Introducing The Straight-Line Engine.
Added 2021-05-01 16:20:34 +0000 UTCHi Folks,
There has been some interest in the engine turning aspect of the next Patron Series project, so I thought I'd shoot a video to give you a good look at the machine in action. No narration, just a chill-out sort of thing, and I will go through the process of using it in detail once I've completed the project prototypes I am working on at present. The plate material is fine silver, the pattern is a basketweave, and the component is the inner dial insert for the indicator project.
Do please enjoy!
Cheers,
Chris.
Direct links to the video -
Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/558483825/d1a7aa750f
Youtube: https://youtu.be/7yyrILbqgMQ
Comments
I wonder what the other patterns are?
PeterT
2021-09-09 02:41:51 +0000 UTCChris, when are you going to start holding classes?!!!
Kas Steel
2021-06-30 10:45:29 +0000 UTCAwesome 😎
SA Sampson
2021-06-23 23:44:47 +0000 UTCI've had to rewatch this several times to try to put the machine together in my head. I find myself zoning out, entranced by the music and visuals.
Logan Newman
2021-06-13 04:07:30 +0000 UTCSome things are so beautiful and/or beautifully captured on video, that commentary is unnecessary. Thanks
George Speake
2021-06-06 13:00:18 +0000 UTCG'day Chris! Absolutely beautiful work as always, and what a great little teaser video for what's to come! Never heard of it before but looked into it now and what a fantastic little piece of technology.
Spadge Fox
2021-06-05 13:30:44 +0000 UTCThat's awesome Chris! And very expensive swarf ;) How do I find out more about the machine?
Guy in a Garage
2021-06-04 08:37:44 +0000 UTCThese were used by gunmakers to make patterns on ribs
Axel
2021-06-03 17:36:39 +0000 UTCoh... wow....
Kenneth Carlile
2021-06-02 02:22:09 +0000 UTCVery nice toy, - tool envy clearly apparent I had taken a bit of a break, trust you are well and raring to go now 'winter' has set in.
David Paterson
2021-05-25 04:50:39 +0000 UTCNice toy! I love old machines. They usually were designed by brilliant people.
Kevin Reardon
2021-05-20 02:48:31 +0000 UTCSandra spotted your big print of Harrison's H4 on the wall :) Nice bit of inspiration.
Duncan Luddite
2021-05-17 00:07:39 +0000 UTCAnother fantastic video and what a teaser. Please do a follow-up explaining the setup and control of the straight line engine. It seems much more manual, and potentially error prone, than I was expecting. your content is always so engaging and relaxing. The world needs a heavy dose of de-stressing at the moment. Your channel delivers that in spades. The nightly news should be replaced by any of your videos!
Drew Keats
2021-05-11 18:48:48 +0000 UTCwow, that looks time consuming
Alex Topfer
2021-05-10 01:23:26 +0000 UTCVery beautiful machine! That being said, i myself have two left hands (and i'm sort of accident prone when it comes to handling machines), so personally i'd rather teach a computer how to do stuff like this for me.
Rene Schickbauer
2021-05-07 15:16:13 +0000 UTCI think you would stagger the pattern after a set number of passes. It's the only way I see
Tom Wazny
2021-05-05 11:59:44 +0000 UTCBeautiful work Chris
Brandon Macmillan
2021-05-03 18:38:08 +0000 UTCThis is going to be the most ridiculously over engineered indicator ever, I love it!
Jack Plant
2021-05-03 11:43:02 +0000 UTCis this a form of "guilloché" ?
ShamWerks
2021-05-03 08:52:56 +0000 UTCI know I know, you said "no narration" but what's the point of a clickspring video without your soothing voice? (just kidding)
TOM
2021-05-03 08:42:47 +0000 UTCISTR the last update was the paper was getting peer reviewed, so presumably that's still ongoing.
Jrandom Bob
2021-05-03 06:17:07 +0000 UTCThat's utterly gorgeous.
Jrandom Bob
2021-05-03 06:16:34 +0000 UTCThat wondrous machine could not have come into better hands than yours. Use it in joy and good health, and thank you for showing it to us.
Leonard Solomon
2021-05-03 00:44:23 +0000 UTCAnyone know the status of Anyikythera?
Russell Reckman
2021-05-03 00:26:15 +0000 UTCAmazing! Just wondering if there is anything spoken because seems no captions for now.
rolf redford
2021-05-02 23:44:57 +0000 UTCI had no idea such a thing existed. Thank you so much for this. Can you speak a little on here about where you found a machine like this?
Will Josephson
2021-05-02 23:07:01 +0000 UTCI wish someone had accurate blueprints or 3D models of these wonderful old machines. The work is beautiful but as a machinist I would be even more intrigued to try to reproduce that machine. Hopefully its design won’t be lost to the ages.
Steven Naslund
2021-05-02 22:17:41 +0000 UTCChris, what did/do you think of the machinability of fine silver? My entry into metalworking was through jewelry fabrication, so I've always been curious about applying machining techniques to jewelry work.
Jeff Jones
2021-05-02 17:35:26 +0000 UTCBeautiful work! I still can't work out how the zig-zag tool path ends up creating the basket weave pattern, but I'm sure it'll become apparent eventually.
Mike Michelizzi
2021-05-02 16:06:09 +0000 UTCExcellent!
John S Dilsaver
2021-05-02 12:09:32 +0000 UTCThat was surprisingly pleasant to watch. I mean I conceptually knew how it was done I just never imagined the machine that did it. But of course the principle would be based off a sewing machine why I never considered that I am not sure. Thanks Chris. Really appreciate it mate
veritanuda
2021-05-02 09:39:53 +0000 UTCYes it is from England. Harborne Plant. Est 1857 Birmingham England. It is on the plate. All the quality machinery of that era and later had identifying plates on them. We had a compressor from 1962 built like you just never would today and would easily last 100 years or more if looked after properly. It is very true. They don't build them like they used to. *sighs*
veritanuda
2021-05-02 09:27:27 +0000 UTCWhat a wonderful engine! Did you find it in Aus or is it from the UK? I don't imagine there's many around.
Tim bennett
2021-05-02 08:17:56 +0000 UTCEveryone else: *tries to keep their sanity in the last phase of the pandemic* Chris: "So anyway, I bought this great new toy..."
Justus Dehegovit
2021-05-02 07:28:29 +0000 UTCI've no idea what that gizmo is, but glad you have it and know how to use it.
owl3764
2021-05-02 06:24:39 +0000 UTCStunning work as always, machinists have the coolest tools by far.
Zachary Faragher
2021-05-02 03:14:01 +0000 UTCChris, is this fascinating machine a new acquisition or do you have a friend with one? Could you make a video explaining _how_ this machine is constructed and how it works?
Bob Vines
2021-05-02 01:35:16 +0000 UTCWow, that is amazing. What a beautiful machine too. Looking forward to seeing more of this.
Matt Syme
2021-05-01 23:56:07 +0000 UTCAmazing. Where do you find such things? At least now I know why chequer plate is so expensive :-)
Benny
2021-05-01 22:58:47 +0000 UTCAnother fascinating and beautiful "Thing" thanks Chris. Are you following, fellow banana bender, "Presso" Mark Presling on youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYfDX1Gno-PuJ-QWLbH09Sg a collaboration would be interesting ;-D Not that I really expect you to have the time or even interest
Luke Pettit
2021-05-01 21:40:05 +0000 UTCSuch a fascinating machine! Looks too big for the shop though, is that a corner of the living room?
Evan Crawford
2021-05-01 21:38:07 +0000 UTCNot only that but this one: https://madelathe.com
Robert D
2021-05-01 21:19:41 +0000 UTCYou've probably seen this already, but if not: https://lindowmachineworks.com/lindow-rose-engine-menu/
Martin Anderson
2021-05-01 21:18:06 +0000 UTCFascinating machine, never seen one before. Thank you for showing this process
Thomas Richards
2021-05-01 21:08:49 +0000 UTCA glorious tool isn't it? ;)
Ludovic MOUROUVIN
2021-05-01 20:45:57 +0000 UTCIt's like a vertical shaper with a pattern matching arm. Very cool!
Tim Mullen
2021-05-01 20:36:23 +0000 UTCVery cool... would love to see some other patterns it can make. I guess it would be fairly easy to make others, if needed. Pretty fascinating.
Kerry Benton
2021-05-01 20:13:58 +0000 UTCProbably I didn't phrased my initial comment correctly. But, the tool leaves a very slight mark/tack from the bottom to the top of the workpiece, and from left to the right. Let's say that this big metal plate, on which the workpiece is stuck with that "clay" is our zero point. And bottom left is x = 0 and y =0. Now if the tool moves straight up and left, like on a shaper ( or otherwise unrelated to the current position of the workpiece ) , If the tool is set to take a 0.01mm in corner x =0, y=0, but current x=1, y=1 (let's say the workplace is square with length 1), and this corner is 0.1mm towards the base plate (I already used 2, or 3 names for this plate on which the material is sticked to ) that will result of clear mark in one corner, and noting in the opposite corner. Or the entire set up have something that it's not shown in the video, or I don't get. I hope that I managed to explain my confusion with this attempt.
Plamen Dimchevske
2021-05-01 19:59:36 +0000 UTCThat was just Bloody Awesome Chris! Nerve seen one in action before. TFS, GB :)
Graeme Brumfitt
2021-05-01 19:44:04 +0000 UTCI am jealous of you having a Straight line engine. They really are so incredibly rare these days and such fascinating machines. Part of me wants one along with a nice rose engine and just see how much guilloche engraving I could do....
Robert D
2021-05-01 19:27:37 +0000 UTCThere's a clamp on the engine (you see him release it when he finishes the piece). I suspect you first mount the plate with pitch and let it harden. Then you position the block/pitch/workpiece chunk on the machine and use a squaring surface built into the machine or a framing square using the machine's ways as a reference point. Once the block is at the correct angle, you tighten the clamp.
Andy Weir
2021-05-01 19:25:55 +0000 UTCI don't think the work has to be square to the tool in this case. Because the end-result of the workpiece is a circular plate with a basketweave pattern on it, there's no immediate visual clue to pattern/workpiece alignment. So being off by a fraction of a degree won't matter.
Andy Weir
2021-05-01 19:23:13 +0000 UTCI agree!
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:21:29 +0000 UTCOnly Clickspring would put hours (days?) of work into a basket-weave pattern for the face of a micrometer. Honestly, I was surprised he didn't make the whole straight line engine from scratch just for this purpose.
Andy Weir
2021-05-01 19:21:09 +0000 UTCYou've got the gig :)
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:21:03 +0000 UTCWill do mate :)
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:20:24 +0000 UTCCheers Evan!
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:20:05 +0000 UTCThank you mate :)
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:19:53 +0000 UTCIts in great condition, now settled in its new home with me :)
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:19:45 +0000 UTCMe either, this next project has had a long lead time!
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:16:44 +0000 UTCSo pleased to hear that mate :)
Clickspring
2021-05-01 19:15:52 +0000 UTCWhat a great machine! I'm sure alot of effort went into making it look so 'simple'. Anxious to see how much of a 'pain' it was to set-up. Looking forward to the new series!
Thomas McGinnis
2021-05-01 18:14:13 +0000 UTCThat brings a whole new level of cool to incredible old machines and phenomenal machining. @¿@ Must take a bit of talent And patience to get the piece square and flat on the platen. Thanks for the chilled taste Chris, can't wait for more about it. ~PJ
PJ
2021-05-01 18:07:59 +0000 UTC50 years ago, while in college, I ran two Heidelberg (Windmill) Platen presses. It was then that I realized I loved watching machines work. Your videos are enchanting, not just for the beauty of your work results, but also for the beauty of your choreographed videography. Thanks and God bless!
George Speake
2021-05-01 17:32:28 +0000 UTCHow to use a straight-line engine to machine Steampunk silicone wafers for your difference engine.
d j
2021-05-01 17:23:43 +0000 UTCAgreed beautiful old machine, thanks for the sneak peek. I'm super hyped for this project and I'm not even sure what it is!
Noah Orr
2021-05-01 17:05:29 +0000 UTCMore like a Squiggly Line Engine in this case I guess 😁 But wow, I've never seen something like this before, this is an amazing machine!
Daniel Bohrer
2021-05-01 17:04:13 +0000 UTCGuilloché is what the art in general is called (engine turning in English). That particular pattern is a basket weave.
Silver Hand Studios
2021-05-01 16:57:57 +0000 UTCThat is a truly fascinating machine. Thanks for sharing it with us Chris.
Robert Oswalt
2021-05-01 16:51:43 +0000 UTCI get that is equivalent to pitch. I dont get how you could use pitch to mount a plate parallel to a working surface...maybe it has tilt calibrations? Hmmm.
Paul Grodt
2021-05-01 16:49:43 +0000 UTCPretty sure it’s pitch, often used in engraving as a resilient but firm holder for work.
Brad Thayer
2021-05-01 16:45:32 +0000 UTCVery nice. Looking forward to more 👍 🇬🇧
Matt Waite
2021-05-01 16:45:23 +0000 UTCWow so basically take a rose engine and flatten it out?!
Hogtown Pens
2021-05-01 16:45:11 +0000 UTCWhat is the name of that pattern? Would it be accurate to call it guilloche?
Nate Sorensen
2021-05-01 16:44:58 +0000 UTCWhat a beautiful old machine, brought to life and used to make wonderful art again. Great seeing you back making new things.
Brad Thayer
2021-05-01 16:44:20 +0000 UTCAwesome Machine and work :)
Astro-Basti
2021-05-01 16:43:10 +0000 UTCWow! That's just so fascinating that someone figured out how to make a machine that does that.
Jason Monti
2021-05-01 16:40:19 +0000 UTCThat's fine, I'll just do my own narration "G'day, Chris here and welcome back to Clickspring..."
Damian Sutter
2021-05-01 16:40:13 +0000 UTCBeautiful video. I can't wait to learn about the plate mounting process with the red stuff. I can't currently wrap my brain around that. But take your time making a detail vid :)
Paul Grodt
2021-05-01 16:38:30 +0000 UTCI really do hope you present in the upcoming video, how exactly you square the stock " the process of using it in detail ", because it start to get to me, I can't imagine exactly how a work holding will work and be square to the axes of the travel of the cutting tool. Nonetheless quite enjoyable video, and an excellent teaser for the upcoming project. PS. Sorry if my english is hard to understand, it's not my native
Plamen Dimchevske
2021-05-01 16:38:04 +0000 UTCWow, what a crazy machine! I had always wondered how patterns like that were made. I'm really excited to learn how to use one. Thanks for sharing this with us. I can't wait to see the project progress!
Evan Foster
2021-05-01 16:37:22 +0000 UTCStunning work, as always.
Ramses Torres
2021-05-01 16:35:39 +0000 UTCVery nice. I have a similar Plant 14" SLE (I also had a 12" but sold it last year). Mine was made a bit later than this one, but the one you're working on has been very well maintained. Is it yours or do you have access to use it? ~Chris
Silver Hand Studios
2021-05-01 16:35:17 +0000 UTCBeautiful video, do you know when the series is coming out? I cant wait haha.
Magnus Knutsen
2021-05-01 16:34:25 +0000 UTCWhat a great video and a truly unique machine. Thanks for sharing!!! Perfect way to to start my Saturday.
Emersen Ziffle
2021-05-01 16:31:49 +0000 UTC
