MAKE: Blog: Svo's oscillating steam engine

Svo's oscillating steam engine

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MAKE Flick photo pool member Svofski built a steam engine without needing the usual expensive tools... - "I've been long fascinated with steam power. Using some spare time I'd been lucky to have, I started building my model. There are plenty of succesful examples of homebuilt steam models on the net, however all of them require a lathe to build. I only have a makeshift micro drill/mill press so I had to invent something a little bit different.

This machine is built from parts obtainable in hardware stores and computer junkyards. This particular construction requires 20x6mm aluminum bar, 15x2mm brass bar, 10mm brass rod, 12mm OD straight copper pipe, dead computer hard drive, some hardware/scrap metal parts/plywood and at least a small drill press." [via] - Link.

Related:
Steam powered archives - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Oct 3, 2006 07:29 AM
DIY Projects, Made On Earth | Permalink | Comments (3)

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Can anyone enlighten me as to how that manifold works (or in general)? I'm new to steam and for some reason the resources I've found seem to overlook this design detail (other than saying you want steam to enter at specific times).

Posted by: trebuchet03 on October 3, 2006 at 5:45 AM

@trebuchet: this page explains how an oscillating engine works http://www.keveney.com/oscillatingSteam.html

The pushrod pushes/pulls the crankpin, the flywheel rotates, this causes the cylinder to oscillate and match different holes on different phases.

Posted by: svofski on October 3, 2006 at 6:36 AM

Ahh, I understand now - for some reason I thought the cylinder was stationary (slap to forehead)...

Posted by: trebuchet03 on October 3, 2006 at 12:02 PM

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