Joe Bowen's Engine Has Been Sold for $3,500

Joe Bowen, a master machinist from Oxford, Maine, has produced one of the most finely finished little steam engines I've ever seen.

A Ray Hasbrouck Design, #5, this twin simple, rated at 2 1/2 HP at 400 rpm is a delight to the eye.

Check out Ray's website for technical design particulars. You can also purchase plans there.

With a bore of 2 inches and a stroke of 2 1/2 inches, it is, in many ways, a miniature version of larger marine practice.

The finish that Joe puts into his work is of museum quality and confirms, once again,  that American craftsmanship is alive and well in Maine.

I have never seen one of Ray's designs finished this beautifully. I'm sure you'll agree!

The engine's cylinder, crosshead guides, flywheel and piston rings are made of cast iron.

The engine's Stephenson links are lever driven, which makes reversal and "linking up" a quick and very, very smooth process.

This engine would be very comfortable sitting in a fine-lined small hull of 17 to 20 feet.

I don't know about you, but I drool over this little beast.  Look at the finish!

Joe estimates that he put about 700 hours into the fabrication of this engine.  A true labor of love!

Now, you've got to remember that this engine is NOT built from castings. 

Each piece has been individually crafted from raw materials. 

Only the ball and needle bearings were purchased.  Of course, ball and needle bearings were used wherever possible to minimize lubrication and wear problems.

This engine was built for the connoisseur of Ray Hasbrouck designs! I doubt you'll ever see another like it!

Perhaps there are cheaper engines, but there are few prettier.

This is a new engine, built in 2007.  It has never been run on steam.

 If you'd like to Meet Joe and see a couple of movies of the engine running

 on compressed air click on the images below.

These files are large, so don't try to download them unless you have a broadband connection.

Your local library probably has a broadband connection.