New member intro

Hi everyone,

I've just joined the club so I'm posting an introduction.

I've had an almost lifelong interest in small engines as I basically grew up around farm and garden machinery, and I'm now getting to the age of thinking less about work and more about spending some time getting to grips with the number of small engines I've accumulated over the years. I tell my wife it's a collection, but realistically I started gathering some 'projects' about 35 years ago to do in my spare time which never really came about over the years, then they became future retirement projects, and now that I'm slowly reducing my work hours 'tinkering time' is starting to look promising.

I've been reading articles on the website every now and again over the years, and hope to have plenty of help when needed as I tackle the 'collection' (as my wife may read this) which is made up of Suffolk lawnmowers, Merry Tillers, some Briggs & Stratton and Villiers engines which aren't mounted on equipment, a JAP 2A with Pegson pump and an old ex-military battery charger with probably a BSA engine (not sure as it's buried deep in the garage since over 10 years, and I can't recall giving it to away). The 'collection' is made of everyday items which were common in their day, and consequently have cost little to accumulate - apart from space! The earliest is probably either the battery charger or the JAP which I think are either 1940s or early 50s. I have some handbooks for some of the engines which I'm happy to share.

John

Hi and to the forum

Hello and welcome!

I've only been 'collecting' for about 3 years but it grows at an alarming rate!

Hi, very addictive - as you know!

Alan

Hi John and a very warm welcome to the forum

You appear to have a new variant of the rusty lump bug - I think most of us started with one engine then got addicted. You seem to have amassed a great collection before getting the spanners out.
Good luck.

Hi John, welcome aboard.
I started collecting a few years ago, mainly small engines like yourself and tended to restore one a year due to work getting in the way, but I am now planning to take early retirement this year so should be able to spend more time on the engines (when Mrs. Robo doesn't find me work at the stables )
Handbooks are always useful to share, I have quite a lot of Villiers info if you need any.

Thanks everyone for your welcome.

My latest acquisition is the JAP 2A with Pegson pump, engine number as set out on the  engine is AY/37552/8.

According to information I can find the Y is the year that dates it to September '51 - August '52, and the 8 may denote it was destined to be fitted to the pump. I have no idea what the A stands for, unless I'm wrong and the A is the year marking.

Can anyone confirm I'm on the right track?

Thanks,

John

The latter A is simply the model type, there is a 2S as well which is similar mechanically but has a larger sump and fuel tank for longer running time.

Pete.