I’m new here so I’ll maybe need a little help posting I did read the rules etc
So I’m looking at a chilerton 4 cylinder horizontal mill steam engine . I should have prepared better. I’ll post the site picture next post the reason I’ve picked this is I worked in a textile mfg. co. And got to see the insides of the textile mills where these were popular. Some still had the line shaft hangers in the ceilings.
This engine has enough moving parts to keep me occupied for hours both assembling and operating it. They are not a cheap I don’t think I’ve already been in contact with them and they sent a return email in less than a day. Initially I’ll run it on compressed air . California air compressors makes a super quiet air compressor you can hardly hear run . My son has one at his car shop that is just great. I have an interesting little cubby hole that it will just fit in .
I can’t have an open flame boiler and simply have not found an electric one
So I do have materials and a design of my own already sketched out I just found an electric immersion heater on Amazon that has a 1/2” npt thread on it. This will fit perfectly in the boiler I’m laying out. It has 4” diameter 1/4” wall aluminum tank
In order to get on the right track, what are the length wise bundle of tubes called? At some point I was told they are “ super he tubes” seen in big Er engines . It will have a ring supplemental heater , basically a flat aluminum disc. This will set on something like an RV single burner electric hot plate usually you use a wire ring to keep the aluminum plate away from direct contact the heating coils . I plan on wrapping the boiler with automotive header insulation then a polished stainless steel over wrap for cleaner appearance and to help hold the heat in . There will be a row of 1/4” npt ports tapped into the boiler for exit steam, temp, press relief and possible a couple blank for future use
pressure , boiler fill with end caps having drain ports I haven’t had much luck finding small gages. The prices of aluminum and copper have gone ballistic I also have passing interest in turbines. I ordered one on Amazon then found another similar one that’s even better so I ordered that one too. Also found a nice stepper motor to convert to a generator. After watching a video on how to do this I ordered the bridge rectifiers abc appropriate condenser since the engine has both groove and flat belt capability I have spring belt and connectors
I also did a bunch of research on steam oils. I can’t find any locally. However I did find a huge paper on castor oil and veggie oils. Castor oil is still used today for break in of aircraft piston engines . It was als used in WW2 as primary lubricant for about anything that needed lubrication. As a boy I used it in model airplane engines and as a result of hot tods I got into nitromethane and alcohol fuels I had ready supplies so many engine got the full load an came apart in spectacular disasters LOL sports and drag racing added to my rep as go for the win no matter what. It cost me my knee an a bunch of teeth. That’s another day. I also have a small “ dynamo” electric motor that I’ll probably use for som cuter dynamics. I have an idea for a mounting board or floor resembling the polished wood floors if he textile mills. Basically covered with casting resin rather than polished oak. This is down the road a bit I have some thoughts about mounting in an aluminum case so I can transport it to luncheons and shop visits again down the rad. As you can see when I get into things, full throttle is the name of her . My vision issue is the big hold back . Doc says I’m not to set foot in the shop or be around rotating machinery. Absolutely no welding. Well being told I can’t do some thing goes against the grain I will listen to the argument . But it better be pretty convincing or it will bounce off my hard pointed head. LOL
Ok so I’ll dig up a picture from chilerton steam and post it . My birthday s comin up so this is my personal gift. I’ve worked for nearly 70 years so it’s my break .
Glad to be here and I’m looking forward to more conversation
Byron