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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    305

    1st Steam/Air Engine

    I have wanted to build a steam engine from scratch for a while. Today I started the "Jingle Bell" engine from http://npmccabe.tripod.com/jinglebellmotor.htm. I like the look of this engine and have almost enough material on hand to finish it.

    I drew up the plans in cad, used Sheetcam, and cut the fly wheel today my HF CNCed mill. I will cut the frame next.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails flywheel small.jpg  

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    100
    Cool! Steam is the reason I became a machinest, but at 58 years young, I have yet to build one. I didn't know of this design and It looks like I could knock it out in a morning. I'll have to see what is in the scrap bin (grin).
    Regards, Ray in FLA
    ​"There is no such thing as a gun free zone."
    Ray Brandes, Ray-Vin.Com, PCB, FL 32408 USA

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Posts
    1
    Hi !

    I 'm a newbie and love reading the articles in this great site.

    I would like to thank you all & wish you a " Merry Christmas " & a great " New Year "

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16
    Anyone out there know of an application where steam could power a generator? Merry Christmas , Michael

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Posts
    1

    Oscillating Steam Engine

    I made a double acting oscillating steam engine from the plans by Eric-Jan Stroetinga. I have a close-to-stock engine detailed on my web site at: http://members.shaw.ca/rpape or http://members.shaw.ca/clc_switcher. I can provide the plans in the original metric, or my english measure conversion to any one who wants them. Eric-Jan has given me permission to post them. The engine took me about 15 days to build. I'm not a machinist by trade and don't really know what I'm doing. I'm good at math, though, so the valves are right. I made DXF 3d drawing of the most difficult to maunfacture part on the web page with a Java DXF viewer to view it.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    138
    The oscillating engine at the top looks like a very simple design, excellent for the beginner. I find half the fun is in designing one yourself, it takes a bit longer but it's nice to see a design of your own working.

    A steam engine could power a generator, you'd have to design the engine of a suitable size to provide the power you want from the generator obviously. It would just be a novelty really though, it's not going to be a very efficient way of generating electricity!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    16
    I agree about steam not being the most efficient way of generating power but theres one thing about steam power that is attractive. Theres an abundance of fuel in wood or coal. In a remote location where fuel would be a problem Id think that steam would be a great source of both electricity, heating and you could even route the steam to heat a still to make alcohol fuel for other engines. Should things in this world get really bad it will be the technology of the 1800s that will be the easiest and most reliable to start back up with. As you can guess Im interrested in steam mostly from a survivalists point of view. Im not saying the sky is falling but a person would have to be blind not to see the steady progression of events. I hope these comments dont turn people off. They werent meant to be.
    Michael

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Posts
    175
    Michael,
    Also look into the Stirling Engines.. much higher in efficiency.
    Some motors run on the heat of your hand or small candle(s)/alcohol lamps.
    I'm looking at one that's small enough to hold in your hands and gives out 25/35 HP.
    so you're looking at a 20/30 KW Generator.
    Also look into Solid State Generators -- they require less HP to turn.
    You can also use car Alt. and convert them as well.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    138
    I agree with all the points made there. Suppose you'd need to make some sort of circuit to drive the feed pump to keep the water level in the boiler. Otherwise it would require constant attention.

    Anyway, this topic is in danger of going off topic, maybe these issues should be brought up in a separate thread. I believe some of them have been discussed in a stirling post.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    100

    Finished!

    The reason I became a machinist was to build little steam engines. Now, at 58, I have finally finished one! Here is a movie of it running on about 10psi.
    Click Here
    I'll take it apart tomorrow and polish the parts.
    Watch out for errors and ommisions in those Jingle drawings! Seems .480 should be .280...
    Regards, Ray in FLA
    ​"There is no such thing as a gun free zone."
    Ray Brandes, Ray-Vin.Com, PCB, FL 32408 USA

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    138
    Well done, I love that feeling when you've made something yourself and it works!

    I will have to get back in the garage myself.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by RBrandes View Post
    The reason I became a machinist was to build little steam engines. Now, at 58, I have finally finished one! Here is a movie of it running on about 10psi.
    Click Here
    I'll take it apart tomorrow and polish the parts.
    Watch out for errors and ommisions in those Jingle drawings! Seems .480 should be .280...
    Regards, Ray in FLA
    How does that work?

    Where is the steam/water going in/out?

    Sorry for the lack of knowledge. It looks great by the way.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    100

    Thanks Nick!

    Nick,
    Thanks for the kind words. It is mesmorizing to watch that little thing tick over at around 10psi. My next project will be a 3-sisters wobler. I read where these are self tarting. Regards, Ray in FLA
    ​"There is no such thing as a gun free zone."
    Ray Brandes, Ray-Vin.Com, PCB, FL 32408 USA

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    100

    Wobbler

    Quote Originally Posted by thkoutsidthebox View Post
    How does that work?

    Where is the steam/water going in/out?

    Sorry for the lack of knowledge. It looks great by the way.
    The cylinder pivots back and fourth. There is a hole in the top of the cylinder facing the frame. The frame has two holes, one left and one right. Steam or air pressure is presented at one of these holes, the other is for exhaust. As the crank turns the cylinder rocks and the cylinder port overlaps the steam port. The steam gets to the piston head and pushes it towards the crank. As the crank passes bdc the cylinder rocks and aligns its port with the exhaust and presure escapes. The flat faces of the frame and cylinder surrounding the ports provide the seal. The spring supplies presure against the steam.
    The occislating or wobbler is the simpelest engine to built:
    Frame, Cylinder, Piston, Crank, Flywheel a screw and spring.
    Look at the link in the first post of this thread.
    Regards, Ray
    ​"There is no such thing as a gun free zone."
    Ray Brandes, Ray-Vin.Com, PCB, FL 32408 USA

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    305
    I finished mine today. Runs well on about 15 psi and is breaking in very quickly. Made it of aluminum with a brass piston. It is a joy to watch it run. Now I have to figure out how to get portable air to it. I am sending this one to my Grandfather (91 soon) who is retired railroad. I am thinking canned air will work. He is in assisted living and has no compressor, etc. Any thoughts?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails DSCF0045.JPG  

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    305
    Quote Originally Posted by RBrandes View Post
    Nick,
    Thanks for the kind words. It is mesmorizing to watch that little thing tick over at around 10psi. My next project will be a 3-sisters wobler. I read where these are self tarting. Regards, Ray in FLA
    There is also a four cylinder one with the same basic design. I think it will be my next one.

  17. #17
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    2139
    Canned air will work but will be expensive.

    E
    I wish it wouldn't crash.

  18. #18
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Posts
    305
    I was thinking tonight about ports on this steam engine. Besides restriction of air flow, how do port sizes impact the performance of a steam engine? Should the exhaust port be large in comparison to let the pressurized gas escape easily? Is back pressure for exaust important? Just some random thoughts.

    I have attached the g-code files I used with Mach3 to cut the parts. These could be improved substantially, like adding drilling cycles to drill holes to proper depths. I just peck .01 to mark the holes and drill by hand later.

    I drew these based on the plans at the link in my original post. You will need the plans to finish the engine.

    (edit to add attachments with acceptable extensions)
    Attached Files Attached Files

  19. #19
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    138
    If the port sizes are too small it will cause restriction on inlet and exhaust so I would say that is the only thing to watch for really.

    You don't want any back pressure ideally, the less back pressure, the better the engine will run since it is just the stored energy in the flywheel used to expell the exhaust steam in a single acting engine and a combination of that and the other power stroke in a double acting engine.

    I would say the port sizes are a function of the cylinder bore more than anything else, obviously the stroke as well (overall swept volume).

    I don't think you will be able to make the ports too large on an engine like the one you are doing, the only problem I can see with ports that are too large is too much steam held in the pipes leading to the engine which may condense too much possibly. Obviously this wouldn't be a problem if the engine was run on air.

    Anyone else have any thoughts?

  20. #20
    Join Date
    Jul 2004
    Posts
    100

    Port Sizes

    Nick summed it up. In a wobbler the cylinder port and frame ports have a lot to do with timing. If running on air, the bigger the line running to those ports the better. If on steam, you should insulate the line.
    I read years ago about condensing vs. non-condensing steam engines. Non-condensing exhausts to atmosphere, about 15psi. Condensing exhausts to even negative pressures sometimes. The gain in efficency is more than you would expect for a 15 psi differential.
    Regards, Ray in FLA
    ​"There is no such thing as a gun free zone."
    Ray Brandes, Ray-Vin.Com, PCB, FL 32408 USA

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