Flywheel search

[peatrich]

I am putting together a shopping list of metal to build a small vertical engine as my first build. Most pieces are no problem but I like the traditional spoked flywheel in brass and can't find the required 3 3/8" or 90mm one I want, or anything near to it.
I sourced a cast iron one from an auction site but it is very poorly cast, hard as granite, hopelessly untrue and full of holes in the wrong places.
I live in the UK and wondered if anyone knew where I might buy one in brass of better quality.
The engine is the stehende dampfmaschine mit muschelschiebersteuerung und kreuzkopfuhrung, which I have seen a build thread of in the forum(not under that name). A google search of the title reveals a plan and a german build thread of a very nice looking engine that does not look, through my newby eyes, to be too challenging with plenty of care and attention. It also appeals to me because I like all things metric and like the simplicity of it.
Kind regards
Peter

 

[tel]

Yo Peter - I have found that if you would make small engines it is best you learn how to make flywheels from scratch. Castings seem to have become hard to find or very expensive.

 

[tel]

Yo Peter - I have found that if you would make small engines it is best you learn how to make flywheels from scratch. Castings seem to have become hard to find or very expensive.

 

[lensman57]

HI,

Try RDG tools, if you google them its easy to find. They have at the moment a couple of sizes of cast iron flywheel castings , I think there is a 4"wheel for about £10.00 or there abouts. They seem to be rough castings that you'd have to machine but at this price theses are worth having a go at.

Regards,

A.G

 

[Jasonb]

I suspect the one you talk of came from RDG via e-bay though I have used one of their 10" flywheels and only had one small blow but I did go through their pile of half a dozen to pick out a good one.

Stuarts will also sell individual flywheels (in iron) the one for teh 10 series engines would be the right sort of size and as Bridport now cast these you may be able to get them to cast one in bronze/brass.

Failing that like Tel says fabricate it, Stew did one on his popcorn engine using loctite if you don't like soldering, search for that and these are other methods.

http://modelengines.info/goldeng/const/flywheel.html

http://www.findsminimodelhotbulbengines.dk/Curved spoke flywheel.html

http://www.findsminimodelhotbulbengines.dk/Straight spoke fly-wheel.html

J

 

[Brian Rupnow]

No wisdom to impart on flywheels, but Tel, am I ever glad to see that you're still around!!!----Brian

 

[peatrich]

Thank you for all your comments. I took the bull by the horns at my local scrap metal dealers today and bought a 90mm disc of scrap brass weighing a kilo for six quid! I'll be knee deep in chippings by the weekend...