My first wobblier

churchjw

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I finally took some shop time this weekend and made my first steam/air engine. I chose a double acting single cylinder wobblier.

Started with a 1.5" * 1.25" block for the cylinder.
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Drilled and tapped 6-32 screws for the end caps.
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Got to use a new set of center screws to mark the locations.
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Caps made over size and milled down.

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4 jaw chuck and starting to boring the cylinder out.
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End cap back on and drilled for end bushing. To make sure it was centered with the cylinder.

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Then things went to heck. I didn't have a ream the size I needed so I tried to use an adjustable ream. If anyone has notes on how to use these things I would love to know how they are supposed to be used. I fought with this evil thing for 3 hours and the hole just got worse. Ended up just re chucking it and using a boring bar. Got ok results. Next time will use a HSS cutter in a boring bar and should get better sides.

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Here is final cylinder and piston. The side stub is to set tension with the backing plate.

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Backing plate with holes drills and bushings in. This is before surface grinding.

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Here is the final assembly.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24370911@N08/7672863690/in/photostream

This should be a video of it running.

Have about 12 hours in this one. 3 of that was fighting with the ream. My next one should be a lot faster to make. Runs good but leaks air all over. I made this without drawings so my design may be a little off. I watched the series buy tubalcain and based mine off his notes. I could stop some of the air leaks with liquid gasket but I want be able to take it apart easily. I need to start with larger stock for the cylinder and do more bolts which will help with the leaks. Next one I will grind the piston to size and ream the cylinder.

Any hints and comments would be great.

Jeff

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Neat! Now I need to do some googling to find the plans.
 
churchjw: Nice looking engine. It's a great feeling when it runs the first time you hook up the air. I'm on my third engine, since I'm new to machining my goal is to make one good piece a day. What's the next project? Roger
 
Thanks Billy, I watched the video. I guess I was doing it right :shrugs: but I still hate these things. I think at this point I would rather just order the right size in a power ream. :whiteflag: I think this is a case of operator incompetence.

Rebush my next one will be a 2 cylinder version of this one working on getting the processes down better. (better fit and finish) After that I want to do the same engine but cast the parts. First casting will be aluminum then when I get the bugs out of that a final version in bronze.

Has anyone used a break cylinder hone to hone the cylinder on one of these engines?

Jeff
 
Are the reamers you have Imports? If so that may or may not be the problem. I got a set from HF that were made in India. They were worthless. I sold them for ten bucks and was happy with the loss. The cutting edges should be as smooth as the proverbial babys bottom. Kinda like a dazor blade. Mine are all Cleveland.

"Billy G" :))
 
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