Author Topic: MEM Corliss Attempt  (Read 16018 times)

Offline Larry

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MEM Corliss Attempt
« on: May 26, 2019, 03:05:19 AM »
To paraphrase an old saying "I may have bitten off more than I can chew" may very well apply here but we will see where this goes. I must confess that I started this last July with a few simple parts. I did not have anything in my scrap that could be used for the block and didn't want to progress any further until I gave this a try. I ordered a piece of 12L14 from McMaster-Carr and drove over to their distribution center to pick it up. I was impressed with their facility. There are 3 excellent build logs that I know about & have studied:
Arnold's take on the MEM Corliss (Arnold b - Arnold)
Vince's version of the MEM Corliss (Vcutajar - Vince)
Chris Built-up MEM Corliss build (Crueby - Chris)

Getting started with a couple of pictures - cut the bar to approximate length allowing enough to finish the ends. Used a small face mill to square up the sides.

Offline crueby

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #1 on: May 26, 2019, 03:34:02 AM »
Hi Larry,


The MEM Corliss is well worth the effort for chewing on, wonderful engine. Take it one step at a time, and you will get there. Great to see another one under way, and I will be watching along, sure to have plenty of company.


 :popcornsmall:


Chris

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #2 on: May 26, 2019, 03:51:10 AM »
This is great Larry. Looking forward to following along as well.

Bill

Offline Jo

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #3 on: May 26, 2019, 06:35:16 AM »
Nice to see another being built.  :)

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline vcutajar

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #4 on: May 26, 2019, 08:26:04 AM »
Hi Larry

Nice to see another MEM Corliss being built.  Will be surely following your progress as it will evoke good memories of when I did mine.

Vince

Offline Larry

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #5 on: May 28, 2019, 03:31:01 AM »
I have very little experience in using a 4 jaw chuck but decided I could get a better finish in the lathe. I centered the block as best as I could with a dial indicator. I started the center hole with about a 1/4" drill & progressed up to about 7/8"  so I could use my 3/4" boring bar. I was very well pleased with the bore except there is about .004 difference in hole diameter from end to end. Hopefully that can be worked out later with a hone or some other method.
Begin boring.
Begin boring.
Facing ends to length.
Facing ends to length.

Offline Larry

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2019, 04:09:51 AM »
I laid out the dimensions for the steam / exhaust passage holes & the associated recess / flat surface for drilling. I do not have an angle vise so I clamped the block in my mill vise using 5 & 10 degree angle blocks & double checked with an angle meter. I then milled a flat surface, center drilled & drilled 5 passage holes.

Block marked  for steam / exhaust passage holes.
Block in vise on 5 & 10 degree angle blocks with angle meter.
Block - located "Y" dimension with edge finder, located "X" dimension using scribe pointer (Probably not the best way but I think it will work & be close enough).
Mill recess with flat surface for steam / exhaust passage holes.
Center drill for steam / exhaust passage holes.
Drill steam / exhaust passage holes.
Holes on one side complete.
View of holes from inside bore.

Offline crueby

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2019, 04:21:08 AM »
Well done, following along...


 :popcornsmall:

Offline JackPick

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2019, 06:05:53 AM »
I'll be following too Larry. I'm considering this for my next build.
Cheers John

Offline Jim Nic

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #9 on: May 29, 2019, 09:47:25 AM »
Nice result on the steam passages Larry.  The engine is coming along nicely.
Jim
The person who never made a mistake never made anything.

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #10 on: May 29, 2019, 03:00:44 PM »
You are really coming along on that cylinder Larry. Following along here too so please keep it coming :)

Bill

Offline Ye-Ole Steam Dude

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #11 on: May 29, 2019, 07:29:25 PM »
Hello Larry,

Nice work on the cylinder.

Have a great day,
Thomas
Thomas

Offline Larry

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #12 on: May 30, 2019, 02:56:49 AM »
Thanks guys for the kind comments. The next few pictures show drilling, reaming & threading for valves & valve bonnets.

Drilled holes for valves.
Reamed 1/4" holes for valves.
Drilled holes for valve bonnets.
Threaded #2-56 holes for valve bonnets.

Offline crueby

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #13 on: May 30, 2019, 03:30:10 AM »
Moving right along with the build, great progress.


 :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:

Offline Jim Nic

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Re: MEM Corliss Attempt
« Reply #14 on: May 30, 2019, 10:24:40 AM »
Moving right along there Larry.
Considering the valves and bonnets, the plan calls for 2 piece valves.  I made mine in one piece, and if my memory serves me correctly, as did Vince Cutajar.  I also made a recess in the bonnet to take a small O ring seal although I'm not sure this is really necessary.
Jim



The person who never made a mistake never made anything.

 

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