My Lil' Mule

September 21, 2025

Lakeshore Live Steamers September Club Run

My shop and garage are going through a major reorganization, so I can’t really get at some of the machines. As luck would have it, this is coinciding with the September 2025 Lakeshore Live Steamers club run at the Blueberry Railroad in Geneva, Ohio. I had a lot of fun and shot some video to share. I hope you enjoy it.

https://www.lakeshorelivesteamers.com/
http://www.blueberryrailroad.com/
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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
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September 14, 2025

Machining Lapping Tools for the Washout Plugs on the Reading 2100 (AFT 250) Steam Locomotive

In order to get the Reading 2100 Steam Locomotive, also known as American Freedom Train 250, ready for inspection, one of the many things that need to be completed is to make sure the washout plugs are not leaking. Before placing new copper gaskets, volunteers need to lap the seat faces of each plug to eliminate any pitting or scaring. In this video, I and several volunteers machine one of the four different sized lapping tools for the locomotive.

Find out more about American Steam Railroad and the upcoming 80th birthday celebration of AFT250: https://www.americansteamrailroad.org
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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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September 7, 2025

Coolant Sump for the Sanford Surface Grinder – FAIL!!

I want to add flood coolant to my surface grinder. A viewer donated a pump, I just need a tank for the coolant. But things did not go according to plan.

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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August 31, 2025

Fabricating a post jack so my garage roof doesn’t cave in!

The concrete driveway is more than just a concrete driveway. There are all sorts of other things to consider, one of which is this post that is in the corner of the garage roof overhang. It doesn’t really support any weight, but I needed to secure it in position before the concrete is poured around it.

Anchorlube: https://amzn.to/3Y8LmLz

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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August 24, 2025

My Shop is a DISASTER – ArnFest 2025, Vanover Machine Meet-n-Greet

My shop is a mess. There is stuff jammed in here that doesn’t belong. For good reason, though, and it’s just temporary. Plus, I will be in the Chicago area September 25th through the 27th. Come out and say hello!

September 26th, 2025
Vanover Machine and Repair
3501 W Fillmore St, Chicago, IL
@VanoverMachineAndRepair

September 27th, 2025
ArnFest – Union, IL
Illinois Railway Museum
https://arnfest.com/
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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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August 18, 2025

Coolant Pump Disassembly and Testing – Sanford Surface Grinder

I kind viewer donated a coolant pump to the channel for use on the Sanford Surface Grinder. Condition was unknown, so I decided to do a simple teardown and cleanup to test to make sure it was going to work.

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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August 12, 2025

Cleaning up a 8″ Three Jaw Chuck and Fitting a Backplate for a South Bend Lathe – ASMR

I ran out of time this week and couldn’t record my usual voice over. So enjoy this ASMR edition of cleaning up an 8″ three jaw chuck and fitting a partially machined backplate for a South Bend lathe.

Anchorlube: https://amzn.to/3Y8LmLz

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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August 4, 2025

Adding a Wireless Remote to the Rotary Phase Converter

For no other reason than “why not” – I decided to install a wireless remote to my rotary phase converter. Warranties were likely voided. Not Sponsored.

Wireless remote: https://amzn.to/40QxHcG

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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July 27, 2025

Machining Carbide Insert Tool Holders with my Shaper for a BXA Tool Post on a South Bend Lathe

We needed some carbide insert tool holders for the quick change tool post. We didn’t have any that fit, so I decided to use the shaper to machine some unused tool holders to fit.

Anchorlube: https://amzn.to/3Y8LmLz

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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July 20, 2025

Adding a Servo Motor to the DIY DRO

Trying to make some progress with the DR DRO this week by adding a servo motor to the rotary controller. This was a bit more difficult than I originally expected, but with help from Stefano and Luke, I was able to get it figured out.

DR DRO: https://www.provvedo.com/
DRO Software Github: https://github.com/bartei/rotary-controller-python
Servo I used: https://amzn.to/4f92qrh
Plugs/Connectors: https://amzn.to/46QnOPS
DB25 Breakout Box: https://amzn.to/4ofwVjF
Programming interface: https://amzn.to/3IwFuGp
Discord: https://discord.gg/PFTCg4A4

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Check out my blog: https://www.mylilmule.us
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mylilmule/
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