Travis Steam Engine No.4

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Good morning everyone,

I made a short video of the completed engine now mounted and tuned up. I recorded (or gave it my best shot) the chug-chug-chug from the exhaust stack while running at 2-psi. I am really pleased how this project has turned out, it has been a fun build.

Have a great day,

Video link:
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7YcN7qZc0" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7YcN7qZc0</a>

[b.lindsey]

Very nice indeed Thomas! The sound is great too. Remember to post it also in the showcase section.

Bill

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Very nice indeed Thomas! The sound is great too. Remember to post it also in the showcase section.

Bill

Thank you Bill for your support. I got the camera too close to the stack at one point to get a correct sound. Sure wish I had a remote microphone to be able to record sound and keep the camera at a "viewable" distance.

Again thank you,

[ShopShoe]

Thomas,

Thank You for showing your latest engine.  I like it and I agree the sound is great. It's just chugging away doing its job.

ShopShoe

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Thomas,

Thank You for showing your latest engine.  I like it and I agree the sound is great. It's just chugging away doing its job.

ShopShoe

Thank you for the good words. I love the sound and wish I could include it on each video of a running engine. As a young man I worked on an old Tugboat which had a 3-cylinder diesel for the main and a single diesel for the generator. I loved to stand outside on the upper deck as we plowed our way up and down the Intercostal and listen to the stacks. Both engines would harmonize every once in a while and it would send chills over my body.

Have a great day,
Thomas

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Hello to all,

OK I created a small website to be able to upload the Free Plans in a .pdf format. I was able to upload a file today and it is available now at the link below. I created the drawings in a 11x17 size so the .pdf can be printed out on any size paper up to 11x17. There are 17 pages of drawings and 1 page letter/information. If you need any more information please let me know.

Adding to this thread 11/26/2019; the link that I had originally posted on here has been deleted by Google???? So I have up loaded the first 8 pages in a pdf format of the free plans on Reply #81 and the next 8 on reply #82 and the cover page letter on reply #83

Thanks,
Thomas

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Hello everyone,

Several people that have downloaded the drawings for the engine have contacted me about the Valve Timing. I did not feel like I could properly answer in writing so I made this short video to explain. If anybody has any questions please send me an email.

Thanks I appreciate your interest,
Thomas
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nVZL2cCNHo" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nVZL2cCNHo</a>

[bent]

Thanks for the links, Thomas, will bookmark them for when my skills reach that level.

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Thanks for the links, Thomas, will bookmark them for when my skills reach that level.

From what I have seen of your work so far, you are there. If I can build this thing, then anybody can.

Thomas

[bent]

Dunno, would have to get "good" at silver slobbering...maybe I'd do it with the tig welder instead, just to one-up y'all.   In reality, it would just put a new definition out there for "how to distort a crankshaft" 

Seriously, was glad to take a look at your website, there are some neat ideas there, as well as the pictures of the painted-up version of your latest.  At first glance, I wasn't too sure about the color scheme, but after a bit it sorta grows on you.  And that sound at low rpm, I think you nailed it when you called it "just chugging along, goin' up-river".  Now you just need a boat, and a stand-in for Ms. Hepburn.

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Hi Bent,

The crankshaft that is in the engine now is not silver solder. I made a second crank using Loctite 648, then drilled and pinned each throw-shaft-journal. I received some great help of "how to" here on MEM for this procedure.

Have a great day,
Thomas

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Hey everybody,

Received the new larger and much heavier brass flywheel in today and chucked it up in the lathe. Machined it down to a nice finish and bored a temporary 1/4" hole to fit on the crankshaft. I will add a extension on the hub later on but I was anxious to see how this was going to work, and here is the result. I surely am pleased with this little engine.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D32v3GIkaMM" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D32v3GIkaMM</a>

[philjoe5]

Nice work Thomas.  I like the slow runners

Cheers,
Phil

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Nice work Thomas.  I like the slow runners

Cheers,
Phil

Thanks Phil, this is what I was hoping for with this design. It might run slower after it gets completely broken in.

Thomas

[bent]

Sweet!    Love your narration, Thomas, and that is one sweet running engine.  Sounds like it's time for a shot of your best bourbon.