- Joined
- Dec 28, 2008
- Messages
- 1,731
- Reaction score
- 9
After just finishing my beam engine project, I started to look again over the many available existing plans to make a choice for my next build. It was kind of like the story of the three bears; with an engine builders twist. This plan was too simple, that plan was too complicated, but I couldnt find one that was just right. With a few ideas in my head I drew up a rough sketch of what I thought to be a good representation of a mill engine. I went about designing and machining this engine one part at a time to create the final result.
The construction of the supports for the crosshead guide, cylinder, and bronze bushed bearing blocks was a build up made from 1/8th sheet steel silver-brazed together. I would have preferred to have used all brass and bronze but I used the scrap materials I had available at the time. The cylinder and valve face were built up from bronze scraps and the piston machined from a scrap piece of cast iron. The flywheel was my first attempt at trying an unusual spoke arrangement. It was soldered together from individual pieces with a pressed on aluminum outer rim. The basic valve configuration was based upon information I read in a book written in the 1800s. This was one of my first attempts at using my imagination to design and construct an engine. I consider it a successful build that runs well.
-MB
The construction of the supports for the crosshead guide, cylinder, and bronze bushed bearing blocks was a build up made from 1/8th sheet steel silver-brazed together. I would have preferred to have used all brass and bronze but I used the scrap materials I had available at the time. The cylinder and valve face were built up from bronze scraps and the piston machined from a scrap piece of cast iron. The flywheel was my first attempt at trying an unusual spoke arrangement. It was soldered together from individual pieces with a pressed on aluminum outer rim. The basic valve configuration was based upon information I read in a book written in the 1800s. This was one of my first attempts at using my imagination to design and construct an engine. I consider it a successful build that runs well.
-MB
