Engines > From Kits/Castings

B.Hick & Son oscillating engine

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Sanjay F:
After several months and a few engines restored/built and now sat on the shelf, I'm finally going to make a start on this oscillating engine. It's the baby version of the Myers Murdoch single cylinder which is currently being built by 55fairlane.

The original delay to the build was due to a very poor flywheel and standard castings which have now been replaced. The flywheel is much better, but I think I'll modify the standard to get the nice fluted finish on them (which Jo did on her build a few years ago!).

Interestingly, Stan Bray the who wrote the build log in ME, did a similar mod way back in 1989 due to the poor casting quality ...... not much has changed there in the intervening years  :)

Always good to decide and then make a start on a new build even though there will be an inevitable pause when I hop back to complete the Vulcan .............this is what the box of bits looks like atm

EricB:
Looks like it should be a fun build. I have a set of plans for making this engine from bar stock. Is a kit still available anywhere?

Eric

Sanjay F:
Hi Eric

Yes both the Myers and Hemingway kits are still available, although Hemingway's is now owned by Reeves :

https://myersengineworks.com/product/murdoch-vertical-oscillating/

https://www.hemingwaykits.com/category-100

Jasonb:
It is a much better representation of the original engine than the Myers offering, Unusual as the smaller versions often lack detail but not in this case.

Sanjay F:
Hmmmm .............. well not impressed with the flywheel casting. Its gritty, powdery, makes an awful noise when machining and the finish isn't great.

If this is going to be the quality of the parts then I'm in for a ride with a lot of winging it as I go! I've made it to the nearest possible dimensions with a finish I which I can tolerate and by jove, that took some effort!

It is frustrating, we have those who build from stock, others who pour their own castings and then there are those like me who actually enjoy building from castings...............shock, horror!! Why is the quality of these items so poor, its not like they are cheap and poor quality, it's the worst of both worlds, expensive and poor quality! Seems like the they are doing themselves out of the small amount of business they have left?

Anyway, rant over .................for now  ;D

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