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Post by daveburrage on Jul 25, 2020 8:10:41 GMT
Anyone know a good supplier for piston rings? 4 x 1 3/8 (piston) + 8 x 3/4 (piston valve) rings are coming out at £140 from a ME supplier. When I built my Sweet William I got some chainsaw rings which were fine, but the sizes for a Caribou seem to be out of the range for automotive/chainsaw sizes. Google and Ebay searches just seem to bring up car stuff.
regards
Dave Burrage
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Jul 25, 2020 9:41:21 GMT
You could try making some.
I remember an article by Tubal Cain about making them. Looking at the ME index, I think it is the the editions published in 1994, in editions number 3975 and 3977.
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Post by johnfavell on Jul 29, 2020 18:29:29 GMT
Hi Dave, there is a guy who lists loads of them on ebay He makes them for model aircraft engines, about £11.0 each if I remember correctly. Do a search for OS engines or Saito engines, these should find him OK. If not email me and I'll send you an item number to lead directly to him. cheers John. ps he should do a discount for multiple sales, cheers.
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Post by jordanleeds on Jul 30, 2020 11:54:23 GMT
Clupet ring company at Maryport near Carlisle.
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Gary L
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,208
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Post by Gary L on Jul 30, 2020 22:43:55 GMT
Clupet ring company at Maryport near Carlisle. Yes; they will do plain rings as well as Clupet rings. In fact he talked me out of Clupet rings at the time (which was 10 years ago), and the plain ones were indeed perfectly good for the job. Traditionally steam engine rings are different from IC engine rings, being 'flatter' in section whereas the latter are deeper and narrower. I don't know how significant this is, possibly because the IC engine has to deal with higher pressures. Rumour has it they are not as difficult to make as it might seem from Tubal Cain's rather exacting article, but I wouldn't know about that. Gary
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uuu
Elder Statesman
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Post by uuu on Jul 31, 2020 6:09:05 GMT
Is he still going? I thought he'd retired.
Wilf
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Post by Jo on Jul 31, 2020 16:25:13 GMT
Hi Dave, Piston rings are easy to make. Give it a go. Its much easier making the rings than fitting them without breaking them Jo
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Post by simplyloco on Jul 31, 2020 16:44:11 GMT
Hi Dave, Piston rings are easy to make. Give it a go. Its much easier making the rings than fitting them without breaking them Jo That's why I use built up pistons in my stationery engines...
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uuu
Elder Statesman
your message here...
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Post by uuu on Jul 31, 2020 17:20:51 GMT
Even making the Clupet ones is possible - watch this space!
Wilf
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Post by springcrocus on Jul 31, 2020 21:54:24 GMT
I covered how I made my pistons and rings HERE. It's actually very easy, assuming you have some cast iron of the right size. Regards, Steve
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Post by racinjason on Jul 31, 2020 23:24:58 GMT
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Post by steamer5 on Aug 1, 2020 0:11:04 GMT
Hi all, Adding to Jason’s link above...and waiting for Wilf’s video! youtu.be/49Luu5Z0yaIThe Steam Workshop boys showing worn clupet rings, what to look for. Cheers Kerrin
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Post by keith1500 on Aug 3, 2020 12:08:15 GMT
A couple of Interesting videos there.
It’s got me thinking it should be possible to make PTFE clupet ring which should allow for the expansion better than two ring with the gap opposite sides to each other while offering a better all-round seal.
Anyone tried making PTFE clupet rings?
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oldnorton
Statesman
5" gauge LMS enthusiast
Posts: 688
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Post by oldnorton on Aug 3, 2020 14:18:29 GMT
A couple of Interesting videos there. It’s got me thinking it should be possible to make PTFE clupet ring which should allow for the expansion better than two ring with the gap opposite sides to each other while offering a better all-round seal. Anyone tried making PTFE clupet rings? Nice idea but PTFE is not a very elastic material - push it and it will stay where it is put, especially with a thermal cycle. It is why it is best to put o-rings under the PTFE ring.
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Post by keith1500 on Aug 3, 2020 16:09:23 GMT
I have O rings under two side by side PTFE rings so it wouldn’t take much to convert. I might give it a try
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Aug 3, 2020 17:46:56 GMT
I believe that if you have space under the PTFE ring, steam pressure will force the ring outwards against the cylinder wall.
My Rob Roy has PTFE rings and they're quite a few years old now, but there has been no sign of blow-by.
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oldnorton
Statesman
5" gauge LMS enthusiast
Posts: 688
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Post by oldnorton on Aug 3, 2020 18:38:46 GMT
I believe that if you have space under the PTFE ring, steam pressure will force the ring outwards against the cylinder wall. My Rob Roy has PTFE rings and they're quite a few years old now, but there has been no sign of blow-by. Absolutely right Steve, and I agree. The problem comes with a ring that is not touching the cylinder wall when the steam first arrives. But perhaps they heat up, expand, and just about encourage the steam to go underneath and push them onto the wall?
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Post by daveburrage on Aug 7, 2020 15:44:34 GMT
Bought the rings from the Clupet company at Maryport. Thanks for the information and all the other feedback.
Clupet were significantly cheaper than normal ME suppliers. Rings look and fit fine although it will be a while before they see any steam.
The company has no website, Email, or card payment, - so they must be losing out a bit on business. Got a nice old fashioned hand written thing called a bill. I've posted a thing called a cheque back to him.
That said, the owner (Alan Smith) was friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Parts were sent by return of post. Can't fault the service. I'll go there again.
regards
Dave Burrage
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Post by steamer5 on Aug 8, 2020 2:07:47 GMT
Hi Dave, Ah paper it’s great stuff! I hope that Alan has somebody who can take on the business when he decides to retire, it would be a real shame to loose a supplier like that......maybe I had better get moving & figure out what size rings I need now while we still have some form of cheques left in this part of the world!
Cheers Kerrin
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