Steam Engine (Build Log)

[VH_man]

Ha ha Yes I could... Problem is I think i would run into the problem of it cycles TOO fast.

If I stop the piston from going out too far, I can get this system to cycle fast enough to make the "brrrappp" a high-pitched whine

And your English is Fine. If i can read it, Its great.

[inonickname]

Cool, good luck. For my year 9 metalwork project I machined an air/CO2 engine. I'll post some pics in a min..

[VH_man]

I built a steam engine 3 years ago. The valve system is somewhat similar to that of a cross scavenged 2 stroke engine, but it uses lateral movement of the cylinder itself to time the intake and exhaust ports. Every part was made by me using a lathe, a milling machine, a bandsaw, a belt sander, a drill press, and a oxy/acetylene brazing/soldering setup.

This is What I call an "oscillating" engine.

If i had access to a Mill I would, but I have a drill press..... And possibly a wood lathe. Hell, If I had access to a Mill, Id be done already....

Not to mention, there's not enough moving parts to entertain the kiddies for hours on end.....

Got any videos of your engine running? I just love watching them run, Specially really fast.....

[SpudBlaster15]

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[VH_man]

A mill isn't required to build something like this. All of the work I used it for could have been done with manual saws and files. A lathe is a must though.

May I ask why a lathe is a must? I can make my parts out of precision brass tubing and epoxy, Its worked for me in the past.

[inonickname]

Complete engine.



Rear of engine with cylinder removed.



Piston and crankshaft.



Cylinder and block.

Works awesome except for a few problems. Cylinder was polished until I had to put it back in the lathe to take 3mm off the top -.-. The pin (which actuates the valve) was broken after running it on 140 psi. Easy fix and I also need to bore a new exhaust.

[VH_man]

I envy all you with Machining abilites...

Nice engines BTW. I hope mine looks somewhat as good.....

[SpudBlaster15]

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[VH_man]

Well, My friends Dad is a Machinist by trade, So i MIGHT be able to get in and Mill/lathe some parts... It would make my life very easy actually....

We will see. I think I can do this without a Lathe, And just a Drill press. We will see.

[VH_man]

WOHOOO!

Finished my Engine this afternoon, And it runs Beautifully! Check here for Video/Pics....

Im sooo exited right now.... its not even healthy.

[jrrdw]

Click where? Click what? Your missing a link or two.

[SEAKING9006]

He's got CA3-itis. He's so happy he got it done he posted about it before anything is done uploading.

[VH_man]

Click where? Click what? Your missing a link or two.

I couldn't help myself but to post something before my video was finished uploading.......

Anywho, Heres my Videoooo! Pics will come eventually.

[youtube][/youtube]

I shall post specs if anyone wants them.

[Zippster]

I've been thinkin of building something like this for a while now, with the ultimate end goal being making one run off of internal propane combustion - and maybe even use it to motorize something if I can get enough horsepower out of it.

But the first step is to make one run off of air, so on that note,

post them specs!

[VH_man]

Tadaa! (interestingly, This was taken with the engine RUNNING at about 10-15 PSI... Its a blur ususally, But the camera flash makes it "freeze". Its kinda cool.

Anyway, Heres more pics:

Valve (bits and Parts, Self Explanitory)


Piston/Cylinder (3/8in Rod, .40 cal Blowgun Barrel Peice)


Crankarm. Left bend is Valve, Right Bend is Cylinder. Note that they are 90 Degrees out-of-phase. VERY IMPORTANT


And of Course, The engine Running:


Specs:

Piston Throw: .3in
Valve Throw: .25in
Piston Diameter: 3/8in
Minimum Pressure: 4 Psi
Flywheel Mass: 250g
RPM: Unkown
Tourque: What do you expect from such a small piston throw and diameter? lol.

Any more questions and I shall Answer