Author Topic: Potty Grasshopper Engine (Read 25602 times)

sbwhart · « **on:** September 08, 2015, 02:41:49 AM »

The inspiration for this engine comes from a haulage engine on display at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry, the engine was built in the 1840 and was used to haul wagons up an incline at an alkaline works, being an haulage engine it would run in both direction via a simple slip eccentric.

The model will be far from a scale model of this engine as I intend the design to be as simple as possible suitable for beginners, so I have taken huge liberties in the design, it will use the same cylinder and piston valve as my Horizontal Mill Engine and Vertical Cross Engine.

This is the assembly drawing

I had planned on using a cast fly wheel but had problems sourcing a suitable casting they were all too big and chunky, fly wheels of this period were far lighter affairs, in the end a had a blank laser cut that I've machined up and painted I've posted this else ware on the forum, but for those who missed it this is the finished fly wheel.

I've nearly got all the cylinder parts finished but as I've used the cylinder for other engines that I've ran threads for I won't bore you with its construction.

As this is very much a work in progress I won't make the drawing available until the engine is finished and I've caught up with all the changes there inevitably will be.

Cheers
Stew

mexican jon · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2015, 04:29:43 AM »

Looking forward to this

sbwhart · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2015, 07:56:21 AM »

Thanks Jon looks like you're the only one to read it.

Been working on the Beam made from a length of 1/8" * 5/8" mild steel first job mark one of the bars with all the hole position and mark the other with just the centre hole.

Then drill all the holes in one beam, and just the centre hole in the other, then clamp the two together at the centre and drill the rest of the holes through the other that way they will be exactly the same.

Add a few more clamp bolts just so nothing will move.

And set to with the mill or a file to get it to the tapered shape and finish of the rads at the end with a couple of filing buttons,

Next up machine up the 8mm spacers tapped M3 then make the clamping/pivot bolts.

This is what it looks like completed.

I've nearly got the con rod finished but I've been called away on domestic duties.

Stew

awemawson · « **Reply #3 on:** September 11, 2015, 08:10:33 AM »

Don't worry Stew I'm watching

Chuck in E. TN · « **Reply #4 on:** September 11, 2015, 08:21:27 AM »

Me too, Stew!
Is there a list anywhere of your engines that use the same cylinder? I intend to build them all.

Chuck

modeldozer · « **Reply #5 on:** September 11, 2015, 08:36:00 AM »

Looking good, am following with great interest.

Abraham

Pete W. · « **Reply #6 on:** September 11, 2015, 10:38:52 AM »

Quote from: awemawson on September 11, 2015, 08:10:33 AM

Don't worry Stew I'm watching

Me, too.

shipto · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2015, 05:09:13 PM »

Watching too

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #8 on:** September 12, 2015, 02:39:09 AM »

See, Jon was not the only one watching. It's just that the rest of us didn't say so at first. So, as with all your posts, I am another who will follow your build. With

in hand after messing about trying to build our club challenge, "Jan Ridders, Coffee Cup Stirling".

John B

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #9 on:** September 12, 2015, 04:16:18 AM »

Sorry! I'm late again, Stew.

Only just spotted, you've set off without me......

Watching. Appreciating.......

David D

sbwhart · « **Reply #10 on:** September 12, 2015, 07:34:18 AM »

Hi

I see you old madmodders are awake then

Ok on with the con rod I made this from 1/2" Squ mild steel

First job was to cut a length off and square it off in the lathe using a 4 jaw self cantering chuck, then I blued it up and marked out the key features.

Then drilled 8mm holes where the bearing bushes will fit.

Centred both ends and machined a 6mm register to help mill the flats in the middle when I come to them.

Then supporting one end with a running centre rough out the key points with a parting tool.

And rough out one end of the shape.

Swop it round and rough out the other end.

Slew the compound round 1 1/2 deg and machine the taper with a round nose tool.

Flip it round and taper the other end a shape the fat belly in the middle, and polish up with a bit of emery.

Mill the ends to thick ness maling use of the register when the cut just kisses it where down to size.

Shape the end with some filing buttons

Give it a polish and fit the bearings.

While I was at it made the cross head.

Her they are fitted on the beam.

And her's the beam with the cylinder.

Stew

sbwhart · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2015, 07:39:06 AM »

Quote from: Chuck in E. TN on September 11, 2015, 08:21:27 AM

Me too, Stew!
Is there a list anywhere of your engines that use the same cylinder? I intend to build them all.

Chuck

Hi Chuck there will be three in total:-

The mill engine http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,8438.msg90828.html#msg90828

The Vertical engine http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,9371.msg103716.html#msg103716

And this grasshopper.

Thanks for your interest.

Stew

Chuck in E. TN · « **Reply #12 on:** September 12, 2015, 07:42:05 AM »

Thanks, Stew.

Chuck

sbwhart · « **Reply #13 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:00:10 AM »

On with the swing beam.

I've long admired the iron work of a beam engine that runs at Style Mill Cheshire, it roughly of the same date as the grasshopper I'm styling this model on. the Iron work on this engine is based round the them of interlocking circle's so I thought I would try and make this beam a series of interlocking circles.

First job turn a length of bar down and mark the part off points of each circle.

Then transfer over to the spin indexer and mill two flats down either side, and drill each side 1/16".

Then back over onto the lathe and drill out.

And then part off each circle.

Link the circles together with a 1/16 rod

And silver solder together.

Then mill two more flats on each side.

And drill some 1/6" to take some 1/16 rivets to hold the side arms in place, then soft solder the lot together.

Drill the pivot hole through both sides.

And clean up its going to get a lick of paint so it doesn't need a shine.

This is it mocked up in place for a look see.

Stew

Chuck in E. TN · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:18:24 AM »

Stew, I am in awe of your talents!

Chuck

RotarySMP · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:20:58 AM »

That brass fabricated beam is excellent.

jcs0001 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 17, 2015, 02:33:05 PM »

Stew:

Very nice work. As a complete amateur I appreciate the multitude of photos and the explanations that you give.

Thanks,

John.

tom osselton · « **Reply #17 on:** September 17, 2015, 02:35:52 PM »

She's going to be a beauty!

John Rudd · « **Reply #18 on:** September 17, 2015, 03:45:15 PM »

I turned away for a few minutes......oh wow that looks good Stew....

Waiting in anticipation to the finished engine....

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #19 on:** September 17, 2015, 03:55:40 PM »

That's blummin', gorgeous!

Well done, Stew......

David D

krv3000 · « **Reply #20 on:** September 17, 2015, 04:43:34 PM »

oooooo nice

mexican jon · « **Reply #21 on:** September 17, 2015, 05:53:11 PM »

Awesome work

With a capital A

sbwhart · « **Reply #22 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:07:19 AM »

Thanks for your support Chaps.

Next bit the eccentric arm decided to keep the circle theme going.

So turned up and parted off some rings with their diameters receding in size drill 1/16 and threaded on a bit of wire as before.

The final was turned up and threaded M3 and shaped to blend in with the circle.

It was also drilled 1/16 and threaded on the wire.

And the whole lot silver soldered together, whist it was in the pickle made the valve rod handle fron 3/8 square bar.

Faced off centre drilled and drilled at tapped M3

Then drill a 3mm hole off centre slightly to help keep it on the valve rod/

Formed the other end up into a nice handle shape.

Thinned the width down to 1/4

Cut a slot to take the Valve rod.

And this is it finished.

And where it will roughly sit on the engine.

Cheers

Stew

Joules · « **Reply #23 on:** September 21, 2015, 11:19:02 AM »

Oh NO..... yet more machine porn

Why oh why do I open these threads......

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #24 on:** September 21, 2015, 05:43:38 PM »

Oh, my........

Well done. Again!

David D

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Author Topic: Potty Grasshopper Engine (Read 25602 times)