Potty Grasshopper Engine

[Don1966]

Looking forward to a great built Stew. Since I am building a grasshopper myself I will tag alone.

Don

[Dave Otto]

Thanks Jason.
I'll be drawing my flywheel and exporting the .dxf file as I want curved spokes for the Coventry engine.

Hi Stan
Just because it is a DXF file doesn't mean that the scaling can't be all messed up. I sent a job out from work to get quoted which was similar to other parts which I had them do in the past. I called to see why it was so expensive, and found that somehow my DXF file came over 4X!

It is always good to give the laser/water jet/plasma cutter guy an idea of the actual size of your part so that neither of you are surprised when you go to pick up your part/s.

Dave

[sbwhart]

Been working on the Beam made from a length of 1/8" * 5/8" mild steel first job mark one of the bars with all the hole position and mark the other with just the centre hole.



Then drill all the holes in one beam, and just the centre hole in the other, then clamp the two together at the centre and drill the rest of the holes through the other that way they will be exactly the same.



Add a few more clamp bolts just so nothing will move.



And set to with the mill or a file to get it to the tapered shape and finish of the rads at the end with a couple of filing buttons,



Next up machine up the 8mm spacers tapped M3 then make the clamping/pivot bolts.



This is what it looks like completed.



I've nearly got the con rod finished but I've been called away on domestic duties.

Stew

[b.lindsey]

Nice work on the beam Stew, You made quick work of that!!

Bill

[sbwhart]

Ok on with the con rod I made this from 1/2" Squ mild steel

First job was to cut a length off and square it off in the lathe using a 4 jaw self cantering chuck, then I blued it up and marked out the key features.





Then drilled 8mm holes where the bearing bushes will fit.



Centred both ends and machined a 6mm register to help mill the flats in the middle when I come to them.



Then supporting one end with a running centre rough out the key points with a parting tool.



And rough out one end of the shape.



Swop it round and rough out the other end.



Slew the compound round 1 1/2 deg and machine the taper with a round nose tool.



Flip it round and taper the other end a shape the fat belly in the middle, and polish up with a bit of emery.



Mill the ends to thick ness maling use of the register when the cut just kisses it where down to size.



Shape the end with some filing buttons



Give it a polish and fit the bearings.



While I was at it made the cross head.



Her they are fitted on the beam.



And her's the beam with the cylinder.



Stew

[Bearcar1]

N-I-C-E Stew, I really enjoy watching you work. This is going to be another one of your pieces of art.   


BC1
Jim

[Jonfb64]

That is brill Stew

I thank you for your generosity in making the plans freely available for your engines. I have almost completed your horizontal engine which just needs the base making. It more or less ran first time only needing the timing tweeting to get it run. I am currently part way into the vertical so will have to speed up so that I can start the grasshopper.

Thanks for inspiring a beginner 

Jon

[rarach22]

Nice 

[sbwhart]

On with the swing beam.

I've long admired the iron work of a beam engine that runs at Style Mill Cheshire, it roughly of the same date as the grasshopper I'm styling this model on. the Iron work on this engine is based round the them of interlocking circle's so I thought I would try and make this beam a series of interlocking circles.

First job turn a length of bar down and mark the part off points of each circle.



Then transfer over to the spin indexer and mill two flats down either side, and drill each side 1/16".



Then back over onto the lathe and drill out.



And then part off each circle.



Link the circles together with a 1/16 rod



And silver solder together.



Then mill two more flats on each side.



And drill some 1/6" to take some 1/16 rivets to hold the side arms in place, then soft solder the lot together.



Drill the pivot hole through both sides.



And clean up its going to get a lick of paint so it doesn't need a shine.



This is it mocked up in place for a look see.



Stew

[b.lindsey]

I love it Stew....very elegant design!!

Bill

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Stew, excellent fabrication and beautiful results.

Cletus

[Kim]

That is really clever how you did the fabrication work there Stew.  I enjoyed the step-by-step.

Very nice work!
Kim

[wagnmkr]

Very Clever indeed ... patiently watching and waiting for the plans to this one.

Tom

[Roger B]

As others have said this looks to be the start of a very elegant engine   

[Don1966]

Stew I enjoy some good fabrication and that's tops. ............

 
Don