Tandem Compound Poppet Valve Steam Engine Build, ala Cedge

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Bernd:
:jaw: :jaw:

Bernd

dsquire:
Cedge

A+++ and go to the head of the class. :ddb: :ddb:

Cheers :beer:

Don

Stilldrillin:
:bugeye: :bugeye:

:clap: :clap: :clap:

:bow: :bow: :bow:

David D

madjackghengis:
Cedge, that is beautiful work, I just have to wonder if your wife has any idea of the difference there is between machining brass or bronze, and machining stainless. I found your method of setting the "touch off" of the end mill interesting, I was taught to use a cigarette paper, and bring the cutter to just hold the paper, and move the cutter till the paper moves with slight friction, and having exactly a thousandth after that. The old guys in the shop said it was too easy to put pressure on a feeler gauge and not know it, but impossible with the paper. Obviously you haven't let it interfere with your skills, just a curious difference in experience. I think you are making the project art, by ensuring all that open space, and all the visibility. It makes a world of difference, even if it does impact a bit on the time it takes. I end up working with stainless on a regular basis, and some of them will literally reach out and grab a chunk of flesh and rip it out of your hand while you are being dutifully careful. I can't wait for the video of the first engine, or for that matter, the second one either. :jaw: :bugeye: :headbang: mad jack

cedge:
Jack...
I'm smarter than that. I put her on the list of "to do's" and then I'll let time take its toll on her memory. It'll still be there on the list but it isn't going to move very much. If her memory doesn't fade quickly, I can show always her it's still there....... when I get to it. .....LOL. A wise friend told me that his shop existed only to keep him entertained and occupied until he's called to a higher place. I had to agree with his definition. Time has no real meaning in such a place, so if it takes 1 minute or 12 hours, it's just what it takes to get it right.

I've used the paper trick as well, but the shim stock is just easier to keep right there on the machine. It has a small nest just above the quill's fine movement dial. I've never really noticed any problems with it, but I work by feel. The minute can feel the end mill scratching the metal, I reset the DRO. Since the scratching doesn't leave any visual mark, I figure it's somewhere around .0001 - .0002 plus, or minus. I might use that level of tolerance for marking out, but would need a much more rigid machine to actually mill in that nether region.

I finally found something that will produce a nastier ribbon than stainless. I recently played with a marine grade of cupro-nickel which is still in the bronze family. Wicked stuff. If it isn't making razor spirals of death, it yields millions of microscopic needles that can penetrate nearly any substance known to man. I'm eventually going to use it for an engine project, but I'm not in a hurry.....LOL The stuff makes 304 stainless look user friendly.

Steve

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