[Important notice for subscribers paying by continuous credit card]

I get my copies through Pocketmags. Is this affected?

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Hi Mark

Finally got down to cutting metal on the crankcase after giving the lathe a good clean and lube.

Have you got any comments about how you did the knurling on the prop driver?

I was wondering whether there is any way to apply a gripping surface without using a knurling tool.

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Allen

Hope to hear how you get on with it.

If anyone has a CAD program that reads DXF files I can give them a drawing to mark out the screw hole positions in the cylinder and crankcase cover.You can use it to punch the hole centre marks on to a template.

All the best

Fred

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Frank

Don't worry about the carby being on the side- just think of it as a motorcycle engine then it looks right.

Actually I think it has an advantage in that it;s easier to choke when starting than a Mills type layout.

Those mills look to be nice peices of equipment.When I bought my Sherline lathe there were no chinese lathes available and nothing much else for the price I wanted to pay but it has given me good service although very limited in power to cut hard metal.

I have a milling attachment for it which I have never used, so this project will give me the first chance.

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Frank

Thanks for the interesting remininiscence of your coincidental contact with Joe Wagner.

I am the same age as you and find I am getting more nostalgic for the models , engines etc. of my youth and like to read about anything to do with them.

I get Flying Models magazine which is quite good in that respect and seems to cater to "Old Farts" in its articles.I enjoy reading old Aeromodellers as well, when I can find them.

I will be interested to hear how other people get on with making the Midge, and as a beginner I can probably learn from them and the methods they have used to make it.

My equipment is fairly rudimentary, but I have made one engine, a 1cc Weaver diesel, which runs quite well, after a bit of modification.I really like the look of Mark's little Midge and the way he has designed it to be easy to build. 

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

This article may help on that subject.

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Mark

Thanks for the drawings , they are much clearer. 

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Mark

The drawings I have are not very well done or readable.Would it be possible for you to email me your original drawings?.My address is [email protected]

Fred

[ML Midge homebuilt diesel]

Hi Mark

I am going to have a go at your engine-the 0.5 cc one I think.

Do you think a mild steel bolt would be Ok for the crankshaft, as I only have a small Sherline lathe and don't know whether it can handle high tensile steel.

Also,what do you think of drilling and threading the crankshaft and using a stud to hold the prop, so there is less chance of it getting bent in a crash?

Fred