Starter project?

[Charles ShearerParticipant @charlesshearer34949]

I am an absolute raw beginner at any form of metalworking but have invested in a WM80 lathe and A WM16 milling machine. Limited tooling as yet.

I have always wanted to build an engine from scratch (as opposed to purchasing castings) – but the idea of casting aluminium also appeals to me.

I particularly like the look of beam engines.

I'd very much appreciate any advice / recommendations / pointers to what you more experienced engineers would consider to be a project which would be a reasonable learning exercise, something that could be built within say a 6 month period assuming say one day a week in the workshop and I could run on a compressed air supply.

A 'broad' request I know – but all advice greatly appreciated.

Charles

[Charles ShearerParticipant @charlesshearer34949]

What would be a good starter engine ?

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

I believe that your lathe is the WM 280 not the WM80. I have the WM250V-F & the WM16 mill. I started out with a simple oscillating engine built with drawings of t'internet & using material from the scrapbinium, fairly easy one to start with.

George.

[BOB BLACKSHAW 1Participant @bobblackshaw1]

I've made three Elmers beam engines and the plans are free on the internet. I improved the linkages so they are threaded and nuts used. I found them a very good beginners beam engine to build. I shall make another some time using the parallel motion.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Stew Hart's "Potty" beam engine is one in a series of simple beginners engines that quite a few on here have made. Details here

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