How to Get Started in the Old Iron Hobby

So, I've decided, then what?
The best three things you can do are:

Mailing Lists (Listservs)
If you have the time, join an automated e-mailing list--"listserv" in Web-speak. The stationary engine and antique tractor mailing lists, for instance, are excellent. These lists connect you to hundreds of knowledgable people. It is a rare occasion when they can't collectively come up with the answer to the most difficult restoration question. To subscribe, go to the Antique Tractor Internet Services (A.T.I.S.) site and click on the "Mailing Lists" button. It gives you the option to sign up on a variety of lists.

Consider Volunteer Work
A number of organizations are dedicated to preserving machinery for future generations. Nearly all of them rely heavily upon volunteer labor. Yes, it can be hard work, but it can be enormously satisfying, too. Besides, you'll learn a great deal. It's a grand and noble way to get into the hobby. For instance, many people camp out beside the lovely lake on the grounds of the Western Minnesota Steam Threshers Reunion at Rollag, Minnesota, and spend a week or two every year, working on the exhibits. The Sumpter Valley Railway in Oregon is another excellent example of what volunteers can accomplish. Usually, you must first become a member of the organization before you are allowed to work there.

The Purchase
Before you spend hard-earned money on antique iron, get familiar and get advice. Fortunately, just about everybody in the hobby is honest and decent folk. But, there are traps to avoid.

For starters, buy a complete unit. The "bargain" that's missing a magneto, for instance, can become mighty expensive by the time you find a mag. A mag can easily cost more than you paid for the item, doubling your cost.

Select a common make and model the first few times around. Parts and advice will be a whole lot easier to come by--cheaper, too. There can be nothing more frustrating than spending year after year finding the parts you need to get your first unit running.

Next, buy "one-on-one." That is, buy from an individual. If you have a limited budget, avoid auctions. The competition, especially at the widely advertised ones, will drive your costs up. Period. However, if you can afford it, attend every auction you can. They can be the easiest and fastest way to build a nice collection. Major magazines list most of the major auctions. For instance, Gas Engine Magazine usually lists several sales in each of the summer issues.

If you want to keep costs within bounds, watch the classified ads in magazines and newspapers. Check the estate sales. Ask around. Who knows, the gasoline delivery truck driver, insurance salesman, or seed-corn dealer might very well remember seeing rusty "gold" on their routes. Word-of-mouth at your club meetings can be your best source of information--and--it will be "local" too.

Now that I've got it, then what?
The real satisfaction comes from transforming rusty junk into a smooth running, useful thing; something of beauty, even. Magazines, (such as Gas Engine Magazine and Farm Collector ), club members, mailing lists, Web pages, etc. can provide most of the advice and "how to" that you'll ever need. Suppliers such as Starbolt (Starbolt4u@aol.com) , Hit & Miss Enterprises and others can provide needed parts. Swap meets and auctions can also be a valuable source of parts; besides, they are fun to attend.

Enjoy your accomplishment
It makes no difference whether you own a monster steam traction engine or a one-horse Briggs, it can be a continuing source of button-busting pride and satisfaction if it's in top-notch reliable working condition. If you like paint and polish, by all means make it pretty. It will add to your enjoyment; and, you'll be preserving an important piece of history for many generations to come.

Graduating to the "Big Time"
After you've gotten the knack of restoration, you can graduate to some real challenges. This usually involves machine shop and foundry work. Yes, people do replace missing parts by making patterns and casting molten metal. To get an insight at some serious restoration, take a look at Craig Prucha's amazing work on his Antique Gas Engine pages. They feature many pictures that are an education in themselves. Craig produced a video showing how he cast new babbit bearings for one of his engines. You might want to ask him (cprucha@iinc.com) if he has any more copies for sale.

Magazines and fliers