Teeny Weeny, Oh so Weeny (Lilliput version)

IndianaRog · Teeny Weeny, Oh so Weeny (Lilliput version)

Don't want to clutter up the Jenny Wren thread, so thought I would make another for it's sister engine the Lilliput by PhilCraft (Phil Gravett).

I posted some quick shots of this engine a week ago, sitting atop a paint can lid, but have now fashioned a permanent means of showing it and keeping it erect. Will make a video later this morning after the coffee has sunk in...meanwhile, here are some cameo pics taken last nite on it's new marble base. The marble used is from a small trophy picked up cheap on eBay and it even included a free engraved tag, so I had the trophy guy make a Lilliput tag! In one of the pics you can see a internal structure made of brass bits which I soldered together then epoxy adhered to the marble...this ensures it won't tip over but is discrete and almost not noticeable.

Here 'tis:

While fitting the inner support structure, I got a very close look at Phil's work....it almost boggles the mind to think he could machine something so small, yet still functional and beautiful.

cheers,
Rog

steamyjim

Beutiful engine Rog!!!!!

I'd love to get me hands on one of them!

James

Wow, that's beautiful!!

Please stop tempting me

MTA

I really like the base you have added Rog. Makes it that bit more special

Now I have to wait for the video

Nick

Does he put his name or any markings on the engine?

It is great that you made the base up for it with his name.

MTA

Les

Very nice little engine, and it does look at home sat on the marble.

johnreid

It wont take much Simichrome to keep it polished.

kusuchi

Nice Pics Rog,

As you know I have both engines on the way. I also have a bunch of marble and granite remnants from projects in loads of colours and patterns.

Mind if I copy your idea?

IndianaRog

Richard, feel free to copy the idea of mounting Lilliput or Jenny Wren type engines on marble or granite.

Here's a few other learning points now that I have run the Lilliput a dozen times at least:

1) make the little internal support framework from bits of straight brass stock (bottoms) and bits of brass tubing for the uprights...measure and cut such that the uprights snug up against the boiler/firebox insides, but only enough it doesn't cause the firebox sides to pucker out.

2) for the back bottom edge of the firebox I made a tiny groove in a 3/8" long bit of square brass tubing to permit the rear bottom edge of the firebox to sit within the groove...this prevented fore and aft movement

3) AVOID the ring I built onto my initial marble version for burner retention. Instead, the burner tank must be OUT about 1/2 inch from firebox opening to center the burner head under the middle of the boiler and allow a bit of flame to lick the open firebox end of the boiler (instructions actually encourage this). I found it critical to allow for burner fore and aft adjustment, as flame placement impacted performance in a big way.

If I had to do it again, I would use a slightly longer piece of marble...I used 2 inch x 3 inch piece...the 2 inch side was fine, the 3 inch side would be better if 3.5 inches to allow that burner to slide fore and aft. If you watch my video just posted, you can see I had to position burner half off the marble to make it work right...doh!!

4) I used JB Weld (a US brand of epoxy that is especially strong) to anchor the brass support structure to the marble...it worked very well and heat, meths, water and oil drippage doesn't seem to effect it. BTW...that block of marble gets quite warm to the touch after you run it 4-5 times...I could not pick it up bare handed

5) I didn't use the lovely funnel included or a teaspoon measure. Instead I had a syringe, determined the boiler held 9 cc's (ml's) max, so filled it with 6 cc's to avoid priming problems. Used same syringe to fill meths into the little burner reservoir...about 3 cc's. Burner could be refilled 3X for one boiler fill.

6) DON'T run this out on your railing...too easy to drop the gravity fit burner lid thru your decking slots...that would be one of those "oh shit" moments of the highest magnitude!!

I think you will find the Lilliput (and Jenny Lind very likely) are built to the highest finish and it is mesmerizing to watch that piston the size of a pencil lead cycle in a blur. Great concept, superb execution. I hope Phil Gravett is making these for a long time to come, they are in a class of their own.

Rog

MTA

Rog,

The Jenny Wren instructions also state to have the flame licking outside the boiler. I suspect this is so that the heat does not escape up the flue, therefore wasting it.

kusuchi

Hi Rog,

Fortunately, we have access under the deck under the handrail but only in front of the planter, which comprises a concrete wall.

Where the fairground is temporarily placed we are in trouble. So far three drive bands, one safety valve and the nut for a loco bumper have disappeared between the boards.

When the total losses make it worth the trouble I'll take up a couple of the boards. I did it before about five years ago. Quite a treasure trove down there

IndianaRog

I once was disassembling a prize ww2 rifle outside for cleaning and had a small spring fall thru the deck boards to drop 20 feet below.

Amazingly I went down and found it in the grass...I was lucky for sure!!

johnreid

I received a Bowman in a box that the Post Office speared, I went out on the road in front of my house and looked on the pavement, on my hands and knees, and found the little oiler handle for my Bowman!! Beat that!

IndianaRog

OK...you win John !!! You had two bits of luck in one delivery...

First, the spear, pool cue or ski pole that had it's way with your delivery, somehow missed the engine itself despite an entry and exit wound.

Second, the postman drops an oiler by the mailbox on a snowy day after it falls thru the box hole...then YOU manage to find it at street edge, before the snowplows or sandtrucks swept it away.

Yup, you win...no man gets that lucky twice in one day!!!

cheers mate,
Rog

kusuchi

I quit. No contest.

johnreid

Dont worry, it is kind of like the scales of Justice, I find the oiler handle one day and then buy a Mamod SR1A the next

Its funny how that works. I was so intent on finding that, I really knew it had to be somewhere and was not going to give up till I found it.

kusuchi

Nick

I like the black galaxy, maybe you should mount it right to the counter.

Les

I think the Black Galaxy would contrast nicely against the brass.

Nick

And mounted next to the sink would make for easy filling of the boiler.

Les

Nick

For 3 cc's of meths!!

Les

Nick

Roger, how much teeny weeny power do you think this thing has? Could it power a small table saw accessory?

Wallace

Rog, that is a great engine. So tiny, but detailed. I love it

johnreid

I dont think it has a pulley wheel to run things with.

steamyman

Georgeous!

IndianaRog

Thanks guys, I had a ball figuring out how to mount it to the marble and then getting it to run perfectly.

As to whether it could power any tiny accessories...I suppose YES if you had accessories built to the same scale because though it goes fast, there is little torque. Also, it has no power take off pulley as I figure the builder didn't envision it operating anything.

It would be cute to see it operate a saw or hammer built to the same scale, but with my sausage fingers I don't think personally fabricate anything that small.

Nick, it might only take 3 cc's of meths per burner loading, but PER loading is the operative word. That goes for about 4 minutes...I must have gone thru ten loadings at least and my basement stunk like I'd been running a big engine!!!

Richard, I'm like a few of the other guys...I like that black with specs kitchen counter of yours...if you could come up with a piece about 2.5 inches x 4 inches it would be perfect and the black would set off the brass nicely. The granite types you showed are gorgeous, but the pattern would probably overwhelm the petite size of these engines.

kusuchi

Here's a close up. I have 2' X 2'6" offcut so could make quite a few bases.

IndianaRog

Gorgeous stuff Richard, I think it would look great as a base under any brass steam engine...those highlights in the Marble are just beautiful.

BUT, if you cut smaller pieces, do you have the ability to polish the edges?

kusuchi

Yes, it's about as much fun as cleaning brass boilers..

and takes about twice as long....more for Granite!

I don't have a ($500) diamond blade 1/4" round over router/shaper bit, so the edges would have to be squarer. (I can ease them with a sander). Then its just a belt sander, wet and dry, start with 80 grit and work your way down to 400. Put it on the buffer. ( Finally, a little known secret, lacquer really works to give it that finished sheen) Then seal it with a high quality water based sealer, eg Aquaseal Masters Choice Gold. Voila! Piece of cake.

Marble is a lot easier, it's softer, etc, but......much more susceptible to water damage and staining. Make sure you get a good sealer on that base, Rog.

kusuchi

Edit:

Rog, you might be interested in my last post. We very rarely use Marble in kitchens as, because of it's porosity, it is too susceptible to staining and water damage. Granite is usually the material of choice. Really recommend a high quality sealer. Aquaseal Master's Choice Gold is one of the best, you'll need two or three coats.

Regards,

johnreid

We always used a Silicone Sealer on floors. I agree, Marble is high maintenance for kitchens etc.

IndianaRog

Interesting....I didn't realize marble was as soft as it sounds and capable of water damage. So far I've been wiping off the water drips and steam oil splats at the end of a run, no stains so far. Maybe the oil is sealing the surface!

When you are working on a piece 2 x 3 inches...one can apply a bit of care!!

johnreid

Marble is very close to Limestone, just a few thousand years older.

An Architech we used to build for specified some Marble floors and they were a maintenance nightmare for the Customer. Naturally we got called every time there was a stain or damage. They would drag heavy pieces of equipment in the floor and cut grooves in it.

Granite is real durable and sometimes Monument Dealers ( tombstones ) have scraps.

Nick

John, you gave me an idea,

When I die, I am having my favorite engine mounted to my tombstone.

kusuchi

kusuchi

RocDoc

johnreid