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Post by colinjacobs2bzwa on Jun 17, 2007 20:29:30 GMT
Having looked a Stuart Turner engines I think I would like to have a go but as I have no lathe would this be a pointless exersise?
Although if I did buy the kit I am sure someone at my ME club I have just joined my be able to do some of the work for me.
any suitable advice would be appreciated
Colin
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Post by jgb7573 on Jun 18, 2007 8:09:23 GMT
Without a lathe building an engine from a set of castings is going to be difficult. In our club we have members who have bought ST castings and then used the club workshop to build them. They've always had a lot of help from other club members and learnt a lot in the process. I don't know what facilities you've got at your new club, but I would have a chat with the guys there.
As another option there are a few model engineering evening classes around which provide access to machine shops in schools and colleges, along with an instructor. If you're lucky enough to find one of tehse in your area they can be a great help.
Failing that, you can get some work done on a small engine with a small vice fixed to a kitchen table or similar. With some hand tools you can at least make a start on getting parts prepared for machining.
Good luck!
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Post by alanstepney on Jun 18, 2007 8:31:04 GMT
Tubal Cain built an engine entirely by hand, mainly from a set of STuart Turner castings.
Called Handmaiden, it was fully described in Model Engineer.
However, in my opinion, to do it anywhere near as well as he did, would tax the abilities of most model engineers.
However, it does show what can be done and may be a source of ideas and inspiration.
Way back, ME often carried brief articles about models being built without machine tools, so it can be done.
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Post by ron on Jun 18, 2007 8:57:59 GMT
Colin
If you have no lathe the Stuart casting sets are pretty pointless, even the small engines have a lot of machining work in them which is a lot to ask someone to do as a favour, if you have the money you could buy the ready machined kit from Stuart and assemble one yourself but the fun of the Stuart engines is really in the machining.
Ron
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steam4ian
Elder Statesman
One good turn deserves another
Posts: 2,069
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Post by steam4ian on Jun 21, 2007 5:58:24 GMT
G'day Colin
I recommend Googling "steam-engine-oscillator-model-build" and similar words. Also look up "McCabes Runner" and follow this lead to a series of engines, some simply made with bent wire.
My first engine was a kit from Chasteam which came with the more difficult machining done so that all you need is a vise, drill press, hacksaw, snips, files and ability to silver solder. I do have a lathe so the project finished up with a lot of embelishments. I bought two kits so one is now being converted to double acting.
I have some articles on engines not requiring a lathe, one uses a valve hand wheel as a fly wheel.
A few weeks ago I discovered some cast iron castor wheels in a local hardware and tool store, they could be used without machining. (I'll machine mine, one will become a base for a height gauge on a surface plate!).
Hope this helps, drop me a line.
One good turn deserves another.
Regards,
Ian
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paul
Member
Posts: 8
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Post by paul on Jun 22, 2007 7:16:27 GMT
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