Borderer Cast iron scratch build

[Team ricky]

A little more done today

I made the lower cylinder covers and gland nuts , Cast iron and silver steel….

Went with 16mm registers as I’ll go with 16mm cylinders

[Team ricky]

Just looking into piston materials……

I haven’t got any stock but have a choice of any suitable material

Cast iron seems to make sense on cost
Gun metal maybe better for cylinder wear not sure , obv corrosion resistant

The ring material will be Viton

Hopefully ppl with more experience can chip in

[crueby]

If the o ring is doing the sealing, then the piston itself can be small enough diameter not to actually touch the walls of the cylinder (this is they way I build mine, not everyone does it that way), so wear is not an issue. The piston can then be the same material as the cylinder. If, however, they will touch, then you want a dissimaler metal to avoid galling and wear. Also, if you will be running on steam, then corrosion is also an issue as you point out, even with steam oil there will be moisture left in the cylinder after a run, so you don't want something that will rust easily.

 

[Team ricky]

Thanks for your input

I’ll go with Bronze/Gm for them , corrosion isn’t a great set up as you say !

I have now got reamers and drills to have a go at the bores