DieselManiac
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- Joined
- Apr 28, 2015
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I have been watching this forum with enthusiasm for some time.
I would like to share my build of the PM research #2 oscillating steam engine
Challenges:
- the aluminum castings can be porous in some spots and are generally pretty rough. I found them acceptable in critical areas and was able to work with them
- Tolerances are challenging with this scale. With careful use of dial indicators I was able to locate and plunge drill the 4 steam ports on the steam chest directly on my milling machine
- I found the cylinder rings that came with the engine to be insufficient and had to make my own by turning down nylon tube, parting, and cutting a slit for assembly with a razor blade.
- It took some fiddling to get the engine running smoothly. The spring washer tension, the spacing of the flywheel, and the addition of shim washers was necessary in this case.
Modifications and finishing:
- I turned the cylinder head and crosshead from aluminum bar stock as I like the look more than the stock castings. These were polished.
- The flywheel rim, ends of the mounting feet, crankshaft end, and sides of the cylinder are polished.
- I used #4 and #6 hex heads for a more scale look. I made a #5 screw for the connecting rod pin by loctiting a #5 screw on a threaded #5 rod.
- A rubber spacer is used between the flywheel and the frame with metal washers on each end.
- PM research pipe fittings were added to the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
- Spray painted cylinder and frame Rust-Oleum hunter green and brush painted the details also with Rust-Oleum paints.
I am currently running with compressed air
Future project: base or perhaps even a scale building to house the engine.
Pictures and link to video below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/morepowder/32423058693/in/album-72157677577649323/
I would like to share my build of the PM research #2 oscillating steam engine
Challenges:
- the aluminum castings can be porous in some spots and are generally pretty rough. I found them acceptable in critical areas and was able to work with them
- Tolerances are challenging with this scale. With careful use of dial indicators I was able to locate and plunge drill the 4 steam ports on the steam chest directly on my milling machine
- I found the cylinder rings that came with the engine to be insufficient and had to make my own by turning down nylon tube, parting, and cutting a slit for assembly with a razor blade.
- It took some fiddling to get the engine running smoothly. The spring washer tension, the spacing of the flywheel, and the addition of shim washers was necessary in this case.
Modifications and finishing:
- I turned the cylinder head and crosshead from aluminum bar stock as I like the look more than the stock castings. These were polished.
- The flywheel rim, ends of the mounting feet, crankshaft end, and sides of the cylinder are polished.
- I used #4 and #6 hex heads for a more scale look. I made a #5 screw for the connecting rod pin by loctiting a #5 screw on a threaded #5 rod.
- A rubber spacer is used between the flywheel and the frame with metal washers on each end.
- PM research pipe fittings were added to the steam inlet and exhaust ports.
- Spray painted cylinder and frame Rust-Oleum hunter green and brush painted the details also with Rust-Oleum paints.
I am currently running with compressed air
Future project: base or perhaps even a scale building to house the engine.
Pictures and link to video below:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/morepowder/32423058693/in/album-72157677577649323/
