Topic: Handmade steam engines.... on a budget (Read 45755 times)

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #100 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:04:44 pm »

The build contiues with the crankshaft. I started by using 2 peices of scrap brass, i dont waste any off cuts i use everything except the swarf. I fixed the 2 3mm bars in parrel, added the piston rod. and piston then soldered the lot togeathe as one peice. After i soldered it i then drilled and pinned the crank for reinforcement. Then resoldered it again.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #101 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:24:49 pm »

Next i cut off the excess bars and bits i didnt need and then filed the crank shaft down to the desired shape. I then soldered tubes to the engine frame and installed the crank and piston. In reality it wasnt quite as simple as that i hadnt made alowances to actually get them in. I had to cut notches out of the cylinder so i could attach the con rod to the piston. I havent come up against this problem building steam engines as none of them have the little end of the conrod going into the cylider.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #102 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:28:47 pm »

I got on a roll and got the hard mechanical bits out of the way. I used some meccano chain and joined the crank to the camshaft, i added a temporary flywheel so i could test the turning over of the engine. The timing of the cams in relation to the crank is nearly spot on minus 1 or 2 degrees and some little overlap. So far so good.

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #103 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:34:09 pm »

A little valve overlap is good as it helps to remove exhaust gasses and cools the top of the piston.....
I am amazed at what you are doing with a few hand tools and some bits of brass, Good form!

ooyah/2 · « **Reply #104 on:** November 05, 2012, 08:52:23 pm »

Quote from: pettyofficernick on November 05, 2012, 08:34:09 pm

A little valve overlap is good as it helps to remove exhaust gasses and cools the top of the piston.....
I am amazed at what you are doing with a few hand tools and some bits of brass, Good form!

Nick,
Don't encourage Mike when this engine works " not if " he will be building rockete to go to the moon.

I am about to sell my lathe and mill to buy some brass and soft solder, just have to get back to basics.

Well done Mike

George.

P.S.
Just looking at the timing of your posts, don't you sleep well ? and the speed that you are going at ,don't you work?

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #105 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:03:13 pm »

It looked optimistic and wondered if i filled the cylinder with gas would i get any movment. Nope nothing, i thought well what do you expect its not compressed. Still optimistic though i pushed on and tried to figure out how i would attach the ignition. I took the ignighter and put the wire threw the hole in the top of the cylinder, i checked the ignighter and rightly as i had expected the arc jumped from the wire and earthed on the cylinder wall. Good, i did the same with the some gas in the cylinder. Nothing, tried again, Nothing. I used a candle lighter and the flame lit the gas, it poofed a bit and burnt off. The igniters spark doesnt ignight the gas.
my ignition plans have failed, the spark isnt big enough.
I experimented to see if i could get the gas to light like a convention lighter I aimed the gas outlet at an electric fly swat and batted it.
no not really

, i aimed the gas at the fly swat then shorted the electric fly swat with a screw driver. After a couple of attemts the arc from the swatter lit the gas. The electric fly swat has a button on it and takes 2 aa batteries. You hold down the red button for a few seconds and you hear a faint high pitches whistling noise. I think this is a capacitor, you then hit flies with the swatter and they litterally explode.
Im thinking that if i can use the fly swatter and strip it for bits, then use a micro switch as a distributor acting on a cam. But the time it takes for the capacitor to recharge is far too long to be used as ignition for an engine. I need the capacitor to be charged instantly as soon as the spark is fired.
Im stuck now, i dont know how to get the fly swatter to charge instantly. Im guessing it needs more voltage? or a smaller capacitor then run the out put threw a coil then to the engine? Any ideas? I dont want to spend loads of money because even if i get past this bit the engine still might not work.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #106 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:08:58 pm »

Quote from: ooyah/2 on November 05, 2012, 08:52:23 pm

Nick,
Don't encourage Mike when this engine works " not if " he will be building rockete to go to the moon.

I am about to sell my lathe and mill to buy some brass and soft solder, just have to get back to basics.

Well done Mike

George.

P.S.
Just looking at the timing of your posts, don't you sleep well ? and the speed that you are going at ,don't you work?

I got laid off so Im what you call these days a stay at home dad, my misus works full time and has a succesful career. Most of the building i do are when the kids are in bed and a bit when the older ones are at school. I usually end up going to bed at stupid oclock in the morning. Still got to be up a t 7 though. I also dont watch any telly. None

ooyah/2 · « **Reply #107 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:16:55 pm »

Mike,
No better way to spend your time than messing about with engines, good onyer mate.
George.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #108 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:26:12 pm »

Quote from: ooyah/2 on November 05, 2012, 09:16:55 pm

Mike,
No better way to spend your time than messing about with engines, good onyer mate.
George.

I dont intend to stay this way im still looking for work, but my main skill is engineering, there are not many jobs available and im often competeing in interviews with guys like your selves with 15-20 years experience on top of mine. People presume because im 27 im still a novice, I have a hard time proving what im capable of and in real work i get stupid tasks like making holes in diecast boxes. When im building these engines im making and breaking my own boundaries and you all see them. This forum gives me the opportuniuty to show what i can do.

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #109 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:37:48 pm »

Hi Mike, two things you could explore for your ignition system, first, have a look at this link, http://www.instructables.com/id/Real-1700-volt-Camera-Taser/#step1 You may be able to adapt it. Second, a Piezo Ignition System might be worth a look, many household items have piezo ignition, all you would need is a cam arrangement to fire the igniter. here's a link to an example that may inspire you. Piezo Ignition System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry11l0RLXcI
Carry on the good work,
Regards,
Nick.

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #110 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:40:38 pm »

Have you tried taking some of your creations to interviews? Show them what you are capable of, you never know, it could make a difference.
Regards,
Nick.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #111 on:** November 05, 2012, 09:49:14 pm »

Quote from: pettyofficernick on November 05, 2012, 09:37:48 pm

Hi Mike, two things you could explore for your ignition system, first, have a look at this link, http://www.instructables.com/id/Real-1700-volt-Camera-Taser/#step1 You may be able to adapt it. Second, a Piezo Ignition System might be worth a look, many household items have piezo ignition, all you would need is a cam arrangement to fire the igniter. here's a link to an example that may inspire you. Piezo Ignition System http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry11l0RLXcI
Carry on the good work,
Regards,
Nick.

Im using a piezo ignition from a candle lighter, i was going to add an extra movable cam lobe to the cam shaft to operate it. But the spark wont ignight the gas. The camera taser looks similar to the thing inside the fly swatter. The peizo igniton on that youtube engine though looks optimistic mind. Maybe when the gas and air is compressed the small spark might ignite the gas?

frazer heslop · « **Reply #112 on:** November 05, 2012, 10:30:20 pm »

Hi Mike, looking good .Have a look at Mr Ridders again he has been there and done it regarding the ignition system you are trying to build

You need a gas/air mix to get combustion if I remember correctly about 24:1 again look on Ridders site maybe at the vapour carb just for ideas on his mixing chamber

I think I will join George and go back to basics
Slowly eating the Elephant you will get there
best wishes
frazer

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #113 on:** November 05, 2012, 10:40:39 pm »

you know i just googled the use of piezo igniton and found an old thread on a forum for 2007 and it suggests there to look at jan ridders. I need to do some more research.

frazer heslop · « **Reply #114 on:** November 05, 2012, 10:51:00 pm »

Hi Mike, if you need any info email Jan he will email you drawings at no cost .
He has some great ideas on his site
best wishes
frazer

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #115 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:03:29 pm »

Quote from: Mad_Mike on November 05, 2012, 09:49:14 pm

Im using a piezo ignition from a candle lighter, i was going to add an extra movable cam lobe to the cam shaft to operate it. But the spark wont ignight the gas. The camera taser looks similar to the thing inside the fly swatter. The peizo igniton on that youtube engine though looks optimistic mind. Maybe when the gas and air is compressed the small spark might ignite the gas?

Perhaps a stronger spark, say from the igniter on a gas cooker or gas boiler?

grendel · « **Reply #116 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:09:35 pm »

boost the spark with a coil?
Grendel

grendel · « **Reply #117 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:13:15 pm »

anything for the hit and miss engine useful?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit-and-miss_engine

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #118 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:13:33 pm »

Quote from: grendel on November 05, 2012, 11:09:35 pm

boost the spark with a coil?
Grendel

Quote from: pettyofficernick on November 05, 2012, 11:03:29 pm

Perhaps a stronger spark, say from the igniter on a gas cooker or gas boiler?

Im looking into it. I cant have the peizo igniter to big other wise my engines wont be able to push the button. The additon of a coil may do it i reckon. Im thinking i could nab the transformer out of an old ac dc adapter i got. Its starting to look hopeful again

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #119 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:14:18 pm »

Just done a little research and found this.....http://heetgasmodelbouw.ridders.nu/Webpaginas/pagina_blokker_vonkcircuit/blokker_crcuit_frameset.htm

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #120 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:33:12 pm »

Im just looking at that page now, looking at what the best option is. What i cant understand now is, if peizo ignition works then why didnt the gas light in my engine?

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #121 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:41:22 pm »

The system on the page is made from a battery powered lighter, with the circuitry tweaked. His petrol vapour carb is so simple as well.. As regards to the gas not igniting, maybe the gas ait mixture wasn.t right, if it was neat gas in the cylinder and little or no oxygen, it probably wouldn't ignite. A far greater volume of air than gas will be required. There are probably calculations that can be made to establish the right mix.

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #122 on:** November 05, 2012, 11:52:30 pm »

ive found this battery powered lighter its relatively cheap and should do the job:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Metaltex-Elegant-Electronic-Gas-Lighter-Black-Battery-Included-/160912889307?pt=UK_HGKitchen_SmallApp_RL&hash=item257727d5db
Theres another one but its 10 quid and for something that might not work its a bit expensive for me. I suppose ill carry on and hope for the best

pettyofficernick · « **Reply #123 on:** November 06, 2012, 12:02:21 am »

That should do the trick, they probably all use the same basic circuit, and the extra components are only coppers. I have definitely got a 1mF 250V capacitor and a 470 ohm resistor, and probably the rest of them, I will put them in your parcel. Have you looked at his carb, most ingenious.....

Mad_Mike · « **Reply #124 on:** November 06, 2012, 12:08:56 am »

I cant get my head round what hes talking about. Do you understand?

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Author Topic: Handmade steam engines.... on a budget (Read 45755 times)