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CAMA's Exhibit of Small Internal
Combustion Engines is Called the
"Small Engine Shop"
The Small Engine Shop is located in one corner of the Diebold Agricultural
Hall
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The Connecticut Antique Machinery Association
has always had a dedicated group of small engine enthusiasts. Every
year at the Fall Festival, the engines would come out of hiding to be displayed
and run. Now (September of 2004), there is a formal permanent exhibit
space that houses CAMA's own collection of small engines as well as privately
owned examples showcasing the wide variety of ages and types of these often
unsung workhorses. Formally opening at the 2004 Fall Festival, the
"Small Engine Shop" engenders the look and feel of a small town repair shop.
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In the Small Engine Shop Exhibit, spectators
and enthusiasts can get a flavor of the wide variety of these engines that
powered mowers, blowers, saws, pumps, and hundreds of other applications
only limited by the extent of imagination. Specialty engines designed
for specific uses, and general purpose engines can be seen on exhibit.
Did you know that at one time, Maytag washing machines were powered by
gasoline engines? These washing machines had to be set up outside, or,
a long exhaust pipe could be used to channel the exhaust out of the laundry
room.
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The Small Engine Shop displays a number
of small gasoline engines from very early "one-lungers" to more recent
four strokes. No less important than the big industrial engines, the
small internal combustion engine revolutionized the way farms, machine
shops, and small businesses did work. Farm power engines were sometimes
set up with pulleys, belts and lineshafts so one engine could be connected
to variety of farm tools and machines. Machine shops were often equipped
with lineshafts directing the power from one engine to a number of machine
tools. Eventually, as more and more electrical devices became available,
small gas engines were connected to generators to supply electric power.
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At every Fall Festival, CAMA's small
engines are fired up to demonstrate the sight and sound of these early power
sources.
In addition, many of our small gas engines are belted to a miriad of different
tools and devices to give the spectator an idea of the many uses for these
engines. Gas engines are belted to water pumps, drag saws, circular
saws, gristmills, planers, rock crushers, and many other machines. We
really give them a workout!
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