Author Topic: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine  (Read 42921 times)

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #15 on: March 08, 2016, 01:18:28 AM »
Terry, Vince, Jim & Eric; thanks for the support and nice comments.

Jim, by now you probably have figured out that the O&L is a very important part of the history of the internal combustion engine and represents some of Otto's early work. I believe this was the first successfully produced IC engine in any kind of numbers. I have had the pleasure along with some of the other list members, to stand next to one of the oldest running engines in the world; while it is running; what an amazing piece of history!

This engine is now apart and undergoing a badly needed restoration; here is the link but you most likely have to be a registered member to see the pictures.
http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=154525

Eric; unfortunately Max is not a fan of bitter beer.  :Lol:

Thanks for checking in guys,
Dave
« Last Edit: March 08, 2016, 03:52:27 AM by Dave Otto »

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #16 on: March 08, 2016, 03:05:26 AM »
Hi Everyone,

I got some progress pictures from Max this evening.


The column has been removed from the lathe and the head mounting holes are drilled and taped while there is plenty of material at the top end to clamp to. Apparently the machinist forgot to take a picture of the finished bolt pattern? :lolb:



Jo uses a white board; Max uses the way covers of his mill for a quick little Sharpie drawing to keep things in perspective.


Here the column is back in the lathe getting ready to machine the taper on the upper portion of the column.



Using a parting tool the upper decorative features are rouged out.


Then after much work with files and sand paper this beautiful profile appears; is that gorgeous or what?

Thanks for checking in.
Dave and Max


Offline fumopuc

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #17 on: March 08, 2016, 04:59:37 AM »
Impressive, not an easy part.
Kind Regards
Achim

Offline Don1966

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #18 on: March 08, 2016, 01:57:56 PM »
Dave I am still amazed that Max bored the column. Beautiful work and I can tell Max has an eye for attention to details. I don't know if I could bore the column like Max did but it's good to know it can be done. Just beautiful work all around Max.........I ........... Like........ :Love:


Don

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #19 on: March 08, 2016, 03:07:58 PM »
Thanks Achim & Don.

Don I'm curious what your approach might be to machine the bore in the column?

Dave

Offline Jo

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #20 on: March 08, 2016, 03:14:48 PM »
My plan is to mount it on the saddle and use a between centres boring bar of +700mm long  8)

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Jasonb

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #21 on: March 08, 2016, 03:26:44 PM »
My thoughts are to mount on cross slide bore out the bottom and then reverse to bore out the cylinder with a shorter between ctrs bar than Jo's as the centre and tailstock spindle will fit insde the previously bored hole :)

Offline Alyn Foundry

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #22 on: March 08, 2016, 04:19:52 PM »
My plan is to mount it on the saddle and use a between centres boring bar of +700mm long  8)

Jo

Hello Jo.

I'm smiling, a few years ago a good friend of mine built the ultimate scale model 12" to the foot Otto atmospheric gas engine. Imagine that boring bar!!

I can ask Dave for some pictures if anyone's interested, not wishing to derail this interesting thread.

Oh and don't forget that the Otto Langen engine followed on from the success of Étienne Lenoir's gas engine.

Kind regards, Graham.

Offline Jo

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #23 on: March 08, 2016, 04:40:03 PM »
Oh and don't forget that the Otto Langen engine followed on from the success of Étienne Lenoir's gas engine.

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,2526.msg42492.html#msg42492  :mischief:

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #24 on: March 08, 2016, 07:26:41 PM »
OK,  is he a lager man? :lolb:. I have got to get my old butt out there to Idyho to see how y'all keep your machines so beautiful  :NotWorthy: :ThumbsUp: :cheers:. I started to reply on the "Most Beautiful Engine " thread with regards to the fact that  people that can produce this quality work are in all essence,  some what of a prodigy.  These guys are masters,  they are to metal,  what the masters are to canvas and music.. I have some really nice Martin guitars,  but,  Eric Clapton,  I'll never be  :old:

Cletus

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #25 on: March 08, 2016, 07:56:28 PM »
Thanks Eric,

You noticed that Max has also mastered swarfless machining?  :lolb:

Dave

Offline Don1966

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #26 on: March 08, 2016, 08:17:13 PM »
Thanks Eric,

You noticed that Max has also mastered swarfless machining?  :lolb:

Dave
Hey Dave, does that mean we start calling Max, Dave Otto also......... :lolb:

Don  8)

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #27 on: March 08, 2016, 08:37:44 PM »
More great pictures Dave....tell Max to keep 'em coming :)

Bill

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #28 on: March 08, 2016, 08:54:24 PM »
Dave,

I was just thinking the other day that I've come to the realization that machining is as much art as it is science. Max's work certainly proves that.

I've been reading up on this engine. Quite a history! It always amazes me how early in time some of this work was done. Most of the school history books just hit the major breakthroughs and don't talk much about the work that was done much earlier than that.

I haven't run across an explanation (for dummies) of how this engine actually worked. I'm sure it's out there.

Jim



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"You can do small things on big machines, but you can do small things on small machines".

Offline Tennessee Whiskey

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Re: 1867 Otto and Langen Free Piston Engine
« Reply #29 on: March 08, 2016, 11:12:55 PM »
Jim, my point exactly.  All of us may master the basics and a few helpful tricks along the way that will satisfy us and may even amaze a few others,  however,  these builders are the exception.  These guys and PayPal are what drive old boys like us on our journey  ;)

Cletus

 

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