Compound Condensing Engine and Thrust Box - ME1923

[Chipswitheverything]

Just enjoyed spending a while going through the whole of your build write up for this wonderful model, Dave, you have created an extremely beautiful engine. Your hull simulation is superb too, and the finish of the brightwork and your paintwork....  magnificent!   ( Green colour rather similar to that on my Tom Senior mills, not Senior paint is it..? )
Looking forward to seeing the finished ensemble, can't be too far off now..

  Looked up Dennis Howe's historic models  website mentioned at the very start of your build, but it seems that he has retired now.  Are these castings available from any supplier now?     Dave

[Rivergypsy]

Many thanks, everyone, for all your kind words - and for being so patient!!

The paint is a coach enamel from Craftsmaster paints, and it's beautiful to work with.

The castings for this engine will  be available in the not too distant future, and I'll keep you posted. Yes, Dennis has taken a step back from the business in order to spend more time on his own projects, which I can relate to. However, he will still be keeping this kit on his books, and I think will be ordering an initial batch of ~6 kits. Thinking about it, I'd best pull my finger out and finish checking the drawing pack!! I've attached a near complete general arrangement from the pack in case you're interested.

Apologies for the poor photo, but here's a quick snap of the cylinder in place

[steam guy willy]

wow ..Wonderfull work , how many pieces are there all together !  something to aspire to, i have always wanted to make one of these ,but have never had the confidence...........Beautiful......!!

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

I'll tell you something boys and girls this is beyond beautiful, it is a work of art, a master piece.

[Rivergypsy]

Again, many, many thanks - it's really humbling to hear such comments from people who's work i seriously admire.

Now working on the next stage of the build - some miniature pressure gauges. Possible overkill, but I've got an original gauge at home, and I want to try to replicate it as closely as possible here - if possible down to working shut off taps, screw fastener bezel etc. I know it'll get small, but I'm currently smashing up a few watches to scavenge for gears and shafts

[PJPickard]

This is just a really great build, down to the paint! I wonder if there is an equiv. paint in the US...

Also please keep us informed on the castings, I could see this building this one for sure!

Paul

[kvom]

You sir are nuts!  But in a very good way.

[Rivergypsy]

PMSL!! I sometimes wonder that myself! 

FEA on the Bourdon tube looks pretty reasonable now, with 100psi giving ~1.5mm deflection at the tube end:-


And starting to mock up the gauge board - I've got a nice little piece of teak thats just crying our for this job

[Rivergypsy]

And after a bit of trial and error, a nice little set of Bourdon tubes - a method recently in ME didn't quite work for me, as they creased on the inside, but we eventually got there. 10mm x 30mm of 3 thou brass shim was first folded around a 0.5mm x 3mm brass former and rolled to ~20mm dia, before the brass was replaced by 0.25mm acrylic and then rolled to 10mm dia. What didn't work for me was the magazine description of rolling the tube back and forth over the former - each roll added another crease. What did work exceptionally well is to gently ease the tube over the form, with steady thumb strokes in one direction to gently push it round - this got 100% success

[Rivergypsy]

Gauges slowly progressing, with only one scrapper (so far!)
https://ibb.co/edDyua

[Rivergypsy]

<a href="https://ibb.co/edDyua"><img src="https://image.ibb.co/cyuSnv/DSC04232.jpg" alt="DSC04232" border="0"></a>

[kvom]

Another thread fubared by photobucket.   

[Rivergypsy]

Tell me about it - less than impressed 

Not sure when i'll get time to find another photo hosting site and relink these, as i struggle to find time to do general updates - the engine is way past where the thread is now 

[PJPickard]

Pity about the photos, but what ever happened with the possibility of castings for this?

[Dennis]

There are three sets of castings available for the compound condensing marine engine.  21 casting are ductile Iron and 22 are red brass.  You can get more information by contacting Dennis at dandshowe@aol.com.

When the patterns were complete, a small run of 5 sets of castings were made.  Since then, we have closed our model business and do not plan to order more castings.  Rivergypse is still putting the final touches on the drawing package which is quite impressive.

Dennis