small cast iron flywheel

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi All,

I'm looking for a small cast iron flywheel but having tried all the usual sources am unable to find what I want.

Ideally cast iron, five or six straight spokes, between 50 and 60 mm diameter with a face width of 8 to 10 mm. 75 mm diameter is too big.

Best I can find is the stuart progress flywheel at 2 1/2 " but that seems to be unavailable from them at the present time.

Reeves have a gunmetal one for the nicholas engine. This has curved spokes and would be ok but I would prefer cast iron.

Can anyone help, many thanks in advance

Geoff

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

[Chris Evans 6Participant @chrisevans6]

Take the plunge and make from solid ?

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Take the plunge and make from solid ?

Well that's an option Chris but lately alI I seem to be doing is sawing big lumps of cast iron, I'm sick of it mate!!!!!

No I'll make a pattern and have one cast up if I can't source one on the internet.

Still looking gents can anyone help

cheers Geoff

[Brian Sweeting 2Participant @briansweeting2]

Probably not ideal but have you looked at cast iron casters?

An sample here on eBay

**LINK**

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

… Well that's an option Chris but lately all I I seem to be doing is sawing big lumps of cast iron, I'm sick of it mate!!!!!

​… know what you mean Geoff, but Percy veer. look elsewhere for castings, I bought a couple of 4" fly wheels from RDG quite cheaply ( usual disclaimer ) & there are castings available in eBay, try car boot sales… amongst the car boots you may find something…

​George.

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

PM Research in the USofA make a range of flywheel castings. Might be worth a look.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Atelier do a 50mm but due to the problems of casting thin spokes at that size in iron means they look a bit heavy.

Can always use a bit of steel tube if you want the bare rim to look like cast and just solder in some spokes and a hub which is less sawing and milling than cutting from iron bar.

Or take a Mamod one and turn down most of the rim then stick it into a "rim" or steel or iron with JBWeld

These one are soldered up, 50mm dia

Edited By JasonB on 01/06/2018 07:34:20

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

Have a look at RC Machines they may have the very "Flying Wheel" that you need.

John

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Bronze do you? https://www.pmmodelengines.com/shop/gas/gas-accessories/flywheel-castings/ good price at six quid too – probably more for the shipping from US though. They also have slightly larger at 2-3/8" and aluminium option.

 

Edited By Hopper on 01/06/2018 10:59:53

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Get a suitable loco wheel and remove half the spokes

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Gentleman, thank you for all your replies on this post, lots of good ideas/advice.

When I finish the model, a simple oscillator I will post a picture.

Thanks again Geoff

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi All

Well I now have the flywheel I was looking for, bought from Stuart models last week.

It is the one used on the progress model and should machine down ok to my upper limit of 60mm.

It's not listed on the Stuart website on the flywheel page but is available to buy separately.

I thought it was bit expensive but having said that I'm glad I bought it last week as Stuart have just put their prices up.

Geoff

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

I need a 100mm dia flywheel for my next engine.

The one supplied by ATELIER looks more or less just what I need.

Could I ask does anyone have experience of Atelier flywheels, usual disclaimer of course.

It's not a cheap flywheel but I don't mind the cost as long as the product is good.

Any comments appreciated

Geoff

[geoff walker 1Participant @geoffwalker1]

Hi All,

With reference to the last post, I bought a Stuart flywheel.

A little smaller at 3 1/2" but should do the job.

Not sure how to hold it for machining as there was not an extended boss in the centre.

Used the method shown below. Perhaps a bit long winded but worked well.

The plywood disc has a square shoulder turned and the diameter is a snug fit on the inner rim of the casting, tapped it on with a copper mallet up to the shoulder.

Geoff

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