Trying to locate 2.83" diameter piston and assembly

[Sunkist]

Howdy,

I am new to the forum as well as being new to small engine building--so was so pleased to find this forum. I am attempting to build a small, 10 HP steam engine. So far I have succeeded in getting most of the parts I think I will need according to a set of plans I bought--but not all!

I am having a really hard time finding the right piston assembly (2.83" diameter head x 1/4" depth, piston guide and piston rod). I have spent the past week scouring web sites but it has mostly been a bust as no one seems to sell steam engine pistons. I am hoping this is due only to my lack of experience--that I am not going to the right places!

This particular piston is totally flat and looks like 4 or 5 CDs stacked on top of each other and has a 1/8" groove to allow for a ruber ring. The piston rod is about 5" or so long. I have the copper cylanders that the two pistons will go into.

If it would help, I will try to attach a picture of the assembly.

Sorry if this is a long story...but I would be really grateful if anyone has any advice on where I could find these parts!!!:wall:

Thank you!
Sunkist

 

[MachineTom]

These are the kind of things you just make, provided you have machinery to do it. Probably 90% of the folks here can make that part.

A suggestion would be to show your plans and ask for helpers to build this or that. Do you have lathe or mill?

 

[Sunkist]

Thanks for your feedback.

I do not have a lathe or mill (classic novice!). I expect that I will need to farm out work to a machine shop. It's helpful to know what has to be made from scratch.

I have attached detailed drawings and an image of finished work.

Anyone interested in making the piston head and the bridge that supports the piston guide?

Thanks,

Sunkist

View attachment Piston image and drawing.doc

 

[wagnmkr]

Perhaps you could give your location ... perhaps one of the members here is close to you and could help.

Cheers.

Tom

 

[Philjoe5]

I examined your picture and drawing. I'm no expert and perhaps someone who is can chime in. That said, I've seen enough of small steam engines in the 1/2 - 2 hp range to state that your piston and piston rod seems woefully small to support the generation of 10 hp. Especially in an application where it may have to do so for hours at a time.

Just my $0.02

Phil

 

[lennardhme]

Hi,
This looks like a 'Green" engine to me ?
Its an interesting concept, but on the simple side of cheap to my mind.
Not sure where you are, but if in Oz I would be happy to help.
Good luck with the build anyway & lets know how it runs.
cheers,
Lennard

 

[Sunkist]

I am located in Dallas, TX but would be willing to go anywhere in the DFW area (250 square miles) to work with a good machine shop. Alternatively, if someone outside of TX (but inside the US) would like the challenge of working on this project, I am flexible!

Thanks!

Sunkist

 

[mcostello]

Lancaster, Ohio here, What Do You need?

 

[Sunkist]

Good morning. I am looking to have some parts made for a steam piston assembly. See my post from yesterday: there is an attachment with drawings and a picture of a finished version.

-2 piston heads - 2.83" diameter x 1/4" depth and 1/8" groove
-2 bridges to hold a piston guide - 3-5/16" x 1" x 1/4" deep with a 5/16" hole in the center so that a piston guide can be screwed in or connected to it; The edge will need to be curved to align with the cicumference of the cylander; I can attach better drawings for the piston bridge

I have the rod ends. If I can't find the piston guide and piston rod, those will need to be made as well.

Please let me know if you think you could make these.

 

[Jasonb]

Before cutting any metal you may want to reveiw the piston ring groove, its not the correct dimensions for a nominal 1/8" section ring so you won't get good sealing with minimal friction.

Also your drawing shows the pistons as 3.090" dia not 2.830"

J

 

[Sunkist]

Thanks for pointing that out.

What would be a better dimension for a 1/8" O-ring?

Regards,

Sunkist

 

[Jasonb]

The ME spec would be 0.160" wide and 0.132" deep. Note depth is measured from the ID of the cylinder not the OD of the piston.

 

[Sunkist]

Thanks for your comments. They were very helpful.

I am putting together a list of parts as I see now that the parts list that came with the plans is missing 50% (or more) of the pieces that appear in the finished product. I will then have a better sense of which parts connect where as well as better machining instructions.

Cheers.