Author Topic: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)  (Read 3711 times)

Offline Chipswitheverything

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A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« on: November 21, 2024, 06:25:13 PM »
Here are some pictures of my Major Beam engine, finally completed from castings which I bought in the mid 1980's from the old Henley on Thames ST firm. 
On this forum I wrote up some aspects of the build, a long time ago, when I had done an unpainted trial assembly before stripping down for a very protracted painting procedure ...    https://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,5941.0.html 
 links through to the earlier write up, March 09 2016 (!)

Much of life in general, and some other fairly time-consuming model engineering projects then intervened. Finishing the Quorn grinder, ditto the ST Steam Hammer model, a Stuart T No 10, ( started in 1967...!!)  :  other tool making. I have written these thing up on this forum here and there.   After the engine painting, which involved very much filling and making good, and then many brush painted and tediously rubbed down coats, the making of the plinth was the final larger part of the build.

Then the almost complete beam engine hung around in trays and boxes, unassembled, with scribbled notes about this and that to remind me of markings and things to take account of.
  Ridiculous : but a sad recent event, the untimely loss of a younger member of the family, made me realise that manana was not a great way to proceed with this large model engineering project. So the remaining things to get done, pipework bending and flanging, some fasteners in period style, and sundries were tackled. The pump innards were sorted out too: it will pump feedwater , as I found out at the sink ...
 
Assembly was done rather slowly and carefully, unlike the unpainted putting together earlier, now there was paint to be chipped rather easily.
But it got done;  the piston rings eased in to the cylinder assembly ( with a bit of difficulty), but OK once in.  The engine turns over, by hand, quite freely and with no tight spots. Phew!  Doubt that steam will be applied at any time by me, no means of it presently.  Probably some oily air if I can arrange that.

I'm not that worried presently about a prospect of running it, just quite relieved to have it all together. And pleased, interested, to be able to see what the work over so long, the workshop hours, and years of procrastination, has brought about.   Dave

Offline Jo

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #1 on: November 21, 2024, 06:37:49 PM »
Very nice, well done  8)

Jo
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

Offline Michael S.

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #2 on: November 21, 2024, 06:43:40 PM »
A complete success! Congratulations on this work of art from a steam engine.

Michael

Offline Kim

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #3 on: November 21, 2024, 06:47:59 PM »
That's beautiful, Dave!   :ThumbsUp: :popcorn: :popcorn:
You should feel very happy with that result!

Kim

Offline Vixen

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #4 on: November 21, 2024, 07:10:31 PM »
Nice one Dave    :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline scc

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #5 on: November 21, 2024, 09:04:39 PM »
A very impresive engine!   Well Done   :praise2:       Terry

Offline crueby

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #6 on: November 21, 2024, 09:17:15 PM »
Stunning engine! Congrats!!   :ThumbsUp:

Offline propforward

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #7 on: November 21, 2024, 09:21:24 PM »
Bravo - that is an absolute delight! Stunning and a work of high craftsmanship. Thanks for sharing it.
Stuart - "He Meant Well"

https://www.youtube.com/@StuartsShed

Offline Charles Lamont

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2024, 09:53:04 PM »
That looks very nicely made and finished.

Offline wagnmkr

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2024, 10:26:47 PM »
I think it is gorgeous and shows quite nicely the care with which it was built.

Whether it is ever powered up or not, it is a very large accomplishment.

 :cheers: :cheers:

Tom
I was cut out to be rich ... but ... I was sewn up all wrong!

Online redhouseluv

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2024, 10:46:56 PM »
Awesome, Dave ..... it's stunning, well done!

I saw a Major Beam a few weeks ago on display at the Museum of Power in Essex (not as nice as yours!) I promised myself then I would build one future, I think yours had the same effect  ;D
Best regards

Sanjay

Offline RReid

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2024, 01:21:51 AM »
Beautifully done. And I spy a couple of hints of Alfa Romeo in the background of the last picture. :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :cheers:
Regards,
Ron

Offline JackPick

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2024, 04:09:57 AM »
Nice work Dave, VERY nice.

Offline Chipswitheverything

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #13 on: November 22, 2024, 08:59:01 AM »
Very many thanks to forum members and friends who have been generous in their kind comments about my beam engine.  Your appreciation means a great deal to me. With a number of members being involved in beam engine projects presently, or considering a build of this Major or the closely related ME beam engine, I hope that details shown will have interest to those contemplating similar components.  Dave

Offline Chipmaster

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Re: A Stuart Turner Major beam Engine finished ( at last!)
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2024, 09:24:51 AM »
Congratulations Dave on your beautifully finished model. The pictures are excellent, I will enjoy looking at them over and over again. Is the paint colour Crimson Lake?
Andy

 

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