OLD TIME STEAM POWERED MACHINE SHOP 5 Frick Valve Rod

[@VintageMachinery]

Nice job! Several years ago (before I started doing KZbin), I had to make new valve rods for both sides of the museums 1917 Vulcan Iron Works steam locomotive. Same situation as yours, the original rod was worn where the packing goes and we could not keep the packing in there. I made our new rods out of the same material that you used - the chrome plated shafting like they use in hydraulic cylinders. I am pretty sure that my job was at least the second time that this repair had been done over the years.

[@Abom79]

Good job on the new rod and repairs David! Glad to see you find some of the chrome plated rod. That's good stuff. As always I enjoy every minute of your videos. Adam

[@jimstone2669]

LOVE YOUR SHOP the way you set your 4 jaw was great you don't have to have all that expensive stuff you have to love the old way's but i am only 71 but great to see it done the way i was shown.

[@alanbrown4766]

Thanks for this wonderful shop series. I had 1,000 hours of machine shop training in high school but never used it. But I still have a love the the craft.

[@Gregorybridgewater]

I worked at a shop that still had the shafting in the ceiling and had 2 Monarch lathes that were converted to electric and used Ford transmission gearboxes. They had been scraped and refurbished several years before I was there and still held .001 tolerance with ease. This is the first time that I've seen the steam powered machines operate, love how you do your work.

[@Gregorybridgewater]

I'm just a young man at 49 and have been machining for 31yrs

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Greg, glad you are aboard.....Dave

[@moderatemixed8410]

I spent the evening captivated. You "win"! You have the coolest shop on the planet; hands down. That said, the steam whistle rockets your "cool" factor well past most on KZbin. Thank you..... Thank you..... Thank you..... Let me know when you are going to start receiving guests to see the place live..... I will be one of the first in line, lol. Cheers, and please, keep the videos coming.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Moderatemixed ! Thanks for your very positive comment. I enjoy passing this old technology along....Dave

[@davidrichards5594]

Had to reload this one, sorry I lost some comments...Dave

[@Faldrian]

Who in year 1911 would have thought that people will use oldschool tools to repair their steam engines - or repair them at all - over a hundred years later. Great work, thanks for the video! :)

[@davidrichards5594]

It's sorta like a "Back to the Future" fantasy....Dave

[@ByrdMann2010]

Probably, the original machinist back in 1911 thought their machinery was state of the art and couldn't imagine it being done any other way. Truth is, your basic metal lathe like the one seen in this video hasn't changed much other than adding an electric motor.

[@davidrichards5594]

Yeah except now they are called CNC Machining Centers and have no handwheels....Dave

[@GUSMIX22]

No DRO's, No inserts, and steam power... Absolutely awesome. Nice work David. Brian F.

[@jerrycoleman2610]

Richard, Really enjoy watching you in your shop, thanks for sharing your video.!.!.!.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for watching Jerry, should be making one after May 1....Dave

[@gordtaylor2635]

I like your use of calipers for measuring. That is old school for sure. I once worked with an old Greek machinist at Ford who always used calipers. I like your workbench with the v block inserts to hold the shaft you are working on. Great videos. Gord Taylor Windsor Ontario Canada

[@marceltimmers1290]

Hi mate. This one was even better. This time you got to make a part for an even older machine than the workshop machines. Absolutely great. Marcel.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Marcel Timmers Thanks Marcel. The Frick engine would have been 10 years at work when the lathe was built.

[@marceltimmers1290]

Just think about it, and bring your mind back to that time. The industrial revolution in full swing, and coal damp everywhere.......

[@dananelson3534]

Kind of neat how parts were made one at a time. The skills of the machinist were as valuable as the machine he operated. Thanks for taking us along. Used to wrench on old forklifts. The cylinders can be rebuilt and the rods rechromed.

[@raincoast2396]

What a treat it is to watch old machinery doing what it was designed to do and doing just as good, if not better then all the modern computer controlled contraptions. Don't get me wrong, they have their place, but give old time every time! Cheers.

[@badazrod]

Thanks again David Richard! The camera n the carriage provides an interesting example of relativity! :)

[@BundyBearsShed]

Another great video David, I like how you still set up and do the job like they did in the old days, no flashy dial gauges or micrometers etc.

[@alexpowers3697]

I love your old machines. There's a certain elegance to the reciprocating saw rather than the standard band saw.

[@scotth4760]

I find your videos and videos about restoring machines and machining in general fascinating . Will never do it myself I still find it very interesting Thanks for sharing your passion

[@cojns1627]

Just a tip for people who don't know about it. If you look at 14:52 on the tailstock quill the horizontal line at the front of the quill is usually the center height of the quill. Old timers would scratch a line with a tool bit on the quill on center so they would have a reference if the center was being used to hold work.

[@pablomontane7155]

Mr. Richards, You are living my life long dream, over head steam driven machine shop....Wow! Thank's for sharing.

[@jimliechty2983]

Great job Dave....in case you didn't know it, you are becoming the next youtube metalworking sensation! I feel a little foolish at all the money and time I spent learning the insert tooling lingo!....I haven't completely converted, and have a hankering to to continue brushing up on my grinding skills....you must be a real expert on tool grinding, and would love to see somewhat of a concentration of that in an upcoming video....I'm sure most others would as well.....just love the simplified dialing in and measuring techniques, and most of of you techniques in general. As I mentioned before.....I am in awe!....cannot wait until the next one! Jim

[@davidrichards5594]

+Jim Liechty Thanks Jim, I'm no expert but I can show you what I know about tooling that works on conventional machines like mine.

[@clockguy2]

I like your oil can and chuck key holders on the lathe. keeps em handy.

[@martindever4387]

Thanks for all your videos Dave. Its always better to learn these old time things by watching skilled hands doing it. Keep up the good work!

[@tubeu28]

Good job on getting the part out on time, I'm sure your friend really appreciated your effort. Tell us more about your father and the history of your shop. Thanks

[@davidrichards5594]

If you click the "community" tab on my channel page, you will find several stories as told by my father, you might find interesting...Dave

[@davidjenner4426]

Dave, Always a pleasure to see your workshop in action. Compared with a modern shop with the whine and scream of machinery, your shop sounds quite pleasant and relaxing. Please keep up the good work, I've watched them all!

[@Spoif]

That's great Dave. It's nice to see a steam set-up working.

[@TrishsBigboy4884]

Always a great video. I enjoyed seeing the Frick operating at the Pageant of Steam even better! I used to be a member of the Association years ago when I was younger! It gave the video a personal connection for me!

[@davidrichards5594]

TrishsBigboy4884 Glad you liked it . I was at the second pageant in 1961 I think it was, by 1964 my father had built an engine and we had it at the show for several years. I still have it. Thanks, Dave

[@johnkinnane547]

G'day Dave thanks for the info on the Frick, interesting with the boiler inspections, over here it is very stricked every two years on a steam loco that includes hydrostatic pressure testing. I will send progress photos as soon as I am a bit more into the building, my mill needs some work done on it. Thanks for the reply Dave bloody good job you did on the rod and gland, kind regards Tassie John

[@raytru3191]

your not only saving those old machine but the know how that come with it the is awsom i love every minut of it

[@davidrichards5594]

+ray tru Thanks for watching Ray....Dave

[@steveevans4093]

I must say you are the Bob Ross of the machine world! I enjoy these videos very much. Thank you. "question internal combustion"

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Bob, glad you are aboard...Dave

[@davidrichards5594]

I mean Thanks Steve, glad you are aboard....Dave

[@flintstoneengineering]

I paused at around 26.30 and honestly, I'd hang that image on my wall. lf your intention was to capture the essence of a bygone time, you nailed it right there!

[@davidklingman7539]

ive been to the Canandaigua steam pageant twice I think. I saw stuff there I never even knew existed. love it!

[@JRD77VET]

Nice work on the Frick to keep the old iron going. Jeff

[@davidrichards5594]

+JRD77VET Thanks Jeff, The 12" Monarch that you have looks like a great lathe. My 14" shaper and the steam engine came from Rough & Tumble Excess machinery pile. I am looking for a cut-off saw just like your Racine. I'd appreciate a "heads up" if you ever find another one. Dave

[@JRD77VET]

+David Richards Since my Racine was originally a belt driven power hacksaw, I'm sure we could trade if you come across a similar ( slightly newer ) one. Something to think about. Jeff

[@EmmaRitson]

thanks for persevering. so glad you managed to give us a look at this.

[@lutsifer5847]

30:50 The sound of a hard-working steam engine is something wonderful. It is comparable to a long-stroke, slow-running diesel engine.

[@dougrobison1156]

Dear David, SWEET! Love your work ,Thanks.

[@fm1224]

Awesome...loved watching you cutting the threads and setting up for them!

[@WAVETUBE84]

Interesting shop. Love the old Sibley drill press. Nice fix on the machine.

[@IronClad292]

Awesome video. I'm hooked on watching your series. The Great Oregon Steam-up starts next weekend and I'll be working in the blacksmith shop. Cannot wait to talk about your videos to the guys at the steam-up!! Just purchased a 1900 Lodge Shipley Lathe and hope to get it up and running soon......

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the comment, L&S made a great lathe. East Broad top RR's 22" is shown in my G+ page. Send a photo of it some time.

[@AmericanMaking]

Love these old lathes. Pretty good camera work for being new to KZbin.

[@AgentDiego]

This is simply amazing!

[@arrbam02]

Wow, such great videos you give us all David! I really love the old shop, there are so many details to look at, like the electrical installation with the lights hooked up with twisted wire and ceramic insulators, brilliant! It all looks perfect, and with the steam engine as soundtrack to the whole thing, it just does not get any better than this! Also, you are really good at explaining how everything works and what's going on. My 14 month son also loves wathing :)

[@davidrichards5594]

+arrbam02 Thanks for watching

[@johnwillcocks1401]

Great video, very well explained. Good to see old machines being used. Interesting to learn chromed steel hydraulic shaft can be machined with HSS.

[@davidrichards5594]

Seems to be no problem if you take enough cut to get under the chrome...Dave

[@merlemorrison482]

That tractor pulls a 10 gang plow, eh? What a show that must be!

[@colinwarner7762]

Mr Richards, great videos, great info. thank you very much, for caring. and taking the time and effort.regards Colin, UK.

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks Colin, for taking time to comment, glad you found the channel.....Dave

[@andregross7420]

When using a center I've found that general purpose black tube grease works much better than machine oil for centers, as it can really withstand the pressure. Great videos as always!

[@davidrichards5594]

+Andre Gross I usually use engine assembly lube, but as usual when the camera is burning time, I can't find it....Dave

[@iancraig1951]

First video I have watched of yours and I definitely like it.Interesting old machinery and a good way of communicating....

[@billmoran3812]

Nice job! The name Frick Eclipse caught my eye. I know that name from ammonia refrigeration compressors, also made by Frick in Waynesboro PA. Funny the used the "eclipse" name for both. Great to see the old machines brought back to original specs.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Bill Moran Right you are Bill, Frick was among the first in big refrigeration (and is still at it I guess).

[@MrTL117]

Awesome part! keep up the good work, very interesting to learn how the old timers made parts coming from a CNC workplace. Love your lathe, keep on uploading vids when you can!

[@CincyPlasmaTech]

15:02 I absolutely love seeing this in action!!

[@larryjohnson4962]

Dave , Love your channel ! Keep up the good work. More,More,More!!

[@Eastlakehouseofspeed]

Very cool stuff thanks for doing these videos i know there a lot of work to do. This is one of my new favorite channels to watch. Thanks Sam

[@JohnBare747]

Old-school repairs Old-school how fitting it that!

[@2durangoman]

Thanks Dave, good job. I like the chalk/ scribe trick.

[@mcpheonixx]

I find it amusing that craftsmen back in the day created items using those old tools that are still around today. Goes to show that technology isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

[@davidrichards5594]

Big technology had to start somewhere with the basics....Dave

[@MrKmoconne]

In order to make a modern lathe, primitive man first had invent the pump drill and the wood treadle lathe and use them to make wood tools that could then be used to make metal tools which could then be used to make metal drills and eventually a metal lathe!

[@epd807]

Another great video Dave! Thank you! eric

[@donovangregg5]

Keep em coming, really enjoying seeing your work!

[@lateby]

Nice job Dave !!

[@davedigs]

great repair Dave was expecting you to use some white lead in that tailstock centre hole lol just found your channel and loving it

[@davidrichards5594]

+david sanderson Can't find it anymore Dave.............Dave

[@FrenchieFrench1555]

Like every video, simply excellent. Thank you.

[@PeterWMeek]

I wish I had saved a copy of #3. Foolishly, I trust the internet and the services on it to preserve all my favorite videos (and usually they do).

[@mikebarton3218]

Hi Dave. Really enjoy your videos - thanks. What has happened to no. 3??? It's gone!! Please keep the videos coming. Mike

[@davidrichards5594]

+Mike Barton Sorry, I screwed up and destroyed it.

[@MrToolsinbox]

great video David. Love the old school stuff. Stumbled onto your channel from Abom. I am a subscriber now and looking forward to watching all your vids and up coming ones. Keep going and all the best

[@OldIronShops]

great job man like the historical set up tips have to try it out

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Nice "Frick-ing" work! It runs like new!

[@RyanWeishalla]

Nice job on the part. I liked some of those wide angles showing both the lathe and the steam engine. In the little bit that I've done machining, it sure seems easy to get one pass where you hit the switch when threading not on the numbers...you just hope you catch it before it causes too much damage.

[@davidrichards5594]

+ILGopher That's why you try to start each pass back from the work so you can see that you are engaged in the right slot before the tool gets to the work. In my case..old age brain fade....Dave

[@roberthorner8494]

GREAT JOB DAVE. I'M JUST GETTING INTO THREADING, AND YOUR VIDEO IS VERY HELPFUL. THANKS FOR THE LESSON.

[@davidrichards5594]

+ROBERT HORNER Bob, you might also like some of the threading done on abom79 and Keith Rucker's channel. They are a little more modern. Dave

[@markarrington3869]

The intros are great.

[@MatthewTinker-au-pont-blanc]

Thank you for a very interesting series of videos. I would be very interested to learn an "old timer" techniques for setting up and machining, like the way you set up in the four jaw, as an amateur, any work around are interesting to me as I am onnly partialy equipped! Thanks again for a great series of videos!! Regards, Matthew

[@davidrichards5594]

+Matthew Tinker Thanks Mathew, I will try to show as many things about old machine work as possible in upcoming videos....Dave

[@charlescartwright6367]

Aloha David, It looks funny to me now t see a dead center being used, but I remember them well also I remember using white lead and oil mix for lubing them. I'm still here at 77 years old so it didn't hurt me too much. I enjoy the old machines very much. What is the RPM on the line shaft? Chuck

[@LarryBlowers]

another awesome video as always!

[@peterdriver4760]

Excellent job

[@lutsifer5847]

Hi, do you make this main profession or a hobby? Your workshop is remarkable. Even in my company there is not so much tool available and we have over 400 workers. Greetings Franz

[@rocketman13f51]

Wonder why you don’t use a live center on your tail stock? I would think that it would cause less chatter when your doing some heavy duty cutting.

[@davekeach4898]

great video Dave. It looks like your getting the hang of this youtube thing.

[@MrJohnnaz]

Really enjoyed this one. keep 'em coming. Have you ever used white lead on your dead center? I had a center burn off on me once, wasn't paying attention and let it go dry. Sure makes you appreciate a live center.

[@davidrichards5594]

+MrJohnnaz Yeah, there are a lot of things that work better than what I was using, I was in a little bit of a hurry there. Centers will usually give you a hint when they are about to seize, so you have to watch that...Dave

[@phooesnax]

Very nice job!

[@dave340cars]

Another great video.

[@h2o270]

Another great video!

[@JamesGMunn]

Fun how the threading dial stopped moving when you engaged the feed. Something about the ratio of the lathe's lead screw to the the 10 TPI you were cutting?

[@davidrichards5594]

+James Munn Hi James: The thread dial always stops when the carriage is engaged with the LEAD screw. The dial just lets you know where you are along the lead screw so you will hit the thread correctly. General rule is: even number thread pitch engage on any line, odd thread on any number, 1/2 threads like 11 1/2 engage on even number, 1/4 threads on the same number every time. Some non std. lathes are different....Dave

[@vicdreyer6413]

Hi Dave. Thanks for all the interesting videos you have posted. I have a question. I read that steam and brass don’t play together well. Apparently the steam leaches out the zinc. And for that reason they use bronze for steam applications. Was the original part made from bronze? And is the part you are making made from brass? Is this cause for concern? Regards from South Africa. Vic.

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Vic: Apparently brass was OK for a packing gland. Every one I have seen is yellow brass and the only problem has been a worn ID. engine builders were cheap and brass was less expensive.

[@jamesprocyk6444]

I think your video's are as professional as your machinist skills. Watching the thread cutting with smoking oil, I swear I could smell it! Love seeing the powered hack saw, all you see these days are horizontal or cut off band saws, yes they are faster but lack the calming reciprocal crank.

[@mouseriverengineering]

love the videos cant wait for more, 27:08 you leave to wrench in chuck unattended , I was fixed on wrench worried you would turn it on, I did that once and never again did I leave wrench unattended in chuck, that caught me eye , love to videos keep them coming

[@davidrichards5594]

+mouse river engineering You can usually find marks in the ways where someone has done that and then filed it out.

[@garygsp3]

+David Richards I never turned the lathe on, but I left the wrench in once and got chewed out well enough by a crotchety older machinist. (Great guy learned a lot from him.) Now that wrench never leaves my fingers until I am putting it back in it's holder.

[@joshward7896]

Left the key in the chuck after being scolded a hundred times, then I turned the old Sheldon on, and that key took off so fast. It bounced off the 12' ceiling, ricocheted off the back block wall and hit the floor....needless to say, it never happened again. Don't ask about the time the chuck came out of the other chuck and almost bowled down a couple of people behind me.....they never asked me back.

[@ViperishTiger]

Awesome video! Where's video 3?

[@davidrichards5594]

+ViperishTiger it had a catastrophy, working on a replacment

[@paulduffey7975]

Thanks for sharing.

[@robbiemiller2405]

Thank you!

[@JoggingWithForks]

Is it my failing eyes or is the spindle oil cup on the lathe empty? Love the videos!

[@jonka1]

@27:04 I was hoping to see you using soft metal to grip the rod. Isn't this risking damage where the rod passes through the gland?

[@davidatkinson8221]

Just found your channel and working my way through your most informative videos. Curious. Could you have saved the cost of the new shaft by reversing the original valve rod end-for-end and extending the threads on the shorter end? Would you have needed to cold-work the shaft to harden it where it goes through the packing?

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the comment Dave, Yeah, it could have been done, but it was such a poor piece of material to begin with. I wanted somthing that wouldn't rust, hard and would run well with a more modern packing material. The repair was done 2 seasons ago, and I don't think the gland adjustment has been touched. ....Dave

[@scottpecora371]

Dave: maybe you can explain this question. You used the power hacksaw to cut the rod. Why would anyone (other than for historical reasons) use a power hacksaw when there are bandsaw? I don't understand, a bandsaw continuously cuts, uses all the teeth on the blade and is much faster and efficient. So other than for novelty why still use a power hacksaw?

[@davidrichards5594]

Hi Scott, The recip saw is what I have....Dave

[@faithseverance2633]

good threading, I enjoy threading a lot myself its just FUN

[@davidrichards5594]

Thanks for the comments, good to hear from you...Dave

[@MatthewMaier-w7w]

Is there a way I can obtain copies of those Frick blueprints? I'm interested in doing a scale model traction engine from start to finish, casting patterns and everything.

[@superdupergrover9857]

Don't worry about being off by a year or two. As a worker in an auto parts store, I get customers get the year of their car off by a decade or two, a few times a week. I wish I was joking.

[@napolianwas]

is the small lathe running on steam? love your videos, thanks for giving us an in site to what it was like in the day.

[@davidrichards5594]

+napolianwas On that video, it is running from its elec. motor ( can run on either) I didn't have the boiler hot that day and needed to get Jim's part finished. That lathe, the Horizontal boring mill & the powered hack saw have electric motors. Hope to hook them up eventually......Dave

[@bobauer4359]

Dave, I just discovered your series last week. It's great to see someone doing this work the way it was done years ago. Thanks for taking the time and effort to share it with the rest of us. You mentioned the Canandaigua (sp?) steam show. Does that mean you are somewhere in upstate NY? I'm looking forward to watching the rest of your videos. Bob Auer

[@davidrichards5594]

+Bob Auer Thanks Bob, I,m in Newark Valley NY, near Binghamton.

[@bobauer4359]

+David Richards - I'm in Rotterdam NY, just outside of Schenectady, so we are almost neighbors.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Bob Auer Big stuff used to happen in Schenectady. Stop by if your down this way...Dave

[@bobauer4359]

+David Richards I used to work on some of that Big Stuff. GE is still here, but they don't have anything like it was 40 years ago.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Bob Auer I worked with a guy once that was at GE 50 years ago when that armature blew apart and killed a lot of people. He worked the other shift....Dave

[@DMPB-fi2ir]

i'm actually surprised it was 3/4 10 but that's in the same time frame as SAE was being formalized but most steam / rail threads used a different standard for threads per inch

[@Rydawg2009]

Are manually starting the feed when doing the threads? How do you know when to start? I imagine being off by even a fraction of a second could destroy the threads...

[@markpetersen912]

fellow machinist who was taught to do it the way he is doing it. there is a timing dial on the carriage. when the line you choose to use on the dial kines up with the reference mark you engage the "half nut" quickly. if you are off, yes you would ruin the thread, and possibly the tool.

[@basemkhoja4498]

Very very nice 👍

[@Bobbycat115]

I just want to say it is ok to use some modern tools like a dial gage and verner why struggle .I have a 1908 13" x 48" South Bend lathe it should come to you.

[@davidrichards5594]

+Joe Duruisseau They were a nice heavy old lathe.

[@hermannstraub3743]

Wonderful! Seems You are not much slower on your work than an all electric Workshop, except the time for boiling the water. On the other hand you are faster in making tea as the water is hot yet. you can save some time this way. LOL

[@davidrichards5594]

+Hermann Straub I don't know much about tea Herman, but in the shop cold coffee is a way of life....Dave