PMR 7 Twin Cylinder Steam Engine

[zeeprogrammer]

If it were me, I wouldn't try to run it in until it turns over smoothly, if a bit stiffly, by hand.

One possible way to power it for run-in would be a rubber wheel driven by an electric drill and held against the flywheel.  Those expandable rubber cylinders used to hold sanding drums spring to mind, sans sand paper of course.

Rubber wheel...excellent idea. And yes...I want it to run as smoothly as possible before I 'force' it.

[zeeprogrammer]

The question is...do I start a family war (mother-in-law) or not 

I've been posting my progress on facebook as well.

Got a response..."will it be useful or just fascinating?".  I get the same question from my mom. 

So I said...something to the effect of...

"Fascinating IS useful. It can generate interest in others to learn about doing things with your hands, math (there's quite a bit), history (industrial revolution), art (there's a lot of creativity) much like things in a museum (whether models or not) that no longer do 'real' work. It takes you down many avenues of learning and interests."

I didn't say "what the hell do you mean 'just'" 

I must have patience. She may simply have been asking if I had plans for it to do something like run a garden hydration system or stir kombucha.

Nah. She just didn't think further about what 'useful' means.

 

[Craig DeShong]

Carl- looks like you’re getting there.  There are usually a few last minute “issues” in a build, after you’ve build a few engines, there are less problems, but there always appears to be a few, at least in my experience.

Your comments about your MIL aren’t exclusive to her.  I often go to a show with my models and someone will ask, “What was it used for?”  I explain its model of a full sized engine and they might say, “oh- it was a salesman sample to show a potential customer?”.  “No, I’ll say”, I built it”.  “So what do you use it for?” is their response.  “Nothing”, I say. “I just built it for fun”.  They look at me in a very weird way and walk off. 

Some people just can’t grasp the concept that you would spend all that time building something without needing it to do something for you when it’s complete.

[crueby]

Tell them its to double the power of a Prius.... 

[zeeprogrammer]

Quite frankly...I don't see it much different from certain forms of art.
Paintings don't 'do' anything. You can only look at them, enjoy them, and marvel at the skill and art of the creator.

Hey! We're all artists. No?

Absolutely.

[Tennessee Whiskey]

Amongst us old Harley riders there is a saying: “ if you have to ask, you wouldn’t understand “. Even the biker elves agree

Cletus

[Dave Otto]

The question is...do I start a family war (mother-in-law) or not 

I've been posting my progress on facebook as well.

Got a response..."will it be useful or just fascinating?".  I get the same question from my mom. 

So I said...something to the effect of...

"Fascinating IS useful. It can generate interest in others to learn about doing things with your hands, math (there's quite a bit), history (industrial revolution), art (there's a lot of creativity) much like things in a museum (whether models or not) that no longer do 'real' work. It takes you down many avenues of learning and interests."

I didn't say "what the hell do you mean 'just'" 

I must have patience. She may simply have been asking if I had plans for it to do something like run a garden hydration system or stir kombucha.

Nah. She just didn't think further about what 'useful' means.

 

To quote a true master, Bill Robertson "Why miniatures? You either get it, or you don't"
If if you don't know who Bill Robertson is you need to watch this, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dKohUA_xQQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dKohUA_xQQ</a>

The engine is looking great Zee! I'm sure that after you take the time to carefully locate the tight areas and properly fix them, she will tick over like a watch.

Looking forward to the video.
Dave

[zeeprogrammer]

@Dave...yes!...I've seen that before. Marvelous.

People like that (as well as several on this forum) are inspirations.

I put off a lot until I retired. Possibly a mistake. But I'm still striving to become a 'master' at something.
The bigger problem for me has been finding that one thing that becomes such a passion...that you can't help but get really good at it.

I sometimes think...where would my skills and expertise be if I hadn't dropped certain hobbies when I was younger?
Or more importantly...not pursued certain interests.

(I would blame hormones  but that's a cop out.)

Ah well. It is what it is and I'm happy content where I am.

[Dave Otto]

Well said Zee, my take on it, is that you need to do what makes you happy. In my case, if a project goes on for many years well so be it, I'm doing what makes me happy.

Dave

[zeeprogrammer]

Well said Zee, my take on it, is that you need to do what makes you happy. In my case, if a project goes on for many years well so be it, I'm doing what makes me happy.

Thanks Dave.

In rereading my post I realized the danger I've posed. If one is content...there may be less drive to become more.
I don't mean to imply that. The drive is there...it just won't be at the expense of enjoying where I am.

[zeeprogrammer]

Sweet and Sour.

Sweet...

I got the right cylinder running.  I was surprised it ran as soon as I applied air and flicked the flywheel.
I haven't adjusted anything yet.
The left cylinder is more problematic. Pretty tight.
I believe I've traced it down to the cross head being slightly higher than the center line of the piston rod.
The hole the piston rod goes into looks right.
My suspicion is my mill is still not trammed properly and the slides for that cross head are too high.
Shaving the cross head down has improved things but I'm not there yet.

Sour...

I tried attaching the video but it doesn't take. No doubt it's a size problem.
Is the only way to show a video through youtube or a host site?
I'm no longer enthused by a host site but I may try 'youtube'. Seems I have an account there. 
Or does anyone have a suggestion for a photo site (BESIDES photobucket! I will never go back there.)

Overall, things have worked better than expected.  No 'oh crap' moments yet...but I'm always prepared.

[crueby]

Good news on the one side!

I think Youtube is the best bet - upload it there, set it to public or unlisted (not private) and use the 'share' link to post it here.

[zeeprogrammer]

Wish I'd seen your post. Why not private?

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCtm0tqHspg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCtm0tqHspg</a>

[Gas_mantle]

Hi Carl I'd like to see your engine running but it says the video is unavailable ?

Have you set it to private view only ? 

[zeeprogrammer]

Hi Carl I'd like to see your engine running but it says the video is unavailable ?

Have you set it to private view only ? 

I did. I didn't see Chris' post until after. Odd though. I logged out and could still see it. (Odd or suspicious?).

I'll try again.