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Cretors #6 Oscillating Steam Engine Build

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rstreift:
I usually stay in lurk mode and have enjoyed the forum’s threads.  I did a build log last year and decided to do it again with this model.   When I built the Cretors #6 Oscillating Steam Engine, I took the usual pictures of the steps as I did when I wrote a build article for “Home Shop Machinist” in 2004.  Btw, this is modeled after an 1885 engine, as best as I can ascertain, for use in peanut and popcorn street wagons, built and sold by the Cretors Engine Company of Chicago, IL.  I found information that there were several different engines designs numbered from #1 to #6, I also have a kit for the #1 and expect to build it _someday_.
This kit was purchased by my late father in 1999 and as far as I can tell, the current offering from Myers is the same kit.   The box was open and all castings were still there as well as the prints. The prints have Norbert H. Keely Model Engine Works as the original work. 
There were two architecture C size prints, labeled #1 and #2.
<CastingsPrints.jpg>

The Crank. #8

After looking over the prints, I decided to start with the Crank casting.  No other reason other than it was a simple part.  I knew I would assemble and turn over the cylinder by hand to confirm the placement of the ports in the base before I drilled them. 
I decided I’d keep the cast surfaces of the crank except that which faces the Shaft.  I set it up in the milling vise with a piece of packing to stabilize the small end.  I used a roughing end mill to remove the excess and a fly cutter to finish.
<8-Crank-1.jpg>
After machining the surface of the Crank, I used a rule to scribe a center line.  I visually adjusted the 1” spacing between the holes to align the center marks between the small end edges and the large end edges.  The Crank was fixed in the vise with its packing with the previously finished surface down on the parallels.  Using a wiggler and a 10x loupe, I aligned the shaft’s mark.   
<8-Crank-2.jpg>
Then it was spotted, drilled, and reamed.
<8-Crank-3.jpg> <8-Crank-4.jpg> <8-Crank-5.jpg>


rstreift:
Using the wiggler/10x-loupe, I aligned the Crank Pin’s center and confirmed the position with the DRO output.  Then spotted, drilled, tapped, and spot faced.
<8-Crank-6.jpg> <8-Crank-7.jpg> <8-Crank-8.jpg> <8-Crank-9.jpg> <8-Crank-10.jpg>

rstreift:
BTW, this is the kit.

Michael S.:
I have never seen such an oscillating steam engine.
I'm very excited to see what happens next.

Michael

paul gough:
I will enjoy seeing this engine completed and hopefully a video of it ticking over. To me that flywheel is a thing of beauty. Regards, Paul.

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