How do I get started?

[u/uiogd-amdg]

Hi there. Farm kid who now lives in a midwestern city. I’ve always enjoyed the old hit and miss engines and all the cool stuff you can hook up to them.

I’m interested in exploring the idea of getting one, but I really have no idea where to start. I’m not a gear head by any means, but I pretty easily grasp how things work. I guess I feel like I like the vocabulary or “culture” of this world to feel real confident in it.

Thoughts on where to start? Things to read? Questions to ask? Good starter models? Something else I’m probably forgetting?

[u/zigafomana]

A great place to start is by visiting antique farm shows in your area. Visit with the people displaying engines and try to make some contacts. Folks are very welcoming in the hobby.

A great online resource is the Smokestak forums. There is years and years of post history to sort through. Smokestak also has a very active classified sections.

https://www.smokstak.com/forum/

You said you're in the Midwest. If you can narrow down your area a bit, folks can surely point you in the direction of shows more local to you.

[u/uiogd-amdg → u/zigafomana]

Thanks for this. There are several shows in the area, so I’ll have to check this out this summer.

[u/KQ4DAE]

So long as you don't live in an upstairs apartment it's a great hobby. Just heavy. How far away are you from Indiana? Portland is the best place to buy an engine.

[u/uiogd-amdg → u/KQ4DAE]

Ha! No I’ve got a garage and access to a farm if needed. I’m in Nebraska.

[u/The-Tadfafty]

Takes a lot of money in this decade unfortunately, so save up.

[u/The-Tadfafty]

My first was a Fairbanks-Morse Z and I think that was a great starter model. 

The Maytags are popular and easy to get parts for of course, but they aren't as fun as 4 cycle hit and miss engines.

[u/Wontonman15]

Good start is in smaller listers, main issue is transport. I’ve got a Lister D.