Author Topic: First mini lathe project, oscillating steam engine. (Read 65499 times)

Ross · « **on:** January 29, 2012, 03:12:04 PM »

Hi everyone,

This is my first steam engine project I'm doing on my mini lathe,

I'm working to these drawings, give or take!

http://www.littlemachineshop.com/Products/Drawings/2593OscillatingEngineAssembly.pdf

This is a bit of a learning curve for me so feel free to comment if you see any mistakes or anything i can improve on etc..

I made a start this weekend, I didn't get much done as I was messing about with sharpening tools and other bits and pieces.

I faced the aluminium stock flywheel
Some action shots:

Then I centre drilled so I can top it, at a later date.

The finished product for now, (excuse the finger marks)

Next I faced and centre drilled the crank, it still needs to be cut and faced to its final length.

Lastly, I faced the piston to the required length,

That's it for now..

saw · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2012, 04:23:03 PM »

God start Ross

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:18:39 PM »

Thats a great start.

Are you going to be doing an 'artistic remodel' of it?

Eric

doubleboost · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:25:28 PM »

Hi
Ross
Of to a good start
It is great when it starts to come together
John

foozer · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2012, 05:49:36 PM »

Well on your way. I still have to make the flywheels a bit oversize so I can trim out the wobble after mounted to the crank.

So much fun when the metal comes to life.

Robert

DaveH · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2012, 08:39:45 PM »

Ross,

That is one great start

Very well posted, nicely photographed - well done

DaveH

Dean W · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2012, 09:08:40 PM »

Great start, Ross! Nice pictures there, too.

Ross · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2012, 05:48:22 PM »

Quote from: Brass_Machine on January 29, 2012, 05:18:39 PM

Thats a great start.

Are you going to be doing an 'artistic remodel' of it?

Eric

Thanks Eric,

I'll be changing a few bits, but not so much that it chsnges the engine as a whole. we'll see I'm sure I'll have to make done mods along the way!

Ross

MadNick · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2012, 04:55:45 AM »

Good start Ross,

One thing I have learnt is that if I need to drill and tap a hole to an item held by the chuck, I tend to do it while everything is still setup.

Obviously sometimes this isnt possible, depends on what your next steps are I guess.

I am looking forward to seeing this project take shape.

Nick

krv3000 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2012, 05:48:45 AM »

HI and you is off and ruining no looking back lots of fun

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2012, 01:09:37 PM »

Just spotted this post, Ross! Where have I been?

You're away to a good start. Take your time. Steady as you go.......

David D

Ross · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2012, 12:52:03 PM »

Another half a day day spent in the shed today,

I managed to face the square bar that will be the cylinder to it's final length, I think I'll file some chamfers on two of the corners once I've bored the holes etc.. Some photos;

Finished product:

After that, I topped the flywheel using a drive from friction:

Finished product, I still need to machine the flywheel indents.

Lastly, I faced the base and centre drilled. I haven't yet figured out how I'll top it though!

That's all for today, more tommorow.

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2012, 08:09:38 PM »

nice work!

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #13 on:** February 05, 2012, 02:22:58 AM »

Ross.
Nicely done, with the square bar in a three jaw chuck.......

The base. Can't you top it using friction drive? Same as the flywheel......

David D

wongster · « **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:01:22 AM »

Hello Ross,

May I know what is the black disc between the flywheel and the chuck jaws in the pics showing the driving by fraction?

I've 2 x 12mm thick disc to turn and would like to use the same method you have shown.

Regards,
Wong

Ross · « **Reply #15 on:** February 05, 2012, 10:45:41 AM »

Quote from: wongster on February 05, 2012, 10:01:22 AM

Hello Ross,

May I know what is the black disc between the flywheel and the chuck jaws in the pics showing the driving by fraction?

I've 2 x 12mm thick disc to turn and would like to use the same method you have shown.

Regards,
Wong

It's a large-ish washer covered evenly in insulation tape!

Ross · « **Reply #16 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:06:19 PM »

I was out in the shed again today, but I abandoned as there is something I just can't get right!

I marked out the piston, and I need to drill the hole through for the piston. Though it's offset about .375" so Ive tried to offset it in the 3 jaw with packing to little effect, I just can't get my centre punch mark to centre!

Here's my problem.

Would it be better to use the 4-jaw chuck for this? or is there a more successful way of doing this with a 3-jaw instead of trial and error.

Ross

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #17 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:47:10 PM »

Ross.

Here's where you get to practice setting up that new 4-jaw!

David D

foozer · « **Reply #18 on:** February 07, 2012, 12:50:32 PM »

Quote from: Ross on February 07, 2012, 12:06:19 PM

I was out in the shed again today, but I abandoned as there is something I just can't get right!

I marked out the piston, and I need to drill the hole through for the piston. Though it's offset about .375" so Ive tried to offset it in the 3 jaw with packing to little effect, I just can't get my centre punch mark to centre!

Would it be better to use the 4-jaw chuck for this? or is there a more successful way of doing this with a 3-jaw instead of trial and error.

Ross

4-Jaw would be the best choice, once you do it a couple times it becomes easy

Robert

NickG · « **Reply #19 on:** February 07, 2012, 01:28:01 PM »

Nice work Ross,

You can calculate the amount of packing you need but it's nowhere near as obvious as you'd think! Marv has a program to work it out called ECCENT but it doesn't seem to work on my system anymore for some reason!

Nick

mklotz · « **Reply #20 on:** February 07, 2012, 02:08:22 PM »

If you have a 64 bit system now you will need DosBox (free download) to run legacy DOS programs.

Regardless, a 4jaw is much more secure than redneck shimming in the 3jaw.

NickG · « **Reply #21 on:** February 08, 2012, 01:31:39 PM »

Thanks Marv,

I think you have told me that before, I must be losing my marbles!

doubleboost · « **Reply #22 on:** February 08, 2012, 05:59:34 PM »

Hi
Ross
4 jaw chuck is the way to go
The more you use them the easier it becomes
I often use a 4 jaw for round stock just to save changing the chuck
John

Ross · « **Reply #23 on:** February 14, 2012, 02:33:42 PM »

Had a few hours spare today,

I cut, filed and marked out the main plate that everything will be fastened to. I've just got to sit down and work out tapping drill sizes for some of the threaded holes.

I started Turning the outer edge of the base down to size so it can fit in the clamp of the drill press.

Meanwhile, I've ordered the adapter plate for my 4-jaw chuck. If all goes well I should be up to drilling the cylinder by the end of the week.

Ross · « **Reply #24 on:** February 16, 2012, 02:31:12 PM »

I got the backplate machined for the four jaw Chuck.

But I now need to put the workpiece off set. I've never done this before, so whats the most effective way of doing this?

News:

Author Topic: First mini lathe project, oscillating steam engine. (Read 65499 times)