Have you ever...

• Have you ever...
  Posted by Quickj on 06 May, 2021 17:57
• woke up and thought, What should I do today? My answer for today was Build a Steam Engine!
  
  I actually started this a few weeks back before I went to Colorado for 10 days.  Inspired by Nick's small Buckmans I decided to build a small engine and boiler.  Here is what I came up with;
  
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  As you can see, I used a brass door knob for the boiler.  I machined and Silver soldered a bushing into it that I threaded to accept a plug upon which I intended to mount the engine. I then started looking for plans for a suitable engine.  I decided to use my set of plans for the Steam Powered Tonka truck (designed by James Senft) as I figured that would be about the correct size for this project.  I initially made the engine exactly as designed, but struggled with how to get the steam up to the intake port.
  
  This morning I redesigned the engine so I could mount it upside down.  I machined the entire engine today, assembled it, mounted it to the boiler, and gave it a test run. 
  
  Here are a few more pictures.
  
  
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• #1 Reply
  Posted by Jim on 06 May, 2021 18:22
• How wonderfully clever and very very creative! I really like it! Well done on the build and design.
  
  Now we all need to see it in action of course 
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• #2 Reply
  Posted by Stoker on 06 May, 2021 20:10
• A doorknob boiler ........ what a brilliant re-purposing!!!
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• #3 Reply
  Posted by St Paul Steam on 06 May, 2021 20:30
• That is cool , anxiously waiting to see it run.
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• #4 Reply
  Posted by classixs on 07 May, 2021 02:31
• Very well done Jim!!!
  
  Looking forward to see it run as well
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• #5 Reply
  Posted by Dampfopa on 07 May, 2021 14:18
• Just like the others, I also want to see the little beauty run. Really very well built. Congratulations!
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 07 May, 2021 22:53
• That turned out great 
  
  By the way, do you have a steam Tonka?
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• #7 Reply
  Posted by Quickj on 08 May, 2021 14:13
• Thanks for all the comments guys.
  
  I did run this on steam yesterday, but my video turned out really bad, so I won't be posting it until I redo my steam test on it.  I also want to make a little 3 legged stand and a burner for it.
  
  

  Quote from: Nick on 07 May, 2021 22:53

  That turned out great 
  
  By the way, do you have a steam Tonka?
  

  
  Nick,  here is my story about that;
  Many years ago at a garage sale I found this original "American Edelstaal" kit for the Tonka Steam truck.
  
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  It was this set of plans that I based the little oscillating steam engine on.  Building the first engine exactly as on the plan, and the 2nd a little beefier and inverted.
  
  
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  At the same sale, I found the kits for the Open column launch engine, and the Hudson River Paddle Engine.
  
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  As I am sure you know, these kits were put out by American Edelstaal to be built using the Unimat lathe.  As a 10 year old back in the mid 60's I really wanted one of these lathes, but we were poor, so of course it never happened.
  
  I have made up for it now..
  
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• #8 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 08 May, 2021 16:56
• Nice collection!
  
  I have two of the Tonka kits, but no skills to build them yet 
  
  
  

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  I also want to make a little 3 legged stand and a burner for it.

  
  The Buckman stands are usually made with the legs attached to a ring that the boiler lifts in and out of (tight fitting), not permanently attached
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