Pacific Vapor Engine from Morrison & Marvin Castings

[Dave Otto]

Hi everyone

I'm in the process of building the engine noted in the title; I have been posting updates on another model engine forum and at this time plan to continue.

I was wondering if there was interest for me to also post my build here? I'm not one to hit every forum on the net that may be a fit; but for some reason this one has lots of familiar names and I see some pretty cool projects in progress that I would like to be a part of.

So let me know; do I start at the beginning, where I'm at now, or?

Thanks,
Dave

[smfr]

I would certainly love to see your progress here. I've been amazed by what I've seen you posting in that "other" place, but don't go there very often. I think you'll be very well received here!

Simon

[tvoght]

Absolutely! Don't get over to the other place much anymore, and this build is one I've missed a lot.

--TIm

[b.lindsey]

I am like Simon, dont visit the othet site much now, but am very interested in your project. Maybe you could bring us up to date  through pictures and then go from there. You are right though, lots of familiar faces here on MEM.

Bill

[zeeprogrammer]

Bring it on Dave.
As for what to start with (from the beginning or in progress), it's up to you.
It's a lot of work I know...but at least a couple of pics from the beginning would be appreciated.

[steamer]

Have at it Dave!

Dave

[Don1966]

Dave I am also interested in see it here, I don't visit the old site any more either.

Don

[rudydubya]

Me too Dave.  Looking forward to it.

Regards,
Rudy

[vcutajar]

Hi Dave

Good to see you here also.  With the quality of the build and photos it would be a shame not to show it here also.

Vince

[Jo]

Dave,

I am all for you starting at the beginning.

I don't go to a certain site much because they keep loosing my log in as I go page to page and consequently get constant adverts for funeral services. 

Jo

[Dave Otto]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for the encouragement; I think I will go ahead and start from the beginning and play catchup for a while. I will see if I can get something going in the next day or so.

Dave

[Dave Otto]

Hello everyone,

First I want to say how much I have been enjoying everyone?s build threads and I know that I don?t comment on them and the updates nearly enough. There is really a lot of great work going on here.

So I thought I would start a thread on my current project; it is an 1890 Pacific Vapor Engine from Morrison and Marvin castings. The engine was originally modeled by Lester Bowman who did a beautiful job making patterns and drawings. Lester made an engine for himself and there may have been some extra castings produced at that time but I don?t know for sure.

Roland Morrison took Lester?s (beautiful) original wood patterns and has been painstakingly using them as masters to create foundry proof match plate patterns from Dyanacast resin for a small run of castings.

The castings that I am using for my engine are from Morrison & Marvin?s new match plate patterns.

This is apt to be a long build because; well I have a real job, family and other things that take up my time. But I am committed and will do my best to keep on track.

I have a few parts made to date so for a while I will be playing catch-up. I started with machining the base (seemed logical) so that is where I will start this build.

Dave


The base casting as received


Indicated, shimmed and ready for the first cut.


Clean up cut of the top surface


Flipped over and the bottom cleaned up


Then a light skim cut with the Newfield flycutter for a nice finish


Set up to drill the mounting holes


Indicating the base prior to drilling the air intake hole pattern.


In the process of drilling.


Chips removed; Nice!


Here is the finished base except for the body casting mounting holes and intake pipe hole which will be drilled and taped later; after the body is machined.

The Pacific engines have this unique and pleasing diamond shaped air intake hole pattern. The air intake pipe will be plumed into the base where the engine will pull its air from.

I guess some of the early engine manufactures felt the air in the confines of the base would be cleaner.

More to follow and thanks for checking in,
Dave

[zeeprogrammer]

Very cool and interested in seeing more.

Newbie question: why machine the top and then the bottom? Could the bottom have been done and then the top?

Doing that hole pattern was very interesting. Had to be nerve wracking.

[Dave Otto]

Hi Zee

Well for starters I have slept since then; I have a hard remembering what I did yesterday. So to answer your question yes you probably could have done it the other way around. The vise was probably already on the mill so that is the direction I headed.

WRT the hole pattern; I need to let you know I have a CNC mill and also run one at my day job so in this build you will see the use of both. As I have said before in another place I thoroughly enjoy the whole process; 3D CAD, CAM and running the machine. I converted my mill at home close to 15 years ago and taught myself how to run it. that is one of the reasons I have the great job that I enjoy today.

This engine has been an amazing journey for me in many respects; I have met some great people, learned some new stuff and been able to make some contributions that may help others building this beautiful piece of early American History.

Thanks for your comments,
Dave

[vcutajar]

Dave

It's going to be a pleasure watching this build here.

Vince