Side Lever Steam Engine

cheepo45 · Jul 6, 2024

Good afternoon, Everyone.
I wanted to show the parts I have made so far.
The plans are from Home Shop Machinist Magazine (July-December 2008).
All these parts are made from mild steel. (1018)
As you can see, this is a small engine (the flywheel is about 2 1/2" diameter).
It has been interesting changing all the metric dimensions to imperial.
I'm quite pleased at how well these are coming out.
Thanks for looking.
Scott

cheepo45 · Jul 6, 2024

Here is the latest update. I actually have parts that move now! On a side note - I really like the machined finish on the parts. What is the best way to keep it from rusting? I was thinking about clear lacquer, but I don't want it to chip off. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Scott

Vietti · Jul 6, 2024

Gun cold bluing?

GreenTwin · Jul 7, 2024

Looks good.
Very nice work.
.

cheepo45 · Dec 28, 2024

My Side Lever engine is complete and running!
This was a more challenging build than I thought.
There are many small parts and the plans were in metric so I had to do a lot of converting (which is good to learn)

Hope to see some of you at the Cabin Fever show in January.
Scott

Richard Hed · Dec 29, 2024

very nice indeed!

SmithDoor · Dec 29, 2024

cheepo45 said:
My Side Lever engine is complete and running!
This was a more challenging build than I thought.
There are many small parts and the plans were in metric so I had to do a lot of converting (which is good to learn)
Hope to see some of you at the Cabin Fever show in January.
Scott

Looks great

Dave.

mnay · Dec 29, 2024

SmithDoor said:
Looks great

Dave.

Great job. The mechanism is fun to watch running!
Mike in Plain City, Utah

timo_gross · Dec 30, 2024

cheepo45 said:
My Side Lever engine is complete and running!
This was a more challenging build than I thought.
There are many small parts and the plans were in metric so I had to do a lot of converting (which is good to learn)
Hope to see some of you at the Cabin Fever show in January.
Scott

Did you use CNC machines to do the flywheel, beams and base plate?
How was the final finish done at the end. Clear coat?

Steamchick · Dec 30, 2024

I have my Fathers model. Made from a poor picture of "the last one made in Scotland" - which became an ornament on a roundabout in the middle of the Scottish town (Motherwell??) where they made thousands for small boats. Not as detailed as yours. (No castings). My Dad was keen to record various arrangements of engines he had worked on during his career. A pair of these could be found in many Scottish side-paddle boats. Especially Tug boats used in harbour manoeuvring large cargo Sailing vessels pre-Brunel's Screw (Propeller) drive. The configuration put the crankshaft at the right height for the paddle wheel.

paulrayner · Dec 30, 2024

cheepo45 · Dec 30, 2024

Thank you everyone for your kind comments.
I used my old Bridgeport Mill that has a Prototrak Edge 2 axis CNC retrofit on it for most of the machining.
Most of the parts are as machined - no sanding or polishing, just a very light deburring.
I have run these machines for many years at work, so I am very familiar with them.
The finish is just a couple of coats of Johnson's paste wax - I wanted to preserve the just machined look.
Scott

Steamchick · Dec 31, 2024

Must get some Johnson's paste wax... Only stuff I have is solid car body wax in a tin. Maybe that would keep the dreaded rust at bay?
K2

cheepo45 · Dec 31, 2024

Unfortunately, Johnson's past wax was discontinued a few years ago.
There are still quite a few others that should work just as well - search "paste wax for wood"
Car wax may be an alternative, but I haven't tried it.
Scott

Steamchick · Jan 1, 2025

I suppose my slide=way anti=corrosive spray should work too, but that feels "Oily", whereas Wax polish doesn't stay "liquid"...

Side Lever Steam Engine

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