Here are three videos showing the process of me finishing the base, triangle, and 4 bar frame of my reconstruction of the Dominy’s wheel cutting engine.

This mainly consisted of drilling holes, tapping them, filing them into shapes, and adding a few small pieces. Drilling would have obviously been harder without the use of an electric drill press.

I would like to emphasize the plate that goes on the base and helps locate it into a vice, shown in the first video. This is very helpful when the engine is all assembled and you can no longer see where the vice will be grabbing onto the frame. The plate ensure the engine is held in a nice location and the vice does not leave the central arbor inaccessible. I love finding little clues of use like that!

There are numerous “extra” holes on the 4 bar frame – some threaded, some of funny shapes. I have figured out how many of these holes were likely used, showing how the Dominys adapted the engine over time. These discoveries will occupy a central part of my forthcoming thesis on the engine.

Stay tuned for full assembly and use!