Old Steam Powered Machine Shop 88: Steam Whistle Rebuild

Another steam whistle rebuilt using just the small Atlas lathe, drill press and Chinese band saw in my Southern garage. Several missing or broken parts made up. It will be test blown in the NY shop, first thing this spring. Thanks for commenting, like and subscribe. It lets me know if I'm on the right track with what you guys want to see. Also check my "Community Pages" for some things you might be interested in. Click on my circular photo that will take you to my channel page, community button is under the top photo....Dave

[@johnalexander4356]

Well you made my day! Nothing pleases me more than watching a new video from you Dave.

[@RickRose]

Nice work Dave. I've never seen anyone freehand a radius before. No reason not to do it, of course. I've just never seen it done. You always teach me something. Thanks for sharing.

[@cad68m_m]

Always a good day when Dave publishes a video.

[@michaelmiller8914]

Your skills never cease to amaze me. You are a great craftsman and I thoroughly enjoy all your videos. Thank you David.

[@Randysshop]

Welcome back Dave. Just because you have a small lathe or a lathe that has wear does not mean you can not make good parts with it It just take the knowledge of how to work around the problems. Keep making videos and would like to see more from the NY shop. Thanks.

[@ydonl]

I do love watching brass turn! Especially with some nice bright light, and shiny chips flying around! Poetry.

[@IslandHermit]

Nice job free-handing that curve.

[@leroyc179]

never a dull moment David, and I have watched all of your videos, thanks for sharing.

[@ElmerJFudd-oi9kj]

That was nice to watch, thank you for explaining all you did, and you are a great machinist and restorer.

[@Radiotexas]

Old school machining at its best! Thanks Dave!

[@Bobbycat115]

Thanks Dave from the great white north Hope BC Canada. Too cold to go out and warm my big shop up .

[@SteamfanScott]

Always enjoy an old steam powered machine shop video! Know it will sound spectacular when you get it back to your NY shop.

[@stratocaster1greg]

Dave Im getting an A J Wilkinson metal planer in Colorado. Its a baby version of yours. Am super stoked!

[@CRUZER1800]

Thanks, Dave... It's always great to see a knew video from you. I have seen ALL of your videos... many more than once. Been watching for many years now.. Always a treat! Russ

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Nice job on the Whistle Dave. Thanks for sharing.

[@michaellenz9121]

Great to see you again Dave. HMMMMMM using electric to make steam whistle parts Always a great show. Thanks again

[@jayminor9757]

Hello Dave I really enjoyed this video because I’ve owned and used a 1942 Atlas, 10 inch for about 25 years. It’s a Timken bearing headstock model with 1942 etched on the bearings. Other than that, she’s much like yours. It has a lot of wear, that’s I’ve learned to compensate for and it gets used several times a week when I’m not away at work and has made countless bits and pieces for boats, airplanes, cars, bicycles, other machine tools and for it’s self. I’m pleased just to look at it sometimes because it’s such a classic. My bigger, more powerful, more accurate Chinese import lathe is a fine piece of gear but it just lacks the charm of the old Atlas. I’m sure that the old thing has another 20 years left in it which would make more than a hundred years old and in anybody’s books, that has to make it a fine machine. Thanks for sharing!

[@ssboot5663]

The ol girl looks and sounds like home to me since that is what I had to self learn on for the last 12 or years or so....... Up until recently I had a 1936 Atlas. I sold it and upgraded to a South Bend with NAVY stampings on it! Nice whistle project!

[@jshelledy1]

Always delighted to see a new post from you pop up. What I would give to live between you and Allen Millyard.

[@tubeu28]

Good job Dave, keep them coming!!! We have a whistle hooked up to the air compressor. We only blow it when the Vikings score a touchdown! Thanks from Minnesota

[@RalfyCustoms]

Hey buddy, I'm just catching up on some of your older videos. I just started watching this one, I see that's an Atlas lathe? I've got a 10f myself and absolutely love it. Anyway, thanks for sharing, and best wishes, Ralfy

[@djdutch87]

Hello Dave, I hope you are doing well since it is a while ago you posted this last video. Kind regards DJ

[@94XJ]

Had an old Google Photos notification of the day your steam governor failed 5 years ago yesterday and had to come rewatch the latest. Can't say I wouldn't have minded seeing 80 ft/min on that planer, especially knowing nobody died in the process now. 😅

[@henkvanderwal2424]

Hello David, This is a nice close of my day to watch your video. Thank you very muchten. Greetings from Friesland in the Netherlands . Henk van der Wal

[@patrickroeill8746]

Always good to watch your videos, hope all is well thank you Dave

[@andron967]

Thank you. I've always enjoyef your videos. A little enjoyment is getting valuable these days.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

l love live steam Whistle's and thanks David....Glad to see you are doing well my friend..... Shoe🇺🇸

[@jimwilloughby]

Dave, This is the first time I've seen machining done in reverse. You are a master. I will be eagerly awaiting you're return to New York. I really want to hear that whistle.

[@davidrichards5594]

I had an explosion in the editing dept. and I knew the clips would probably be out of order somewhere....Dave

[@Hoaxer51]

Funny, I thought you were really good with an Etch a Sketch!

[@Gearz-365]

Love it! Doing the work like they did 100 years ago. Marvelous work

[@ecz28]

I have a very similar whistle, bit larger though. Someone has brazed the valve shut so gotta make some parts like this. Great video 😁

[@Arntobian]

Glad to see you again Dave, keep on steaming! Best wishes from Sweden

[@markvoluckas4571]

The atlas were a great starter lathe for small work, I was about 8 years old when a relative gave me one that they had in their basement, I made many things with it and later upgraded to a 10" Logan lathe, then a 14" Logan in my early 20s, now 20 years later have a couple larger lathes as well and my 4 year old son has a 6" atlas lathe now too!

[@davidrichards5594]

My Dad had a 6" Atlas in the garage that became mine when I was about 10. Made many little things with it.

[@dwyaneengle9621]

Excellent work as always 😊. Very educational, I really appreciate the way you take the time to explain the how and why. This traditional trade is fading away. It's all about the fast cnc and fancy tools these days. Thanks again. God Bless

[@xandetfields3279]

Dear sir... I am a 36 year old, classically (manual) trained Tool and Die Maker from Virginia. I somehow stumbled upon your very first video and have now fallen into the rabbit hole that is KZbin. Where is the D.R.O (Digital Read out) on your machines? Haha I'm kidding. What you have built for yourself is everything that I aspire to do for myself except I have to have dial indicators because I have OCD. I will watch every single one of your videos for sure. Thank you for taking the time to share your shop with us.

[@Ham68229]

Problem with today's machinists, they thing they have to do everything on a cnc machine and in my opinion, that's not a machinist. Dave, you are a true machinist and I truly enjoy your work. Even though this wasn't done under steam power, it's still wonderful to watch and see the outcome. Thank you for sharing, as always, another great and awesome video, cheers :)

[@rogerscottcathey]

Waiting on the next one

[@LowInformation]

He always has posted videos all summer. Now nothing.

[@GordonBailey-p9c]

I was thinking the same. I just hope nothing serious has happened to him or his workshops. I love watching these videos but I really ought to be working in my own shop!

[@garyc5483]

Hi Dave nice to see you again. ATB regards from the UK

[@devmeistersuperprecision4155]

That sound reminds me of high school. We had an old atlas from the forties and I learned how to use a metal lathe. That was a long time ago. But you never forget the sound.

[@ronsue1000]

Still loving your videos Dave, keep them coming!

[@Altruistic-Viking]

Good to see you doing good Dave 🌞 greetings from rainy Denmark

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks, good to hear from Denmark...Dave

[@frednewman2162]

Nice Dave, you probably didn't need to go to FL this year, we are having there weather right now!

[@davidrichards5594]

so I hear....Dave

[@davidrichards5594]

so I hear....Dave

[@tonyc.4528]

Beautiful work, David!

[@tjt4036]

Always a joy to view your videos. Keep up the great work.

[@JourneymanRandy]

Well done David. I love those old steam whistles

[@MattysWorkshop]

Beautiful job as always mate, Cheers

[@walterschaap5821]

Thanks can't wait till you go north to steam shop

[@brando600rr]

Hi Dave glade to see another video from you. Thanks for your advice about the lathe I got picked up 2 books from what you recommended and it’s the wealth of info in them is great to learn what to do from them. Thanks

[@normesmonde5332]

Love your work Dave 🇦🇺

[@benbusfield6498]

Glad to see you back 👍👍👍👍

[@shawnmrfixitlee6478]

Great work Dave , Enjoyed !

[@quirty864]

Proud of you man, just proud.

[@CraigLYoung]

Thanks for sharing David 👍

[@mrc1539]

Saying hello from the left coast of the U.S. , just finished a similar project on my 1950 Logan 10 “ . 😊. If you had been a month earlier with this video you would have saved me a lot of head scratching , LOL ! But thanks anyway .

[@PorkBarrel.]

Lookin good Dave...keep going!

[@ghoogers]

Thank you Dave!

[@roberthocking9138]

Beautiful work as usual

[@johnkinnane547]

G’day Dave greetings from Tasmania Australia 🇦🇺 I don’t know why but I lost your channel and I stumbled across it and I subscribed it’s great to see you again even if your not in your terrific work shop. I look forward to watching the channel , kind regards John

[@timhaller6322]

Always a pleasure watching your videos hello from Nebraska

[@robertwhitney2232]

Another fine job, even if it was only 3 cents worth. Just kidding, you make that 2 hand contouring look so easy.👍

[@edmedlin2936]

Good to see you again, Dave. I like that big new cross peen hammer you got there. Score it at a yard sale? Think I saw the sticker still on it. Love this video; it reminds me of many of the small jobs I do here at home on my Chinese mini lathe.

[@garthbutton699]

Enjoyed the video thanks🤗😎🤗😎

[@floridaflywheelersantiquee7578]

Thanks for sharing

[@gregfeneis609]

Thanks Dave. Hurry back to NY

[@rcurry8531]

Thanks for sharing dave really enjoyable

[@jrehtil1494]

Great job Dave

[@johngibson3837]

Hey up mate beautiful work once again, I'm thinking your next video will be including a clock and some steam , missing them both

[@Warped65er]

Nice work, and thx for the vid.

[@kaibroeking9968]

To use copper coins as shims is a great idea when no copper sheet metal us to hand.

[@markavis7232]

I wonder if this tip might do someone a good turn - you can use a small plug tap with the pitch and form you want (16tpi in this case) as a chaser, when cutting internal or external threads. Mount it in the tool post parallel to the job, with a set of teeth at 3 o'clock for external threads (when looking in to the chuck) or 9 o'clock for internal. I find it useful when cutting fine threads on large diameters.

[@9thdeltaconcepts652]

hank you sir.

[@jackgreen412]

Great!

[@JoshKilen]

nice job.

[@ewika420]

Ha ha I just saw you on the highway. I was in the U-Haul. 😂 edited sorry if I scared you guys honking.

[@peterkilner512]

Have you seen Iron Jonesy Shop Tour All the best Perter

[@castironmachines]

Always a great day when you come home to a new Old Steam Powered Machine Shop episode. Looking forward to more steam work in the north shop. By the way, how is that dynamo setup going with the old engine? Cheers from Canada

[@davidrichards5594]

The generator is mounted in place on a wood base belted and lined up ready to spin...Dave

[@rhavrane]

Bonjour David, Great video indeed, the whistle is my favorite steam accessory ! i would have liked to be able to install this one on one of my model boats but is is "just a little bit" too large 😁 The question now is, will it operate steam correctly ? Amicalement, Raphaël

[@jeremylastname873]

I just really enjoy learning and seeing your palpable demonstration of how things that came before us brought us here. Thank you for sharing your experience. So, around 8-9 minutes, why are you cutting from left to right? Is there any particular reason?

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Jeremy, That was where I started tapering the piece to make the acorn shape. I seem to have better success going from large to small when "freehanding" taper like that, you could do it either way. The tool didn't seem to mind cutting backwards in brass....Dave

[@johnlucaiii9495]

Wonderful video. Love watching you work. Very cool project. Please do us a favor and don't film in front of the window because the glare is horrible.

[@peterkilner512]

Have you seen Iron Jonsey KZbin of a wheel making machine All the best Peter

[@cyrilhudak4568]

👍👍

[@johnchadwicktilton]

Haven't seen a new video from you in awhile. Are you doing O.K. ?

[@chrisduggins3435]

It seems like you have solved the noisy motor problem you had with this lathe

[@davidrichards5594]

Not at all Chris, just lowered the volume....Dave

[@Hoaxer51]

@@davidrichards5594, More than one way to skin a cat! Lol

[@opendstudio7141]

Practicing the art of doing more with less. Sometimes I’ll see those guys in India pull off some amazing and dangerous compromises with little to nothing to work with, plus bare footed or in sandals.

[@frankdoner8402]

Hey Dave .i miss you and your videos. Are you coming back?

[@perolovson1715]

Always nice to see a video clip from You. Q: If I thread metric threads, can I use any threading dial as long as I keep to same number?

[@markavis7232]

On my lathe (8tpi English lead screw) I leave the nuts engaged the whole time when cutting metric, and run in reverse to come back. It takes a while. This needs a 127-100 compound gear in the train.

[@davidrichards5594]

On a lathe with gearing for National threads, if you are using a metric transposing compound gear to cut metric threads, you have to leave the half nut engaged all the time and reverse the lathe , or turn it backwards by hand (you can disengage the back gear to make it easier) between cuts. ...Dave

[@bcbloc02]

So did you brass plate the lever or is that paint?

[@davidrichards5594]

That gold paint looks pretty good in the photos.

[@phooesnax]

Looks great. How thick are the edges of the bell on those and thickness of the steam slot?

[@davidrichards5594]

The circular slot is about .080", The bell is .090" wall and the bell OD is about 1/4" bigger than the slot OD ..Dave

[@phooesnax]

@@davidrichards5594 Thank You very much!

[@fainderskurs-koi8767]

Лайк!

[@randycoon9123]

I have several steam whistles and one of them is the one on your bench, by they way do u know where there's a price list for whistles.

[@brootheboomer]

You should have the engine exaust into your boiler exaust

[@randycoon9123]

Why are there not post being put up?

[@telmore6490]

Dave, Do you have any new videos coming out this year?

[@daleolson3506]

Da sun da sun

[@davidrichards5594]

Yeah I need a roll down shade for that window which faces straight West....Dave

[@CraftedChannel]

Dave's adbsense has been abnormally long. What's going on? You ok?

[@anthonyraffin1034]

I hope you're up to your ears in $$ work because I, for one, am missing your content.

[@bklynpotter]

too bad the focus is off

[@davidrichards5594]

sorry about that, I'm budgeting for a better camera which will also be external mic capable....Dave

[@jegmadar4123]

Respect Mr Richards from Hungary.

[@stevengrotte2987]

NUMBER 88 WAS THE MOST RECENT ONE THAT I CAN FIND/HAVE SEEN ARE THERE ANY MORE?? I REALLY ENJOY THIS SERIES, I WILL BE 76 ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2024, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE MORE EPISODES OF YOUR SHOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@davidrichards5594]

Steve, I am collecting clips for another video sometime.

[@stevengrotte2987]

@@davidrichards5594 THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!11

[@jdmccorful]

Ggood seeing ya. Always enjoy! Excellent repair work also.

[@noelspangenburg3675]

Great job Dave.