NOTE: I find it runs best if you 2/3 fill the boiler, heat the water, refill the burner (which is relatively small), then run it with the burner door flap open about 5 -10 mm so it can get enough air. It will run quite fast if you do this and adjust the governor. Cheers Rob
Ive just got this kit, having a few problems, one being the cylinder keeps popping off, doesnt seem to be a very tight fit onto the valve base, and the whistle leaks alot of steam in the off position, Its a nice kit, but seems the tolerances arnt that great
Hi Rob. Lovely looking engine. From what I've seen the CNC machining of the small parts on these models is very good. Might be worth playing around with the governor to see if you can alter the running speed. Cheers, Alan.
Hi Alan. I have varied that, but it's restricted by the amount of steam pressure available. Run faster and it uses more. I ran it on compressed air and it takes very little pressure to run, less than 5 psi, so the boiler could do with one more wick on the burner to get up more steam. I had some lube in the water as well (I usually run some soluble air tool oil ). The wicks are interesting in that they are longish metal coils of stainless steel. Very effective. I'd not seen that before. It sounds good chuffing away with the governor cutting in and out. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu I have had mine a few days and didn't seem to get it running at all. Played with the governor but it looked like some pressure was leaking from the governor and even very slightly around the base of the whistle. Anyway lubricating it well, ensuring everything is free to move carefully including lubrication at all pivot joints and piston and now running smoothly, for about 5 minutes until meths runs out and at a really decent speed! Very happy.
I found that the best way to run it is (after oiling everything) to heat the boiler to steaming point, then remove and refill the burner and replace it. This greatly increases run time as otherwise the metho runs out too quickly way before the water. I also drilled a very small hole into the metho burner top at the handle end in a position so I can insert a hypodermic syringe needle into it. This allows me to refill the burner while it's lit with the engine running. Works well provided you don't overfill it. I also add a small amount of water soluble air tool oil to the water to reduce drag in the piston assembly. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu I noticed a small hole in the top of the burner tray which would take a needle to refill, but not in the top “lid” sheet so is that where you drilled the additional hole Rob? Mine is now running so sweetly I’m very pleased.
I use water soluble air tool oil. It's very thin/low viscosity. You can also put a few drops in the water/boiler to lube the drive cylinder. It's available at most auto accessory shops. Make sure you get the correct type as some is synthetic and not soluble. Cheers Rob
Mine won’t stay running. Will turn over on its own power a couple times then stop. I even tried it with a propane torch and it didn’t make any difference. When I put 5psi from my air compressor through the safety valve hole it runs just fine. Any ideas?
Try adjusting the governor spring tension. Also put sealer on the "O" rings under the three connectors on top of the boiler to prevent leakage. The boiler ends screw off to access the retaining nuts. Make sure the piston moves freely in the bore with no binding. It may need lapping in a bit. I said in the video the engine is pretty gutless and everything has to be right for it to run. Cheers Rob
I was gifted the engine kit in exchange for doing the video. It's a nice detailed model. Looks fantastic. Not very powerful and the boiler is only just big enough. Cheers Rob
@Xynudu that is really lovely to be given it. Probably power is not important, it's not as if you are going to power anything, I think just having a working beam engine is nice plus what a good model to put on a coffee table simply to admire it. It would be nice if was reciprocating but it is still bery nice. You mentioned power due to a small boiler, so what happens when you run it off compressed air. I know you would have the safety value out so you could use a higher pressure . It would be interesting to know what the psi is to lift the safety valve.
Hi Steven, it would run better/faster with more power off of compressed air as you don't have the pressure variations you get creating live steam, plus the supply is endless. I expect the boiler psi would be very low. Of all the models I have made, none require more than 5 psi compressed air and I expect this kit will be similar as it spins over very easily. The silicon tube from the boiler to the governor is only a push on fit at both ends and the steam pressure isn't high enough to blow it off. Cheers Rob
NOTE: I find it runs best if you 2/3 fill the boiler, heat the water, refill the burner (which is relatively small), then run it with the burner door flap open about 5 -10 mm so it can get enough air. It will run quite fast if you do this and adjust the governor. Cheers Rob
i ordered one recently myself, glad i found your video for this helpful tip, thanks
Looks and runs chuffing great, Rob. Nicely machined components as well. Cheers Tony
Makes all the right noises Tony. Quite complex mechanics. Cheers Rob
That's a cracking engine Rob. Looks very well made. Runs well with a nice sound to it. Thanks for sharing. Cheers Nobby
That is a very cool steam engine Rob. Thanks for showing us.
It's very nice Jon. I managed to get it to run faster after a bit of fiddling. Goes quite nicely. Cheers Rob
Looks awesome but my only criticism is that coming from China I would expect it to cost under $150 not $299
What a beautiful piece of engineering, I love it, many thanks for the wonderful video. Jim from Cootamundra.
Glad you enjoyed it
Ive just got this kit, having a few problems, one being the cylinder keeps popping off, doesnt seem to be a very tight fit onto the valve base, and the whistle leaks alot of steam in the off position,
Its a nice kit, but seems the tolerances arnt that great
so great!!!
Thanks. Cheers Rob
Hi Rob. Lovely looking engine. From what I've seen the CNC machining of the small parts on these models is very good. Might be worth playing around with the governor to see if you can alter the running speed. Cheers, Alan.
Hi Alan. I have varied that, but it's restricted by the amount of steam pressure available. Run faster and it uses more. I ran it on compressed air and it takes very little pressure to run, less than 5 psi, so the boiler could do with one more wick on the burner to get up more steam. I had some lube in the water as well (I usually run some soluble air tool oil ). The wicks are interesting in that they are longish metal coils of stainless steel. Very effective. I'd not seen that before. It sounds good chuffing away with the governor cutting in and out. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu I have had mine a few days and didn't seem to get it running at all. Played with the governor but it looked like some pressure was leaking from the governor and even very slightly around the base of the whistle. Anyway lubricating it well, ensuring everything is free to move carefully including lubrication at all pivot joints and piston and now running smoothly, for about 5 minutes until meths runs out and at a really decent speed! Very happy.
I found that the best way to run it is (after oiling everything) to heat the boiler to steaming point, then remove and refill the burner and replace it. This greatly increases run time as otherwise the metho runs out too quickly way before the water. I also drilled a very small hole into the metho burner top at the handle end in a position so I can insert a hypodermic syringe needle into it. This allows me to refill the burner while it's lit with the engine running. Works well provided you don't overfill it. I also add a small amount of water soluble air tool oil to the water to reduce drag in the piston assembly. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu I noticed a small hole in the top of the burner tray which would take a needle to refill, but not in the top “lid” sheet so is that where you drilled the additional hole Rob? Mine is now running so sweetly I’m very pleased.
@@Xynudu where do you get water soluble air tool oil? I’m in the UK.
Bice bit of kit you've got there.
What kind of oil does it use? Steam oil? Does the kit include the appropriate lubrication? Cheers.
I use water soluble air tool oil (readily available and inexpensive) for moving parts and in the boiler water. Oil is not supplied.
What lubricant are you using? Great job, ordered one myself after watching.
I use water soluble air tool oil. It's very thin/low viscosity. You can also put a few drops in the water/boiler to lube the drive cylinder. It's available at most auto accessory shops. Make sure you get the correct type as some is synthetic and not soluble. Cheers Rob
Thanks, I have plenty of that
I've seen them advertised. What I'm not sure about is the pricing.
Is it in Australian or American dollars ? .
The pricing should adjust in line with the address/country of the server accessing the link.
Mine won’t stay running. Will turn over on its own power a couple times then stop. I even tried it with a propane torch and it didn’t make any difference. When I put 5psi from my air compressor through the safety valve hole it runs just fine. Any ideas?
Try adjusting the governor spring tension. Also put sealer on the "O" rings under the three connectors on top of the boiler to prevent leakage. The boiler ends screw off to access the retaining nuts. Make sure the piston moves freely in the bore with no binding. It may need lapping in a bit. I said in the video the engine is pretty gutless and everything has to be right for it to run. Cheers Rob
@ I noticed water leaking out of the governor. Adjusting the spring makes no difference.
Thanks for sharing 👍
Thanks for watching
what brand of fuel did you use.
Plain Methylated spirits. All brands are the same.
Thanks for your video🥰
My pleasure 😊
what fuel does the burner use
Methylated spirits (denatured alcohol).
Thanks so much@@Xynudu
Hello Rob
These look fantastic and seem very well made, did you end up paying gst etc as they come from Hong Kong
I was gifted the engine kit in exchange for doing the video. It's a nice detailed model. Looks fantastic. Not very powerful and the boiler is only just big enough. Cheers Rob
@Xynudu that is really lovely to be given it.
Probably power is not important, it's not as if you are going to power anything, I think just having a working beam engine is nice plus what a good model to put on a coffee table simply to admire it.
It would be nice if was reciprocating but it is still bery nice.
You mentioned power due to a small boiler, so what happens when you run it off compressed air.
I know you would have the safety value out so you could use a higher pressure .
It would be interesting to know what the psi is to lift the safety valve.
Hi Steven, it would run better/faster with more power off of compressed air as you don't have the pressure variations you get creating live steam, plus the supply is endless. I expect the boiler psi would be very low. Of all the models I have made, none require more than 5 psi compressed air and I expect this kit will be similar as it spins over very easily. The silicon tube from the boiler to the governor is only a push on fit at both ends and the steam pressure isn't high enough to blow it off. Cheers Rob