Elmer's #46 Comber Rotary Engine

[weez]

Finally got started on my fifth Elmer's engine today. Here is the start of the cam ring.

 

[weez]

I finished the cam ring today. To make the inside cam profile, I did a series of 180 plunge cuts in two degree increments using a Excel spreadsheet to determine the offset from center for each cut.

 

[Herbiev]

Looking great. Keep those pics coming

 

[weez]

Finally got in some shop time tonight and finished the base.

 

[Hat56]

Speaking of Elmers engines I saw a two cylinder wobbler geared to a single shaft presented by Tubalcain on youtube and he suggested it was a number 115? made by Elmer. I would like to get the plans for this if anyone can help.

Thanks Mark

 

[Thivoth]

It's getting there, can't wait to see the final product

 

[weez]

Next up is one of the two bearings.

 

[brian13b]

What Kind of mill is that? thanks

 

[weez]

What Kind of mill is that? thanks

It is a Central Machinery item #44991 from Harbor Freight.

 

[weez]

Finished the second bearing today. Next up will be the cylinder.

 

[Inky Engines]

Weez...

Looking good ... this log brings back fond (and some frustrating) memories of my build of this engine - it's not the easiest of Elmer's engines to build and get running well, but it is worth the effort.

Good luck and kind regards

Geoff at Inky Engines

 

[brian13b]

Is it a good one? What would you recommend? thanks

 

[weez]

Is it a good one? What would you recommend? thanks

I have had this mill for about a year and am very happy with it. I am new to machining and this is the only mill I have ever used so I cannot compare it with anything else. It would help if you would post an introduction in the Welcome section with information on what you currently have or what you are looking for in a machine and what you are looking to make with it. There are tons of very knowledgeable people on here who are willing to answer questions and help out beginners.

 

[weez]

Here is the start of the cylinder.

 

[weez]

I made a 15 degree angle block that I will use for drilling the steam/air passages. I used CAD to figure out the coordinates of two holes on a 15 degree angle. Then I used two drill bits to position it in the vise to mill the angle.

 

[vascon2196]

Great job with this build so far!

This engine is on my bucket list...with about 30 other Elmer's engines!

I saw a 2X scale version of this engine over the weekend...it was done completely on a rapid prototyper.

Good luck with your build!

 

[weez]

I drilled the air/steam passages and milled the two slots in the shaft. Then Locktited brass plugs in the holes in the end and faced it off to make the plugs nearly invisible.

 

[weez]

Made two cylinder heads. Also made the piston and piston rod. I Locktited the piston to the rod instead of soldering it. I assume that the Locktite will hold good enough. I also made the two rollers. All that is left are the two forks and a flywheel.

 

[Philjoe5]

Very nice build. It's looking good. The bearing profiling work looks great!

Cheers,
Phil

 

[weez]

Finished the flywheel today (other than the threaded hole for the set screw). I should have spent more time with the hacksaw cutting the corners off of the chunk of aluminum I had on hand. It took a long time to turn the rectangle down to a circle. I really should invest in a band saw. I think that I have all the parts made now. Now time to polish them up a bit before assembling. Hopefully I will have a runner in a couple of days.