Stuart Beam Engine in Diorama

[Kim]

Very impressive, John!  You have nothing to be worried about here. It is beautiful!
Kim

[Steamer5]

Hi John,
 Those two extra post just make that railing!
Its just getting better & better!

Cheers Kerrin

[Flyboy Jim]

Very impressive John. Well done! 

Those end posts and curved railing really came out nice.

Jim

[J.L.]

Thanks all.

The search is still on for an electric drive assist. Compressed air currently is the motive force for the engine.

Here are some interesting shots of the diorama while focusing on the ladder - the last item to be made by me on this diorama.

[b.lindsey]

Another fine detail John. Those lights under the gallery will make for some excellent photo ops too casting shadows and a warm glow over the entire diorama

Bill

[J.L.]

Yes Bill, the lighting was well worth the extra work of changing the style and number of lights under the gallery.

The 12 volt DC lighting system is far more stable now with constant amperage from a 115 volt AC power adaptor.

The power for the motor is also converted from 115 volts AC to 12 volts DC.

Photo one shows the duplex for all this 'under the table' wiring.
Photo two shows the lighting AC adaptor and the motor voltage transformer plugged in.
Photo three shows everything ready to go.
I'm holding one of the 12 volt plugs in the last photo.

When the table is turned right side up, that power transformer will sit in its custom made shelf.

[b.lindsey]

Neat arrangement John, and all will be hidden too. Any leads on another motor yet?

Bill

[J.L.]

Thanks Bill and thanks for asking about the motor situation.

I have found a spot in Quebec that sells robot supplies. They have two motors of interest. I've ordered one, but if it doesn't work out, I can return it free of charge and apply a credit towards a second one that may be better.

I've learned that there are really only two manufacturers of high end hobby motors that are well made and have a very good reputation in the industry. A lot of the motors  I've been trying are at the lower end and cheap.

I have been into this project for some time now and don't want to drop the ball at the finish line.

By the way, I love the sound of the engine's exhaust breathing when driven by air. I may suggest a sound track of this sound when the video is made using the electric assist.

Happy 2018!

John

[J.L.]

Thanks Bill.

Yes, there is a 12 volt DC Faulhaber Coreless gearhead motor that may just do the job.

The first photo shows the power plug that takes converted power from under the table to the control box.
The second photo shows power being fed up into the lighting system under the gallery.

Cheers...John

[J.L.]

To Date:

[b.lindsey]

Gorgeous John!! I love it 

Bill

[wagnmkr]

Looks Wonderful John ... Stay Warm!

Tom

[derekwarner]

Very impressive JL........one little point..........50+ years ago as an apprentice working on British built water hydraulic extrusion presses......the Tool Shadow Board for each specific machine was say 15ft long x 5ft high

Each and every sized open ended standard and flogging spanner were there for every conceivable sized AF hexagon nut size fitted on the machine.............4lb & 14Lb hammers were also on the Board

Stillsons..[adjustable  Pipe Spanners] were kept on a separate shadow board......

Any apprentice found using a Stillson on any part of the machinery would have been severely reprimanded  and his employment training record card so recorded.......


Any AF nut found mechanically damaged by Stillson marks would have created such furore, anger and investigation

You show a pair of Stillsons on the engine top plate and yet so many machined AF hexagon nuts with perfectly unmarked faces  ......just wondering should the Stillsons not be shown on the lower engine plate near some steam pipe unions......and at least 3 pair of appropriately sized AF open ended spanners substituted upstairs on the top plate

The use of an Adjustable Spanner [Shifter - as shown] was also frowned upon ......

Derek 

[J.L.]

Interesting obervations Derek,
In this photo you will see two open ended spanners aside the pipe wrenches. I also have two much longer handled 'track rail' spanners made for the diorama. They must have been used when joining rail sections for leverage when joining plates with nuts and bolts.
 

[derekwarner]

Ahah.........open enders  .....one must not let ones nuts be marked [with the Stillsons bite I mean]....... ........Derek