The moment one snaps...

摘要

One of my lockdown projects is to build the double-acting Muncaster engine described in the March and April 2020 editions of EIM, and rather than ask builder Geoff Walker for a cylinder casting I decided to fabricate my own. All was going well until I managed to snap a 1.8mm drill deep in the steam way of the cylinder.The drill snatched as it broke through into the previously drilled cross hole. I have been drilling holes in sticky bronzes for long enough not to have been surprised at this outcome but when it happens it is always the cause of great consternation.