“To clad or not to clad, that is the question!”

[Roland GAGEParticipant @rolandgage72478]

I am in the process of building a Mery Beam engine and have recently seen photos of completed engines, with and without cylinder cladding.

One sees the same with various examples of the Major Beam engine and other beam types as well.

I understand the functional purpose of cladding and also, of course, appreciate the esthetic appeal of the wooden cladding against the other parts of the engine.

My question is whether or not cladding on these engines is " expected" as part of the creation of an authentic, realistic reflection of the "real thing" or more a question of individual preference?

I would like to try the cladding but also notice my cylinder casting has two raised ribs on the body which will need to be dealt with if I do so.

You comments and opinions would be appriciated.

Thanks

Edited By Roland GAGE on 21/03/2015 03:13:57

[Roland GAGEParticipant @rolandgage72478]

Cylinder cladding on beam engines

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think it comes down to personal preferance and whether the model is a replica of an actual engine or just freelance. As the Mary is not based on a specific engine you could go either way. ( assume you meant Mary and not Mery )Metal clading is the third option but would not really be appropriate for this engine.

The ribs should not be a problem as they don't stick out beyong the cylinder covers and the cladding only needs to be 1mm or so thick. It would give a nicer finish to the ends if the end flanges of the cylinder were smaller than the end covers so that the wood comes flush with the edge of the top cyl cover but not the end of the world if you have already machined the parts and don't want to alter them

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Looking at old etchings, it seems to be hit and miss whether or not an engine had a clad cylinder. I guess the older the engine the less likely to be clad, certainly,the later mill engines always appear to have had clad cylinders. All supposition, I may be wrong in this….

Neil

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