Hey guys,
I know several of you do really fine machining so I'd like to get your opinion on a project that I would like to take on....but I'll start at the beginning.
Last fall I took a class (the first of a three series class) in machining. The class dealt with basic lathe operation, threading etc. This spring I have enrolled in the second portion, milling. I'm supposed to pick a project and I'd really like to build a half-A engine. The instructor, by the way, encourages engines as he's built 2 cylinder, 4 cylinder, steam and external combustion engines. I've been browsing previous posts and I've looked into Schroeder Replica's . I'm drawn to the Schroeder Twin, though I'd really like .049 displacement better than .020 since .049 stuff is so much more abundant and cheap. Know any place where I might pick up .020 stuff cheap?
The simple single looks classy, but I really want to do a twin-a true twin (as opposed to the geared Babe Bees). I'll be spending quite a bit of time on mills and lathes in the next 10 weeks as I just picked up a second job working at technical services on campus as a cadet machinist (the current one is graduating at the end of the quarter). I've got access to good equipment (Bridgeport with digital x,y in the lab and Enco with digital x,y at work plus a host of lathes). And I know that the instructor would be able to help me with the silver soldering involved. What do you guys think. Are there plans that I'm overlooking? I know Mr. Coholic is a master of this sort of thing, what do you recommend? Thanks!
Derek