Another ME Beam steam engine.

[Michael S.]

Last weekend I decided to work on the main bearings. There are no bronze bearing shells. I wanted to change that and make split bearing shells out of phosphor bronze.
The existing crankshaft is 12mm in diameter, not 12.7mm, which would be equivalent to 1/2 inch. I drilled out the main bearings to 15.5 mm to get enough space for the bronze shells.
Before I milled the small base for one of the bearings to exactly the same height as the aluminum base. It was also too wide and was machined exactly according to the blueprint.
The bronze round pieces were divided and soldered again to a piece of brass with soft solder. And then it continued on the lathe.

[Michael S.]

In the end everything went well.

Greetings Michael

[crueby]

Looks great!   

[Kim]

You made short work of those bearings!  Nicely done, Michael! 

Kim

[simplyloco]

Excellent!

[Chipmaster]

 The build is clearly going well Michael, so similar to building a Stuart Major. 
Andy

[Michael S.]

Thanks to everyone for the good words.
Yes Andy, just a little smaller.

There is now a groove on the crankshaft for the flywheel, gears and also for the crank. This groove didn't exist yet.
There is still a lot to do.

Michael

[Michael S.]

Today I attached the crank to the crankshaft with a wedge.
The frame for the regulator is screwed into the new position.
Both gears were connected and I separated them. The bevel gear is also in position and drives the governor shaft.
The large gear has no spokes. I'm thinking about sawing out spokes.

Greetings Michael

[scc]

Good 

[Chipswitheverything]

In the first photos that you posted of the engine as it arrived with you, you showed another small flywheel casting.  Do you think that there might have been an idea of using that to cut gear teeth on, and to use it instead of the solid steel gearwheel ? Though it involves more work, I think that you would be pleased with the look of a more traditional gear wheel, in keeping with the period of the beam engine.  Dave

[Michael S.]

Hi Dave, you got it right and there is a blank for the gear made of bronze.
Unfortunately I don't have any tools for cutting gears.
I'm currently in the process of machining the steel gear with spokes and a new hub. Let's see if I can do it.

Michael

[Michael S.]

The spokes are milled on the rotary table. A lot of work and I'm trying not to crank it too far.
Small unevenness was removed with a file and everything was given a surface like cast iron with the ball mill. I'm quite happy with it.

Michael

[crueby]

Very nice result!!

[Admiral_dk]

Looks good Michael 

Per       

[Dave Otto]

That turned out great Michael! I'm curious and may have missed it, what is the purpose of the spur gear?

Dave