Stephenson’s Rocket

[Bob Wild]

Got the crossheads made now. I tilted the milling head at 45 degrees to make the guide slots. The two halfs were machined from a single piece of brass to make sure that the grooves would line up truly. I then cut the material in two.
When the piston, crossheads and the guides were assembled I then had a go at manually moving the valve stem backwards and forwards. To my amazement and astonishment the piston did indeed move as intended. I had been very nervous about whether it would work since the ports and valve mechanism was to my own design!

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AIhI4EGgHY" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7AIhI4EGgHY</a>

[cnr6400]

 

[crueby]

Excellent!! Great when things start to move like they should!   

[Kim]

Wonderful to see another update on the Rocket! 

Kim

[Bob Wild]

Thanks Crueby and Kim for your words of encouragement,

Next up are the wheels. Haven't a clue how to do this. I don't mind making a few deviations from the drawing (see attached), but want to follow them as near as possible.

Bob

[Bob Wild]

Well it’s been a while since I reported any progress. That’s because we were due to move house so I packed away all my tools and machinery. Then, would you believe it, our purchasers pulled out (b******ards). So we are not moving. So I’m back in business once I can find which packing case has the tools I need.

Anyway I made some pipe fittings while I waited for some material for the wheels:

[Kim]

Sorry about the house/move fiasco. That doesn't sound like much fun at all!

Nice to see more progress on the rocket! 

Kim

[RReid]

Well that's an unfortunate and annoying turn of events. Do you plan to find another buyer or just stay put? Good to find the tools so as to take your mind of it all, anyway. This is an interesting build!

[Bob Wild]

Thanks Kim and Ron. The house move is on hold for a while; it all depends on SWMBO !

Getting on nicely with the wheels. Will be more interesting to report on.

Bob

[Bob Wild]

Nice progress with the wheels. First I made the rims and hubs. Each had 12 slots milled radially to take the spokes. I made a fixture to hold the rim and hub concentric. A ring was added to the rim to hold the spokes in place. It is not clear from the photos, but the spokes on the driving wheels are actually tapered. Not very happy with the black circles. I didn’t manage to trim the masking tape very cleanly. Hence the edges are not very regular. I may spray with yellow again and then apply the black manually.

Next up are the con rods, and who knows, I might even have an engine that moves!

[uuu]

I've just helped my friend Steve assemble his Rocket wheels.  We silver soldered them - I might have missed it - but what jointing method did you use - it is just the screws?


Wilf

[crueby]

Beauty!   Neat way to do the spokes, does the clamping ring do all the work, or is there solder or loctite too?


Just saw Wilf asked the same thing as I was  typing...   

[A7er]

Hi Bob,
Stevenson has a lot to thank Trevithick for. I wonder if they ever met? Not too sure of the time frame there. The engine is looking great. I am looking forward to seeing it in steam.
Are you in Cornwall? I recognise the style of pointing on the wall. I am in Illogan.
Lee

[Bob Wild]

Crumby and Wilf: I remember one thing from my old school teacher - screw it and glue it.

Lee: No way do I live down there. I’m up’t north in God’s Own Country. But funnily enough, I’ve been thinking about Trevithick for my next build!

Bob

[Bob Wild]

And another thing. I’m starting to think about the tender and in particular, the water barrel. How on earth can I make the tapered pieces which form the curved shape?  Help please

Bob