Old Steam Powered Machine Shop 60: PLANER ON STEAM

Video #60 describing a steam powered 1925 machine shop that I assembled to demonstrate and discuss how things were powered and the machine work that built and maintained all mechanized countries of the world during that era. Reconditioning and setting up the 1897 Whitcomb eight foot planer to do useful work has been quite an education. Thanks to all the loyal viewers of this channel and a special thanks to those who supplied the interest, physical help, suggestions and donated to this project. Without it this planer would never have come here.....Dave

[@tiredoldmechanic1791]

I always find it amazing how things were done mechanically and can only imagine the time it took to develop and combine the ideas that made things like this possible. From water power to steam until electricity made it possible to individually power each machine and eventually individual parts of each machine. Drawing ideas on paper and all of the time it took to put ideas into a drawing and finding that it won't work and spend hours drawing it up again. Back to the drawing board was a common phrase. Today, things can be designed on a computer and changes made in seconds instead of hours.

[@barryboyd7973]

Excellent comment. Each generation gets to stand on the shoulders of those that went before. I see a lot of people take that for granted. So many hundreds and thousands of long gone very smart people got us where we are today in every facet of technology and engineering. We owe every modern convenience to so many people we never heard of.

[@brianevans1946]

What a beautiful machine...

[@coolhandluke85]

Awesome video! Thank you for sharing.

[@Chris-hd3yc]

Man I sure am glad someone talked you into recording your shop. I'm impressed to say the least. Jealous is an understatement. Thank you sir!

[@mikebaldwin9972]

This is the first time I’ve ever seen a plainer in action,it’s a beautiful machine to watch.Thank you for your time and trouble to bring it to us!!!!

[@davidrichards5594]

That was the idea (and to build steam engines). Thanks for watching....Dave

[@dougminnis192]

Now that is pretty cool! Good work Dave.

[@robertburns2415]

One of the most satisfying Machining videos I've seen in a long time thanks for sharing

[@oldninjarider]

I have never seen modern footage of a planer running. Sure it's noisy but if you were over 100 you'd be creeaky too. Thanks, great content!

[@davidrichards5594]

It's noisy, that's one of the reasons why Whitcomb went to a side belt the next year. ...Dave

[@eaglewi]

we use one every day for beveling edges for welding. its perfect for that. fast too.

[@tjr4744]

I'm doing catch up from 1 to 60 so far ... So good to see this Planer running. Great work Dave. As a Jack of all trades, Master of none, I'm admiring your work. I'll go watch the rest of this one now :)

[@garrockwaters304]

So good to see this equipment being used again. This is history come alive. This shop and your are an American treasure!

[@bcbloc02]

Awesome!!!

[@hisab-n8c]

YES !

[@walterjoncas12]

Thanks again Dave for saving an important piece of machining history from the scrap yard.

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Walt, And that's exactly where it was headed....Dave

[@PhilRable]

I reckon it’s blokes like Dave that fixed the machines that made the machines that made the cars, trucks and plans that made America great as an industrial super power. Great work mate.

[@ShevillMathers]

Wonderful work on the old machines for present and future generations to enjoy. Thank you for sharing your wonderful presentations. 👍😁🛠🇦🇺🔭

[@ShevillMathers]

Hi, Millwright Dave, what a brilliant outcome, not only have you restored the planer, but made it steam driven, which must be a rare achievement in this day and age. I take my hat off to you, and thank you for sharing- it was well worth the wait. From ‘down under’ in Tasmania, 👍👍👍🇦🇺

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Shevill, Thanks, you saw it here.....Dave

[@jtthill5475]

I must be hallucinating. Sure seems that planer is smiling and saying 'Thanks, I am alive again'. Beautiful to see that big table stroke without effort. Great job Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@claytonlemieux4090]

Thank you for keeping the old machine days alive before a Bridgeport it was the shaper and belt drive steam power of days gone by thank you so much for your passion to keep it alive for us to see it

[@davidrichards5594]

The Bridgeport sort of "summed" them all up didn't it. Probably the most significant and most copied machine ever built. Thanks for watching....Dave

[@Dean.F]

I love that you show all of the belt arrangements and show the mechanical systems working as well as the narration. I started as a millwright out of high school and have always loved watching and learning how machines and assembly lines operate. I find these old mechanical systems much more fascinating than the modern PLC driven stuff.

[@davidrichards5594]

me too...Dave

[@joshward7896]

The belt and pulley rhythm was truly amazing...put a bunch of drummers to shame....magic!

[@ClassXIRoads]

The best part of my vacation was getting home and seeing this video and your (our) planer running under steam power again, your skills amaze me and what you don't know you find out in short order, I know for one I wouldn't have the skills to do what you have done here. You have saved things for future generations to witness I hope you have some one who will be ready to establish your shop as a museum to be visited for many years to come. The Discovery channel or some other venue should run this series on an ongoing basics. Again I can't thank you enough for the effort you put into this and all your projects.

[@ShevillMathers]

Hi Dave, the second time I have watched this, fascinating and a slower pace of life back in the day. However, it could be that their was a lot more varied skills required of machinists too. Working all a shop’s machines from one engine meant everything had to be done right. Again, thanks for all the work you put into what will become history one day in the future-a valuable resource for others. Regards from Tasmania 42 South. Stay safe.

[@31415geon]

The planers has got to be one of coolest machines ever, also it sounds very soothing, I love it.

[@HayWoodsandWetlands]

Sick! I know I'm still a yar behind, but slowly working through your uploads. This is so cool to see up and running. Congrats! I'll be caught up soon.

[@jongerber3476]

Well done sir. Great to see an appreciation of days gone past and using the technology. Thank you for sharing this.

[@williamharris1302]

I wished I lived closer to you so I could come over and donate some time and work in your wonderful steam-powered shop. What a treat that would be.

[@markf350s]

Once again I’m amazed I kind of think I would’ve enjoyed being around in your days when things were simple not computerized all I can say is thank you for another great video appreciate all the hard work you put into them look forward to the next one we will thank you

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Mark, I appreciate your interest....Dave

[@RetroSteamTech]

Frigging Awesome Dave !!👍👍👍👍👍🙂 It is fantastic to see the planer making chips under steam power. The power train from the steam engine through the belts and line shafts is as fascinating to me as the planer operation itself. I'm so pleased to have been a very small part in making this happen. Thank you so much for all your hard work and taking the time to document it so we can all enjoy it. Cheers, Alan.

[@mikedavis5397]

Thank you David for keeping me alive it’s your videos. I really look forward to your channel. Here in the nursing home your right up there with spaghetti meatballs and fresh baked bread ! 👍🇺🇸🍞⚙️

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Hi Dave, Well, I really enjoyed this video. A long but now successful project. I'm really glad I was able to contribute something to help make it happen. A great accomplishment on your part, Dave. Joe

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Joe....Dave

[@robertburns2415]

That is absolutely beautiful congratulations and congratulations on 60 outstanding videos.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Bob, I never thought there would be 60.....Dave

[@johnfry9010]

The old shop has a whole new sound and rhythm , beautiful job Dave !

[@frankinpattaya]

Dave, in my younger days my family had a feed store, we milled all the grain in house, every thing ran on line shafts (no steam ) but a huge 3 phase motor up in the roof its still there, apart from grain crushing and grinding, there where oat rollers and stock food mixers plus an overhead winch for loading bags of grain upstairs all off the line shaft,,one motor did everything in the place..brought back a lot of memory’s replacing and joining the leather belts. Regards Frank

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the great comment Frank....Dave

[@reesacheson5577]

I must say, your shop is remarkable! There are not many working line-shaft shops left, even in museums, and yours must be at least near the most impressive of them all. That it is steam powered sits on top of that complement. Well done!

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Rees, I have studied your planer videos, which are a wealth of information not available anywhere on set up and operation. I would like to see more on your tooling. Thanks for taking time to put them up....Dave

[@kroghsmachineshop4708]

Absolutely amazing, really enjoyed the series I don't know what it is with these old machines it's almost like they are alive when you watch them working, just one thing, you forgot to wind up your clock😉😊

[@davidrichards5594]

Yeah, about every 5 days...Dave

[@wuudturner]

Clearly time to power the clock by steam.

[@evervigilant]

Watching the planer work it is easy to see its place in shop machine evolution.

[@christophercullen1236]

12 months ago I heard Americans and Canadians using the expression millwright, I was not familiar with it. So after some research and your explanation I understand the term. Dave Richards MILLWRIGHT .

[@daos1970]

Замечательная работа! Вы запустили этот большущий и старинный станок! Благодарю за проделанную Вами работу! Удачи и Доброго Здоровья! С Уважением, Ваш зритель.

[@davidrichards5594]

Спасибо за просмотр. Я многому научился на этой работе, Дэйв

[@daos1970]

@@davidrichards5594, надеюсь и дальше радоваться смотря Ваши ролики и наблюдая за Вашей великолепной работой!

[@jmwarden1]

It's like a long stroke shaper, pretty cool but noisy, not bad for a 122-year old machine. Nice work Dave keep them coming.

[@happyhomehobbies231]

Шикарный станок! В не менее шикарной мастерской!

[@dale436]

Wow is that thing cool. Not many guys could get something like that accomplished. Top notch!

[@robertlee9395]

You put a lot of work into getting the old girl back together and running the line shafts. It's good to see her running again. Congratulations Dave. Thanks for sharing and have a fantastic day!

[@doublediamond2187]

Howdy from Texas! Really been enjoying your videos. I admire the amount of work that goes into running a steam powered machine shop like yours. Many Thankyous!

[@bernieshort9774]

Hi Dave, my name is Bernie, I am a retired marine engineer from the British Merchant Navy. I have sailed on steamers (steam ships) for most of my life, even today the LNG gas ships have steam turbine plants although motor ships (Diesel and or heavy fuel) are more numerous now. I completed an apprenticeship as an engine fitter and turner in the Royal Navy Dockyard Devonport in Plymouth England. You along with your skills take me back to the good ole days scraping in bearings and many other skills. The machinery I operated was not as old as yours, probably built in the 1930’s electric driven lathes, mills, shapers, surface grinders, boring machines and so on. The overhead shafts and pulley wheels were still in place but no longer in use. I joined the Merchant Navy in 1973, I sailed on old steam turbine ships with twin water tubed boilers 500 psi. Every pump, compressor etc. had a duty machine and a standby machine which builds in redundancy. Well the second pumps were always steam recips and I used to run them in preference to the electric motor driven units as often as I could. There is something about the smell of steam mixed with the smell of graphite oil. I have started watching your Channel from the UK during this COVID 19 period and it gives me something to look forward to every day. Your channel takes me back and it is a most enjoyable and professional channel to watch. Today I became so excited as I saw you get the planer running on steam, I was so chuffed for you. You are a star, looking forward to episode no. 61. I truly wish I had the chance to do what you are doing, and I wish you all the best. Than you very much, you are doing a sterling job.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Bernie, glad you are along with a common interest....Dave

[@hokepoke3540]

I really wish I had the room to install a planer, I really miss not having one, with age and lack of moneys and room Guess i will do without. Thanks for this neat video, very much enjoyed it.

[@reesacheson5577]

Nice planer! And nice shop, too. The detent was well done - a good solution. Great to see the machine cutting.

[@SteveSummers]

Love those straight line cuts👌

[@johndouglasdawson7298]

When I watch your vids, you lite the boiler and it comes up to pressure and then the engine comes alive when the engine is running the shop has come to life.The engine is talking clicking clapping the belts are all working hard are talking to.The hole shop sounds alive.It all sounds great 👍.

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi John, That's what I was trying to demonstrate, thanks for the comment.....Dave

[@johndouglasdawson7298]

David Richards I was a joiner for 50years when I started work at 15 the shop where I started had a line when we started the old electric motor it would whistle till it got up to speed then it would settle down and it was happy 😃 same as your place the belts would play tunes as they were put under load. You are never alone in a shop like yours.

[@johnnyjupiter1448]

Glad to see that machine running.

[@davidrichards5594]

Me also...Dave

[@dalelathwell7219]

Its a mechanical masterpiece great to see it working and the work on the line shafts is just fantastic

[@smolville]

I was on a local chat group and brought up the old line shaft factory. One guy chimed in with letters from his grandfather. He said that the factory could produce 4000 spark-plugs a day in a shop much like yours. That's amazing.

[@raincoast2396]

Watching your old planer work, it gave a me new appreciation for word "machinist" Dave. Well done.

[@sparkey8060]

It runs as good as anyones watch!

[@hughcasement5443]

Outstanding Dave! I don't know how many living people could have pulled that off but I know that there aren't very many. I'm looking forward to seeing what you make with it.

[@raysimon1368]

Awesome what a great job love to watch old machines running again I'm a retired machinist just subscribed thanks would like to see more

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the Sub Ray, glad you are along....Dave

[@JohnBare747]

Great t see the planer working Dave. A little Old School don't get old to watch.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks again John....Dave

[@alexpiper9475]

thanks for doing alot of good work! thanks also for posting it . A few years ago i saved a planing mill from the scrapyard. it is very helpfull to see one running properly.

[@bclare2544]

Great to see the old girl making chips again Dave,thanks to your hard work and commitment to the machines of the past.

[@cobrasvt347]

That planer is awesome

[@kenthynes315]

Thank you for these fantastic videos, your machinery is amazing- so heavy and well built, made to last several life times. Your skill and knowledge is amazing also.

[@PALM311]

As always Dave, great video. I honestly believe that if not for you that beautiful old machine would of never been used again. Its exactly where it needed to be.

[@scottpecora371]

Magnificent Dave!

[@chrislg1957ilovespam]

Its Great to see the Whitcomb Planer going .... I really look forward to every new installments of The Old Steam Powered Machine Shop ... And to put the icing on the cake you should paint it in the original color it came from the factory .... Always entertaining and I never grow tired of watching "The master of Old School " at work Thanks for sharing your journey with us Richard !!!

[@davidrichards5594]

That's a problem because there is no evidence of color under the paint that was later slopped on sometime along its 120 year life, only flat black. I think a thick black coat of something was spread on to cover any casting pits, etc, so I'll go with that along with some grey features. What do you think?...Dave

[@chrislg1957ilovespam]

@@davidrichards5594 Rust=o=leum Machinery Gray is one of my favorite colors !!! LOL

[@Bodi2000]

Wow. Beautiful sound of a beautiful machine. There's a similar machine used as a kind of desk at a... hard to describe, park and museum sorta place at an abandoned heavy industry site near me. I look it over every few months, the desk staff always ask why I'm studying it. This series keeps helping understand how it worked and imagine what is missing. Thanks!

[@davidrichards5594]

That's what this one was getting used for, a bench.....Dave

[@noelspangenburg3675]

Great job again Dave Thanks.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the free engineering work....Dave

[@MattysWorkshop]

Beautiful mate, you have done an absolutely fantastic job at restoring this planer and to have it line powered under steam is the icing on the cake, it’s truly a credit to you Dave, thank you, ATB Matty

[@craigtate5930]

Love your detent you built. What an amazing setup to reverse direction

[@lutsifer5847]

21:15 It reminds me of my apprenticeship when I worked on electromagnetic chuck covers. Then the chips flew through the hall for meters. Those were the days ....... it was a long time ago.

[@gebular118]

Dave, all the comments seem to be 7 months ago, this is my 4th time watching this masterpiece of machine video. Thanks

[@joshschneider9766]

Man I can feel the souls of machinists last smiling down on you from heaven. Every time I feel my depression and anxiety issues kick in I find vids like this and I think about their hard work and life seems a little bit ok. Thanks for keeping history alive. Also I have a couple job ideas for you if you take jobshop requests? Awesome work either way

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Josh, Always trying to come up with project ideas that folks would like to see....Dave

[@joshschneider9766]

@@davidrichards5594 cool is there an email address I can contact you on?

[@davidrichards5594]

@@joshschneider9766 [e-mail]

[@jeffreypfeifer862]

Thanks Dave for the journey... Inspiring me to get my ca 1905 GA Gray 22 x 22 x 60 planer operational again! Maybe someday I'll have a larger shop with a real line-shaft in it to run a few machines too. Thanks for showing us how it was done.

[@davidrichards5594]

Grey is a great machine...Dave

[@stratocaster1greg]

I have a 4 in. Clipper Belt Lacer I use on my 1 in. leather belts for my Southbend Lathes. That 6 in. belt is a Hoss! Thanks for posting.

[@cobrasvt347]

Beautiful chip curls coming off that thing.

[@trevorhardisty6255]

Hi David, I was a fitter, turner and machinist (retired) by trade and I got my grounding in engineering in a steam powered workshop in a log mill. Your KZbin videos bring back great memories.Your workshop is alive with sounds than I haven't heard in a long time. I thank you and keep them coming. Trevor, New Zealand

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Trevor, you are one of the few who actually experienced the "machine age", good to hear from NZ......Dave

[@georgeswindoll9138]

Outstanding!!! A living example of ingenuity ,and history!!!

[@davidm4160]

I had two shapers like the one you are using at 20:00, scraped them back in the 90's along with a bunch of chain filers and duplicator mills, when the cnc's took over we had to make room. I do regret now scraping the shapers, I loved using them when I was a young tool maker.

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very nice steam planer nice video 👍

[@FredMiller]

Mesmerizing to watch it operate! One notch above watching shaper work. Really nice work David! We all share in the pride of you getting the ole girl operational again... Congrats!

[@mauricelevy9027]

Great to see that old planer doing a job once more David .Thanks for entertaining us again.

[@giovannicintolo89]

Fantastic work. So great to see this thing moving under power. I stopped what I was doing and sat down to watch this start to finish.

[@boatshaper]

I've lost track of the number of problems you had to solve during this project, and I'm sure you didn't even show all of them. Great to see it finally coming to completion. Further proof of your skill and persistence.

[@gregfeneis609]

Very nice 👌. Glad you got it going

[@gh778jk]

Great to see it working....! Paddy

[@PhilGoldblum]

Great to see the planer making chips! Thanks for another great video Dave.

[@sknemo]

I'm an old mechanical engineer, this place is Heaven.

[@davidrichards5594]

I'm an old Mechanical Techo. Thanks for watching Stan....Dave

[@wonttell4873]

This is so awesome!

[@torque350hp]

It's really great to see the planer get to this point. Its the first time I've seen one making cuts. I really enjoy your videos.

[@mickestahl6178]

Super work done, Thumbs up!!!

[@joshsellner7213]

So cool. Thanks Dave!!

[@ruperthartop7202]

Lovely progress. Thanks for sharing

[@johnhart4872]

It’s great to see the planer in operation; it’s a real tribute to your abilities. I really enjoy your videos and thank you for all the effort you put into them.

[@flat-earther]

Wow never seen a planer in action it's so special. I watched Keith Rucker videos restoring his planer but he yet hasn't got to run it.

[@dvddale111]

That's a hell of a machine and a testament to your metalworking skills.

[@gerilarryogle970]

Thanks for showing how you put the pulleys and belts together. I've never seen an operational line shaft in operation before watching your videos. Amazing. It may bring back memories to other viewers, but it seems like a lost art to me. Wow!

[@peterfuhrman9544]

The content just blows me away sir. Thanks for your hard work in preservation of our past strengths as a nation.

[@e.d.s.inc.shandon9133]

120 years and you have got her runnig. Great Job!

[@rwiliamson8051]

Thumbs up before watching... been waiting for this ….

[@davidrichards5594]

Me too, I've never run one......Dave

[@chuckinwyoming8526]

IT LIVES AGAIN!!! Making chips.... Thanks for all the work and sharing this video!

[@Peter-V_00]

Gear head paradise.......................................I LOVE this video!

[@capitanvonchickenpants8492]

Speachless I am I worked a planer that was converted to a mill it had 13ft of travel and weighed in the region of 25 tons, love from the uk

[@davidrichards5594]

Mr Captain: Now that was quite a machine. Strasburg uses one like that to make locomotive side rods. You have a very imaginative user name by the way.....Dave

[@larryshaw796]

Definitely brought a smile , I really appreciate the effort. I'm sure you have a lot of projects in mind , you know I can almost feel the floor vibrate when that thing starts a cut it's a wonderful thing. Thanks Dave always enjoy your program.