PSE Beam Engine Review

PSE Beam Engine Review
Posted by crazydoug on 06 Nov, 2021 06:31
My PSE beam engine arrived a short while ago, but this was the first chance I had to run it and do a review. Their engine line normally has a tarnished or patina finish, but I had requested one without that finish, and this is the result. They claim the castings are bronze, but it is so highly polished that it looks like brass.

The maker claims that it will run on air or steam, so I was interested in putting that to the test. It does run equally well on steam or on air. However, it does take considerable pressure for it to run. Normally, a well-machined steam engine would run on 2 psi or less. This one needs 12 psi or more to run. It does, however, run without knocking, and is very smooth running.

It was packed extremely well in a custom-made wooden box and it arrived with only a small nick in the wooden base. The seller offered to send me a replacement base.

My only real complaint is the way it exhausts from the valve chest. There are two small holes with no way to install a pipe nipple so that the exhaust can be channeled away from the engine base and into a chuff pot. It really doesn't matter when running it on air, but it makes a considerable mess when running it on steam. I think, also, the two holes combined for the exhaust might be smaller than the size of the input line, and this may be causing some small issue in its running more efficiently.

However, for the price, I am more than satisfied with the quality and beauty of this new engine, and have already ordered two of their other models.

https://youtu.be/Rd7Jqj9aUHs

#1 Reply
Posted by Dampfopa on 06 Nov, 2021 09:02
Thanks for sharing the video of your machine here, Doug. I like the engine very much in principle. One minor drawback is the relatively high pressure required to run the engine. The problem with exhaust steam can be eliminated, as you correctly pointed out, with a minor rebuild.

#2 Reply
Posted by classixs on 06 Nov, 2021 10:26
Thanks for this detailed report Doug, good to get an honest opinion on these...

They look great, and i particularly love the "unpatinated" look of yours, since their usual fake aging tends to strike me as somewhat pretentious.
Personally i won´t invest in one of their engines, if an immersionheated 3" Jensen boiler won´t easily drive it.

#3 Reply
Posted by komet163b on 06 Nov, 2021 11:28
Pretty looking engines - I like the finish you chose.

As to the high pressure needed to run....early in the
video you are turning it over by hand....and it looks
stiff. I think it just might loosen a bit after it is
run for a while (properly lubed, including the cylinder),
maybe off an electric motor at a modest speed. Let the
cylinder suck up a bit of oil now and then to lubricate
it.

The exhaust ports, as pointed out, are pretty small.
Maybe that is also contributing to the relatively high
pressure needed to run. Could they be opened and smoothed
a bit as in a 'port-n-polish' job? It makes a difference.

And the oily sloppiness....Perhaps you could rig up a pad
to absorb the oily liquids while still allowing the steam
to exhaust. Only while being run, otherwise hide it away.

Good Luck,
Wayne

#4 Reply
Posted by tenniV11 on 06 Nov, 2021 12:59
I think this engine can be improved by disassembling it and
control the timing - the slide must be in the right position!
On the other hand, 1 bar is fine for a new engine to break in.
Perhaps there are also leaks in the valve body?
The lack of a properly sized exhaust pipe is a major problem
and should be corrected by the manufacturer. The "naked" look looks
better than the faux patina. Arnold

#5 Reply
Posted by Quickj on 06 Nov, 2021 17:02
Thanks for the video and report Doug, I do like the finish on this better then the fake patina.

#6 Reply
Posted by crazydoug on 06 Nov, 2021 17:26
I will eventually pull the cylinder and valve chest, and see what modifications, better timing, larger exhaust ports, might be achieved. But first i will run it in a few hours with lots of lube and see if it helps.there does not seem to any other leaks anywhere. I also disconnected the piston rod from the rest of the mac hine and there is no binding.
Crazydoug

#7 Reply
Posted by komet163b on 06 Nov, 2021 20:04
Well, you just have to show it who's the boss and try
running it in before taking it apart. Give it a chance
to get to know you better and maybe loosen up a bit.

Good Luck,
Wayne

#8 Reply
Posted by St Paul Steam on 06 Nov, 2021 21:03
Quote from: classixs on 06 Nov, 2021 10:26
Thanks for this detailed report Doug, good to get an honest opinion on these...

They look great, and i particularly love the "unpatinated" look of yours, since their usual fake aging tends to strike me as somewhat pretentious.
Personally i won´t invest in one of their engines, if an immersionheated 3" Jensen boiler won´t easily drive it.
I agree with Jan , this iS a beautiful engine and I really wanted to buy one and was waiting for this review. I'd like to know what it takes to make it run with less binding ,when you turned it over by hand I could tell its stiff also , maybe it'll break in with plenty of running.
Thank you Doug.

#9 Reply
Posted by crazydoug on 06 Nov, 2021 22:50
I will run it out in the harage tomorrow on my big compressor. 5 or 6 hrs of run time and lots of lubrication may make a difference. I,ll report back after.
Crazydoug

#10 Reply
Posted by crazydoug on 06 Nov, 2021 23:10
One correction and a comment. I was mistaken about the castings being bronze. They are brass as given in the description on the sellers facebook page. They also state clearly that it begins work at 12 psi. Just want to be fair to seller and still give an honest review.looks like i,ll break out my big boiler next time i steam it!
Crazydoug

#11 Reply
Posted by Dampfopa on 07 Nov, 2021 04:19
Quote from: crazydoug on 06 Nov, 2021 22:50
I will run it out in the harage tomorrow on my big compressor. 5 or 6 hrs of run time and lots of lubrication may make a difference. I,ll report back after.
Crazydoug

Looks like a reasonable approach.

#12 Reply
Posted by Scorpion2nz on 09 Nov, 2021 01:44
Not surprised it requires high pressure so early in its life .
a lot of patience and air and oil will work wonders ( i hope )
I have considered getting one but I do not want the finished version
I wanted just the castings and do the machining and assembling myself .
Those exhaust ports certainly dealing with

Cheers
Dennis

#13 Reply
Posted by PSE on 18 Nov, 2021 09:53
Quote from: Scorpion2nz on 09 Nov, 2021 01:44
Not surprised it requires high pressure so early in its life .
a lot of patience and air and oil will work wonders ( i hope )
I have considered getting one but I do not want the finished version
I wanted just the castings and do the machining and assembling myself .
Those exhaust ports certainly dealing with

Cheers
Dennis

Unfortunately, we can only send ready-made engine parts for assembly.

We do not have plans on the basis of which you could machine components on your own.

steamandwoodcrafts@gmail.com

Maciek - PSE