Traction engine advice/help needed please !!!

This topic has 7 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 1 February 2015 at 23:14 by Paul Lousick.

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31 January 2015 at 16:18 #7454
michael preston
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@michaelpreston94236
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31 January 2015 at 16:18 #177974
michael preston
Participant
@michaelpreston94236
Hello I'm new to the forum, for a long time I've wanted a 4 inch scale traction engine !! And really don't know where to start? I can't afford an engine that's been built, I do see boilers on ebay now & again, and the problem is that I have no engineering skills what so ever !! My question is are there model engineers out there that could build an engine what ever the cost is? As I've never used a lathe before !!!

Thanks, mick.
31 January 2015 at 16:40 #177976
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
There are individuals and small companies that will build you a traction engine but that is likely to cost more than buying an existing engine unless you can find someone willing to do it for £1 an hour who has 1000-1500hrs to spare.

Have you thought of a kit engine? spread over 24 or 36 months you get a pack of parts a month that will build into a good working engine, because the company makes them in small batches using CNC machines the costs are kept down but still not as cheap as your own free labour. Have a look at Steam Traction World
31 January 2015 at 17:36 #177979
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Welcome tothe world of making things.

If you have done basic internet reasearch you will have found the 2 or 3 model traction engine websites that list all the parts they supply (which is not all the parts you need) and will have added up the cost. This would need a lot of work and machinery.

Then Jason's link will show you the cost of a machined kit. This will still need a lot of work – hundreds of hours and some machinery probably to make things fit well.

So you really have to want it, and have a load of money. At the very least think whether something smaller would do.

Perhaps a moderator would like to put a more meaningful title on this thread so that others can find it and get advice in the future.
31 January 2015 at 18:38 #177985
Boiler Bri
Participant
@boilerbri
Hello micheal,

I have been building a 4" durham and north yourkshire traction engine for about 8 years now. I do not have a lot of spare time as i run a small business.

The Durham is a relatively simple engine, and the castings are available for about 3.5 k.

My advice to you would be to build a smaller one to start with and build up your skills.

Have you thought about joining a model engineering society near you?

Bri
31 January 2015 at 22:20 #178001
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Hi Michael,

To pay someone to make an engine for you is extremely expensive because of the time involved in machining parts. It could take a model engineer more that 1000 hours to build an engine. (1000 hours @ $50/hour = $50,000). Therefore it would be cheaper to buy a commercially made or 2nd hand engine.

I am building a 6" Ruston Proctor SD (similar to the photo below) and bought a set of castings from Live Steam Models for about $5000. The materials for the boiler and other parts are less than $1000. I have been working on it for 3 years and need another year to finish it. For an outlay of $6000 (plus a lot of hard work and enjoyment as a model engineer), I will have an engine worth $20,000. I am not a machinist by trade and have tought myself to use a mill and a lathe. Building it yourself is half the fun.

You have said that you would like a 4" scale engine but the size of the model will depend on the size of the original engine. eg. I am building a 6" scale model of a 3 1/2 HP engine which is slightly smaller than a 4" scale 7HP Foster traction engine.

Paul.
1 February 2015 at 11:32 #178030
michael preston
Participant
@michaelpreston94236
Thankyou Gent's for your replies/advice, very much appreciated!!! I think I'm going to have to join a model engineering society and take a course in engineering!!! I had a look at the options from steam traction world, some great kits, but would be like having a second mortgauge!!!

Thanks mick.
1 February 2015 at 23:14 #178110
Paul Lousick
Participant
@paullousick59116
Hi Michael,

Another good site for model traction engine advise is to log onto Traction-Talk and go to the model engine section. Lots of good information and photos of engine construction.

Post a request for model engine clubs which might be near you. Club members are always glad to give free advice about engines and steam.

http://www.tractiontalkforum.com

Paul.
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