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Author Topic: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?  (Read 1277 times)

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Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« on: February 07, 2021, 07:12:25 pm »
I found this on PM Research website, seems a good value? The bronze/iron version is pictured at only $85 plus shipping...all aluminum is much less, I did not care for aluminum cyl bore but maybe the aluminum version comes with cyl liner or I could machine my own liner, but the bronze flywheel may help it idle lower and looks sharp.
Engine #3
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2021, 07:16:41 pm »
When machined properly, these can be fine runners.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
"Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind."
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2021, 07:17:57 pm »
Engine #1 by pm reasearch...much larger flywheel at $129 plus shipping
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2021, 07:20:46 pm »
Then these 3 from Stuart seem to be the ones in sub $150 range but priced in Euros. These are the ones I found but if you know of better options...would love to hear of them! Pre machined kits are welcome but may not be much in the sub $150 range....
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2021, 07:25:37 pm »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on February 07, 2021, 07:16:41 pm
When machined properly, these can be fine runners.

Good to know!!
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2021, 08:38:23 pm »
Found this video of PMR #3 powering Generator...it is making very nice engine "noises" even on Compressed air!
  I have not often seen drive belt on the big flywheel but is the go-to spot if higher rpm desired at the accessory. Love the flat belt drive to...this one is growing on me :D

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2021, 07:16:53 am »
I built a PM#3 last year.

https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion/pm-research-3-steam-engine/msg25531/#msg25531

All the PM Research kit's I built seem pretty nice.
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My Workshop Blog:  http://doug.sdf.org/

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2021, 09:19:23 am »
Quote from: krypto31337 on February 08, 2021, 07:16:53 am
I built a PM#3 last year.

https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion/pm-research-3-steam-engine/msg25531/#msg25531

All the PM Research kit's I built seem pretty nice.

Thanks for posting krypto! About all I can judge on a video is how true the main flywheel runs...and more importantly if the engine will run smoothly at low rpm and pressure. Yours is among the best I have seen! Well done.
  Ok, the thread will remain open as I like the sub $150 category as there not super involved projects, but I have pulled the trigger on a #3 casting kit. The single sided crank shaft greatly simplified machine work required.
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #8 on: February 08, 2021, 01:50:10 pm »
Thanks.  I'm finally starting to document the PM #3 build in my blog if that would be of interest.

Also don't forget to checkout bar stock engines for some fun builds like the DA wobbler I built.
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My Workshop Blog:  http://doug.sdf.org/

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #9 on: February 08, 2021, 02:22:39 pm »
Here's mine with a PMR generator i machined, and a couple of free harbor freight led flashlights as a load. The little weeden boiler is a little small for the task, but it does work. The generator was harder to build than the engine!
crazydoug

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #10 on: February 08, 2021, 06:57:58 pm »
Quote from: krypto31337 on February 08, 2021, 01:50:10 pm
Thanks.  I'm finally starting to document the PM #3 build in my blog if that would be of interest.

Also don't forget to checkout bar stock engines for some fun builds like the DA wobbler I built.
I read the blog and the tips and photos of setups where helpful, I want to see how slowly I can get mine to run reliable so I will study the drawings carefully before starting. Looking forward to the kit!
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #11 on: February 08, 2021, 09:27:32 pm »
Of all those I think I like the PMR #1 the best , its not what I would suggest as a beginners build , but the elegance is memorizing , that large thin flywheel is difficult to turn down on a lathe. I have owned all of these engines at some point.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
"Originality thrives in seclusion free of outside influences beating upon us to cripple the creative mind."
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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #12 on: February 09, 2021, 06:23:40 am »
Quote from: St Paul Steam on February 08, 2021, 09:27:32 pm
Of all those I think I like the PMR #1 the best , its not what I would suggest as a beginners build , but the elegance is memorizing , that large thin flywheel is difficult to turn down on a lathe. I have owned all of these engines at some point.

I watched the PMR #1 run on YouTube...it seems to have quite a long stroke for its size, think that enhances the look running. I may give it a go IF I have fun machining the PMR #3
   This engine would look nice in a real Dark green or Dark blue IMO

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #13 on: February 12, 2021, 03:35:27 pm »
This is the first all aluminum PMR #3 I have found running!...an aluminum kit would machine like butter but I went for the bronze/iron version. I suppose this might be a good way to go if you had a small hobby grade mill/lathe as the aluminum castings would not require as much rigidity as the iron kit.

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Re: Nicest steam engine casting kit in sub $150 category?
« Reply #14 on: February 13, 2021, 02:51:34 pm »
I just finished building the Stuart "Progress" oscillating cylinder steam engine that was pictured in this thread. I sent to Stuart for the casting kit. Very easy to build and a great runner. The cast iron frame did have some hard spots, so used my solid carbide mills here. I am just about finished with the PM Research #3 engine, also. both will be run off my PM Research vertical boiler, when I get it finished. These are great COVID projects.  Brad
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