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Author Topic: Vertical Steam Engine Build  (Read 20272 times)

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Vertical Steam Engine Build
« on: February 26, 2025, 12:32:03 pm »
I am working on the vertical engine from the Victorian Stationary Engines book by Stewart Hart (Excellent book by the way!)
The first part I made was the flywheel (I like flywheels!)
It started out as a 3/4" slice of 5"diameter brass that was given to me by a friend.
The Lathe work was first - face, O.D., trepann the center cutout and finish with boring bars.
Then I set it up on a fixture in the mill. The spokes were cut out using my Bridgeport Mill with a Prototrak CNC controller.
I then chamfered the spoke edges, flipped the fixture over and chamfered the other side.
It came out really well.
Scott

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #1 on: February 26, 2025, 07:26:15 pm »
Wow that looks good, you've put some time into creating that.
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Jim

Blue Heelers Model & Toy Steam Engine Room YouTube Channel -
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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #2 on: February 26, 2025, 08:07:55 pm »
It appears certain that this build is in very capable hands!

Beautiful Flywheel!!!
"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...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2025, 09:04:17 am »
The next part I have completed is the top plate.
Sorry, I don't have any in-process pictures, but the part came out great!
I will be painting this metallic grey soon to go with the rest of the engine.
Scott [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #4 on: February 27, 2025, 05:12:35 pm »
Looking really good, Scott..!!

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2025, 10:05:04 am »
The next completed parts are the Rotunds and Bases for the support columns.
 There was some interesting machining here! The bases are .750 square (19mm)
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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #6 on: March 06, 2025, 05:32:31 am »
Really impressive machining so far.  :)
Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #7 on: March 15, 2025, 03:31:31 pm »
Hello everyone.
I have made some more progress on my engine.

The top plate has been painted, and the pillars and brass acorn nuts and washers have been completed.

I assembled what I could and it's starting to look like something!

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #8 on: March 15, 2025, 06:52:04 pm »
Thanks for the update and keep the pics coming :)
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Cheers.
Jim

Blue Heelers Model & Toy Steam Engine Room YouTube Channel -
 https://www.youtube.com/user/Blue123Heeler/videos


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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #9 on: April 28, 2025, 10:25:21 am »
Here is some more progress on my engine.

I finished the base, made the bearing stands, bearings, and mounted the flywheel.

The steam cylinder and linkage is next.

Now that the weather is nicer, I have been busy with yard and outdoor work, as well as fishing when I can.

 Scott [ Guests cannot view attachments ]

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2025, 12:33:08 pm »
Great machine work, Scott..!!!

Gil

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2025, 01:33:54 pm »
Looks to be heading rapidly in the direction of becoming a real BEAUTY!!!
"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...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2025, 02:43:34 pm »
Thanks! I like the way it's coming along. Now for the steam cylinder and linkage....(don't hold your breath - it's fishing season!)
 Scott

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #13 on: July 13, 2025, 10:54:31 am »
Hello everyone!

 Now that the dog days of summer are here, I have been able to spend a few nice afternoons in my cool basement shop.

I'm slowly but surely continuing to work on this engine.

The crank arm, cylinder base, cylinder, and cylinder top and bottom caps have been completed.

 Enjoy your summer!

 Scott

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Re: Vertical Steam Engine Build
« Reply #14 on: July 13, 2025, 12:11:53 pm »
Looks like some decidedly nice work is getting done there!

Good on ya and thanks for showing!!!
"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...   
Wisdom is the domain of the Wis (which is extinct). Beauty is a French phonetic corruption of a short cloth neck ornament currently in resurgence..."
F. Zappa ... by way of Mary, the girl from the bus.