Stuart triple and condenser vacuum pump

[steamedlou]

I can't believe it! Nothing I buy ever runs when I get it. This beast ran first time I tried and in both directions. Needed 40 psi steam to get it going and it stalls out at 25. Leaking a lot of steam at this point. I think when I get all the glands etc. tightened up it will run on a lower pressure. Now back to my Stuart work.
Here is a vid of the big one running. beautiful sound. a very low "engine room" note.
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHsPM0dK3Ho[/ame]

 

[steamedlou]

Ok getting back to my Stuart triple. Beginning fabrication of a surface condenser. Not going for a very big one. 3 1/2" long , 1 1/4" copper body with 23-1/8" diameter tube bundle. Hit the auto parts store and used a pair of brass freeze plugs for tube sheets.

 

[xrad]

I was wondering where this little gem ended up. I put a few bids in myself. These are very nice rare casting kits. I noticed on the ebay pics that there seemed to be a few shims here and there. Rough running may be more than just the glands....Maybe alignment is a little off.

I just bought an ST triple off ebay. In pretty rough shape but nearly all done. Your triple looks nice and if you plan to sell, let me know.

Cheers, xrad

3.5 gauge Tich
3/4" Northern
Mildura twin
TVR1aBB
Chelston big boiler
Stuart big boiler
Saito
etc......

 

[steamedlou]

xrad
yes there are a few items of sloppy layout on this engine. He didnt heed the warnings about the carefull layout between the cylinder drilling vs the base. Ill do some cosmetics on that by enlarging the base casting with JB weld. Paint will hide that. I always find it interesting to find the varience from drawings and slight errors on the engines you buy. I cant really critisize because im not a machinist. Ah you must have gotten the Stuart triple that went for about $1500 on ebay. Good buy it looks very complete from a machining standpoint. $100 for drain valves and piping materials and it looks like your there. Not bad for an engine that will go for about $3500 complete. Boy are they a ***** to get running though. Hope all the ecentrics are properly aligned. The Stuart info on this and timing sucks. Have fun. Im in the painting and polishing stages on my Stuart triple now.

 

[rhankey]

I just bought an ST triple off ebay. In pretty rough shape but nearly all done. Your triple looks nice and if you plan to sell, let me know.

Which one did you get? I am guessing/hoping the one for ~$1500, as that seems to fit your description the best. If so, I will be keen to see progress pictures as you bring it to life. Having completed a ST Triple a few months ago as my first engine and machining project, I know well what you are likely in for. The triple has a lot of parts, mostly very small, and any lack of precision along the way is likely to bite you in the butt. Hopefully you did not get one of the other partially machined ST Triples that have recently sold on ebay, as I couldn't see anything on them that was salvageable, and was shocked at how much they sold for.

 

[xrad]

Steamedlou and Rhankey:
Yes ebay 1500.

You are not the only one who buys engines in not excellent shape. This triple has a bent crank. Took me three hours to get it to within 5thou and nearly turning freely in the bearings. However, the flywheel end is still out of whack a bit. Many screws missing (BA of course..and not all in the size I stock) Many bits just hanging on. Also, looks like several hands have been in the pot with several levels of craftmanship. But, for the cost of the cast kit and the effort in the original machining, which was pretty good, I think it is a good buy. I will get the HP and LP twin going, then probably I will be splitting and machining new LP eccentrics for independent adjustment. I don;t feel like making a new crank for the tiny wobble....

Some new stuart parts on the way. They are very fast at email replies and getting my order out.

You should have seen the Mildura. It was a mess, bent , stripped, metric , US screws all mixed..but after months of work, she runs great.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wWb5GQl-pw&feature=c4-overview&list=UUYQskpmHyALB5hsentYB_6g[/ame]

I usually post my builds over on Model boat mayhem in the steam section but not too many of the triples or bigger engine builds there. I have been on chaski.net for my loco builds but they don't usually build these smaller engines. Maybe I am in the right spot now?

Sorry, don;t mean to steal your thread. Will post my own soon.

Cheers, X

 

[steamedlou]

Here we go. Got the Stuart triple painted, polished and running on 25 psig steam. Now to get it mounted and finish the surface condenser.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqGlvtVMilQ[/ame]

 

[steamedlou]

Almost done. I completed the surface condenser and all that's left is piping and final mounting of the whole assembly.
I was totally amazed. the surface condenser actually works and is not just for looks. I tested the engine running with and without cooling water flowing through the condenser. Without, steam exits the condenser. With water flow, just condensate. Also tried it with and without the vacuum /air pump tied in. Using the air pump causes a noticeable increase of engine speed. Engine is running beautifully and about 24 psi of steam in both directions.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqGlvtVMilQ[/ame]

 

[steamedlou]

sorry about that. posted the wring youtube link Here is the condenser test link

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLv4BqHcefkbe[/ame]

 

[steamedlou]

sorry didn't get the youtube link posted correctly




[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLv4BqHcefk[/ame]

 

[Mechanicboy]

Well done! The condenser works as it will be. Thm:

 

[Charles Lamont]

Lovely. Hard to tell from your video, but it seems your workmanship is proved by the engine being mechanically quiet - not easy with that much mechanism. Now, how much vacuum can you pull?