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Author Topic: Grasshopper Engine Model  (Read 1456 times)

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Grasshopper Engine Model
« on: April 16, 2022, 03:59:40 pm »
I received the grasshopper engine that I recently won on eBay. It was machined very well and runs very well. I thought the flywheel was going to be too light, but it is not. Does anybody recognize the design and where the plans came from?
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2022, 04:03:21 pm »
I don’t recognize it but sure had thoughts of bidding on it, nice buy 👍
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Nick

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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2022, 04:21:36 pm »
I was next high bidder!
Glad another forum member got it. Is the cylinder aluminum- that was my only concern. Beautiful engine. Congrats.
Crazydoug
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2022, 05:10:59 pm »
Yes, the cylinder is aluminum. On other steam engines with aluminum cylinders, I make a new piston from "MDS-Filled, wear resistant easy to machine nylon" rod lthat I get from McMaster Carr. It will withstand steam without growing. I have had good luck with this.  Brad
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2022, 07:50:20 pm »
Congrats, Brad..!!!

A very nice buy and a great addition to your collection.

What does the engraving say?

Gil
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2022, 09:27:21 pm »
Looks nice to me Brad , look forward to seeing it run. 😊
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2022, 11:05:51 am »
Quote from: Brad on April 16, 2022, 05:10:59 pm
Yes, the cylinder is aluminum. On other steam engines with aluminum cylinders, I make a new piston from "MDS-Filled, wear resistant easy to machine nylon" rod lthat I get from McMaster Carr. It will withstand steam without growing. I have had good luck with this.  Brad
Interesting- i,ll have to try that.Do you use rings of any kind?
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2022, 11:16:20 am »
Nice looking - maybe scratch build (freelance)?
Congrats, Arnold
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2022, 01:28:08 pm »
I'm sure it was made from plans somewhere. It lacks parallel motion, but I don't know if every grasshopper engine had parallel motion. The lettering reads: GRASSHOPPER ENGINE NO. 5, TO PASUL OTTENHEIMER, FRED FOX 1991.
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2022, 01:31:03 pm »
I have not used rings on the plastic pistons, just machined them to a tight tolerance. O-rings could be used and I might, keeping them a loose fit.
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Re: Grasshopper Engine Model
« Reply #10 on: April 18, 2022, 12:48:10 pm »
Nice one Brad.

Time for a Steam Up!  ???
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