Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Builds, Repairs, Show Your Machines! => Technical Tips, Builds, and Help => Topic started by: Scorpion2nz on May 09, 2020, 03:58:12 am
-
That is one dandy engine, Dennis. Congratulations!
-
Bonjour Dennis,
Reasonable ? You are too modest ;D
-
Proper job Dennis ;D
Ade
-
Well it has had some paint applied and final assembly.
The sharp eyed will see a 8ba bolt broke on final assembly .
Not exactly impressed with the new drain cocks as one leaks from the taper .
I think i might be done with it . It has been a rough road and some new tricks learned .
I think the pressure gauge shows I have done a reasonable job despite the issues .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRTn_YUWNBM
Cheers
A relieved bodger
Dennis
-
Awesome Dennis!
It made me giddy to watch the video after following the ups and downs of the build!
Thanks for a great build thread.
-
Why am I not surprised that you've managed to make this one a runner after all your trials and tribulations!
I suspect once you get it fully wrapped up and worn in, that it will tick over nicely between 1 & 2 psi.
Well done Dennis ..... Well Done INDEED!!!
-
Success, indeed! Good job, Dennis!
-
Good evening Raphael
Still a couple of things to fix and some painting
Second run was a lot better
Cheers
Dennis
-
Bonjour Dennis,
Reading 5 PSI (+/- 0,3 BAR) I would say you have there a great machine. Perhaps a few enhancements yest with the reduction of the steam leaks at the cable glands level ?
-
Well buggar me after all the trials and headaches there is light at
the end of the tunnel.
First run on steam
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_twsTd2mz38
Cheers
Dennis
-
Hi Dennis,
I just seen you cracked it and got her running! Great job!
Glad the Alum worked, think i will need to search for some of this :D
Cheers
Ade
-
Great news.
And a good technique for dislodging broken bits and taps!
-
Excellent!
-
Time for a update
Cylinder has been cooking in alum solution for about a week
50 grams Alum and 500 mls water
In a glass jar with a aquarium heater to keep at about 35 * C
Regularly use syringe to squirt solution into the offending holes
Drill bit has disintegrated. 7ba tap is just about done
Cheers
Dennis
-
Well done!
Great to see it running.
-
All that effort was worth it mate!!!!!!
-
Excellent, you hve a unique engine there. ;)
-
The cylinder is soaking in warm Alum solution in the hope the drill bit dissolves.
There is some discolouration around it so I have hope .
Cheers
Dennis
-
It Lives!!
Like the air hose at the end, we've all had that happen :D
The air hose ?/ my fault as I was trying to stall it by gripping the axle
-
It Lives!!
Like the air hose at the end, we've all had that happen :D
-
You have a runner...!!!
Well done, my friend.... Very well done..!!!
Gil
-
Gaskets and packing will help with the air pressure thing.
I told you it would run well!
-
Orings on piston rod and valve rod
No piston packing. No gaskets anywhere and only half head bolts and chest cover .
The knocking i think is endplay/sideways movement in crankshaft.
I am sure a washer strategically place will fix that .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fKtiX_zGc4
Cheers
Dennis
-
Bet it will run like a little watch.
You have faith in my ability?
I feel you have more faith than I have ability .
Instead of a swiss watch it will be more likely a clapped out old diesel,
Cheers
Dennis
-
Bet it will run like a little watch.
-
Starting to get some where at last .
Need to make steam chest cover, valve rod gland nut , and a steam inlet .
Hopefully tomorrow a trial on air
Not expecting much result as no gaskets as yet
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
-
It looks, shall we say, a bit crook....😞
-
;D
-
I think admin needs to change the thread title
From “ Clarkson Vertical “
To Bars.... Clarkson Vertical “
You can take what you want from “ Bars .... “. Either Barstock
Because a lot is being fabricated
or Bars.... ie a appropriate discription of what it is
Cheers
Dennis
-
Well fa. me ( apology)
The issues continue
[attachimg=1]
It does not look like this in the plans.
[attachimg=2]
Oh well just another small issue to fix
Simple enough just measure the distance required ( 8 mm )
Draw two lines on a piece of paper 8mm apart.
Heat center of rod red then quench and two bends .
Do first bend and check on paper when it looks right Do the second bend .
[attachimg=3]
Cheers
Dennis
-
Terrific watching you overcome these build hurdles Dennis. Keep the photos coming mate.
-
That looks really nice Dennis. Sorry to hear about the mill, sounds like you found another way to skin that cat ;D
I just ordered a milling attachment for the lathe, not ideal but i don't have the space and definitly don't have the money for a 'real' mill.
Ade
-
You are overcoming all of your difficulties admirably. Soon you'll have an engine to be proud of.
Actually, you already do.
-
Some progress made
Typical two steps forwards and 1 backward .
Onto the eccentric , straight forward no issues.
Top of Strap and rod are to be one piece .
Cut and square the bottom of strap and drill and thread and bolt together.
Use 4 jaw which ends up As a 3 jaw.
[attachimg=1]
It fits perfectly
[attachimg=2]
Some hacksaw and milling and filing.
[attachimg=3]
That was all the good news
The not so good news ??
Damn mill caused me grief again .
The motor is a DC 230 volt and variable speed.
This is the second time the circuit board Has crapped out .
Not much chance of getting another board at the moment so I went “ Number 8 wire “ Or “ KISS “
Remove board and ditch . Install a 240 volt variac from spare parts draw And a bridge rectifier .
It works
I am thinking of getting a bigger mill but wife is a bit unsure .
Sounds like i might need to sell some engines to contribute !!
Cheers
Dennis
-
What a mare that engine turned out to be. You are doing a great job of overcoming the problems Dennis.
Best wishes
Ade
-
This is turning into a bloody disaster.
The plans are missing some measurements which I can work around .
But what are there Are not all correct in my opinion.
Piston rod calls for 2 inch between piston bottom and the top of the slide guide .
I made it 2 mm longer as I can always shorten it .
But it does not work .
With the gland screw/nut in place in the cylinder bottom and all assembled .
When piston at BDC slide /guide is at the bottom 0f the trunk guide ( OK )
But slide piston up untill the guide touches the gland nut only 1 1/4 stroke ( should be 1 1/2 )
Shorten the gland nut you say ?? Well it is that short now that it can not be adjusted when the trunk
Guide is bolted up also with guide up against the gland nut the piston is only 3/4 of the way up the cylinder .
Make a new piston rod ?? Buggar as piston is threaded and silver soldered in place .
Cheers
Dennis
-
Crank shaft bearings .
Plans call for steel shaft in cast iron bearings ?
I am not happy with this idea
I want brass and the bearings are only about 20 mm apart so plenty of room for error.
Mill top of bearing stands down a bit .
Then mill some brass into bearing shape but as one piece for both.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
Drill , tap and bolt in place.
[attachimg=3]
[attachimg=4]
Then cut and mill to make way for the eccentic
[attachimg=5]
-
You are doing some very nice looking metal fabrication.
-
Not a lot of progress today
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
Made a start on the spine for one upright.
Drill 3 holes on center line and counter sunk on side opposite spine
[attachimg=1]
Drill and tap 3 corresponding on the spine .
[attachimg=2]
Screw 3 brass rods through upright and into spine.
Peen rod into counter sunk
The theory is it will all hold in place while I silver solder joint .
Buggar me it worked and it still fits the engine .
[attachimg=3]
Still need to clean it up and shape/file the outside of the spine .
Cheers
Dennis
-
You're winning! Keep it up!
-
I have left the cast stands for now and gone with fabricated brass.
Each side is 3 parts silver soldered. I have yet to make the back spine
and then lots of cutting and filing to a pleasing shape.
[attachimg=1]
Cheers
Dennis
-
While the castings can present a real challenge, if you can get through and beyond the process, there is an elegant engine on the other side.
-
Enjoying the photos Dennis, you'll do wonders with this one.
-
What a shame. Guess Gil is right about the second-rate castings.
-
About ready to throw the whole lot in the scrap bin .
The two uprights are unusable.
Nothing square and parts are as hard as hell
ie milling along with finest of cuts producing fine swarf then hit a hard spot and
new bit instantly glows red . A new bit down the drain .even a new file has issues.
So i either make two stands from brass or use the cylinder in a horizontal configuration.
I think this might be my worst purchase for a year or two ..
Cheers
Dennis
-
The cylinder needs a tidy up on outside .
Hold in vice on mill with a arbour .
Mill back and forward.
Shift slightly and repeat .
Eventually it is roundish
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
And after some filing and a wire brush
[attachimg=4]
-
Hang in there, Dennis. You will get there.
It isn't just you. Clarkson was known for great designs and second rate castings.
-
Now its coming along.
Watching with interest re the alum.
-
Cheer up! It'll work!😁
-
Morning Bob
Yours may be a thing of beauty but mine is becoming the start of a prolonged nightmare.
Cheers
Dennis
-
Ah, but when it's done it will be a thing of beauty and a joy forever!
Here's my Clarkson horizontal, which I hope you will take as inspiration.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
-
G'Morning Dennis ;D
Hope it works, never tried it myself, someone said ferric chloride, total disaster, disolved the work and left the drill bit :'(
I just found your other build thread too, great reading, good pics, thanks!
Cheers
Ade
-
Evening Ade
Just waiting for some Alum to arrive so I can hopefully cook the cylinder and dissolve
The broken drill bit .
Cheers
Dennis
-
Looking good Dennis, nothing worse than broken drill bits in your work, well except for broken taps ;D
Best wishes
Ade
-
Port holes drilled . And steam lines drilled
Can you see the issue
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
I have a plan to fix it .
Cylinder head made .
[attachimg=4]
Drain cock holes done and cylinder top and bottom holes drilled and tapped .
[attachimg=5]
Now need a steam chest.
Time for some hard labour with hacksaw.
[attachimg=6]
[attachimg=7]
After some hacksaw and milling
[attachimg=8]
Cheers
Dennis
-
This is. Tale of woe and grief .
This was purchased of TM a while ago and while I am taking a break from thenD10 compound and waiting for bits
I have made a start on this .
The castings are rough and no square edges .
Got the base started .
[attachimg=1]
Trunk guide is a Solid casting ie not cored
[attachimg=2]
Eventually got it drilled and turned and reamed .
Casting have hard spots and easy spots .
[attachimg=3]
The cylinder
A bast... bit of cast iron .
[attachimg=4]
Drilled the bore and reamed .
Cut port holes and steam ways .
Broke a tap on the port face for the retaining studs for the steam chest .
Then the final straw was while drilling the exhaust port I developed a hole in the bore .
Decide to scrap it and start a brass one .
Start with a solid lump of hex .
In order to offset it for turning the bore I silver soldered two plates on to it .
[attachimg=5]
[attachimg=6]