Elmers #5 Geared Engine-I just finished it.

[ChipMaker]

After I saw the build of Elmers #5 Geared Engine by Arnold on this board, I found it to be so unique, that I just had to give it a try!  With my little shop experience, I could never had made the internal gear, so I just "bit the bullet" to speak, and bought both of them from Boston Gear.  The only other item that I did not make was the flywheel, which I had bought from a vendor at the NAMES show years ago here in Wyandotte, MI.  In addition, I had seen a photo of this engine on the Internet that was built using ball bearings on the crankshaft.  I thought that was a good idea and I acquired them from MLCS, a supplier of router bits as these low cost bearings are used on some router bits in some applications.  All of the other materials, came from my scrap box. As I followed the steps in Arnold's build of his engine, I preformed the operation in mine using my Atlas 6" lathe, Sherline lathe, and Unimat set up as a drill press and milling machine.  (I have a Sherline milling machine that is "on loan" to my grandson and he uses it all of the time; I would hate to ask for it back!)  If I were to use the text alone that I have with the plans, I probably could not have built this engine, but with Arnolds build, his photos and machine setups, it all went well for me.  My only other steam/compressed air engines, have been very simple "wobbler" types and the valve setup on this one was all new to me.  I have built various none steam engines, such as Stirling, gas, hot air, flame licker, etc. 

I decided, that for the 2-56 screws on cylinder heads and valve body, on this engine, I would use button head cap screws which use a hex key.  The hex key that these take is 0.050" and I used one that has a "ball end" in a screwdriver handle type format.  This allows these little screws to be easily spun in and out and with little leverage to eliminate the possibility of stripping out.  During the assembly and disassembly in building this engine, these screws proved to be invaluable and I think, look good too. 

For the optional lagging, I used walnut which I had in my shop from my uncles farm in Indiana.  I glued the pieces on with epoxy cement; don't know if that will hold up if I run this engine on steam for a prolonged period, I will have to see. 

But, just to watch this engine running, especially, very slow, is very, very intriguing!  This makes the high price of the Boston Gears, a little easier to justify!  Kindest regards, Karl, ChipMaker (CM)

[sshire]

Well isn't that a honey. Very nicely done.
A beauty!

[Thor]

That is a nice looking engine Karl, you even have  lagging on the cylinder. 

Thor

[b.lindsey]

Well done Karl!!  Any chance of a video of it running?

Bill

[vcutajar]

Yes Karl, well done.

Vince

[ChipMaker]

Thanks a lot guys for the kind words on my Elmer #5 geared engine.  Yes, as soon as I retrieve my camera from where I forgot and left it; it is at my son's farm about 70 miles from my home, I'll post a short video of it running.  In operation, your eyes are attracted to the gearing, and in my case; I am left wondering, how did a guy ever figure that action out?  Regards, Karl, CM

[arnoldb]

Very well done Karl 

Have to agree - it's a very nice engine to watch running, and anyone with even a mild interest in mechanics is immediately drawn toward the gearing 

Kind regards, Arnold

[ChipMaker]

By "popular demand", I agree, a video of this engine running here, is a "must"!  Therefore, I talked my wife into letting me use her camera, (and not screw it up), while mine had been inadvertently left at my son's house 70 miles to the north.  Besides, making this video gives me another chance to run it!  I am running it here on about 5 lbs. of compressed air.  Hope everyone enjoys the video and decides to make one of their own for their collection.  Regards, Karl, CM

[pinkusrl]

Ok Guys!  I'm very happy for you but no matter how much I look I simply cannot find full size dimensioned drawings for the entire  engine!! HELP!  Thanks.  Bob

BTW:  I've built all Elmer's engines EXCEPT this one!!

[RReid]

Elmer's #5 plans:

[pinkusrl]

Please Guys!  All I want is a sample link to full sized dimensioned plans!  Why won't anybody give me this? What am I doing wrong?  Bob

[RReid]

I attached the plans above. You have to log in to see and download them.