Comments for Start Model Engineering

Comment on Take a break ! by deere_x475guy

deere_x475guy — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 21:21:48 +0000

Just found this site. Nice work guys.

Comment on Take a break ! by Les

Les — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:56:37 +0000

Just found your site. Very interesting and well done. I’ve been a model engineer for several years. I’m 71 but still into motorcycles altho long trips are not in the planning.

Thanks for sharing.

Respectfully, Les

Comment on Opus P. problems by admin

admin — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:41:58 +0000

Hi Pete,
No I intend to perservere with OP until it runs but I am waiting until the weather warms up a little !
Congratulations on the aquisition of your first lathe - I am sure you will have many hours of fun. A simple oscillator is definitely the way to go for your first engine. You stand a much better chance of it being a runner. It shouldn’t take you too long to build and the satisfaction you will gain when your first engine bursts into life will carry you forward to bigger and better things. The horizontal mill engine is a great project but has the complication of a sliding valve and a steam chest (as does the Opus Proximum) it is also likely to take you considerably longer to build.
Let me know how you get on and do get in touch if you think I may be able to help. Perhaps you could send me a pic to put on the site when you’ve completed your first engine.

John

Comment on Opus P. problems by Pete Harding

Pete Harding — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 01:57:15 +0000

Hi John,

Good to see your not letting it beat you. Having been enthused by the ‘Best of Model Engineer , Volume 1′ I have just brought my 1st lathe and was considering this as a first engine but will, with due regard to your findings, now attempt the oscillator as a first engine, probably followed by the horizontal mill engine as a second.

All the best

Pete

Comment on Opus P. problems by admin

admin — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:49:18 +0000

Hi Ken
I find it hard to recommend to anyone to take on ‘Opus Proximum’ as a build project because of the innacuracies and confusing plans and build notes. If however you decide to continue I would recommend you build 50% up on size or even 100%. Whilst I am clearly not infallible I did machine components as accurately as possible to size and on first assembly air simply ran thro the steam chest and out of the exhaust regardless of the position of the valve. I have since gone back to the drawing board and following slide valve theory have produced two or three valves which now do their intended job of opening and closing ports.
Innacuracies apart there are a couple of procedures which I think are a little tricky. The first is the silver soldering of the two small lugs to the comparitively large mass of the cylinder. The other relates to the fixing of the bottom cylinder end cover.
I do intend to perservere and feel reasonably confident that I shall get my OP running but I would not be happy in encouraging others to have a go at this engine. Most of my engines have been to Elmer Verburg’s plans and I can truthfully say I have never experienced any difficulties over building to plan.
I would suggest you take a look Elmer’s #32 Tall Vertical Open Column Engine which is very similar in appearance and should be relatively straightforward to build. I haven’t attempted it yet but I have seen a running version and it is a most attractive engine. Whatever you decide do consider increasing in size and ideally to suit available flywheels. Currently RDG Tools are selling 4″ cast iron flywheels for around £7 each which I think are very good value.
Let me know how you get on and if I can help further just give me a shout.

Comment on Opus P. problems by Ken

Ken — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 16:43:30 +0000

I have been collecting various bits of steel and brass with the intention of making Stan’s Opus Proximum. Quite by chance I recently stumbled on your excellent website and have eagerly read your write-up of your experiences with this attractive engine. Your photos show that your engine has been beautifully made, far better than mine will be, so from what you have said so far it seems that there isn’t much chance of mine working. I have added your site to my ‘Favorites’ and will be checking regularly to see if and when you solve the problem(s). It would be nice to see a video of it working and this might encourage me to actually start making it. Best wishes for success.

Comment on Opus P. problems by admin

admin — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:29:47 +0000

I felt that making five of everything was pushing my luck a little so I adapted the Liney plans for a less ambitious 3 cylinder version and I am delighted with the final result. No one is more astonished than me at how well it runs !
However any of us retirees managed to find the time to go to work is completely beyond me. Let me have a link to your website Alistair, I would be interested in having a look.
John S

Comment on Opus P. problems by Alistair Grant

Alistair Grant — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 19:54:03 +0000

Just discovered your site tonight and like the look of the three cylinder radial steam engine. Where did you get the plans or is it an adaption of Liney Machines design?
My Website is seriously in need of an update but since I’ve retired all the spare time has disappeared!

Comment on Air Compressor by admin

admin — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:55:44 +0000

Hi Colt
Sorry for the delay in replying, I have been having problems with my PC - hopefully it is sorted now. The AS09 runs continuously as it does not have a receiver tank. In my opinion it is the best compressor available for our needs at sensible money and I would be at a loss to recommend an alternative.
John

Comment on Air Compressor by Colt

Colt — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:19:07 +0000

Thanks John. One other thing, does the AS09 run all the time when the steam engine is being used or does it go quiet for periods of time? If the sound difference isnt huge then the the AS09 sounds good.

Thanks

Colt