Peter – Retired Engineer

[Peter BenningParticipant @peterbenning10763]

Theseus Horizontal Steam Engine (3/4″ Bore 1″ Stroke)

[Peter BenningParticipant @peterbenning10763]

I'm getting close to finishing this steam engine (Which I started in 1959-60!! – Is this a record?).

What should I use for a piston ring/seal and I can't find a flywheel – 4 1/4" diameter to fit a 5/16" crank.

Any help or advice appreciated

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Graphite Yard is the traditional material and is a good today as it was when you started the engine, can also be used in the rod glands.

Perseus was the cast version of Theseus so the flywheel from that can be used, will clean up to about 4 1/8" and the hub is plenty large enough for a 5/16" shaft

 

Both can be purchased from Reeves

Edited By JasonB on 19/02/2016 07:27:28

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Peter Benning on 18/02/2016 20:17:16:

I'm getting close to finishing this steam engine (Which I started in 1959-60!! – Is this a record?).

Welcome to the forum Peter.

Somehow I doubt it

Neil

[Harry WilkesParticipant @harrywilkes58467]

Hi Peter and welcome !

H

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Hi and welcome!

Michael W

[John RuddParticipant @johnrudd16576]

Posted by Peter Benning on 18/02/2016 20:17:16:

I can't find a flywheel – 4 1/4" diameter to fit a 5/16" crank.

Any help or advice appreciated

Hi Peter,

Have you thought about making your own flywheel from a cast blank?

Macc models will supply a suitable piece…

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Brings back happy times at Acomb Secondary Modern School when our metalwork teacher let me make Theseus.

It's a grand feeling when you first have it running I also made a simple boiler at school for it and was always cadging methylated spirit from the woodwork teacher.

H & S seemed to be non existent then a time of life that made me interested in all mechanical things.

Just seen you require a flywheel the one I found was from Stuart Turner don't know if still available.

Edited By Windy on 19/02/2016 11:02:53

[Peter BenningParticipant @peterbenning10763]

Hi all,

Thank you for your quick responses. Not sure if I have to respond to individual posts, but I'll try all this time…

Thanks JasonB; I have never heard of Grafite Yard, so will check on the link and I did need it for the rod glands as well. For the flywheel – a complete or just a rough cast will do.

Thanks Neil: I have been reading your magazine (MEW) for the last few months. I used to discribe myself as a "real" engineer – Now I'm not so sure, having seen and read the articles discribing amazing engineering skills!

Hi Windy, yes I went to Secondary Modern School in Harwich (1957 -62) and half day metalwork lessons were a joy and set me up for a Halton Apprenticeship.

Now approaching 70 (next month), I thought I better get a move on to finish this steam engine!

Peter

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

He was just spinning a story to string you along

but I'm impressed with his telepathic abilities to know what you are building.

It's nice that Reeves include some advice on the relevant page.

Edited By Bazyle on 19/02/2016 13:35:36

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

What they don't tell you is that the yarn can also be unraveled to get smaller strands which are idea for use in glands

The perseus casting is just a rough sand casting so you can machine it as required, these are two of them

.

[Author]

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