicing this job and any other subject in this beautiful job? I'm sure many listeners would like to know you better. Thank you for all these wonderful videos that make us know this beautiful job exercised with the tools of the past.

[@bjornbursell7681]

Yes, back again!

[@cobrasvt347]

I hear ya. I couldn’t believe a shop could sweat so much that one day I opened up after a pretty significant temp change and everything that was made out of iron looked like it went for a swim