ME beam engine

[Nigel RichardsonParticipant @nigelrichardson17991]

Hello all

I am in the same position as the originator of this thread and having read through it have come to the conclusion that I will attempt this beam engine from mostly bar stock. I have all the materials I would need to make it, a flywheel that I suspect would suffice, only needing the beam and cylinder castings. I will have to check the drawings to see how difficult it would be to replicate these two items from the solid (I am on holiday in Spain at the moment so can’t have a look at the early ME build series, that I have, until I get back to the U.K.)

My questions are:

What issues of ME were the more recent series of the ME beam engine serialised?

Can anyone help with corrections to incorrect dimensions on the drawings? It would be better to start with all the knowledge rather than having to find out as I go along.

all the best

Nigel

[jamesp1Participant @jamesp1]

I’ve seen the beam fabricated from flat aluminium plate and sheet and glued together with epoxy etc. It is awkward to mill from a solid piece of aluminium because the narrow sides of the beam are a large radius curve hard to replicate without CNC. Or you can compromise and make the beam straight sided between the central pivot boss and the end bosses. Any mill can then do it. Never looks right to me though without the classic rounded shape.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Yes the beam could certainly be fabricated. I’d probably go with a sandwich of three layers for the central “plate” which would make it easier to form the recessed teardrop shapes. Then a strip with a slot along its length can be bent to fit top and bottom. After that bore the ends and fit round bosses as well as the other bosses. I’d probably go with steel and solder it together

Straight sides is acceptable if the original was hat shape such as sevearl engines made by Easton & Anderson

No castings used in this one of mine.

Likewise the cylinder can be fabricated either by JB Weld holding cast iron together or silver soldered up from brass and bronze.

As the flywheel is not that thick there are a few options that could be used for that particularly if you casting is a bit heavily spoked.

[Malcolm TimmisParticipant @malcolmtimmis62417]

Hello Jagger.

Unless you are set on starting with a kit? May I suggest, as an alternative ,you find in the back issues of model Engineer, or bye hs book, Full descriptions, drawings, and instructions to build using only a lathe Stewart Harts trilogoy of engines.

He starts with an open frame ‘horizontal mill’ engine, then moves on to a ‘vertical cross single’ and the last a ‘reversable winding engine’. each engine is a little more difficult than the last.

I am still on the mill engine, nearly comlete? but looking forward to starting the ‘Cross Single’

I hope this helps you decide, kit, or do it youself!

All the Best

Mac

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