P.O. Box 2004, Vernon, Connecticut 06066
I recently finished these engines. Pictured is a 6 HP
Woodpecker, serial # 20417, which was originally used on a farm in
Wethersfield, Connecticut, to cut firewood. When I bought the
engine it was in rough shape, having been outside most of its life.
The original steel channels under the engine were rotted, and the
engine itself was badly pitted. After taking it apart with the help
of an oxygen-acetylene torch, I had it sandblasted, then I primed
and filled the casting with auto body putty, and finished it with a
dark green acrylic-enamel paint. Next, I assembled the engine (the
bore was still good, and only needed honing), polished the brass,
and made the oak cart it stands on. The engine runs perfectly;
I’ve won first place awards with it at area shows.
The engine above is a Rawleigh, which I had in the
‘Reflections’ column. This one originally came from a farm
in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and spent its life outdoors as well. It
was frozen, and had to be torched apart. In addition, the bore had
to be resleeved; I sandblasted and filled the pits as with the
Woodpecker. This engine runs well, and does get a lot of attention
at the shows because of its rarity.
My wife likes this hobby in spite of the room the engines take
up, as it keeps me out of trouble and we get to meet a lot of
interesting people.
