You must have some 'things' in the house that would benefit from a little workshop attention?

If you don't, your wife certainly does! A casual "Oh yeah, I fixed that last week" will be much more satisfying for both of you than a whizzy gizmo.

-agree 100% with Michael.

I have made various items to support my good lady's handicraft hobbies, and earned lots of brownie points in the process. Things like a lace bobbin winder, a stand for sewing frames, a sewing stiletto, and tools for inserting and removing drawing pins.

Mike

How about a pair of ornate brass candlesticks? You have the lathe and ability. Or make a Nut cracker in the style of a body and a screw down handle so there is no sudden crack as with a lever type.

Clive

I would not start with a Stirling engine. They are notoriously finicky to get running and yes you are right, they need some fine machining to get them to seal well without much friction. Some builders never get them to run. Not a good look when trying to impress upon the domestic authorities the point of all that money spent on machine tools.

A simple oscillating steam engine would be a good place to start, IMHO. One popular such beginner project is Elmer's Wobbler Engine #25. Free plans and instructions here **LINK**and there must be dozens of build threads on the Net for this little beauty.

You can either build the boiler to go with it, or cut corners and run it on compressed air. Even a little compressor like for air brushing etc will power one this small. The engine is made from common bar stock, no castings.

With the equipment you have, you will have no problem machining within a thou once you get going. That is how you learn. The bore and piston fit are the main precision part on this engine. You could always cheat a bit and ream the bore to final size then turn the piston to fit the bore, using emery cloth to get that last thou or so off to achieve a beautiful smooth sliding fit. The other precision part is the flat surfaces mating between cylinder and main frame where it oscillates and the steam ports seal. A doddle for a chap who is handy with a scraper.

And these simple little engines are a beauty to watch in action with the oscillating cylinder, and lovely chuffing noises, so should make a suitable impression on 'er indoors.

Edited By Hopper on 10/12/2016 10:41:20

Edited By Hopper on 10/12/2016 10:43:58

If you wish to purchase something to keep her happy, a nice ultrasonic cleaner for her jewellery might be appreciated. They do have other uses of course

* Danny M *

If you have a breadmaking machine you can make a very simple gadget to remove the paddle from the baked loaves, Have a look at the D shaped hole and make a thing to fit. If you've got a breadmaker you will know what I mean.

Snazzy metal spinning tops for children or grandchildren ?

A pen ? A mechanical pencil ? Can be done from scratch without kits or get a headstart with a kit.

Artistic tree type thing for holding ear rings and rings and jewellery.

Set of old fashioned snazzy looking weights for kitchen scales ?

Chess set ? Draughts set ?

Fire poking things & tongs for fireplace inside the the house ?

Diy brass hose fittings instead of cheap plastic ones that always fall apart or leak terribly.

Bill

Be subtle, softly, softly, etc. (Look the other way Diane) Something without a plug on it, is quiet, doesn't drop oil, even if its clean oil, and it helps if you picked the right domestic candidate in the first place… I am allowed a Stirling engine, built from a machined kit. It doesn't work but looks good. A framed and signed picture of Hank Marvin, but not a Stratocaster hanging on the wall. The only Aston Martin I will ever be able to afford, a large scale model. A '00' gauge 4F, "But only if its properly displayed on a bit of track, and in a display case so it won't gather dust." I built a timer from laser-cut wood pieces, which looks stylish, but is "rather large" . I think I'm approaching saturation. I do, however, have an 'aerial farm' in the garden, for communications, radio astronomy, and experiments. And a basement all to myself.

Geoff

Good question, this thread could run for some time.

I don't think fixing something is the answer, not enough kudos and do you want to be known for just fixing things? It should be some thing that is seen to work. John Wilding has some good simple clock designs that are well within your capabilities. However what ever you decide keep away from the complex for the moment particularly if she knows your plans.

JA

A metal tree for the hallway, to hang keys on as you come in. Or a tree for mugs in the kitchen, Or a rotating table for cake icing and decorating. I would show pictures, but said objects are with the ex wife!

Steve

Second thoughts about clocks. Usually you have to cut and cross the wheels which is time consuming. You may be able to get cut and crossed wheels but they will not be cheap.

JA