Ive noticed in the odd thread that there is some concern about the steam side of our hobby going the way of the dodo. Maybe im wrong, maybe there is a small growing society of enthusiasts in the making and im just not aware. I dont remember the age of steam, it was long gone when i was born but i have been on train rides and seen traction engines. Theyre is something about it all that i feel modern technology of my own generation lacks, steam is without a doubt an age of mechanical art which Ill never know.
Im going to have a bash at it either way and maybe ill get into it and one day in 50 years time ill be the one with concerns about the future of steam.
For starters ive noticed that this steam stuff is really expensive. Even the most basic engines and boilers are pushing up and beyond the £100 mark unless you go second hand mamod off ebay.
Im pretty skint most of the time so buying an engine that produces enough power to be useful is out of the question, it looks like im going to have to scratch build my own. I dont have a lathe or a milling machine so im going to have to make do with my usual hand tools, hack saw, files, stanley etc. Ive tried to build a working steam engine several times, all failed in one way or another. Anyway enough waffling heres my latest attempt:
Ive decided to make my engine out of plasticard. Scouring the forum and researching on the net ive come accross the simple osccilating steam engine. My previous attempts all involved a cam or crank operating the valves. Usually double acting and usually failing. here it is in bits:
It stands roughly 14cm inches high, it has a stroke of 4 cm and a bore of 1.7cm. The flywheel where is old paint tub filled with a mixture of pebbles and epoxy. The crank and con rod is 1/8th brass rod and all parts move in side brass tube with an internal diameter of 1/8th. Ive soldered on the big end made out of the tube and some collars on the crankshaft to stop it moving in the main bearing which also brass tube:
This engine is my first one that actually WORKS. It will turn by blowing the down the tube. I have bought a 12v car tyre compressor to run it, while it does create ample pressure it doesnt create enough flow so the engine barely moves. The only think that ive got at the minute other than my lungs to run it is an air bed foot pump, it works ok but ideally i need a workshop compressor. Ive made a video of it running but its very bad quality so ill need to redo it. Youl just have to take my word for it that runs for now.
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Topic: First attempts at making a steam plant, well air powered for now. (Read 16868 times)