2 Cylinder Steam Engine

[ShedBoy]

I am having an absolute crap day . It started off okay,

Got main bearing drilled

Bored cylinders okay

Took down deck height

Even got an exhaust port done.

Senile cat decided I needed some company in the shed, usually not a bad thing but it was very vocal, more than usual.

Could only get the lathe to go backwards due to the switch falling apart

Had new one in stock because I had to glue the old one up 6 months ago, bit of wiring and done. All the while cat talking to me. I think the cat is pyschic.

Got the lathe going to start on some cylinders in cast iron

First one in like a dream.

Second one taught the neighbourhood kids some new words I think :fan: :fan: :fan: th_wtf1 :redface2: :redface2:
I have shut the door to the shed for now. Will go back out when i have cooled down a bit. 2 holes the same size, two cylinders the same size, one end had to crack. I am blaming the cat! Guess the furnace is going to make another appearance.
Fuming in the southwest.
Brock

 

[metalmad]

Bugger
thats a tough break
sorry about the pun mate, it just had to come out.
now go make a better one
Pete

 

[ShedBoy]

Yeah I have just been breaking it apart. I am putting it down to my 5 metre casting :-[. I might do some grinding and welding on an xs650 street tracker frame which has found its way onto my bike lift. I find building motorbikes very soothing, but the neighbours don,t find it as soothing in the middle of the night. Where is that foam gone. "tough break" made me laugh, thanks Pete.
Brock

 

[metalmad]

I sold my yamaha 650 turbo last year.
One day ill get something else, maybe a Brit.
Pete

 

[cfellows]

Sorry to see that break, Brock. I know the feeling all too well when something like that happens to a piece I've put a lot of work in to. But, somehow, I always pick myself up after a few days and give it another go. The end result always seems to be worth it!

Chuck

 

[ShedBoy]

I may skin a cat a different way. Found some interesting stuff in the shed. Going to have a play around in the morning. I may fabricate a new crankcase. Watch this space for the easy way out. Contingency plan away :big:

Brock

 

[ShedBoy]

Hey Pete if you are into your brit stuff I picked up a lovely thing a month ago. 1923 JAP 350cc engine, turns over mint, just need the rest of bike to go around it, or it will be mounted in a glass coffee table.
Brock

 

[metalmad]

nice one
used to have a BSA ex police 650 oil in the frame job too
Pete

 

[bearcar1]

Ouch!! Way too bad about your mishap Brock. Your cat was trying to tell you something that time. Next time around, toss the liners in the freezer overnights and then bring them out and quickly press them in, they usually almost fall into place using this method. Doing press fits can get dicey, especially if the pieces aren't precisely square to one another. I really appreciate the work that you did on that crankshaft and bearings. I'm certain that the next casting (no. 3?) will be a huge improvement over what has been done to date. Thanks for sharing with all of us and I'll be watching for smoke on the horizon. Be safe.

BC1
Jim

 

[ShedBoy]

Got in the shed early and found some foam again

That shape looks familiar

Best one yet

Faces cleaned up, drilled and tapped.Some squaring up next. I removed alot from the foam where to crank spins so there will be alot less machining.
Thanks for looking in and support.
Brock

 

[Deanofid]

I've just been watching so far, Brock. Heard myself groan when I saw that split in your casting. Just
plain bad luck, but you bounced back quick. Good on ya.
Your crank looks great, btw!.

 

[metalmad]

nice job
now thats what I call a good hard push in the right direction :big:
Pete

 

[ShedBoy]

Got a bit done on the new castings. Got the block and sump faced and joined together and cleaned up inside the sump and face the ends to size. This casting is alot better than the previous one, no porosity yet. The castign seems a bit gummy while machining, getting alot of build up on the end mills. Oh well back to work tomorrow, seems I went backwards this break. Gained more knowledge though. Going to try melting some bronze next week I think to make the valve chest.

Brock

 

[Ken I]

Brock, been following this thread with interest but so far just lurking.

Sorry about the crack, I think Murphy's law has something about the likelyhood of failure being proportional to the square of the effort thus far expended.

Turning the air blue is very theraputic but not appreciated by all - redirected aggression helps - keep a dead domestic appliance on hand and go to it with a hammer.

Keep up the great work and postings.

Ken

 

[steamer]

sorry about the crack Brock.....probably doesn't need a press fit though....perhaps a little loctite.

The new casting looks great mate!

GoodOnYa......you'll get there.....regardless of the vocabulary lessons! ;D

Dave

 

[bezalel2000]

Hi Brock

Second casting looks great,
I hope you have identified what you did different to get it right.

It can be real frustrating, not knowing how you got the good one if its followed by a string miss runs.

No need to ask how I know ;D

Nice work on the engine too

Bez

 

[ShedBoy]

Thanks for the support everyone. I was pressing them in as described by the build notes because it recomends to finish boring them when fitted hence the 13mm bore, but I reckon I am going to put in stepped liners and the valve chest can hold them in.
Brock

 

[ShedBoy]

Got back to the machines today. Finished hogging out the block and sump then bored for main bearings. Decided to use the 4 jaw in the lathe to bore the cylinders. Worked good. Put a step in the top for an interference fit of 0.04mm.

Reckon I measured about 20 times each hole.

Got one cast iron cylinder sleeve made, tight sliding fit for the bulk of the sleeve the top has the press fit bit. I am really happy with the accuracy I am working to. Slowed down alot with lots more measuring. Back to it tomorrow make the second cylinder then lap them to size, 0.05mm undersize. Maybe some pistons and rods depending on what else comes through the door. Dam love jobs.
Brock

 

[arnoldb]

You're doing a nice job Brock Thm:

It's good to see you don't let little (and not so little!) setbacks faze you!

regards, Arnold

 

[kustomkb]

Real nice work you are doing there Brock.