Bruce's take on the Monitor Steam Engine

[vcutajar]

That's a great idea.  Did not think about it.  Must be a carbide endmill.  They usually have the shank diameter the same as the cutting diameter.  Must find one pronto.

Vince

[zeeprogrammer]

Slots? What slots?

Zee - the slots in the 25 x 25 base frames for the inner frames to slot into.

Ah right.  I'd forgotten about them. I had used a slitting saw.

I'm sure you already know...but for some of us...that's the back of the engine.

And I haven't quite figured out which way is which yet.

  I think I just told you. 

[bruedney]

That's a great idea.  Did not think about it.  Must be a carbide endmill.  They usually have the shank diameter the same as the cutting diameter.  Must find one pronto.

Vince

Nope it was one of those gold tiN coated 2 flutes from a set of about 20 (in a wooden box ranging from 3mm to 20mm 2 & 4 flutes). All my carbide ones have 4mm shanks. I use a particular EBay seller for my carbides and have not had any problems with them yet. http://stores.ebay.com/hengyoutools/

[bruedney]

I think I just told you. 

Thanks Carl - See that is why I love this forum. everyone is soo helpful

[bruedney]

Spent most of the morning trying to find and clean my bench and some more of the floor.

Then fluffed around with some Brushless DC motors we had pulled out of the Xerox machine - they work 

I then started cutting some metal and making swarf. I have been mulling over how to attack the Front Rocker Shaft Bearing Post.

Trimmed up a piece of 32 x 32mm to 45mm long.

Decided to drill and profile the hole and then proceeded to form the rest of the shape using 20mm EM and a 6mm Ball EM.

Also found that I don't have any 13mm shaft but I do have lots of 12mm so I made the bearing with 12mm bore.

Doesn't look too bad even if I do say so myself

Turned out not too bad if I must say so myself.

[zeeprogrammer]

Doesn't look too bad even if I do say so myself

I won't say so myself. I'd say it looks great. 

[b.lindsey]

Nicely done Bruce. you are really making headway on this project! Still following along with interest on yours and all these Monitor builds.

Bill

[bruedney]

Oh and forgot the required food talk

The boss cooked Chicken breast wrapped in bacon with a leek based sauce accompanied by stuffed baked potato and peas

Slightly chewy mergranes for desert.

YUM 

[bruedney]

A little more progress today.

I skimmed some scrap cast stock to 25 x 12mm for the front & rear spacers. I am loving my new 50mm face mill!!

Drilled and tapped as required and fitted to the frames

I finished by cutting some 20mm plate for the bottom of the rear bearing blocks.

Bruce

[sshire]

Bruce
Just sitting here watching and taking notes. Looking excellent. I had threatened to start a Monitor build when I returned from NAMES. Now that I've seen your wonderful build, I've got some catching up to do. Keep at it.

[zeeprogrammer]

Looking good.

I'm wondering about the rear crankshaft bearing. I thought the collars went inside between the frames. Maybe it doesn't matter.
On mine, the bearing doesn't stick out so far and if I put the collar on the outside (i.e. next to flywheel) then bearing doesn't stick all the way through the collor.
Just wondering if there's enough clearance for the flywheel and crank.

The assembly drawing shows the front collar between the two front frames. I can't see the rear one.

[bruedney]

I'm wondering about the rear crankshaft bearing. I thought the collars went inside between the frames. Maybe it doesn't matter.
On mine, the bearing doesn't stick out so far and if I put the collar on the outside (i.e. next to flywheel) then bearing doesn't stick all the way through the collor.
Just wondering if there's enough clearance for the flywheel and crank.

The assembly drawing shows the front collar between the two front frames. I can't see the rear one.

Oh yeah - really must look at the drawings when assembling - both collars are shown between frames on the metric drawings

The collars fit fine on the inside of the inner frame but I might try them as drawn too.

Thanks Zee

[bruedney]

Some progress over the course of the last week

Rear Rocker bearing housing and sleeves completed.

An important learning when using a CNC machine - Make sure you have the right program loaded before starting the cycle.

Last night and today have been spent making the oil cups for all the bearings. The bigger ones for the crankshaft bearing were threaded using my new carbide insert tool. These were the first decent threads I have cut on the lathe. Quite pleased with the result.

This evening I have made a start on the first of the cylinders.

Maybe tomorrow I will get the cylinder bored out.

Bruce

[Steamer5]

Hi Bruce,
 Coming on nicely! So CNC allows you to make parts for the gnome under the bench too....he will be pleased!

Cheers Kerrin

[zeeprogrammer]

Good looking oil cups.

Bummer about the vise.
But it doesn't require CNC to do that. I have a couple of holes in my mill bed.