Hello again, everyone. I have been spending limited time on the Gade, as my old milling machine is in need of some drive system repairs. Couple this with the extremely cold weather we’ve experienced and it’s been slow-going. However, I’m looking forward to the the 2005 North American Model Engineering Society show (NAMES), which will be held April 23-24 in Southgate, Mich. This will be the 16th annual meeting and it’s expected to be bigger than ever. Mark your calendar for this show, where you’ll see hundreds of very interesting models of engines, tractors, farm machinery, boats, airplanes and more – and meet the interesting people who build them. I will be sure to have the Gade finished by then.
I thought it was time to go to the mailbag and post some responses from readers. Lester Bowman continues work on his Sampson model (more on that next issue) and we received a nice letter from Jack Guerrie about a crankshaft he salvaged. We also received news from Ned Bemenderfer about the Ervin model. As always, feel free to drop me a line. Is this hobby great, or what?
This month’s tip for model and scale parts sources:
• Chedder Models Ltd. makes kits and handles model steam engine supplies: Sharpham Road, Chedder, Somerset BS27 3DR, England; www.modelsteam.co.uk/
• Luke Tonneberger handles the plans for a vertical bar-stock model designed by Australian scale-engine enthusiast Reg Ingold, 10905 Algoma Ave., Rockford, MI 49341-8039; (616) 866-5812.
These tips are for your thoughts only, and your fuel lines may vary.
Have a tip other model makers should know? Send it to Rusty Hopper at Gas Engine Magazine; rustyhopper@hotmail.com
Salvaged Crankshaft
While looking through my pile of projects (which I’m going to do someday!) I found this neat little crankshaft I was going to use to build a model engine. I salvaged this crank out of an old sewing machine about 15 years ago, and thought this information may be useful to someone. There is a lot of stuff out there if you know where to look.
Jack P. Guerrie
2630 Mountain View Ave.
Longmont, CO 80503
Ervin Model
Since I retired from over 55 years as an industrial tooling engineer, my time has primarily been spent building model engines – hit-and-miss and Sterling engines in particular. I have built several different model engines including the Economy and Olds engines (Paul Briesch), several Sterling engines and a Pioneer (Rudy Kouhopt) and the Ervin. I love this hobby and want to see it grow so future generations can have the pleasure and rewards so many of us are currently enjoying.
It was my good fortune to meet a family member of a man who sold over 500 casting kits of an engine he designed, loosely patterned after a full-size farm engine. That engine carried his name – Ervin – and he sold kits from 1971 until his death in 1985. With the pattern for this engine made available to me, and with his family’s blessings, the Ervin is again available.
Although it is not an elementary kit, it should be fairly easy and one on which changes can be made. The revisions and changes I have made to the engine, and the more accurate and precise drawings have resulted in an excellent running and well-balanced engine designed for ignition point-coil set up.
Ned Bemenderfer
11501 9A Road
Plymouth, IN 46563
(574) 936-9415
nmbem@maplenet.net
