Eastern and Anderson Grasshopper Beam Engine

[steamer]

Regarding belts

I've found small flat belts in old mechanical adding machines....so they may be out there somewhere....
But your right....it needs a flat belt

Dave

[Jasonb]

Forrest Classics sell 1/4" wide flat drive belting which you may be able to thin down. Failing that a slice out of an innertube should do the job, probably need a large mountain bike or motorcycle one.

J

[Bluechip]

This lot have a selection of odd belty things ...

http://www.cricklewoodelectronics.com/Cricklewood/home.php

Index listing to port .... 

Long time since I used them, they used to be quite talented at finding obscure ic's .. IIRC

Dave BC

[rleete]

I still have to find something to use as the governor drive belt.

How about the real thing?  You know, actual leather.  There are plenty of places that sell little bits, and for something as small as that, a leather working place would probably give you a scrap that would work.  Your biggest problem would probably be finding something thin enough.

[Jo]

Thanks guys,

Some great ideas here. Anthony when he originally made it used some thin leather with a scarf joint but it slipped and he had to add some "gritty stuff" to get it to grip.

My spare pantograph has a rubber coated belt that (if it was spare) would have been an ideal starting point. I am still keeping my eyes open .

Jo

[arnoldb]

Hi Jo

Another source might be old dot matrix printers; they use flat belts on many of their drive systems.  Though generally toothed, it should be fairly easy to strip off the teeth and even narrow a belt as needed...

Regards, Arnold

[Davyboy]

Jo, that is a totally awesome steam engine.  The finish is first rate, and the wood cladding is a great addition.  I wish I could see this in person, and shake your hand, Well Done!

Davyboy

[steamer]

Nice tutorial on the handwheel Jo!

Dave

[Maryak]

Jo,

Regarding the governor belt. Leather shoelaces may be a solution.

1. Buy same.

2. Beat the crap out of it to thin it down.

3. Trim to size required.

4. Sew the ends together. (My navy days taught me all about hand sewing and if you'd seen my early attempts you'd wonder why I persevered).

Best Regards
Bob

[sbwhart]

Hi Jo  Great looking engine    how did you make the brick base ?.

As for drive belts I've used o ring cord in the past only trouble is it tends to streach over time.

Stew

[Jo]

Hi Stew,

The base is a solid lump of slate that came out of an old snooker table. It is nice and soft to work, the only problem being that it absorbs oil.

Jo

[Jo]

If anyone from over the pond wants to make one of these I note that a set of castings have appeared on Fleabay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Easton-and-Anderson-Grasshopper-Beam-Eingine-Castings-like-Stuart-Steam-/141078435425?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item20d8ee1661#ht_169wt_1016

Jo

[steamer]

Check out PM Research.   They have 1/4 and 1/2" wide belting that looks very attractive.

Dave

[Jasonb]

I see they pinched one of my images for the advert, hope nobody is expecting to get that from the casting set

[kellswaterri]

Hi all, looking at those castings...some would seem as if they are cast in allyminium...no sign of rust...he stated ''an unopened'' !??