The Mechanical Stuff thread

[oldoakknives]

So I like mechanical stuff. Things with bearings, moving parts, old and new, just mechanical. Watches can be included, as can ships engines, anything really. I just enjoy seeing mechanical things work. (And taking them apart if the opportunity arises! Putting them back together is optional, as long as the workings have been studied!)

To start off, one of my less impressive things.

The Singer Model 99k sewing machine. Made circa 1930 and still working fine. (as a sewing machine and occasional doorstop)

So lets see your mechanical things, you don't have to own them just appreciate them!

[GRK]

Interesting to see your mechanical sewing machine, I have one exactly the same, you may not realise it but yours is probably one of the many made in Clydebank just outside of Glasgow. The singer factory in Clydebank was the first Singer factory outside of the US, it was opened in 1884 and by 1913 was making 1.3 million machines per year. At its peak it employed 15,000 people and had its own railway station which is still open today. Along with the rest of UK manufacturing output dwindled from the 60's peak and the factory closed in 1980 with the final loss of 1200 jobs.

The machine I have dates from just after the first world war and works as well as it did when new.

Good idea for a thread

regards
grant

[oldoakknives]

Interesting to see your mechanical sewing machine, I have one exactly the same, you may not realise it but yours is probably one of the many made in Clydebank just outside of Glasgow. The singer factory in Clydebank was the first Singer factory outside of the US, it was opened in 1884 and by 1913 was making 1.3 million machines per year. At its peak it employed 15,000 people and had its own railway station which is still open today. Along with the rest of UK manufacturing output dwindled from the 60's peak and the factory closed in 1980 with the final loss of 1200 jobs.

The machine I have dates from just after the first world war and works as well as it did when new.

Good idea for a thread

regards
grant

Thanks for the information. My father worked for Singer for a short while. These machines are a good example of how things were over-engineered in those days, hence they lasted so long!

regards
Ian

[thieuster]

My mom had an electric Singer, with a brown throttle and a curly brown wiring from the throttle to the machine on the table! I still remember the distinct smell of the oily parts inside the machine. As a kid, for a long time I thought that those machines were called 'singers' and not 'sewing machine'. Much like a 'zeppelin' when you refer to a 'blimp'. Sort of eponym. There was simply nothing else than a Singer. She gave up sewing when she got really old and here eyes weren't as good as they used to be.

Similar to this:

[Kingstepper]

My Mum's got a treadle Singer.

[unclealec]

My mom had an electric Singer, with a brown throttle and a curly brown wiring from the throttle to the machine on the table! I still remember the distinct smell of the oily parts inside the machine. As a kid, for a long time I thought that those machines were called 'singers' and not 'sewing machine'. Much like a 'zeppelin' when you refer to a 'blimp'. Sort of eponym. There was simply nothing else than a Singer. She gave up sewing when she got really old and here eyes weren't as good as they used to be.

Similar to this:

Looks like a 201K (or maybe not "K" if bought on mainland Europe) but a very robust semi-pro machine for home use. I have a 201K myself, though I mostly use a Pfaff 145 walking foot. OP will like to hear that I resurrected the Pfaff from a barn find into almost daily use.

[KavKav]

It is a remarkable reminder of how things used to be manufactured before the beancounters replaced the engineers. I have seen several of these Singer sewing machines ‘in the metal’ and they really are built like tanks and of high quality parts. Happy days, as they were!

[Passenger]

So I like mechanical stuff. Things with bearings, moving parts, old and new, just mechanical. Watches can be included, as can ships engines, anything really. I just enjoy seeing mechanical things work. (And taking them apart if the opportunity arises! Putting them back together is optional, as long as the workings have been studied!)

To start off, one of my less impressive things.

The Singer Model 99k sewing machine. Made circa 1930 and still working fine. (as a sewing machine and occasional doorstop)

So lets see your mechanical things, you don't have to own them just appreciate them!

Very cool my Grandma had one just like that.

[bambam]

My mum had one just like the one in the first image. She probably still has it, even though she bought a newer electric one a while back. Well built things, very few things built like that these days.

[oldoakknives]

My Mum's got a treadle Singer.

We had one when I was younger.
(Much younger!)
Great old things

[oldoakknives]

Looks like a 201K (or maybe not "K" if bought on mainland Europe) but a very robust semi-pro machine for home use. I have a 201K myself, though I mostly use a Pfaff 145 walking foot. OP will like to hear that I resurrected the Pfaff from a barn find into almost daily use.

Good stuff. From barn to using is great!

[Daddelvirks]

We had one when I was younger.
(Much younger!)
Great old things

Yep, my mom still has her treadle Singer in the spare room, used as a desk now. Still works fine though. I still remember her sitting behind it and patching up my jeans with an apple.....😱

[oldoakknives]

Seen some great aero engines on utube but they’re mostly pretty huge.
This one might be double garage doable though.
Wicked the way rotaries like these work.
Anyone got one?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UBAukXPD-0&t=11s

[greasemonkey]

nothing as exciting as an aero engine but good old british engineering,its a 1949 BSA C11,unrestored but in good running order.runs well ,brakes badly,leaks oil just as it always did,gets the occasional run out around the villages...

[oldoakknives]

nothing as exciting as an aero engine but good old british engineering,its a 1949 BSA C11,unrestored but in good running order.runs well ,brakes badly,leaks oil just as it always did,gets the occasional run out around the villages...

Very nice. Had a Tiger Cub as I'm sure I mentioned to you plenty of times. It had similar 'hopeful brakes' with lighting by Joseph Lucas 'Prince of Darkness'. Did a lot of fun miles on it though. Later on when I bought the first Jap bike I owned (Honda CB250k4) I couldn't believe how bright the 12v headlamp was!!

[Bobbyf]

I started flying paramotors about 3 years ago and it’s amazing how fast you become familiar with the inner workings of small 2 stroke engines! I’ve bought myself a small 4 stroke engine now and look forward to changing the oil and filters and adjusting valves every 25 hours!



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[E_2_Right-Force]

I started flying paramotors about 3 years ago

[Bobbyf]

I wondered if there would be any fellow pilots on here! Nice pic. UK based?


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[oldoakknives]

I started flying paramotors about 3 years ago and it’s amazing how fast you become familiar with the inner workings of small 2 stroke engines! I’ve bought myself a small 4 stroke engine now and look forward to changing the oil and filters and adjusting valves every 25 hours!



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Thats really nice, would love to get stuck into the workings on that! (although probably not a good idea!) Major jealousy attack.

[Bobbyf]

Thats really nice, would love to get stuck into the workings on that! (although probably not a good idea!) Major jealousy attack.

It’s generally considered one of the more reliable paramotor engines so doesn’t need as much fettleing as some of the 2 strokes. Oil, filter and valve adjustment every 25 hours, then keeping on top of the other parts (spark plug, carb filters, fuel filter, drive belts etc) as and when necessary. Here’s a pic with the cover removed.




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[Kingstepper]

My late father’s hot air engine. Must shift it sometime soon: -

[ChronoCop]

Seem to be more modest with my mechanical stuff:





Cheers,
Brane

[oldoakknives]

It’s generally considered one of the more reliable paramotor engines so doesn’t need as much fettleing as some of the 2 strokes. Oil, filter and valve adjustment every 25 hours, then keeping on top of the other parts (spark plug, carb filters, fuel filter, drive belts etc) as and when necessary. Here’s a pic with the cover removed.




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Nice one thanks for the pic. Looks like a little OHC engine, what make is it?

[oldoakknives]

My late father’s hot air engine. Must shift it sometime soon: -

Wow what a thing, just love the look of that, some seriously good engineering on that one. Thanks for sharing that.

[oldoakknives]

Seem to be more modest with my mechanical stuff:





Cheers,
Brane

Modest sizewise perhaps but slr's have some great mechanicals inside. The noises and clunks some make can be a fun part of using them. Gives them a bit of 'soul'!

[Kingstepper]

Wow what a thing, just love the look of that, some seriously good engineering on that one. Thanks for sharing that.

Thanks, unfortunately he never got it going (missing half big end bearing) and was just an ornament/feature in room.

[snowman]

There is something great about something mechanical that you can take apart and put back together or just marvel at how the bits work together.

I've got a couple of these, but not risked them in water yet!



I've also got one of these, which is mostly mechanical (Although, ironically, laid low by electrical gremlins currently).



Before the VCRA, I used to dabble with airsoft pistols, which involved a fair amount of fettling and fiddling.

M

[oldoakknives]

There is something great about something mechanical that you can take apart and put back together or just marvel at how the bits work together.

I've got a couple of these, but not risked them in water yet!



I've also got one of these, which is mostly mechanical (Although, ironically, laid low by electrical gremlins currently).



Before the VCRA, I used to dabble with airsoft pistols, which involved a fair amount of fettling and fiddling.

M

Cameras are good.

But oh my haven't seen a Marcos for a few years, very nice.

[oldoakknives]

Thanks, unfortunately he never got it going (missing half big end bearing) and was just an ornament/feature in room.

Thats a shame, lovely looking thing, be a good project for the right person.

[snowman]

Cameras are good.

But oh my haven't seen a Marcos for a few years, very nice.

There are still a few around - You don't often see an early one though (mine included - Been off the road a while again!) - Even the last models are over 10 years old now.

M.

[Mr Curta]

Kontax Stirling engine with Ross yoke mechanism







Kit build documented here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...gine-Kit-Build

[oldoakknives]

Kontax Stirling engine with Ross yoke mechanism







Kit build documented here: http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...gine-Kit-Build

Brilliant thing. Really good how it works by the heat of the valve set!! DAB wouldn't do that one I don't think. Great little piece of engineering with no workshop required!!

Agree it would probably be best to use an Adnams mug for the build as well.

[MCFastybloke]

I like old safes, Joseph Bates, Tann Chatworth milner etc
I have the old one from Scunthorpe post office in my lounge to keep my whiskey in.
Have a 3.5 ton 6 footer in my garage with a right mechanism, glass relockers etc

[Mr Curta]

I like old safes, Joseph Bates, Tann Chatworth milner etc
I have the old one from Scunthorpe post office in my lounge to keep my whiskey in.
Have a 3.5 ton 6 footer in my garage with a right mechanism, glass relockers etc

Fantastic. Right up my street but a bit heavy to ship around the world every time I move.

[Bobbyf]

Nice one thanks for the pic. Looks like a little OHC engine, what make is it?

It’s from a specialist aviation manufacturer called Bailey Aviation. It’s based on a Honda 4 stroke engine but with engine casings etc made in their UK factory.


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[TheTigerUK]

My Myford S7 from 1966, another great example of British made quality (IMO).

[oldoakknives]

It’s from a specialist aviation manufacturer called Bailey Aviation. It’s based on a Honda 4 stroke engine but with engine casings etc made in their UK factory.


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Thought the OHC design was familiar. Good base to use I reckon.

[oldoakknives]

My Myford S7 from 1966, another great example of British made quality (IMO).

Yes please, serious workshop envy for that. Thinking of getting a lathe next year but a lot smaller than that unfortunately!

[oldoakknives]

I like old safes, Joseph Bates, Tann Chatworth milner etc
I have the old one from Scunthorpe post office in my lounge to keep my whiskey in.
Have a 3.5 ton 6 footer in my garage with a right mechanism, glass relockers etc

Will have a picture for you tomorrow when I get in my garage!

[stiglet]

My old motor - can be taken apart with an adjustable spanner ( AF of course) and doesn't need a laptop to set it up.

https://sconte

[oldoakknives]

My old motor - can be taken apart with an adjustable spanner ( AF of course) and doesn't need a laptop to set it up.

https://sconte

What make is that, looks a whole lot of smiles to me.

[stiglet]

1969 Merlyn Mk11 - not the fastest thing on four wheels, but an absolute hoot to drive - sometimes it's even pointing the way it's going

[pacifichrono]

Just slightly off topic, when I began my finance and accounting career, my first employer gave me a manual (non-electric) Monroe desk calculator to use, which could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. It was pretty ancient, even by 1960s standards! As you can imagine, it was a mechanical marvel.




One day I had to go up to the financial planning department, and there was a young Asian analyst using one of these (swear to God!):

[Mr Curta]

Just slightly off topic, when I began my finance and accounting career, my first employer gave me a manual (non-electric) Monroe desk calculator to use, which could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. It was pretty ancient, even by 1960s standards! As you can imagine, it was a mechanical marvel.

Now we're talking, I don't think that is off topic at all!

[thieuster]

Now we're talking, I don't think that is off topic at all!

Ha! I've been waiting for your reply the moment the OP started this thread! C'mon show us a few of Curt's finest.

Menno

[Bobbyf]

I’m enjoying this thread far too much!


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[oldoakknives]

Just slightly off topic, when I began my finance and accounting career, my first employer gave me a manual (non-electric) Monroe desk calculator to use, which could add, subtract, multiply, and divide. It was pretty ancient, even by 1960s standards! As you can imagine, it was a mechanical marvel.




One day I had to go up to the financial planning department, and there was a young Asian analyst using one of these (swear to God!):

Can’t imagine how complicated the internal workings are on that. Amazing thing.

[snowman]

My old motor - can be taken apart with an adjustable spanner ( AF of course) and doesn't need a laptop to set it up.

https://sconte

Surely an adjustable spanner isn't AF, Metric or anything else?

M

[oldoakknives]

I like old safes, Joseph Bates, Tann Chatworth milner etc
I have the old one from Scunthorpe post office in my lounge to keep my whiskey in.
Have a 3.5 ton 6 footer in my garage with a right mechanism, glass relockers etc

Here's my safe, sorry for poor pic it's in the garage behind some boxes as we're moving soon. Only gets used if we go away, normally use some a bit smaller and more modern!

[oldoakknives]

1969 Merlyn Mk11 - not the fastest thing on four wheels, but an absolute hoot to drive - sometimes it's even pointing the way it's going

Very nice will have to check those out.