Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: ShadetreeMotorcycle on April 01, 2021, 06:20:04 pm
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Nice video Dennis!
Yours doesn't seem to be bouncing around as much as Alan's.
What is your secret?
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Now why didn't I think of that!!
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Brilliant restoration Alan, and a wonderful video of it being done in stages to completion.
While the Ugears engine was a good choice for testing the K.J. Miller compressor .... A K.J. Miller SE-100 has just got to be the best of all possible choices!!!
https://youtu.be/6bkM8RCQ1Eo
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Thanks guys.
I was really impressed by how much pressure these things put out.
I did use some silicon feet on the base which helped but it still really needs to be clamped down.
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Great job refinishing the compressor and motor. Fortunately,
mine had a good motor. It was all dirty but the compressor and
motor paint is ok. Unfortunately, the pressed base is badly
rusted and the curved edge is gone in places. Fortunately, it
is not a big deal and something will come to me as to how to
replace it. In the meantime, it has a job.
I did run mine again to double-check my solution for the
wandering KJ. Just set it on a bit of rug! If the bit is
small it won't have much damping mass so the rug might slide
a bit. In that case, apply and dry some silicone spots on
the bottom. Now, what about the noise!
Two thumbs up,
Wayne
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Great video Alan, I really enjoyed watching the KJ Miller power the Ugears wooden engine, I have built one of those myself and can confirm the wood engine is a leaky critter! I have often thought of building a second Ugears and have a go at improving the internals....so many projects!
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Video of the K.J. MIller Compressor (https://youtu.be/3WdLtblaIms)
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Nice job Alan.
Looking forward to seeing the video.
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It didn't come with a drive belt but I had a selection of small sewing machine drive belts so I used one of those. They are readily available on ebay.
I've done a video covering the restoration and I'll post a link here once it's up on YouTube.
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Looks good in blue with the silver dome head, also like your tan color belt, mine came with black.
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The weather has been a little bit warmer over here in the UK these past couple of weeks so I was able to get on and finish the paint on the compressor. I also managed to rewire the motor and that is now working. I opted for Plastikote Metallic Blue which I think turned out ok. Like others have said, if you don't clamp it down it bounces around all over the place. Quite impressed by the volume of air that it moves though.
(https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alspcs.com%2FKJ_Comp15W.jpg&hash=ba5f006f439b8363b1c829729b03d7596b0220b5)
(https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alspcs.com%2FKJ_Comp17W.jpg&hash=24d37e31c3ab9ef850821f8e64f5069a01ff7bce)
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No harm done in modding a few of these, there´s loads out there.
A flywheel upgrade would definitely be a nice mod, the original doesn´t have much "bling" effect to say the least.
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Any progress yet Ben?
Sadly No...with my current heavy work employment schedule the last thing I want to do is stay late and work on model engine projects...I should have them caught up in a week or 2 so fun stuff can resume!
I am not trying at all to keep my unit original, so I have been considering source a nicer looking spoked flywheel as an upgrade.
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Any progress yet Ben?
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I would agree, the machining on the castings is very good.
I didn't use the wire wheel on the piston, just some very fine wire wool.
All the parts to be painted will etch primed first.
Charlie, you should definitely get one, they are great machines either as a steam accessory or a stand alone unit.
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Allen is ahead of me. I got put on Unlimited overtime this week so it's wrecking my engine time...however I did manage to remove my stubborn roll pin today and get the engine torn down. Just sharing this photo so "we" can see the difference in the model years. I also have not spotted a date on my unit.
The machine work on the cast iron Cylinder is nice, particular the bore!
The second photo shows a large flake of metal I pulled off my rod, it was hanging by a thread so I am glad I tore this unit down as if it had let go it could have done damage. It is casting flash that did not get removed.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
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I guess I am going to have to get on the train and get me one of these. 🤠
Very nice clean up Alan.
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That will be nice Alan, don't forget the primer. Did you wire wheel the piston too?
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Wow....All in for the repaint parade, but, maybe leave
the dome shiny!
Good Luck,
Wayne
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Looks like the motors are different on the UK model as there was no markings on the motor casings.
Spent some time on the castings today and they cleaned up really well.
Combination of paint stripper and a brass wire wheel.
(https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alspcs.com%2FKJ_Comp12W.jpg&hash=efa0e5dece45f9e87ae27673f5b0c505ae363c99)
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I found the dates when I was going through the motors. Take the motor off the base, remove the two screws
holding the bracket on the motor and there it is, month and year. At least for the motor.
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I've been meaning to ask if anyone had a date on these, thanks for the info.
It would seem that there were several different cylinder heads, cylinders and crankcases.
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When I bought mine, everyone I saw had the air come out the side not the top, and the intake was over the
name plate, not facing the motor. Now everyone I see the air is out the top and the intake is pointing towards
the motor under the handle, that mine doesn't have either. The front one is 1968 and the back one is 1966.
[attach=1]
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It's good to see the crank and rod have bronze bushings. That dome head will polish up like chrome.
Now I have seen yours apart, I believe it is an early variant. I think I may put a little oil cup on my main bearing for fun.
Thanks for sharing!
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Yours looks to be in very good condition.
Here is mine after a complete strip down and parts washing. Interesting to see that the crank is not shaped on mine.
It's way too easy to lose that little spring when taking it apart!
(https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alspcs.com%2FKJ_Comp9W.jpg&hash=82c272261beba39e25fb642f3350e70c818fdf74)
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Well, she easily came apart this far on the kitchen table...appears to have seen minimal use.
I am stuck currently at the roll pin holding flywheel on. It's tight. Could easily remove jug but will box it up for work tomorrow where my Good drive pin punches are. Don't want to remove jug(yet) as the piston would be vulnerable to damage in transit to work.
[attachimg=1]
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My compressor came in the mail today, plugged it in and it Runs strong! But as Wayne said...these Vibrate!... mine walked 12 inches across the table with 30 seconds of run time.
I was going to just remove the compressor component and discard the rest, but now I think it would be fun to see if I can balance it better. The electric motor is quite high speed.
The 3rd and 4th photos show the factory counterbalance, I will weigh the piston/rod assembly to see how far the weight is off. The screws on the back wall can be shortened to flush and this will allow clearance if more weight is needed.
The chalk like powder where the base gasket touches crankcase is about the worst part of this unit,...I suppose condensed water would gather in this spot, should clean up well.
[attachimg=1][attachimg=2][attachimg=3][attachimg=4]