Author Topic: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler  (Read 14022 times)

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #45 on: February 08, 2019, 01:31:19 PM »
Choosing the Engine

I have thought long and hard about the best engine to complement this boiler. In terms of size, era and sheer presence, the Stuart Beam is the obvious choice. The cylinders - what colour? black or green? - are for the water tank/preheater and the exhaust condenser.
It's gonna be great!
I must remake those beam links soon... :embarassed:
John
20190208_130426 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline Gas_mantle

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1365
  • North Yorks - UK.
    • My Youtube channel
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #46 on: February 08, 2019, 02:52:52 PM »
Looks great John  :)

As for the water gauge, I think it looks fine and don't think it looks out of place.

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #47 on: February 08, 2019, 06:55:44 PM »
Time waits for no man, so a good starting point was the distribution manifold. Steam on a 3/16" tube comes in on the right, and exits via the same size tube on the left. I've incorporated a 1/4" x 40 outlet to connect an accessory, such as a steam pump or injector  :LittleAngel:
The displacement lubricator hangs on the back, with room to drain it underneath.
Progress!
John

DSC00723 by inkaboat, on Flickr

DSC00724 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18557
  • Rochester NY
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #48 on: February 08, 2019, 07:51:22 PM »
The lubricators I have used had the steam pipe run through them, with a small hole in the pipe for the oil to rise through, have not seen this style off to the side (I have not seen that many setups, sure that there are lots more types I have not seen yet). Is there any benefit or effective difference between the two types?
 :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #49 on: February 08, 2019, 09:28:13 PM »
The lubricators I have used had the steam pipe run through them, with a small hole in the pipe for the oil to rise through, have not seen this style off to the side (I have not seen that many setups, sure that there are lots more types I have not seen yet). Is there any benefit or effective difference between the two types?
 :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

This one is adjustable, and it works  very well, although few people, myself included, know HOW it works! A further refinement is to give it its own steam supply, but that is a little OTT!
John

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #50 on: February 08, 2019, 11:19:02 PM »
Making the Two Tanks

I have to know where everything goes before I do any plumbing. I am making these tanks from a redundant SS worktop leg that has been in my workshop roof for about 15 years! Hacksawed roughly to length, attempting to allow for the 'set' of the teeth on the nasty Chinese blades which sends the cut off at an alarming angle, and machined to length on a push fit mandrel. I borrowed our neighbour Bob's cut off saw to make some alloy discs for the end caps. I just happened to have a two foot long solid alloy bar, just the right diameter!  :) These will be machined tomorrow.
Great fun!
John

DSC00725 by inkaboat, on Flickr

DSC00726 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline Jo

  • Administrator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 15294
  • Hampshire, england.
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #51 on: February 11, 2019, 09:39:18 PM »
Eric has found the original advert for the boiler and a rather nice pump that should go with it :)

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #52 on: February 11, 2019, 09:55:02 PM »
ThanksJo. I have seen the first before but not the second!
John

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #53 on: February 16, 2019, 10:01:09 PM »
I have remade four of the links, hopefully for the better. The 6BA bolts are nicer too instead of 5BA nuts. The links look a little more 'pompous' than the originals!

20190216_210014 by inkaboat, on Flickr

20190216_211634 by inkaboat, on Flickr

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #54 on: March 02, 2019, 05:13:17 PM »
It runs!
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u72MnycQcc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_u72MnycQcc</a>
John

Online Kim

  • Global Moderator
  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 7862
  • Portland, Oregon, USA
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #55 on: March 02, 2019, 06:23:57 PM »
Very nice, John!  It runs quite well. I like the low speed!
Kim

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1571
  • Deep East Texas on Sam Rayburn Lake
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #56 on: March 02, 2019, 07:02:54 PM »
Hello John,

Really nice runner and a beautiful engine and set up.

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #57 on: March 05, 2019, 05:35:05 PM »
Following some prompting from another place, I've replaced the bit of tinplate holding the manifold with a stanchion. It looks a lot better, and will be even better when I've painted it and the manifold to match the engine. I've been having a go with the buffing spindle. Let it shine!
John

20190305_163144 by inkaboat, on Flickr

simplyloco

  • Guest
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #58 on: March 07, 2019, 08:24:33 PM »
Nearly finished!

I just have to finish off the (miscalculated) RHS tiles, and nail the thing down!

20190307_200326 by inkaboat, on Flickr

20190307_200229 by inkaboat, on Flickr

Offline crueby

  • Full Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 18557
  • Rochester NY
Re: Restoring a Grasshopper Beam Engine and Boiler
« Reply #59 on: March 07, 2019, 08:39:01 PM »
Looking wonderful!

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal