Stuart ‘Victoria’ : a beginners tale..

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Thanks very much everyone, these all great posts..

Hi Gary

Yes the link is very interesting and useful, I will use it – how is your S50 coming along, have you posted any photos, would be great to see some?

Hi Julian.

Really interesting, I can't pretend to follow it all but will be cleaning up the eccentric over the coming days and will post some photos and of the slide valve and hope that will show what you mention, I will look forward to reading any suggestions you may have. I do plan to get a steam boiler but not until after the next project, probably one of the larger Stuart Engines if my Lathe will allow – so yes I will look to run this one on air meantime. When the time comes I thought to ask on here again for any suggestions! I am quite familiar with Aquarium Pumps etc having had a quite large marine setup amongst others, but have no idea what size I would need for 'Victoria'…

Hi Jason.

Really interesting again, great to see how you did the cladding it may come in very useful in the future, trouble is you make it look very easy! The quality of the Steam Engine is just mind blowing and the photos show some great detail..

Hi Roy

Addressed to Steve I know, but still interesting to hear as I may find the same problem…

Cheers all.

Regards

Allan.

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Allan,

I've mainly posted pictures to illustrate problems I was having. They are all in this album but they might seem a bit odd out of context of the original post. When I finally get it finished I'll post some pictures and a video.

Gary

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Hi Gary

Thanks, found your photos interesting, some nice parts made and looks very similar to the type of work I have been doing. I faced the Cylinder port face on mine in the Lathe, which I found ok to do but then I did a very poor job in 'cleaning up', the ports themselves – I used a small file for my considerable sins. I see you milled the face on yours and was wondering if you went on to use a small slot mill maybe to clean up the ports and how you found it – or which way do you think is best, maybe yours were ok as cast? I think I would try the mill myself next time at least for the ports if they needed work – mine as cast were all over the place…..

I see you have made a similar Con Rod, I found that a major exercise..! Could ask you dozens of questions about how you found that – I shattered two 'removable tip' type profiling (button) tools in the progress… Wonder what Lathe you are using?

Regards.

Allan.

[GaryMParticipant @garym]

Allan,

I've not cleaned up the ports. They are still as cast. I wasn't sure if they needed any extra work and didn't want to upset the port timing. I'll have another read of the relevant part of the build article. Any suggestions from others are welcome.

Yes, I had a few problems with the con rod, mainly poor finish. I gave up with the centre and lathe dog at the headstock end and used the 4-jaw with a tailstock centre.

Lathe is a Sieg C3 that I've had for two years and am beginning to realise its limitations.

Next project might be something bigger so I can justify a bigger lathe.

Gary

[David Clark 13Participant @davidclark13]

Hi There

If not already done, you should write this up for model engineer.

regards David

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Hi Gary

I'd like to upgrade my Lathe as well but I don't think I've had it a year yet – feel better getting a bit more work out of it by using it again for my next project first, its been great to use..

Hi David

Thanks very much, I wish!

If I thought there was any chance of that I'd love to have a try – who wouldn't!

But seriously, I do wish and think there should be more beginner type articles..

Cheers.

Allan.

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Assembly 4.

Just another couple of photo's of Assembly progress..

Assembly so far 1.

Assembly so far 2.

Regards.

Allan.

[Alan .204Participant @alan-204]

Looks great Allan look forward to seeing it running.

Al.

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

49.

The Eccentric Rod and Clevis.

Just one piece of Mild Steel supplied for the Eccentric Rod, Clevis and two levers (yet to do those). I don't yet have any specific equipment for 'bending' so measured the 'fold' lines for the Clevis off the Drawing (1:1 scale) and bent in the vice, not ideal as it left lots of marks to remove for later.. One slight mistake was to make the two fixing holes in the clevis just slightly too far apart resulting in the fold line being a bit too close to the one hole – that was me using the eccentric stap to spot through thinking to get the spacing the same at both ends and looking better but which was not needed. Should have taken the spacing off the drawing…

The supporting rod I used for the filing buttons was slightly too small in diameter this time – I can see now that this needs to be a close fit to be able to do a good job rounding off – another lesson finally learned I hope with these.

The Eccentric Rod and Clevis Drawing.

Drilling the Eccentric Rod. I used the Eccentric Strap to spot through to the Rod to get them lined up properly.

The Eccentric Rod so far after drilling and rounding off the Clevis end, using filing buttons again.

Drilling the Clevis using the Eccentric Strap to spot through again (mistake as explained above). Should have just used to spot through for just one of the holes to allow lining up for the second..

After all the holes were drilled in the Clevis and the end rounded off it was bent in the vice using a few gentle taps with a hammer and with the Lever being tested in 'position' to get it lined up correctly. The Clevis was then used to spot through to the Rod with the Lever and fixing bolt in position.

Spotting through the Clevis to the second bolting hole. You can maybe see the one bolt a bit close to the fold line, its very slight and sits just about ok – I don't think it will notice.. I was lucky I think.

The Finished Eccentric Rod and Clevis 1.

The Finished Eccentric Rod and Clevis 2.

Just need to clean them all up now before fitting on the Engine…

Regards.

Allan.

 

 

Edited By Allan. on 21/02/2014 13:11:41

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

All coming togethre nicely Allan. My tip is always bend before drilling – unless you have a carefully made jig bending is not a precision process.

Neil

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Thanks Neil. Something I will definitely do in future then. This is probably not a bad example to illustrate the wisdom of that – I would not have had the issue with the bolt being too near the fold if I had done the bending first…

Little tips like that are really useful when starting out.. When struggling to get something right you haven't tried before It's a big help to know that at least you are likely going about it the right way…

Cheers Neil.

Allan.

ps. thanks to Alan.204 for your last comment – was in a bit of a rush to get out when I did the last post and didn't notice it… Don't get many comments, least I can do is say thanks when there are, its appreciated.

[Bill StarlingParticipant @billstarling10428]

Allen – re you don't get many comments, I'm sure there are a large number people like me who are following your posts with great interest and no little admiration for what you are doing, as well as benefiting from the advice you are being given. If one is relatively inexperienced and does not have much advice to offer, it is very easy to just sit here quietly enjoying the discussion and not contributing. So thank you very much for letting us share your experiences. Please keep it up. Thank you to all the advice givers too.

Bill.

[ChrisHParticipant @chrish]

Bill, could not agree more, I am another watching this thread with great interest and admiration , thanks Allen, keep up the good work.

Chris

ps that eccentric strap/rod looks great to me, that bolt next to the bend looks fine!

Edited By ChrisH on 21/02/2014 19:36:57

Edited By ChrisH on 21/02/2014 19:37:59

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Hi Bill and Chris

Thanks for making your interest known, glad that you are enjoying reading it.

Its a pity not more people are posting their work I think…

Cheers

Allan.

[Terence Yates 1Participant @terenceyates1]

Allen, I am another who is watching this thread and learning much from it. I had a lathe which was very worn and have bought a new one. So this thread has helped allot.

Terry

[julian atkinsParticipant @julianatkins58923]

hi allan,

the modeleng.proboards.com has plenty of construction threads (including 2 of my own). never quite understood why this site hasnt more. the above site is a bit more miniature loco inclined which suits me!

cheers,

julian

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Unfortunately modeleng.proboards is predominantly Loco related and almost dead when it comes to stationary engines and TEs.

For stationary steam and Hit & miss type subjects take a look at MEM and HMEM and for traction engines you can't beat the model section on TT

As you say this forum has so little in the way of building compared to most of the others. If from the above you search out Jo's Stothert & Pitt, Crosskill and Double Tandem, Ramon's Table engine and my own Benson and Easton & Anderson you will get a good idea how to go about making stationary steam engines

J

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

If the nut actually interferes with the bend, line a flat with the bend line, remove it and file a chamfer to conform with the angle, put back on and tighten, its better than a bent bolt. Ian S C

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Hi Terry

Thanks, are you making anything at the moment?

Hi Julian

Looks like you have to register to be able to see most of the forum, I'll have a go at that later, would be interested to see your builds, have you a link or can you tell me where / what section to find them? I see you are a member of Merthyr MES – I'm only just down the road in Abergavenny!

Hi Jason

Thanks for the links, looks like lots of great builds going on all over the place! Shame there's not more on here – I prefer this format I think. I can see its worth while registering elsewhere though, spoilt for choice now!

Hi Ian

Thanks, Its just borderline with the bolt I think, luck was with me when I did it, certainly wasn't planned – when I first started must admit I dreaded picking up a file as I was so bad with it, but of late Its felt a lot better and I can see now a very important skill to master or at least be comfortable with – give me another 6 months… I need to look at maybe getting something (cheap) to help with bending…

Cheers.

Allan.

[Terence Yates 1Participant @terenceyates1]

Allen, I started building Paddington in 71/4 guage a few years ago, but had to have a minor opperation and contracted MRSA which has left me with a few problems. But not to worry I am returning to the build I started of a 30cc Tethered Hydroplane Engine. My old lathe was a little hit and miss and i could not replicate items often enough.

Terry

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Hi Terry

Sorry to hear of your illness, I hope you are on the mend quickly.. This last year or two I have met so many people who are either ill or are recovering from something – I am very worried about my father at the moment… I would love to have a go at a large scale Loco build or Traction Engine but then I also want to have a go at some more Stationary Steam Engines, never enough time as is the way and not helped by me being a bit on the slow side in the workshop… I won't be nosey and ask what your new lathe is!

Cheers.

Allan.

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Assembly 5.

A few more photos of Assembly progress.

The eccentric Rod etc fitted..

Assembly so far 1.

Assembly so far 2.

Assembly so far 3.

Regards.

Allan.

[Terence Yates 1Participant @terenceyates1]

Allen the lathe is a Toolco 1130GV which is quite large compared to a Myford.

Terry.

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Looks very nice indeed Terry. Wish I had bought larger now, already looking forward to upgrading after the next project..

Was reading your thread on levelling earlier – thought the post by Gary Wooding was the best / easiest sounding advice I've come across for this….

Look forward to seeing how you get on with it…

Cheers

Allan.

[GarryCParticipant @garryc]

Assembly 6.

Just a few more photos showing Assembly progress (sorry probably far too many showing the same thing, tell me off someone if I'm taking up too much space with all this….)

No problems with assembly so far – after putting in the graphite yarn around the valve rod it became quite stiff to pull in and out and the eccentric was a little tight sliding in the strap but after just one or two tiny drops of oil (I used the bearing oil supplied by Stuart Models) both are sliding / moving with no resistance at all and 'feel' very nice and smooth. I need to get some different oil types to use as well, as suggested by Julian I think..

The Flywheel is 7 inch diameter to give an idea of scale.

Assembly so far 1.

Assembly so far 2.

Assembly so far 3.

Assembly so far 4.

Regards.

Allan.

 

 

Edited By Allan. on 24/02/2014 13:17:00

Edited By Allan. on 24/02/2014 13:24:17

Edited By Allan. on 24/02/2014 13:33:32

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