Which model engine

[Alan RawlinsParticipant @alanrawlins60482]

[Alan RawlinsParticipant @alanrawlins60482]

After 12 months of tinkering and learning about my lathe, making a few tools etc I think the time has arrived to try my hand at my first model engine, something simple, not a locomotive type engine. Can some one who is or has been in a similar position to myself recommend some thing for me to have a go with?

[Harold Hall 1Participant @haroldhall1]

Alan

You only mention a lathe so I assume you do not have a milling machine. In this case my website details in depth how to make a small Stuart 10V/H using just a small lathe and small drilling machine. Even if you have a milling machine I think the webpages are still worth a visit. The web pages can be found here

Harold

[clivelParticipant @clivel]

You don't say what size lathe you have, but it doesn't get much simpler than the Elmer's 25, which is small enough to build on almost any lathe. You can download the drawings/instructions here: Elmer's Engines, Scroll down to to "25 Wobbler – The Start Off Project for all newbies".

Here is my effort, it was built on a Unimat, and my introduction to Model Engineering. Although Elmer specifies North American screw threads, I substituted the closest metric size instead. One of the advantages of an engine like this for a first effort, is that it is built completely out of stock metal, so no need to replace expensive castings when the inevitable happens and a part needs to be remade. 

 

Clive

 

Edited By clivel on 20/08/2015 21:58:08

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

You could also look at Stew Harts "Lads and Dads" mill engine which is very simple and can all be done on a lathe.

J

[Gas_mantle.Participant @gas_mantle]

Hi,

For first engine I recently made one based loosely on this model :-

**LINK**

It was an easy enough build even for a beginner with just a lathe and a few hand tools.

Jason, I've been looking around for another engine to have a go at and have decided to have a go at the 'Lads and Dads' one you mentioned. I've found a bit of info about it but can't seem to find an actual plan do you know of anywhere I can see the plans ?

Many thanks.

Peter.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Stuart Hart's Helping Dad make a True Vertical Mill Engine starts in no., 4496 Model Engineer (28 Nov/11 Dec 2014). Ian S C

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

Posted by Peter Nichols on 21/08/2015 07:59:38:

Hi,

For first engine I recently made one based loosely on this model :-

**LINK**

It was an easy enough build even for a beginner with just a lathe and a few hand tools.

Jason, I've been looking around for another engine to have a go at and have decided to have a go at the 'Lads and Dads' one you mentioned. I've found a bit of info about it but can't seem to find an actual plan do you know of anywhere I can see the plans ?

Many thanks.

Peter.

Hi Peter

I've sent you a PM

Cheers

Stew

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

Hi

Try this for a first engine small but easy to do …

**LINK**

George.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Not many steam engines that need a RCB fitted

Neil

[VicParticipant @vic]

Have a look a Jan Ridders internal valve Vacuum Engine. Not too many parts and you can modify some bits to suit as long as the main dimensions remain the same.

[Author]

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