The first one with the rocker arm was fantastic! Lots of wobbly bits to entertain the eye! And for model engines like this that only run to entertain us lots of wiggly and wobbly pieces is what really gets the interest up and holds it. And best of all that one was very obviously lathe friendly with any "milling" being doable with just some hand tools and care. It would not take much to convert the crankshaft bearing unit to something more lathe friendly as well.
Thanks Bruce. The first one is very "home brew" and I've not seen another like it. The valve porting is modelled on a more compact double knuckle system I saw on a tiny commercially made brass steam engine (much simplified). All the engines are lathe friendly. They have to be, as I don't have a mill. Heath Robinson is my mentor for this stuff. The quirkier the better. Makes life more interesting. Cheers Rob
I didn't realise that you had made so many Rob! Plus, of course you have a whole load of Stirliing Engines too. I love all of them but my favourite has to be the Spark Plug Engine, there must be many people who look at that and think 'how the hell does that work' 🤣Cheers, Alan.
He He. They add up over time Alan. Many hours of work have gone into those things. Many glasses of red wine have also gone into thinking about their creation as well ;) The spark plug engine is a classic build. It makes me chuckle every time I run it. My favourite home made engine is probably the Stirling that incorporates a PC CPU cooler. It runs all day and never overheats. Cheers Rob
Thanks for showing these again Rob. A great inspiration to us all. I love the unusual designs you’ve come up with. Was it the red Australian wine? Perhaps I should try some. Cheers Nobby
Brilliant variety Rob. Love the spark plug model. Check out a guy called Jonathan W. He has some interesting full size engines including a 'wobbler' with valves in his last video, it could make an interesting model
Hi Ian. I will have a look. I try not to repeat myself with model engines, but a calculated deviation is OK :) The spark plug engine was well received. I did wonder about adding a fake ignition lead to it, to confuse people more, but that could be viewed as a possible steam line, so left it as is. Cheers Rob
Interesting comments from the peanut gallery Rob, regarding cheap Chinese Lathes. I own one of those so called cheap Lathes and being a Fitter & Turner by Trade have no problem producing just as good accuracy as I did on say a Colchester Triumph 2000 for example. My Lathe is 1m between centres. Might indicate a lack of skill perhaps??? Interesting how you have achieved such fine results with your models on what some perceive as an inferior machining centre 😊. Love your work Rob !!
Hi Tracey. I have noticed a marked decline in negative comments about Chinese lathes in the last few years. I think the volume of quality work being turned out by them has largely silenced the critics. You will always read them on metalwork forums, but that's about the limit of experience by many of those guys. Experts in their own lunch time ;) It's quite obvious that Asian lathes have revolutionised domestic lathe ownership in the same way as most other power tools. Some viewers get upset when I use the phrase "cheap Chinese lathe", but that's what they are, in that price range. As you stated, the end result mainly comes down to the operator and there are well known cases of fine work being done on clapped out machines (gunsmiths particularly). Cheers Rob
Very nice engines, I always believe that steam engines run very differently on air than they do on steam. I always prefer to see them running on steam.
Nice collection Rob. That twin cylinder engine, was it hard to get the cylinders to run in sync? I presume if it was out of sync the cylinders would be fighting each other.
Hi Jon. That is actually a double acting steam engine (one shared piston that is driven from each end). Rather than being a compound unit I broke it down into two separate major components. The power piston is on the far side with the thicker shaft. The cylinder closest to the camera is actually the valve chest to control/direct steam flow. Normally the valve chest is directly attached/connected to the single or double acting power cylinder. This build is meant to give a better understanding of how a double acting steam engine works. Cheers Rob
No excuses for sure Kev. There must be a lot of lathes sitting out there gathering dust, or maybe we are some of the few willing to do YT ;) Either way, it's a good hobby to have and pass the day. I expect it must be getting a bit chilly over your way now. I thought I heard the diesel heater going in your last video. Cheers Rob
@ impressive. Particularly like the various ways you port the compressed air / steam into the cylinders (can’t quite remember the correct terminology) . Also the Ali castings I’m sure you also made. Have you considered making multi cylinder versions?
I have considered a twin wobbler. It's quite easy to make, but I already have a couple of commercial ones from product reviews I did and don't see the point of going that way. Cheers Rob
I don't use actual plans. I see a concept or video and copy the principle. With steam engines there is a lot of latitude for variation in many areas, except for port timing. There are free plans on the internet and they form the basis of some I've built, such as the rotary valve type. Search on " model steam engine free plans" and lots will come up. Cheers Rob
The first one with the rocker arm was fantastic! Lots of wobbly bits to entertain the eye! And for model engines like this that only run to entertain us lots of wiggly and wobbly pieces is what really gets the interest up and holds it. And best of all that one was very obviously lathe friendly with any "milling" being doable with just some hand tools and care. It would not take much to convert the crankshaft bearing unit to something more lathe friendly as well.
Thanks Bruce. The first one is very "home brew" and I've not seen another like it. The valve porting is modelled on a more compact double knuckle system I saw on a tiny commercially made brass steam engine (much simplified). All the engines are lathe friendly. They have to be, as I don't have a mill. Heath Robinson is my mentor for this stuff. The quirkier the better. Makes life more interesting. Cheers Rob
The first one and the one from a spark plug are my favorites!
Heath Robinson would be pleased with those :) Cheers Rob
Nice range of DIY engines there Rob - Cheers Jim
Thanks Jim, variety makes it interesting. Cheers Rob
Brilliant range of engines👍
Hi Colum. I like to vary the concept. Keeps things interesting. Cheers Rob
A new ENCYCLOPEDIA ????
I didn't realise that you had made so many Rob! Plus, of course you have a whole load of Stirliing Engines too. I love all of them but my favourite has to be the Spark Plug Engine, there must be many people who look at that and think 'how the hell does that work' 🤣Cheers, Alan.
He He. They add up over time Alan. Many hours of work have gone into those things. Many glasses of red wine have also gone into thinking about their creation as well ;) The spark plug engine is a classic build. It makes me chuckle every time I run it. My favourite home made engine is probably the Stirling that incorporates a PC CPU cooler. It runs all day and never overheats. Cheers Rob
Thanks for showing these again Rob. A great inspiration to us all. I love the unusual designs you’ve come up with. Was it the red Australian wine? Perhaps I should try some. Cheers Nobby
I think the wine had a lot to do with it Nobby. Heath Robinson is my mentor ;) Cheers Rob
Nice work.
Wel, that's a very nice collection.
Thanks 👍
Nice work Rob
Thanks Bob. Bit of eye candy. Cheers Rob
Rob, You Been Busy 👍👍
Yep. Sure have. 👍
Thanks
Brilliant variety Rob. Love the spark plug model. Check out a guy called Jonathan W. He has some interesting full size engines including a 'wobbler' with valves in his last video, it could make an interesting model
Hi Ian. I will have a look. I try not to repeat myself with model engines, but a calculated deviation is OK :) The spark plug engine was well received. I did wonder about adding a fake ignition lead to it, to confuse people more, but that could be viewed as a possible steam line, so left it as is. Cheers Rob
Interesting comments from the peanut gallery Rob, regarding cheap Chinese Lathes. I own one of those so called cheap Lathes and being a Fitter & Turner by Trade have no problem producing just as good accuracy as I did on say a Colchester Triumph 2000 for example. My Lathe is 1m between centres. Might indicate a lack of skill perhaps??? Interesting how you have achieved such fine results with your models on what some perceive as an inferior machining centre 😊. Love your work Rob !!
Hi Tracey. I have noticed a marked decline in negative comments about Chinese lathes in the last few years. I think the volume of quality work being turned out by them has largely silenced the critics. You will always read them on metalwork forums, but that's about the limit of experience by many of those guys. Experts in their own lunch time ;) It's quite obvious that Asian lathes have revolutionised domestic lathe ownership in the same way as most other power tools. Some viewers get upset when I use the phrase "cheap Chinese lathe", but that's what they are, in that price range. As you stated, the end result mainly comes down to the operator and there are well known cases of fine work being done on clapped out machines (gunsmiths particularly). Cheers Rob
Very nice video. Nice engines
Thank you very much!
Very nice engines, I always believe that steam engines run very differently on air than they do on steam. I always prefer to see them running on steam.
Yes, they do run differently on steam, mainly due to the condensation issue. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu Any chance of you hooking your boiler up to these and showing them running on steam?
I had thought about modifying another boiler as a server to also feed stand alone units. It could happen. Cheers Rob
Nice collection Rob. That twin cylinder engine, was it hard to get the cylinders to run in sync? I presume if it was out of sync the cylinders would be fighting each other.
Hi Jon. That is actually a double acting steam engine (one shared piston that is driven from each end). Rather than being a compound unit I broke it down into two separate major components. The power piston is on the far side with the thicker shaft. The cylinder closest to the camera is actually the valve chest to control/direct steam flow. Normally the valve chest is directly attached/connected to the single or double acting power cylinder. This build is meant to give a better understanding of how a double acting steam engine works. Cheers Rob
great simple models Rob👍👍👍👍🚂🚂🚂🚂
no excuse for anyone to sit in the armchair vegitating
atb
Kev
No excuses for sure Kev. There must be a lot of lathes sitting out there gathering dust, or maybe we are some of the few willing to do YT ;) Either way, it's a good hobby to have and pass the day. I expect it must be getting a bit chilly over your way now. I thought I heard the diesel heater going in your last video. Cheers Rob
@@Xynudu yeah winter on its way, it'sl like a bloody giant chest freezer in my garage!!😄😄🥶🥶
Nice collection. Did you design them?
Yes I did. I made a bunch of Stirlings as well. The only engines that gave me grief were flame lickers.
@ impressive. Particularly like the various ways you port the compressed air / steam into the cylinders (can’t quite remember the correct terminology) . Also the Ali castings I’m sure you also made. Have you considered making multi cylinder versions?
I have considered a twin wobbler. It's quite easy to make, but I already have a couple of commercial ones from product reviews I did and don't see the point of going that way. Cheers Rob
Rob where can one get the plans for these small engins.
I don't use actual plans. I see a concept or video and copy the principle. With steam engines there is a lot of latitude for variation in many areas, except for port timing. There are free plans on the internet and they form the basis of some I've built, such as the rotary valve type. Search on " model steam engine free plans" and lots will come up. Cheers Rob
Neat