A Beginner's First Engine (Single-acting Oscillator)

[crueby]

Great job on the engine, great learning experience! Have you decided what the next project will be yet?
 

[Gas_mantle]

Great job Gary, it looks like you have a great little runner there and with a homemade boiler powering it that's got to be something to be proud of 

I'm a big believer that when you deviate from the plans now and again you'll get setbacks but identifying what is wrong and how best to get around the problem is a great tutor. Full marks for sticking at it and adapting things along the way, ultimately you got a great little engine that's a bit out of the ordinary and at the same time learnt a bit along they way.

I reckon a Potty Mill engine has to be next on the 'to do' 

[b.lindsey]

Very nice Gary. Perseverance wins in the end. Well done!!!

Bill

[gary.a.ayres]

Thanks both  :-)

Yes, it's amazing what one learns from even a small project like this, and it's not too difficult to see the wrong turnings as opportunities to gain knowledge which can be used in the future.

Next project? Well, the Potty Mill is on my list, but I plan to make two more single acting oscillators next - twice the size of this one (24 mm bore), one single cylinder, one twin. Again, they will be built according to my own aesthetic (as will my version of the Potty Mill when I get round to it), and I plan to take the 'look' a bit further as I go along...

But before I do any of that I plan to get the boiler clad and properly set up and the different burners for it all looking good.

Cheers 

[gary.a.ayres]

Very nice Gary. Perseverance wins in the end. Well done!!!

Bill

Thank you Bill.

 

[MJM460]

Hi Gary, well done on getting it all running.  A great achievement and very satisfying after all the trials you have been through, but successfully conquered.  And you know a little more about what to look for in a design that might be more tricky to achieve.

Perhaps before another engine, the cladding as you say, a base board and tidy up the piping as a couple of suggestions.

But great to see it running.

MJM460

[gary.a.ayres]

Thank you MJM. Much appreciated. It's a learning curve indeed, and that's probably the most satisfying thing about it.

I agree - time to consolidate the plant a bit  before pushing ahead with the next engine!

[gary.a.ayres]

Because I mentioned this somewhere above, and for the sake of completeness:

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biL2vJSFsms" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biL2vJSFsms</a>

[gary.a.ayres]

Well, here is the finished engine mounted on its plinth:



The walnut was given several coats of Danish oil. The plinth is really just for display purposes - when in use the engine will be taken off the plinth and its metal base fixed directly on to the base of the steam plant I am now starting to work on around the three inch boiler. I intend to sort out the plant before moving on to my next engine.

That pretty much wraps up this thread now. The development of the plant will be the subject of a new thread which I shall open soon.

Many thanks to all of you for encouraging, advising and supporting me in building my first engine.

gary

[Gas_mantle]

Looks great 

Well done on creating an attractive little engine at your first attempt.

[crueby]

Wonderful start to the hobby!   

[gary.a.ayres]

Thanks both.

 

[Ye-Ole Steam Dude]

Hello Gary,

Wonderful looking engine and very well displayed. 

Have a great day,
Thomas

[MJM460]

Looks great, Gary.  One to be proud of.

MJM460

[Kim]

Beautiful engine there, Gary, and the base shows it off quite well!
Kim