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Author Topic: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine  (Read 1226 times)

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Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« on: March 09, 2021, 09:36:37 pm »
A brass and ferrous metal model single cylinder horizontal stationary engine with brass clad cylinder 1in. bore x 2in. stroke, semi-circular slipper type crosshead guides, piston valve, two bearing crankshaft with spoked flywheel and centrifugal governor, the weight stamped GEW and 45, finished in yellow and polished brightwork --3¾ x 9in.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2021, 09:45:54 pm »
Looks very nice 😊👍
Greetings & warm welcome from St.Paul In.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2021, 09:48:30 pm »
Thank You.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #3 on: March 09, 2021, 09:54:22 pm »
Most interesting, I have never seen a design like that before. Although it is more of a model-sized engine, it surely was made to serve some actual purpose, do you know what?
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #4 on: March 09, 2021, 09:58:21 pm »
I do not. It was part of the Newcomen Society collection .
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #5 on: March 09, 2021, 10:37:41 pm »
That is different, I like it, and welcome from Tommy in Michigan.
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Tommy

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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #6 on: March 09, 2021, 10:41:06 pm »
Welcome to the forum from the South Coast of New South Wales Australia and thanks for sharing pics of this nice engine.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #7 on: March 09, 2021, 11:11:14 pm »
Welcome to the Forum from the Eastern Slopes of the Sierra Nevada!

That is certainly one hefty looking engine ... looks like it was meant to do some real work.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #8 on: March 09, 2021, 11:24:06 pm »
George made 100 steam engines for Singer sewing machines to export to China. Foot binding prevented them from using a treadle. Is it possible this was one of them?
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #9 on: March 09, 2021, 11:29:20 pm »
Quote from: tom1356 on March 09, 2021, 11:24:06 pm
George made 100 steam engines for Singer sewing machines to export to China. Foot binding prevented them from using a treadle. Is it possible this was one of them?

Certainly a possibility, though things like this surviving and coming back from the far east are fairly rare I'd think. No reason it couldn't have been used to drive a sewing machine, or small machine tool like a lathe somewhere in the "western world" as well.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #10 on: March 09, 2021, 11:30:33 pm »
Welcome from MN, neat engine  8)
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Nick

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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #11 on: March 09, 2021, 11:41:05 pm »
Stoker

My thought was...
 This was number 45. The keying on the shaft didn't go well so they didn't ship it and George kept it eventually selling it to the Newcomen society. George built a replacement #45 to ship to China.

All speculation on my part.

Your theory makes more sense.


Would a sewing machine motor need a governor?
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2021, 09:11:56 am »
Quote from: tom1356 on March 09, 2021, 11:41:05 pm


Would a sewing machine motor need a governor?

"Need", no probably not, but a governor would not be a bad thing to have either, as speed of operation would be desirable to have fairly consistent I should think. On small machine tools a governor would definitely be wanted, as cutting speed and feed control is very important, and would be achieved with pulleys and belts from a constant speed power source.
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"Information is not knowledge, Knowledge is not wisdom, Wisdom is not truth, Truth is not beauty, Beauty is not love, Love is not music: Music is THE BEST...   
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #13 on: March 10, 2021, 09:35:32 am »
Quote from: Stoker on March 10, 2021, 09:11:56 am
Quote from: tom1356 on March 09, 2021, 11:41:05 pm


Would a sewing machine motor need a governor?

"Need", no probably not, but a governor would not be a bad thing to have either, as speed of operation would be desirable to have fairly consistent I should think. On small machine tools a governor would definitely be wanted, as cutting speed and feed control is very important, and would be achieved with pulleys and belts from a constant speed power source.

Thank you.
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Re: Circa 1885 George Eli Whitney model engine
« Reply #14 on: March 10, 2021, 10:29:00 am »
Heavily built engine for sure.
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