Help with lathe operation would be much appeciated.

I make Stirling engines, primarily because I do not have the facilty to make steam ones. I generally make the engines with hand tools and soft solder all the joints.

My latest one is a horizontal comfiguration that runs at about 200 RPM but has no power to speak of and will not run even a small generator or pump, to try and increase the power I added a fire box and additional burners with the intention of changing the displacer to a regenerator and increasing the size of the piston.

The first part went ok with the additional heat, but then the solder on the stuffing gland on the hot cap of the displacer cylinder promptly melted.

I intend to replace the soldered joint with a mechanical fixing - ie a brass bolt drilled through the center to take the 1/8" piston rod. I have made several attempts to drill down the center ofthe bolt and failed every time to make a success of it. My pillar drill is not very ridgid and appears to have a mind of its own. (it cost £18 from deepest China) .

I am down to my last two bolts and have been unsuccesfully trying to gain access to a lathe or someone that has a lathe and is prepared to drill two holes for me.

So I am hoping that someone in ths forum would be prepared to help.

Thanks for reading this so far.

Where are you located Brian?

Jim

If you are close to Lichfield/Burton on Trent I will do it or you can use the lathe.

Im in hull and happy to help

Brilliant !!!

Thanks for the quick reply and the offer of help.

I am in Middlesbrough, but I am only 50 yards away from a post box. I could post two bolts and a drill bit and include a SAE for the return.

I gave up my car this year, that combined with the Coronavirus is making things a bit awkward.

If this is OK would you send me an address I can send the bits to.

Thanks again

Toodlepip

Brian

Brian,

Glad you have had offers of help. I am in N Yorks so not a million miles from you . I would be more that happy to drill your bolts, or even make some bespoke ones. I have an excuse to drive up to Newcastle so could collect if that suits.

All the best,

John

Many thanks to all responders.

Everything is now as it should be.

Toodlepip

Brian

Glad you have had offers of help. There is a way which I got away with many years ago, I needed a 1/8" hole in the head of a 5/16" bolt, and there was no way my cheap pillar drill could do it. However I tried putting the bolt in the chuck and holding the drill in the vice. I had to drill a dimple for a centre first, but it stayed straight over the inch of depth I needed.