Stuart No. 9

[Michael S.]

A few more pictures

The two bird heads still need to be embellished a bit with a file.

[Sanjay F]

I have the book which has the description of machining the old governor which you have,  not the new style - will PM you, but a bit late by the looks of things! 

[Michael S.]

Well, maybe I did it right. Or maybe I made it way too complicated.

[Michael S.]

I separated the spheres from the cones. The weights aren't perfectly round, but they both look roughly the same. A little more like grapes than cherries.

Michael

[Sanjay F]

From the picture they look fine and are governing a beer bottle! 

[vtsteam]

Yes, I think they look fine!

Guy Lautard in one of the Machinist Bedside Readers outlines a method of ball turning using successive X and Y moves using calculated coordinates. I've never tried it, but I'm sure it works. Basically what you did by eye, except to a table of moves. Seems like a useful way when a mechanical ball turner can't fit the turning space, or isn't available.

[Michael S.]

I'm finally getting back to working on the Stuart No. 9 after a long time.

I've filed down the two ball weights until they fit snugly in the case. I thought a small bronze washer for the weights to press against wouldn't hurt. Maybe that would make them slide more easily.

First test with the spring belt.

Michael

https://youtube.com/shorts/D4h6UdwVOZ8?si=oPxrcLQvncCT0ody

[crueby]

Working well!

[Michael S.]

And now it's done! The engine is finished. It runs, at the lower end of the rev range, 0.5 bar, still a bit rough, but that's due to the piston; it's still binding slightly in the cylinder. I think that will improve with more operating hours. At 1 bar it runs well, and at around 1.5 bar, you can observe the governor working by manually braking it.

It wasn't a completely new build with pristine castings, but it was still fun. And since the partially completed castings only cost 50 euros in total, it was alright.

Michael

[Sanjay F]

It looks great and you made so many custom components it a unique no.9, well done 

[Michael S.]

Thanks Sanjay.

Video:   


<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZdg41TLuw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AaZdg41TLuw</a>

[Dave Otto]

Nicely done Michael!

Dave

[Chipswitheverything]

This has made a very attractive example of the handsome Stuart No 9 engine, with plenty of interesting added detail, and it runs very nicely.  The two flywheels look good, and the traditional green and black suits this engine well. There's something particularly nice about this design and type of horizontal engine, it seems to be a sort of embodiment of how one would envisage a good model steam engine to look!   Dave

[Michael S.]

Thank you, Dave and Dave.

I first saw the Stuart 9 many years ago at an exhibition and was immediately captivated by its beautiful engine. This is exactly what a model steam engine should look like, and the size is perfect too.

Michael