Stuart Beam Engine in Diorama

[b.lindsey]

Hopefully the third time (motor) will be the charm John.

Bill

[J.L.]

Hi Bill,

Close but no cigar.

I think it is time to step away from the drive system for awhie and go upstaris and work on the beam railing.

Also, I will later go back to the first AC motor that was perfect in every way except for such a low RPM. The other alternative is to gear it myself with a pinion and spur gear set. I'm sure a pulley and belt setup would slip.

The solution is out there - I just have to find it.

Here is the present hookup...

[Kim]

Sorry for another dead end on the driving motor John.  That kind of thing can be quite frustrating.  But it will be equally rewarding when you get it worked out.  And I have no doubt that you will get it to your liking soon!

I'm sure you'll get it worked out eventually!
Kim

[J.L.]

Thanks for the encouragement Kim. 

The setbacks increase the resolve to get the system working nicely for museum, library and other display uses for the diroama where air compressors are not available or would not be appreciated!

Cheers...John

[Noitoen]

What's the drive rpm your looking for?

[Flyboy Jim]

The solution is out there - I just have to find it.

I like your way of looking at this issue, John. My money is on you finding it.

Jim

[J.L.]

Thanks for the vote of confidence Jim. It's a learning curve.

Hi Hoitoen,
I am probably looking for a flywheel rotation of about 16 RPM. A 25 RPM motor attached direct drive to the friction axle  moves the flywheel at 7.5 RPM. The DC motor you see in photo above is 75RPM - but not acceptable.

While the search is on, I've completed the wiring sysstem for the diorama's lighting. Everything is self-contained in the the gallery; battery, switch, wiring and lights. The battery is 12 volts DC (A23).

[Noitoen]

You could check here. They have a large selection

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/dc-geared-motors/4130622/

[J.L.]

Yes, many gearhead motors can be found on the internet.

A pump room must have at least a pair of pipe wrenches at hand - one to hold the pipe; the other to turn the fitting. Most often they are bought in pairs. I have two hanging on my tool board in the shop. You may note an interesting vintage wooden handled wrench mounted below them.

Castings are about the only way to go with these wrenches in 1/12 scale that have so many distinguishable features to them. This pair came from Cedar Rapids, IA in the United States. Nicely detailed....

[b.lindsey]

Those are nice little reproductions John, withour your finger it would be hard to distinguish them from the real thing

Bill

[J.L.]

I agree Bill.

The search is still on for a silent DC motor. Tom has kindly provided the controller, switch and rheostat for it. I think I may have to step up to a more expensive motor than what is available on Amazon and eBay.

Meanwhile, attention turns to the beam opeining in the floor of the gallery. There probably would have been trim pieces placed around the edge of the opeining to tildy things up. Boards would have been cut in angled pieces to curve around the ends of the openings.

Some segmented turning on the wood lathe provided these little pieces. If you look closely at the first picture, you will see two pieces of waxed paper. This made turning the ends for the opening without having to cut the resulting circle in half.

The single oak strip has been milled to close the opeining.

[J.L.]

The completed parts...

[J.L.]

Before...

[J.L.]

...and after.

[b.lindsey]

Beautiful John. That adds a lot to an otherwise "plain" gallery opening. I love it!!

Bill