The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum

Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 4:21 am Post subject: Scratchbuilders! i need your help

im looking to make a simple engine and possibly a boiler....if anyone has done this already can you send me your plans etc

thanks!

Bubba · Guest

Here is something more scratchy and inspirational than practical...
well maybe it is a simple engine after all .
The dude (Valcheslav Slavinsky?) is quite bright and daring in his use of a boiler.
Check out this efforts and plans HERE>>>>

Edit:

Sorry, links removed. The boiler is too dangerous
Wallace

Cedge · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:06 am Post subject:

Cam
You've built a steam boiler before? It's not something to just assume is just that easy. The requirements to do it safely are best researched a bit before you build yourself a small but potentially very dangerous explosive device. Even experienced scratch builders quite often purchase their boilers pre-built, unless they've been trained to build them.

Very bad idea to show the kids something that dangerous, Bubba. They might get the notion to try it. I certainly do not condone the Russian guy's use of a wine bottle and stove top. Someone is sure to get hurt.

Dumb is not even close to daring... just ask any redneck who ever survived shouting "Hey Ya'll .... watch this!!"

Steve
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Bubba · Guest

Cedge , showing it wasn't a suggestion that a child should go out and dangerously do it verbatim.
If a kid could be sharp enough to build that working model
then your addended advice to not use the Russian Boiler would be wise words of wisdom indeed!

Cedge · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 5:49 am Post subject:

Bubba
Cam is asking to do exactly that... to build an engine and boiler. Still say.... not a good example at all. We strive very hard to preach "safety first" on the board.

Yup... and one of em was from somewhere around Ozark country, as I recall.

Steve
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Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:06 am Post subject:

hmmm, after what you said i think id rather not build a boiler

Too Dangerous

but a nice engine would be good, im really interested in a non-oscillating engine

Wallace · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:17 am Post subject:

Hi cam steaman.

Keep an eye out on ebay for parts.

Mamod boilers come up occassionally, and so do the engines alone.

Then you could put the 2 together on your own base. It won't be scratch built but will be custom.

I've seen a few nice engines built like that
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Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:28 am Post subject:

good idea.....any way i have limited tools and little experience it could be a good place to start

cam

tmuir · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:48 am Post subject:

Suggest you buy the book
Building Simple Model Steam Engines by Tubal Cain and or Making Simple Model Steam Engines by Stan Bray.

Both books are a great reference and give detailed plans on how to build toy steam engines.
Although they are aimed at people who have small lathes they give a lot of advice and information useful to people without lathes too.

The books are readily available from most major book stores, amazon or ebay.
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A nice example of an Australian made Scorpion Donkey Engine

Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

that i will DO!....tomorrow coz is 6:22pm here....might go to the library

Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:16 am Post subject:

http://www.john-tom.com/ElmersEngines/25_26_Wobbler&Boiler.pdf

check this out

How hard would this be to build?

Wallace · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:22 am Post subject:

Quite difficult for the beginner I would think. I wouldn't try it.

Also depends on the tools you have access too.

I'd start off with the basics. Learning to solder (building the custom engine out of parts) and go from there.
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Cam · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:25 am Post subject:

haha im getting ahead of myself.....dont know if you've heard of McCabe's Runner, apparently it can be built with out special tools..but i do like the idea of a custom mamod engine

xlchainsaw · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 4:18 am Post subject:

igy569 · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:59 pm Post subject:

I have already built several good boilers. But it take patience, and a lot of it. Just use good materials, and you have to know how to solder. It is a MUST to have a safety valve, that will prevent it blowing up.
Otherwise, look for a Jensen. The 60's (AKA 76) are really easy to mod, and can be had for very reasonable prices. Even new they are not that much.
Good luck! I got an M50 countershaft for my birthday yesterday, now as soon as the belts arrive, I can play with it!!!!