Miniature steam-driven ShopSmith

[Brad Knabel]

There is an interesting item up for sale on that auction site (auction #180235909047). I think I know what I want for my next birthday.

It's a full workshop (table saw, drill press, grinder, lathe and 3 lights) on a 31" x 16" tabletop. Everything is pulley driven and looks to have originally been run by a steam engine. The engine is missing but everything else looks to be intact.

I know I can't link to the auction, but here's a link to the site hosting the pictures:

http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=59281&ppid=1122ℑ=126852148&imag es=126852088,126852100,126852108,126852121,1268521 37,126852148,126852159,126852174,126852187,1268521 97,126852206,126852222&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 ,0,0&format=0

The auction isn't mine, but if I've stepped over the line by linking the pictures then please accept my apology.

[Curt Harms]

Now that would be cool to have, especially for a miniature/modeler type.

[richard poitras]

Brad , you are right that small board of tools is for a steam engine , the reason I know is because when I was a kid I had one similar to that ( and still have it ) along with the steam engine system. They are a still producing the steam engines along with different attachments that can be used. the company name is Wilesco ( if you Google it you can bring up a lot about the shop and the steam power plants you are looking at. I know I had fun with mine as a kid and still to this date, you light the little brick-ets of fuel and put them under the boiler, you can control the amount of steam you want to have go though the lines to turn the piston that drives the wheel that turns the springs (belts) that turn the tools or other accessories.. Also mine has a little steam whistle on it as well .. Real kind of cool if you are a kid at hart…