model engineers....... I need you here

[DMCdesign]

hi y'all!
I Know I have been out for a long while now....... But I have come out with a plan that might interest the entities here-

I have got an exhibition in my school that I want to rule. I am stuck on the steam engine Idea and want to build one that would not be much big. It should be hand held and be able to run on compressed air.

Many thanks
DMCdesign

 

[fowler]

have u tried typing "model steam engine plans" into google
worked pretty good for me

do u have access to a lathe and/or milling machine?

 

[DMCdesign]

been there, done that. I posted it to track my progress on this forum and thought this might interest some of you. I have prepared the initial schematics and should get a wood prototype running on a primitive version of 'SRAIS'. It stands for self retaining air injection system. Expect progress soon

 

[gvfc2]

i would like to see your progress. I have been wanting to make a compressed air powered engine for some time now

 

[mckutzy]

you have to do a search for a single stroke oscillating air/steam engine.
They have no valves, juts a cylinder that rocks back and forth by the action of the piston moving up and down. Have a simple flywheel and crank/wrist pin.
I made one in highschool. Pretty easy..

This isnt mine, but very similar.

Here is one with instructions.
http://www.instructables.com/id/A-Simple-Steam-Engine-Anyone-Can-Build/

This is almost exactly the same as the one I built, but the cylinder is a copper pipe with an end cap soldered on. then soldered to a flat piece of metal with a pivot in the middle. (a countersunk screw under the cylinder)
http://www.thebackshed.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=4544

 

[souperman000]

Here's short thread I started about a Compressed Air engine.

http://www.diygokarts.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16466

There are a few videos on Youtube about it, they may be helpful to you.

 

[DMCdesign]

sorry to bust your bubbles, but I have read all of the above before hand. Its raining cats and dogs. so I am not making much headway

 

[mckutzy]

So whats the problem again?

 

[Doc Sprocket]

You got me, meng...

 

[Desertduler]

Instead of a compressed air engine why not try to build a internal combustion engine? Here is one that I have currently under construction that is my own design it is a rotary valve four cycle engine that has pressurized lubrication and is water cooled it is a stationary engine prototype that I have made on my lathe and mill.

 

[itsid]

wow, that's cool.
But not only that this requires a good set of tools or at least access to them,
it also requires more than just a basic understanding of how an engine works.
valve timing isn't the easiest thing to calculate
A two stroke may be easier *shrugs*
Still a compressed air, stirling or steam engine is relatively easy to build at home without having a lathe

'sid

 

[mckutzy]

The ones I posted can be built by a few hand tools and a drill. Only needing a critical seal for the piston and cylinder. One using the drill can be used as a impromptu lathe to achieve this.

 

[DMCdesign]

Ahhhh.... Here is the pic

 

[Desertduler]

Ahhhh.... Here is the pic
View attachment 38784

That's a cool little contraption!

 

[DMCdesign]

Tuesday! Tuesday! Tuesday!

finally procured my piston and cylinder off a vandalized door bolt. the piston is slightly larger than the cylinder and would need to be grinded off.



anyone knows how to grind off metal without using a lathe?

 

[DMCdesign]

Hey guys! ive been thinking to make a stirling engine side by side too! I am scavenging parts for both right now

cheers
DMCdesign

 

[mckutzy]

Like I said, one could use a drill, and file a piston to fit the bore required(within reason, or it will take a long time).

 

[DMCdesign]

Finished!!!!!!

the super economical steam engine has been completed. It is made out of a thin plastic sheet, 2ml syringe and lots of tape. I built it without any cost.

 

[DMCdesign]

Guys, just wanted to know- how can I get the above engine to work perfectly? On blowing air it manages to crank halfway down but doesn"t even budge after that

 

[mckutzy]

Thats why I said try the ones above.
The main component that makes this function well is a low friction axle points for the flywheel/crank, and a good flywheel for mass.

If your engine is the same type of the ones I listed, I cant really tell from your pics...
The flywheel mass keeps this moving for the completion of the stroke, there is no valves to tun on or off, so the wheel keeps this moving so the cylinder turns to "open" position for the air inlet.

So bigger mass for your flywheel and make sure it is concentric with the axle it rotates on.