Author Topic: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine  (Read 69043 times)

Offline J.L.

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #90 on: January 26, 2017, 05:52:14 PM »
Hi Bill,
Thanks. I've used threaded #2-56 rod here.
Hi Kvom,
My cast cylinder measures 13/16" OD. The bead on the ribbed detail in the centre measures 1/8" with shoulders of approx. 1/16".
I made the flanges a little larger in diameter than Anthony's dimensions. Even so, I found the nuts crowded toward the cylinder walls. For the two studs under the cast housing for the steam chest, space is limited. I used #1-72 studs and nuts.
Cheers...John


Offline kvom

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #91 on: January 26, 2017, 07:28:57 PM »
I think I discovered a minor omission in the plans.  The flange on the pump doesn't show the 3 holes for attaching to the base.

Offline J.L.

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Colour
« Reply #92 on: January 27, 2017, 02:31:39 PM »
​Green is the livery of choice for this little engine. The colour is the same as that used on Victoria and some of the floor machines in the machine shop. It was pressurized for spray can use.


Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #93 on: January 27, 2017, 08:38:16 PM »
That's a nice pleasing color John. I like it...goes well with shiny brass and steel bits too :)

Bill

Offline J.L.

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #94 on: January 27, 2017, 08:59:56 PM »
Thanks Bill. Yes, it is a warm colour.
A keyway is broached in the hub of the flywheel and milled in its thickened axle. I did not have the equipment to broach the flywheel, but I enjoyed making the key.
Anthony suggested installing a setscrew to secure the key. I have not heard of that. You would think that the taper on the key would suffice when driven home. Nevertheless, you can see it being worked up here.

Offline kvom

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #95 on: January 27, 2017, 09:25:12 PM »
The setscrew is not a bad idea.  The tapered gibs in my Joy engine are in so tight that I can't remove them after CF.  Better to have a reasonably tight key with a setscrew on the inside hub for insurance.

Offline J.L.

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #96 on: January 28, 2017, 04:08:45 PM »
Agreed.

The work on the slide valve begins. Anthony called it 'fiddly work', and I guess he's right if you start off with a piece of brass cut to size. But if the bar you are using is 12" long, some of the problems you can create for yourself disappear.

Here's the progress so far...


Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #97 on: January 28, 2017, 04:15:22 PM »
I'd been out for a while. I sure am glad to see another project from you.
I really enjoy your diorama work. Excellent stuff.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline J.L.

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Slide Valve
« Reply #98 on: January 28, 2017, 05:56:04 PM »
Thank you! Good to have you aboard here.

I was first introduced to the principle of the slide valve when building the vertical paper engine...
« Last Edit: January 28, 2017, 06:04:13 PM by J.L. »

Offline J.L.

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Slide Valves
« Reply #99 on: January 28, 2017, 06:05:28 PM »
And here it is again in Victoria's steam chest...

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #100 on: January 29, 2017, 04:35:37 AM »
Excellent example of leaving a piece on the parent stock until it has to be removed. Well done.

I wish I could of done that with the piece of my P & W that I was working on today.  :wallbang:

Jim
Sherline 4400 Lathe
Sherline 5400 Mill
"You can do small things on big machines, but you can do small things on small machines".

Offline J.L.

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #101 on: January 29, 2017, 11:15:11 AM »
Thanks Jim. Your work on the P & W is made all the more impressive with your excellent method of photographing steps.

Here is the little valve with its nut and stainless steel rod. You know, we spend so much time making these little pieces with the full expectation that they will work! And that's not always the case. Nevertheless, the fun is in the making.

It's quite a hobby.

The steam chest is quite small and is filled wall to wall with the valve. You will note a groove milled in the side of the valve. Anthony suggested doing this to allow steam to pass freely from one side of the chest to the other. It's on the steam inlet side.

Offline Steamer5

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #102 on: January 29, 2017, 11:19:33 AM »
Hi John,
 Looking good, you sure do like little things!

Cheers Kerrin
Get excited and make something!

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #103 on: January 29, 2017, 02:21:43 PM »
Looks like you got a nice fit on everything John. A bit surprised there isn't more clearance around the slide valve, but the design is obviously proven so must not be necessary.

Bill

Offline kvom

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Re: Benson's Vertical Steam Engine
« Reply #104 on: January 29, 2017, 03:02:02 PM »
Are you using metric fasteners or converting sizes?

 

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