FIXING THE 300LBS POWER HAMMER!!! Part 4
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 เม.ย. 2020
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Alec Steele Blacksmith 2020 - บันเทิง
No matter what the top valve does, if the cover leaks you will just chase your tail. Looks like there was a "puff" in the slow mo footage, check the torque on the bolts when you re-assemble, might need gasket material between the 2 pieces for a tight seal. Might need a stop nut on the turnbuckle.
The blast from the past was fun !
Important segment, more than you'll ever know, thanks for staying strong and working while everyone else is forced to stay home.
Thanks !!
Yer I saw that. Would that also allow the hammer travel up easier since there is les resistance.? ( not finished the video yet..)
If he's right and that's the valve seat chipped on the inside of the cover, that would explain the puff- but where was it escaping from? Wouldn't that be from overpressure in the headspace after the piston had already covered the upper valve port? (Did I mention I thought of making a gigantic two-stroke engine out of the press for a moment?)
The mating surfaces of the cylinder and cover *looked* like they were milled to a tight fit with no gasket. I'd have expected a gasket groove but couldn't make one out on either part. Are they milled to meet first at the rim and last on the inside like some pneumatic gear I've seen?
He also seems to have (to me) way too much confidence in the piston seal- that rust in the bore gave me the willies.
The puff we saw originated from the exhaust port, the unthreaded hole he found on top. The damaged valve allowed too much air to bypass into that exhaust port, creating the hit.
Might I suggest a low cost way to figure out where the puff is coming from? Tape paper strips all over the top.
Looking at the video again, there could be a leak in more than one location...I would check everything holding back pressure, especially the other cover.
"Work From Home!"
Alec- "Home Is where the Hammer is.
Edit: that should be a shirt!
True that.
I would buy that
Omg YES that is awesome😂😂
Home is where the power hammer is.
Sounds about right.
Home Is where my Anvil stands!
"Let's maybe break this to learn about it", "I'm such a moron!", "Oh, ****! Did I just drop that in THERE?!?"
I just about split my sides laughing there. Not at you mind you Alec, but remembering mistakes very similar in my past. So thank you for sharing your mistakes along with your triumphs. Nobody knows anything until they learn it, and experience is one of the best teachers there is.
I actually laughed out loud!
There is a lot I love about this channel, and up at the top is Alec's willingness to show his failures. As Adam Savage says "failure is always an option" - our failures are how we learn, and by showing them and showing his journey I think we learn more as well.
@@stephenhobson8456 In this particular case he would never have seen the welds on the ram top had he not made the mistake. Getting the valve stem back out of the cylinder showed him a potential root cause of the knocking.
Great comment tree here. There's never anything stupid about learning by doing. As long as one persists they'll always be better off for having taken the journey.... and yes, sometimes it really does feel like a journey. Ha!
@@stephenhobson8456 I agree. I have a saying (that I probably stole from someone at some point). "You never fail, as long as you learn something that's a success."
Now, it DO help if you have the time, skills and tools to fix things you break in the process of learning. But usually having at least the skills and the tools comes from the times you didn't. ;)
Alec Steele, Looking at the cylinder that big ram is in I can see two areas on opposite sides that have rust going about half way down the cylinder. This means the seal on the ram is not making contact with the cylinder wall in those two areas. These are points of air leakage (top chamber to bottom chamber). This means you lose some of the air cushion in the top chamber and add air to the bottom chamber on the upstroke which pushes the ram up even faster and with greater force. Drop the ram and replace the seal, then get the cylinder honed to give you the best seal. This will increase your power on the downstroke and make sure you have that air cushion in the top chamber. You will also be able to address that weld issue on the ram.
whiteeagle58 now there’s some good advice.
That rust could be from the moisture in the air in the ram when it was not used for a while, and could be pretty thin and minor. Though a seal replacement might not be a bad idea.
It's not easy to see how air flows through this machine. From the footage it looks like the poppet valve in the cover is signaled from, and ejects to, the exact same space, which would mean it does nothing, which can't be the case. It needs to be understood. I reckon the biggest question I'd want answered is how does the air flow between the top and bottom of the driven piston, when the ram is stationary. Dunno
Wise advice
That, and get the piston face and the face of the head (top cover) machined back to where they are flat & smooth again.
Speaking for myself, I would have pulled the head first, on the idea that it should be easier to work on at the bench, rather than from being perched atop a ladder...
Partly, that's because I'm a bit on the big & heavy side, and don't find ladders to be all that terrific of a choice of working platform...
I didnt understand anything but i liked it so he notices this
This looks important
Didn't even flinch..."I don't have that allen size, I need to make one." This it the Alec I have been missing!
Alec has been busting his [insert crude anatomical reference here] moving across the Atlantic, getting married, starting not one but TWO businesses and tweaking the above. This must seem like a holiday to him.
@@BillB23 Probably as close to a "vacation" as Alec gets.
He’s talented
The classical I don't have the right allen key problem...
Anyone else: "I've got to buy one"
Alec: "I've got to make one"
The place with the helpful hardware folk is closed. Steel on hand, Steele on hand: presto!
True blacksmiths, 'need a tool, make a tool.'
I initially misread your comment as "I make new one" and had a moment of happiness at that little cross-over before I read it properly
Right??? That was my favorite part!
@@TaranTatsuuchi Exactly!
You definetly arent stupid Alec. They way you explanied how a powerhammer works was just fenomenal. Always fun to watch your videos and keep up the good work!
I prefer that kind of editing with al the little details , than the slowmo everywhere and every time. Nice Alec is finally back .
Alec: **drops valve into cylinder** I'm so dumb.
Alec's dumbness: I'm actually your subconscious guiding you to problem areas for you to fix.
Alec: Oh wow hey look, there's damage inside of this component and I think it explains the issue with the ram hitting the cover.
Alec's dumbness: [Intelligence 100]
This comment needs more likes!
I had to look through because I was, in a round about way, going to say the same thing! Lol Just JB Weld and duct tape it, it will be fine!
I'm in my 50s and I now see every mistake as a guide to an alternative route. This new state of mind has meant a problem or error, instead of creating frustration has become a point of intrigue and objective questioning of my original idea. This greatly enhances my design process.
I do like the reasoning alex used here to clear the valve.
Alec is thus so stupid he is smart😉
“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom." ― Terry Pratchett
Or:
To avoid bad decisions, you need wisdom.
To get wisdom, you need experience.
Experience comes from making bad decisions...
We learn by mistakes. Dropping a valve into a cylinder is something that most engine mechanics knows about.
And you did discover something about the innards of the machine. That weld does look like it was some kind of crude repair of the piston, so maybe you should look at that weld too.
Definitely, that weld is either the cause or part of the problems he's having. That weld wouldn't pass in a manufacturing setting, due to the damage it could cause ( and clearly has) to the cylinder.
That machine is from times where there was no instagram-model tig welders. That might be the jewellery equivalent of a weld for that era.
@@NGC1433 by jewellery i assume you mean a thick gold chain made of plastic?
That mechanic dropping a valve in an engine comment hurts. I did that once.
I don't claim to be an Engine Mechanic (although I've built a few). I'm a Mechanical Engineer by profession and sometimes screw up the wrenching stuff. Years ago I was Prepping a SBC block (for me). Chasing all the threads with a tap like a good novice. That day I learned NOT to run the tap down in the threads from the top but from the SIDE! Got to the bottom and the tap came out of the handle and dropped into the water jacket! :( Took me a while to tickle that thing out. Now that I'm older and more experienced (not necessarily wiser) I would have pulled a core plug (they're not "freeze plugs" only for getting the casting sand out of the raw block) and fished it out that way...
That lil blast from the past got me emotional!! Holyyyyyy I’ve been watching this guy for a while
Alec: Maybe theyre just right
Also Alec: *makes a tool that 99% of the people watching couldn't do to save their life, even if it seems simple like an allen wrench*
Thats probably cause most people watching don't have the tools but I agree haters gone hate no matter how much more skilled alec is
That was my thought too. I have tooling to do that myself but I don’t think I’d of even considered trying it. Alec is just like “right, make one”. Just a reflex build.
“If you don't make mistakes, you're not working on hard enough problems. And that's a mistake.” Frank Wilczek
Alec your perseverance through tough problems inspired me greatly when I took a new job two years ago. I made penalty of mistakes but proved my mettle. It was the hardest but best time of my life. It's easy to sit behind a keyboard and armchair quarterback plus we forget that none of us were born an expert .
TleilaxuFD exactly, at least he’s trying his damndest
well said, sir!
What kind of job did you take?
@@HamhockandHemorrhoids I'm a machinist. I was working for a small shop then moved to a scientific research facility. Lots of one off's and manual machining. Best job I've ever had.
Lol poor Alec is already reached level 17 of quarantine boredom. He's drawing on things lol thank you so much for keeping us entertained during these weird times
His workplace be looking like the Sistine Chapel when this all ends
Rio Grande do Sul Ball to bad it won’t as beautiful as the Sistine chapel. It’ll be a bunch of knife drawings, blue dykem splotches, and chalk scribbles
I am having spaghetti with nutella sauce for dinner. What level am I?
who cares your that blip on the radar that is so strong it can’t even be measured
@@g4yktzgjx6 I believe that's level 12 trying to create new dishes lol
It's such a satisfying feeling when you perfectly understand how a complicated machine works
Gotta say, REALLY liked this video! By the end I was like "Wait, it's over?" and 25 minutes flew by! Please keep making long and interesting videos!
Everyone leaves the workshop and Alec immediately starts disassembling the new power hammer. Classic
I would watch a live episode, to me it looks like the dropped valve was not a stupid move but a 'hay look inside me and see an issue' moment.
Honestly stuff like this probably contributed to widespread belief in greater powers beyond our knowledge. Its happened to me, was cleaning my laptop and decided to check under the fans even tough i thought i was done, and found a centimeter thick of essentially dryer lint blocking the sole coolimg for a high performance laptop
Ciaran Gale Are you referencing, “When God closed a door, he opens a window?” or “Always look on the bright side of life?” (Insert Life of Brian by the British philosophers, Monty Python.)
It's amazing to realize how little Alec has changed between his pre-25k days, and now.
... And at the same time how much he's changed.
Learned so much, got to meet so many new people, got to work on so many beautiful new projects, and yet, he's still our old, energetic, kind and all-round amazing Alec.
Cheers man. To better times, past and present! :)
The fact I'm learning means so much to me. I've watched many a Blacksmith videos and they hardly teach and just state what they are doing and move on. You on the other hand have no qualms explaining it. There are times you say you can't explain it but honestly that's fine. You give a vague idea and give us the opportunity to research it, but not totally butcher it to where it's completely wrong. Not to mention you make it entertaining, relate exactly to your work/real life scenarios, and overall make it flow with your video.
Honestly I've learned more watching this series than watching those "Educational" Blacksmiths.
Alec, please, never, EVER, change the way you are. Please.
You are not just an inspiration to many... you are such a great guy and an honest, brilliant human being.
Had so much fun with this episode.
I was so disappointed when this video ended. one of your most interesting videos yet honestly. loved learning about this amazing machine! also, i’ve been hoping you’d start doing live shows again for so long! that would be a great idea.
Agree! I was totally into this video and then he starts talking about the sponsor. I was all ""NOOOO! it cant be over!"
Totaly agree with you. For myself who always have worked "the old way" and never wanted a power hammer, now want one..😅
Agreeeed. This „tresure hunt“ or „detective work“ of finding the mistake is immensely cool!
Alec, over the last few years I’ve had the pleasure of watching your channel during my lunch breaks at work. Starting back just before you moved into your new UK space. Since I’ve been relegated to working from home during this COVID-19 phase of life I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to share lunch with my seven-year-old and nine-year-old.The other day they came up and found me watching your channel. They both have fallen in love with blacksmithing and my son runs around the house saying “Need a tool, make a tool” and “Alec Steele is sooo cool”! It is now part of daily ritual to hang around my computer and watch an episode or 2 together! I wanted to thank you for being one of my silver linings amidst this chaos!
Imagine having a Bridgeport and still making your hex key on the grinder. Blacksmiths think differently from machinists lol.
Yep... I was expecting him to use the mill.
Of course it might have taken far longer to set up the Bridgeport compared to just free handing a bit of rod there too. given he is a production based blacksmith used to get it done fast type hand work...
Hey Alec, just two quick observations from a mechanical engineer. When you look at the top cover of the ram cylinder at +/-22:49 min it looks like there are hairline crack (long ones) running from the center outwards. Just a heads up since a blow out from over-pressure and weakened material would be a real shame. I don't know to what extend the hairline cracks affect the part but a growing fatigue crack is a real danger here.
Also, although I have no clues what the laws regarding Covid-19 are in the States (I only know the Dutch regulation on Covid) I would still like to suggest if possible to work in pairs. Not necessarily on the same machinery or even within close proximity of one another but just to keep an eye out. You do work with heavy equipment and it would be a shame if something would happen to you. Just keep safe out there!
Kind Regards and keep up the videos, I really do appreciate them.
Some great sensible points right here!
good eye. looks like it might need to be addressed or at least checked time to time.
@Forged Outlaw probably be better to weld it with high nickle filler. but being in the valve seat area you probably want something like braze that is softer than the parent material. anything to keep it from flexing and opening up would be good.
I went to look in the comments to see if anyone mentioned that fracture and I find this gem, the part about working in pairs is particularly pertinent .
Hat tip to Sander for the catch; I'd recommend at least having that cover magnafluxed to check if it's cracked.
Its wholesome that he even made a paper diagram for us to understand this
Man I enjoyed this episode! 22 years of Navy life, 11 of which as a Submariner, I enjoyed becoming intimate with my equipment. Learning the nuances of everything electrical and mechanical in the space I was accountable for as well as others throughout my ship. Thanks for this wonderful educational show. This is why I watch!
I feel like you should change the name of your building from “Unit 4” to “Unit 4GED”.
:O THATS AN AWESOME IDEA!
It took me a minute to realize you meant (Four)GED and was wondering what 4 General Education Diplomas had to do with anything.
Probably better to spell it FOURGED, or 4ORGED, otherwise people will think he dropped out of high school. Though from the sound of it, some viewers already think he did.
@@badsamaritan8223 Um he did tho....."So aged 16, I left school to pursue blacksmithing full-time" -Alec
@@AlecSteele Alec i don't know if you'll even read or see this but this could be a bit of useful info
I see your upper seal is leaking when its hitting the cylinder top replace your seals and check the seal in the upper an lower valves and as your valves switch from raise to fall they should match but in opposite positions they should be mirrored does that make any sense to you hope this helps
"Maybe they're just right and I AM stupid" - then makes his own allen key; Cognition dissonated.
I've found that talent and intelligence does not necessarily equate to smarts. Think: "The Absent-minded Professor". Like when someone is so focused on the idea and principles behind what he's doing that a simple thing like securing the pieces so they don't fall somewhere they're not supposed to.
Gotta say, I really prefer this "Vintage Steele" style.
I'm sure most of us agree with you but his goal is to have his own business and it's pretty hard to achieve that on his own so unfortunately he has to expand his work onto others.
I have to disagree no offense I just believe the others bring something good and new to the content
If Alec is dumb I’m surprised I’m still even breathing! Love the videos! Keep up the great work and stay safe!
Not dumb, just does dumb stuff occassionally
Watching Alec tinkering is one of life's greatest paradoxes. It should be amongst the most mind-numbing content on youtube, and yet I find myself glued to the screen and totally invested in the outcome. Great stuff!
I love how the nostalgia feel is bringing back the Okalie dokalie. LOL
Alec was so excited about 25k subs. He's now sitting at just over 2M subs. That's some insane growth for just 4 years! Great job Alex, Will, and team!
I’ve been a machinist for 16 years now and I love working with metal. You’re videos are making me want to try blacksmithing. Keep it up love to content and newly gained knowledge with every video.
Steele vs stelter Quarantine edition:
audience votes, editors give you each your assignments. you guys have all quarantine to make it. which makes it a fun gamble.
niether is allowed to see what the other is doing. and at the end you guys show off what you guys made! and have some awesome time.
just an idea.
I dunno, could be kind of a long series
25k to 2M+ in less than 5 years. Alec, that’s something to be proud of! Best wishes from the UK, we miss you! 🇬🇧
Me: "where is the zweihander?!"
Alec: "STOP!!! Hammer time"
They sent it to the Dwarves under the Mountain to finish it
Ist’s called Zweihänder :D sry
@@toxxt3018 it is called a montante. zweihander. bidenhander. greatsword. longsword. twohanded sword.
Big sword.
And in the day it was simply called a Sword.
havtor007 okay i give up xD
PoKec in other words, it’s a overhyped weapon. I like that he’s doing something else
Started watching when you got your first home shop in the UK. I don't even know how long it's been, just came back and you're all over the U.S. with your own shop and doing awesome!
I can confidently say I'll never actually forge anything, but your videos are honestly fascinating and you're such a great teacher
20:24 The addition of the countdown clock made that so much better...oml 🤣
When you reinstall that valve
Get some valve lapping compound
And lapp it in
To prevent blow by on a shut valve
I dunno what any of that means but it sounds important, do it Alec!
*After* regrinding the seat. That assumes there's enough metal there to regrind it without having to shorten the stem or use a stiffer spring or something...
I'm a mechanical engineer and I absolutely love your channel. I always learn so much watching you pick stuff apart. Keep up the good work! And I hope that this is the last thing you need to fix before that beast works the way it's supposed to.
Alec talking to the editor and getting instant results on screen was amazing
Please tell me as part of the restoration/fixing you're going to repaint the outside? At the moment it looks like it's been dug up from Easter Island!
Gives it character, also it instills fear and compliance into any hot steel brought into its vicinity.
Yes! Please please please! That big beautiful machine deserves a fresh coat of enamel. I’ve painted many old elevator machines after clean downs/ repairs/ rebuilds, even one that my great grandfather installed in the early 1900’s. There’s something almost magical about big heavy equipment from those bygone days gleaming with a fresh coat. It doesn’t detract from their character. It pays homage to their dignity, durability, and elegance. Just saying.
Just a little disappointed that this video didn't continue. We need to see victory with the Chambersburg.
I love the effort you put into your videos (makes me laugh as well sometimes). You literally walked into a room set up a camera turned all the lights off, locked the doors and then re-entered the room. It goes to show how much extra effort you put into the other parts of the videos.
Thank you. I really appreciate that you drew directly on your power hammer. Your explanation was great!
Alec: **to Will** “Work from home”
Will: **grabs pallet jack to take home Chambersburg**
Home is where the heart is :)
Home is where the hammer is!
@cool Hawk It hurts when coffee comes out of your nose.
Bill Brockmann Damn, glad I’ve never had to feel that then
will: *breaks chambersburg in half*
Alex I would think minimum operational personnel with fixing anything in the shop would be 2 people. The Governor's mandate doesn't say make foolish choices.
Don't compromise your safety by working alone. Which is what you did here.
I'm not saying have two people standing shoulder to shoulder. If you are working with power equipment have a second person there to call the paramedics if something happens and you can't. You can bleed out in minutes.
They could be in the office or behind the camera but far enough away to be safe.
If you roll the dice enough times, one time it will be bad eventually.
I was in manufacturing for a LOT of years. It happens all the time.
A friends neighbor lost an arm and died even with help and first aid right there fixing a paper making machine.
Work safe and stay safe.
I'm soooo looking forward to part 5. I love watching you fix your machines and learn as you go.
You have really simplified the machine operation via these explanations, thank you Alec !
Lots of love from Mauritius island.
I love how Alec got supremely scammed, yet is making the most of it and actually turning a profit from it with just hard work and dedication. Please keep inspiring me to get of my ass and work harder despite any problem I may face, love you man
Perhaps there's a bit of creative material when taking on equipment that's in ok condition as opposed to perfect condition. That would be some crafty thinking bc it generates a TON of additional content.
Depending on the price he may or may not have been scammed.
Alec is the type of dude that likes challenges and learning, who knows if the person who sold him this did or did not disclose the issues they are encountering. I'm gonna guess they bought this knowing it has issues, maybe not the piston hitting the cover but they probably knew there is a massive risk involved in buying something as old as as that machine. And in that regard they didn't get scammed at all, just fixing it is netting them views, after they fix it it might have already paid for itself in content.
@@podboi825 They said they bought it (and, iirc, spent more on it than similar ones supposedly in worse condition) thinking they could get straight to using it. That implies they weren't aware of the issues.
@@Izzy-lm6dh you shouldn't believe everything an entertainment channel is asking you to believe :-)
@@Izzy-lm6dh Alec runs a business successfully enough to fund a move to the USA buy expensive machinery and have a huge stock of steel, I find it extremely unlikely given that that he spent multiple thousands and didn't have comprehensive insurance if not from the shipping company from an independent insurer. So if there was damage he was actually lied about to, and he kept it anyway I'm sure he either got a partial refund or was offered a full refund and chose to keep it. Businesses don't like losing money so I'm sure he either determined it was more profitable to keep it and gain content or that the fixes wouldn't cost him enough to make it unfeasible when taking into account a partial refund or insurance payment. Now it is possible that the hammer was simply so rare and he wanted it so much that this gave some wriggle room to the cost benefit but at the end of the day he needs to make money for himself and 5 or 6 others to make bills and live so that's why i doubt he was simply scammed and had to eat the loss
You can definitely tell Alec is a natural teacher. Clear, concise, and easy to understand explanations.
LOVED the explanation of the power hammer operation. The overall operating principle is surprisingly simple!
It is awesome that you take us through all the steps of fixing this beast of a machine! I've been watching your video's for about a year now and I must say, I'm getting more and more interested in forging myself as well. If only I knew where to start. Great content, keep it up!
I was literally shouting the screen telling you not to undo the nut on that poppet valve. There is the exact same setup with the decompressor valve on my enfield motorbike but held in with a splitpin rather than a nut and guess what I did first time I went to service it?
"Maybe they're not mean... maybe they're just right."
I felt that.
That really resonated lol
Back to the days of the Barker Street forge - and a live stream will be EPIC - Saturday night live streams were a real highlight of the week for so many - watching and learning about this amazing craft.
really like you taking the time to explain how the valves work, very interesting to hear and your model really helped to picture it.
Knowing the camera is a few feet away and that hammer is making it bounce, boy that just sends home how much strength is behind that beast. Also ive been stuck in my house for 3 weeks.
No! Alec, this video ended too soon! I need more chambersberg...
I'd love to be there deep diving into that machine, cleaning, fixing, fine tuning.
Alec, been watching you for years, and I am very proud of you and your attitude about life and your work. It really inspires me, and I am a good bit older than you. Thanks for your outstanding outlook. I hope you and yours stay healthy and safe.
Coming back to this after pretty much exactly 2 years brings back some memorys about the start of the pandamic. Your videos really helped me through many of the rainy days of quarantine, when I could not work in my garden. Thank you so much for the great content. I'm glad the situation ist finally looking to get more chill and we can return to a pretty much regular schedule. Thoughts with all the ones who didn't make it trough that pandemic.
Can’t believe how invested I am in the workings of an antique piece of equipment on another continent.
On today's episode of _Mechanics with Alec_ , we learn how a power-hammer actually works; bonus paper-craft visual aids included.
I contracted visual aids reading this lol
We love you Alec. You are one of the sweetest most honest most genuine people on the internet and we hope you stay safe and healthy as well.
Holy crap! It's awesome to see how far you've come. So proud of you! I've been a fan for many years and look forward to many years to come. Stay safe!
I'd suggest adding some lock-nuts to your turnbuckle, or your carefully set timing might 'change'
I was thinking the same thing. With all that vibration the setting will change. He needs to use jam / lock nuts to keep it from moving.
Was that a serious question about doin a live show? Of course we would like a live show!!!
That was a perfect explanation of how the power hammer works. The drawings helped too! It was cool to see the inside and what you just had explained.
Well kiddo, I have seen your progress from the first time on I forge iron till now and I have to say you are IMPRESSIVE!! You give me faith in the younger generation! Mistakes made, lessons learned and you are well on your way to a journey that few will take in these days and time. I commend you young man!
Not gonna lie, I definitely let out an audible “ohhhhhhh” when he pointed out the weld. Love it when the cause of a problem becomes apparent.
BTW...if people judge you for making mistakes..they are the ones with the issues. Mistakes are necessary and most certainly not dumb!
Somebody who has't made mistakes is somebody who has never done anything else but going around criticizing people who are actually doing something.
My high school band director always said about the band hall, "This room was built for mistakes."
Don't be afraid of failure or making mistakes. If you are, then you are stagnant, and forever will do everything but succeed.
Maxim 70
Failure is not an option - it is mandatory. The option is whether or not to let failure be the last thing you do.
Thanks for an excellent explanation of the operating principles of the power hammer.
Dropping that bolt was funny, as it was something I would do!! All I need is a power hammer! Just want to add that you are the reason I bought a forge and have started blacksmithing, so forget those who leave bad comments, you truly are an Inspiration!!
Cattail Foundary, in Gordonville, Penn. still does one-off cast iron and cast aluminium castings at a reasonable price. It's an Amish business, and they do good work.
Hah I used to live in Harrisburg and once got to watch them do a hefty big casting those cats are fantastic workers.
The rust down the one side of the cylinder means that it was stored outside for a while. Water got in. If water can get in air can get out. You need to fix the seal between the cover and the cylinder. That's your issue.
Agreed. If you can't find a good gasket for the top. Try looking at some Plumbing Ductile Iron flange gaskets and some permatex (plumbing dope) to fill the small gaps. Ferguson Supply should have it. @alecsteele
Remember he barely had to try to get the bolts loose... maybe they weren’t tight enough
More likely it just sat for a long time and the walls got condensation from the air and that started rusting.
There is no water separator in the system so all the moisture in the air gets into the cylinder during normal operation. There's not necessarily any leaks.
@@UncleDon226 on only one side that looks like a water flow pattern?
I am going thru your catalogue again and noticed that on this date I had been discharged from hospital one day, after suffering a heart attack. Waow!
Your videos have kept me excited about stuff and lessened the doubt and worry. Thanks to you Alec and both Will and Matt also Jamie on the camera...
Thanks for keeping me entertained and far your know how on so many things. Your a brave soul. Don't ever change.
This is turning into more of a "fix-it" channel or a problem solving one.....
And I'm loving it.
Knowledge comes from taking things apart, Experience come from putting them back together. Reminds me of when I was a kid and took everything I could get my hand so apart, but really started looking ahead and thinking of next steps when I had to put things back together. Love the videos and great production quality.
My parents used to save old electronics to let me take them apart before tossing them out. I never learned too much from the endeavor, except that big capacitors in old CRT tv's will shock the absolute PISS out of you! :D
absolutely love this hammer series. im horribly addicted to equipment repair videos and this is great. your videos are always loved by me and mine. cheers!
Loved it. I’ve been watching your shows for a couple of years now. There’s nothing wrong with taking things apart, breaking them and then fixing them. That’s all I’ve been doing in lockdown. The Doris is threaders now! Keep up the excellent work Alec.
And back to “Need a tool: Make a tool.” 😢 feels
Don't feel bad about dropping that part into the cylinder...I've done the same replacing vavle springs before and anyone who claims they've never dropped a valve has probably never done the job either.
"Great, now I need new headgaskets, new manifold gaskets, new head bolts, 5 more hours..." lol Been there. Feels bad, man.
Been there done that, but we have the convenience of pressuring cylinder with leak down tester. Alec you dont but it was a blessing, you found root cause.
Never dropped a valve, pain in the arse doing valve seals like that but ive done it a few times, ALWAYS make sure of TDC on the cylinder you are working on first :D
The very first piece of equipment I worked on I. The AF was a fuel truck. I was changing the main filters and my boss said make sure you don’t drop those screws. They are stainless and if you drop them you have to go inside the tank. To retrieve them. Guess who dropped the last screw and got to wade in diesel until he found it
Jesse Marshall at least mine was a fuel converted to a water truck it had a weird two way valve on top. It was the tank over pressure/ vacuum relief valve, everything was stainless steel. Who ever work on the valve last cross threaded it and it wouldn’t budge to easily work on the bench, so i worked on it on the tank. Yes i dropped valve parts into the tank.
So glad I found your amazing channel. Absolutely captivating viewing. Thanks Alec.
Alec thank you so much for the videos. Really enjoyed the knowledge you share in this video. Keep up the great work and stay safe. Can’t wait till you and the team are all back in the shop.
Like this for the liveshow EVERYBODY!!!
Alec should do another 3 hour Damascus knife challenge during the live stream, just like he did back in the UK 🇬🇧.
You aren't dumb, Alec! Everyone makes mistakes, and sure, you might make a wee bit more of them than others, or at least you show more of them in your videos... BUT! You learn from your mistakes! Dumb people don't do that!
Must confess this is my favorite kind of video, thank you Alec! :) I really appreciate when you explain machinery, and actively improve on it :) Stay smart, stay safe.
Great episode! Love watching you pull stuff apart and repair it. Live show thumbs up.
With just that one little "Plink", you took me back 40yrs to watching the timing chain disappear into the crankcase of a Honda CB200 engine
Lol, I know that one too.
@@docskate4312 ... & the ensuing joy of feeling the piddling little tensioner bolt shearing off too? Happy days!
Been there on my 72' SL350. Luckily I was able to fish it out with a piece of wire and about 10 minutes of effort.
Oliver Wilson
“That didn’t just happen.. No... no-no-no-no-no... noooooooooooooooo”
@@oliverwilson6162 Of course I went the whole nine yards, even managed to mess up the master link😂
Alec, it may be worthwhile to weld a "cage" around the top of the hammer to prevent any injury until you put a couple of months worth of not hitting the top.
A suitable cage will be equally gigantic. Best to just fix the thing.
I love the journey here, from "what an idiot" dropping it in, to taking off the header and finding the problem due to a weld causing an intrusion into the valve space... great work!
Fixing this hammer is fascinating. I LOVE this content. Thank you.
I love that you have a beautiful, perfect milling machine and your first thought is “I should put this in a collet block so its easier to use the belt sander”
Grant Teuber to be fair, I make hex/Allen bits quite often... if I had a badass grinder like that’d, I’d use it over the Bridgeport too
I'm unsafe with the turnbuckle: because of the vibration, the turnbuckle may turn itself and ruin the setting...
to secure the turnbuckle, add a nut :P
thx for the show, take care!
Just safety wire it. Ask any A&P mechanic.
The turnbuckle rotating would only change the length if one is the sides were freed up otherwise it could spin down the whole rod and until it falls off it'd be the same length
.... and or thread lock .
@@tacticalcustard5488 One side of a turnbuckle is left hand thread, one is right. So spinning the center will extend or retract both ends.
i agree, a simple wire is a good call,
but, the "one nut solution" is only to make a nice result :P
This is a welcome change of content. I stopped watching this channel about a year ago because the channel stopped showing all the little details that make what you do interesting and it was getting boring. It's nice to see you alone in the shop sharing all the relevant details again. I hope this style sticks around after this period passes.
Example of the types of relevant details I'm talking about: when you were opening the bore in the gear in part 1 you played audio of the chatter the tool was making, but when you got the bigger boring bar a couple episodes later, you played music instead of the sound the tool was making.
Also, a couple years ago, making the pully puller would have been much more than a 10s montage
It was good to have the throwback. Awesome to see how far you've come and it's going to be great watching where you, Will, Matt, and the whole crew go from here!