Engine building without power tools

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

hi all

I would really like to “dip my toe” into model engineering and love static engines. Is there a kit that has machined casting so I do not need to fork out on lathes and mills etc until I know I want to go on to bigger and better kits?

Look forward to your replies.

Cheers

M

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

Try Googling Cotswold Heritage.

regards David

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Stuarts also do some of their engines in kit form and so do Macc Models and Sussex steam

 

Jason

Edited By JasonB on 05/09/2009 18:55:19

Edited By JasonB on 05/09/2009 18:59:07

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Thanks guys, these look like just the thing. My next question may well be answered with “how long is a piece of string” but I am looking for something that will keep me busy for a little while, how long do you think these kits would take a novice to build to a good standard? (Macc and Sussex appeal more than the Stuart) oh and by the way the string is 6 and 7/8″ long

Cheers

Mark

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Ah well, I have taken the first step and have ordered this http://www.sussexsteam.co.uk/Beam.html

wish me luck

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think that kit will take you longer than expected. Its looks like some of the parts are not machined?

 

Jason

Edited By JasonB on 06/09/2009 17:49:44

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Hi Jason

Given the statement on the site of “The kit is designed so that only minimal tools are required. No previous model engineering experience is necessary and assembly should be easily within the scope of the average person familiar with the use of normal tools.”

What leads you to think they are not machined?

Thanks

M

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Going by the photo some of the castings do not sem to be drilled eg the pedestalls and there are also lengths of raw bar stock laying about. I would not want to be drilling castings freehand and cutting & threading bar is not really something to do on the kitchen table.

 

The stuarts for example just require painting and bolting together with maybe a bit of cleaning up of machined surfaces.

 

Worth just giving them a call this morning to check whats involved.

 

Jason

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

Perhaps you would like to write up the construction for Model Engineer?

regards David

 

[Philip RoweParticipant @philiprowe13116]

Hi Mark,

Can’t remember exactly when – 70’s, 80’s maybe there was a series in ME called “Handmaiden” by Tubal Cain I believe. This was a construction series on building a stationary engine using only hand tools.

I’m sure some of the more expert members here may be able to elaborate on this. I thought it may be of interest as there won’t be the financial outlay on potentially expensive kits, only the purchase of stock size materials which will always be useful regardless.

 

Phil

[BobParticipant @bob17059]

Posted by Philip Rowe on 07/09/2009 13:09:47:

Hi Mark,

Can’t remember exactly when – 70’s, 80’s maybe there was a series in ME called “Handmaiden” by Tubal Cain I believe. This was a construction series on building a stationary engine using only hand tools.

I’m sure some of the more expert members here may be able to elaborate on this. I thought it may be of interest as there won’t be the financial outlay on potentially expensive kits, only the purchase of stock size materials which will always be useful regardless.

 

Phil

 Hi Mark

 

I am sure Phil is right about Handmaiden. However, I don’t think it was intended as a beginner’s project, rather it was a ‘proving it could be done’ sort of exercise. I recall that Tubal Cain used a set of castings to make Handmaiden.

 

Bob

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

It was a Stuart 10 H with the trunk guide cut away.

I remember the series well.

The cylinder was drilled with a hand brace I think

regards David

 

Edited By David Clark 1 on 07/09/2009 14:51:52

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Posted by JasonB on 07/09/2009 07:45:17:

Going by the photo some of the castings do not sem to be drilled eg the pedestalls and there are also lengths of raw bar stock laying about. I would not want to be drilling castings freehand and cutting & threading bar is not really something to do on the kitchen table.

 

The stuarts for example just require painting and bolting together with maybe a bit of cleaning up of machined surfaces.

 

Worth just giving them a call this morning to check whats involved.

 

Jason

 Thanks Jason, will do

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Posted by David Clark 1 on 07/09/2009 08:49:17:

Hi There

Perhaps you would like to write up the construction for Model Engineer?

regards David

 

 Hi David, if it would be of interest to anyone I would gladly do a write up, let me know

Cheers

M

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Thanks everyone, some really great feedback for a new guy on the block!

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Will the kit arrived this morning and looks nice quality. I am going to pick up a pillar drill this morning as its quite low cost and I think the project will benefit from it rather than use a hand drill.

 

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Great what you can do with a drill press,it’s realy a vertical lathe!Good luck IAN S.C

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Cheers Ian,

i have been looking at the sub £100 drill presses at Machine mart and screw fix. Any opinions??

Obviously you get what you pay for but………..

Thanks

Mark

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Mark,

 

I have a CDP5DD from Machine Mart, the chuck is not quite concentric with the quill, about 0.1mm out, but small drills accommodate this by bending, and large drills do not really notice as the object being drilled can move slightly.

The main thing is to ensure the a good solid centre-pop is made, so that the drill starts off properly.

 

Regards

Geoff

[mgjParticipant @mgj]

If I might suggest it – a little centre drill and a centre punch might be wise. (apologies to grannies)

 

All drills skid, even in a megabucks milling machine!.  A quick centre pop is a useful cure for premature baldness, as suggested. Using a centre drill means you don’t need much of a pop – you can almost get away with nothing more than a scribed cross, so for a couple of quid its a very good investment.

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

Ok, dumb question, 1 0 1, whats a centre drill? is it basically a very thin drill bit?

[Mark Harrison 1Participant @markharrison1]

ah, ignore me, got it. Cheers

[Jeff DaymanParticipant @jeffdayman43397]

When shopping for a drill press, a quick quality check is for quill play. Wind the quill all the way down, and move it side to side. If you can feel any play the fit is not so good. Sometimes the store will have a few units around and you can pick the one with least play.

 

Another thing you will want to check is whether the table is square to the quill axis. You can do this by finding a piece of 3/8″ (or bigger – whatever will fit your chuck) KNOWN STRAIGHT round stock, chuck it, and use a square between it and the table to see if they are at 90 degrees. Check front to back as well as side to side, often imported machines are not square at all. Usually shims of thin stock / bean or drink tins can be used to correct front to back problems, and the table adjusted to correct side to side problems.

 

KNOWN STRAIGHT round stock is just round stock that doesn’t show wobble or bends when checked on a surface plate or laminate countertop or piece of window glass. All these items are usually surprisingly flat.

 

Good luck.

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

And don’t forget that SOME manufacturers have been know to increase the weight of their products by forgetting to clean the casting sand out before painting. – Don’t arf lap spindles in quickly.

 

  Regards  Ian.

[Author]

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