Monday, April 5, 2010

1" scale 2 cylinder vertical steam engine...


...of unknown make or origin, an opportunity I couldn't pass on from an online friend.

With a major move coming at the end of the month, the last thing I need is another thing to pack. However, it has become a blessed relief from the stress of packing to play with it and investigate its builder, whoever it may be. The 6" machinist's square is set alongside for perspective...

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It has a 5/8" bore and a 3/4" stroke, making for a potent little beast. It appears to be completely handcrafted from the minor mistakes made during its fabrication and because the base shows the measured scoring of a machinist throughout...

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...note the dimple just to the left of the valve rod, made by a drill bit placed just off its mark, but note also the excellent taper of the piston rod...

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...and the ever so slightly off center placement of the otherwise carefully turned control valve handle on the displacement lubricator...

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At just a half ounce under 3 pounds, it is a hefty little piece as well. My plan is to mount it on a piece of polished granite slab I have and run it on air while looking forward to the day when I can build a proper boiler for it.

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