Lamp Post Engine

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

Its taken me a while to finish this engine, it sat for a number of years on display and I kept thinking that I need to add a lantern. Finally I decided to do the sheet metal work for the lantern, really as a trial before I build the main body for the traction engine project that is also on the workbench.

This also meant I needed to add a generator, I created a simple swing arm and used a small electric motor driven from the flywheel.

Just need to now share a video of it running. The light bulb was turned out of perspex and a small LED fitted inside – some hints on machining perspex.

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

A steam engine driving an electric generator

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

The complete engine

and a close up of the bulb

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

I like that! Very nice work.

Rob

[paul raynerParticipant @paulrayner36054]

thats brilliant very unusual

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

Thanks for the kind remarks, I will create a youtube video of it running as it does come to life even on compressed air. The original engine was inspired by a MalpressPeake engine design.

I'm now creating some plans for the complete design, although this may take some time.

I did play with a few different motors to find the right one, there are some larger diameter small motors that work quite well.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

It is an interesting engne on its own but the lamp standard is a great twist.

Perhaps you can hide the wires, or at least make them cotton covered to be in period.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

A very nice and unique engine, look forward to the video of it in action.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Way cool. Imagine a world with one of them chuffing away on every street corner. Heaven.

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

I Like that very much

Stew

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Great fun and nicely executed

Rod

[Stuart BridgerParticipant @stuartbridger82290]

Very nice work!

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

A youtube video with stills and words around the build, then finally some movies of it running

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

That's brilliant! Sorry for the pun, but it really is

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

That is wonderful, I am so impressed. Well done

Geoff

[Jim CParticipant @jimc]

Well done Nigel, a really interesting design. Can’t wait for its serialisation. Maybe in MEW ? It’s certainly a project I would like to embark on, when I get other jobs off the bench that is !! Cheers for sharing it.

[Oven ManParticipant @ovenman]

Very nice indeed. I love the way the generator runs off the rim of the fly wheel, makes for a very neat and compact installation.

Peter

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Very nice.

Another little tip for getting a clear finish on perspex or any other type of acrylic is the same as you did with the sandpaper is when finished use something like T cut for cars and rub that on while the lathe is turning. I make pens using acrylic but I use Burnishing cream which is basically the same as T Cut. Even for the drilled hole this can work but use a wooden dowel with it

[Phil H1Participant @philh196021]

Really nice engine and a nice unique idea. I don't think I would ever try this myself but I believe you can polish acrylic with a naked flame!!! Flame polishing!

[Ian Johnson 1Participant @ianjohnson1]

Very nice, a good looking model. Well done

IanJ

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

Lovely

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

I can't stop looking at this engine.

Small details catch the eye.

The twisted con rod, the soft edges on the valve coupling, the fluted column.

Sumptuous. Like many others I eagerly anticipate more details

Geoff

[Nigel (egi)Participant @nigelegi]

Thanks for all of the kind words, after lots of days in the workshop working on a model it is great to have such kind feedback, makes it all worthwhile.

Thought I would share an image of the marking out of the lantern, quite simple once I realised I could scribe a few arcs to lay out the basic upper and lower dimensions. Then, as you can see there are a number of arcs used to set out the fundamental dimensions.I practised laying out the design on paper before moving to brass sheet.

Note: I tend to use a large permanent marker rather than engineers blue as it can be a tad cleaner.

[Mick B1Participant @mickb1]

Attractive, fun and instructive model – very nice.

[Simon CollierParticipant @simoncollier74340]

Beautitiful and different engine. Being a model it would surely have to be published in Model Engineer. I wonder why Jim C suggested MEW, perhaps because he subscribes to it?

[Author]

Posts