Is anyone interested in developping a new series of model engines?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Noel what you suggest is already available and what I linked to earlier for the likes of Elmer’s designs. But they are barstock engines and look every bit a barstock engine. Typical barstock kits.

Again as I have said I feel what Paul is looking for is a kit for the newcomer wh, having made a couple of barstock jobbies, wants to take the next step and try a “casing kit” but rather go down the old Stuart S50, Progress or 10* route have something new and a bit different both to look at and in units of measurement used.

If we take my Orbital design that Paul quite likes then that too uses thick wall tube 115 OD x 100 ID for the rim which not only allows a bit more freedom with what the spoke/hub is made from it also hides the steam passage holes that need to be drilled from the hub out to the ports and there are no worried acout casting flaws in the bright rim.

It obviously depends on who is beholding it but to my eye a barstock one like you suggest does not look as nice as one that is a bit more shapely.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Having said in the Orbital thread that you could not really see what was going on when it was running I had a quick play with some of the original parts and added a couple of new ones. It would need a bit more work but this could be the second offering or it may even be a better first one?

[JasonB]

On JasonB Said:

but this could be the second offering or it may even be a better first one?

Do you think this sort of design is what model engineering novices want in kit form ?

It seems a bit ‘out there’ to me.

 

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Well I suppose that is down to the other Paul to find out. Of the models shown in this thread he liked mine and the RMC ones from Nick Rowland which are all non-traditional subjects so that would make two of us that like that sort of thing. Nicks engines were very popular when in production and fetch a premium now on the rare occasion that an unbuilt kit shows up , so there must be other people who also like that style.

This was Nicks beginners kit that could be made with just a lathe and drill press, he also built ready to run ones in batches of 20 or so at a time

Certainly there will be those who want to make a traditional steam engine like a Stuart but that market is well covered except for the metric aspect so Paul seems to be looking for a part of the market that is not catered for. I’m sure if the likes of Bohm sold material and laser/cnc cut parts in a kit then those would sell well as not everyone wants tradition.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

For what little my opinion is worth … This is one of the few steam engines that I have ever considered modelling:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Diagonal_steam_engine,_Bolton_museum.jpg

It was originally installed at the Bollington Printworks.

I understand that castings for a model were allegedly available a few years ago.

 

It may, or may not, appeal to Paul’s taste.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: for similar, see

https://collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk/objects/co8404861/john-wood-diagonal-reciprocating-steam-engine

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

That would be the Lang Bridge Engine that Helix Engineering did the drawings and castings for back in the 90s. and more recently sold by Brunell. It builds into a nice engine, this is by occasional visitor to the forum Ramon.

At 1/8th scale it is a managable size with a flywheel of 7 3/8″ (187mm) though maybe just a bit big for a minilathe it would fit a 210 size machine and larger. Nothing too complex that I can see on the drawings and I would put it on a par with building a Stuart Beam/Victoria, JC, etc

There have also been barstock versions in ME over the years Morgens Klind did one and Bob Middleton another

[paulmichael1084Participant @paulmichael1084gmail-com]

@duncanwebster1 So I contacted JTE and they can’t help as they do not do anythign that small. I have been trying to contact Whitehead but they do not answer the phone and I can’t find an email address. I spoke to a neighbouring business and they told me Whitehead don;t work any kind of regular days, so I guess I just have to persevere!
Carrier pidgeon maybe?

[Ches Green UKParticipant @chesgreenuk]

That Bolton engine does indeed look like a very nice project.

Unfortunately, as Jason notes, 7 3/8″ is just too large a diameter for my mini-lathe.  Maximum flywheel diameter might be something worth noting by Paul for his kit.

Ches

[paulmichael1084Participant @paulmichael1084gmail-com]

@paul1956
Thanks for your comment there. I am eaning towards that, but until I have costings I cannot say if the printed option is worthwhile. It is defintley worth investigating.

[Ches Green UK]

On Ches Green UK Said:

That Bolton engine does indeed look like a very nice project.

Unfortunately, as Jason notes, 7 3/8″ is just too large a diameter for my mini-lathe.  Maximum flywheel diameter might be something worth noting by Paul for his kit.

Ches

It is an ideal candidate for the convesion factor that I sometimes use, that is 1/16″ = 1mm which would give a flywheel of 118mm dia, bore of 12mm and stroke of 26mm. I expect the original did not have such a small bore but teh way teh cylinders are shown on the Helix drawings does reduce the available boor as they sleeve it to allow the exhaust to flow around the cylinder, I have done similar without th eneed for a sleeve so 15 or 16mm would be possible.

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