Props first engine - Elmer Wobbler #25

[zeeprogrammer]

I realise that there are some quite magnificent models on the site, but you have to start somewhere.

As they did.

A person's first model is always magnificent.
It's the second one you have to worry about. 

[ths]

Like Billy Bragg's difficult second album.

Hugh.

[propforward]

This morning I got the pivot pin soldered into the cylinder - thanks to Arnold for the idea on the little jig to hold the pin. I also cleaned up the flywheel a bit, trued the OD and sides, and drilled and tapped a hole in the boss to lock it in place.

Well, at last, after making a small pile of scrap metal, I managed to coax everything to completion. I assembled it all, and gave it a test run - it runs well! 

 

So here it is, my first model engine. 

I am just going to say, I am pleased as all get out with it.









I need to shoot some video of it, but first I need a few bits of hardware so that it will run without me holding the air gun to it. It's too awkward to run it and shoot video at the moment, but I will hopefully get that done tomorrow. You'll have to take my word for it for now.

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Great job and congratulations. The extra attention to the flywheel and leaving one side of the con rod with a radius added your own touch and looks great! Film at eleven? :cheers
Eric

[zeeprogrammer]

Congratulations! And yes, you should feel pleased. Feels good don't it?

You can try putting some tubing on, wrapping a bit of wire around it, and do the same on the air gun.
Then you have one hand free to work the camera. Or both if you use a foot. (Yes, I've done it.)
Tripod is helpful too.

Careful though. Without a groove for the wire to press the tubing in...it can pop off.

[ScroungerLee]

Very nice job, a nice clean look.  Congrats!

Lee

[Don1966]

Very nice job, a nice clean look.  Congrats!

Lee

What Lee said and congrats on your engine. Will we be seeing a video?

Don

[propforward]

Thanks Fellas! I appreciate the encouragement.

I followed Zees advice, and added a groove to the steam (air) connector, and doing that I was able to add a piece of vinyl tube, and get the engine to run without me holding on to it so I could shoot a few seconds of the engine in action. Just uploading it to youtube now. Since I only have dialup (the curse of living in the sticks) I anticipate in posting the video in just a few short hours.

 

[zeeprogrammer]

in just a few short hours.

No such thing when people are waiting. 

[swilliams]

Congratulations Prop. It's turned out great

Steve

[propforward]

Here it is folks. Hope this works - just 30 seconds or so - no need to gild the lily eh?

It actually runs very well at low pressure and will lope along quite happily - didn't get any footage of the low speed running. I must say, I really enjoyed making this, and learned a lot of fundamentals about machining from it. I know what engine I want to make next - something a little more complex, but not by much - Elmers number 14. But I have to make a couple of tools first. I need a center finder and a backstop for the lathe. So I'll work on those, then get going on engine number 2. 

Thanks again to everyone for your encouragement and for chiming in on this thread.


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6WHIHeielE" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6WHIHeielE</a>

[b.lindsey]

 Great job Prop. Looks and runs great!  And now the inevitable question....what do you plan next?

Bill

[zeeprogrammer]

Very cool Prop. It does sound and run great.

Yep. Looking forward to your next one.

[propforward]

I think another Elmer, I thought the number 14 would be good, but I am not 100% set on that.

Well, that's it for this one. I'm going to ship this over the water to my Dad in the UK for his amusement, and move on to the next project. Cheers all!

[steamer]

Sorry Prop.....been a long week....

Dave