Author Topic: Little Kathy and me (Read 26209 times)

saw · « **on:** January 31, 2011, 02:22:47 PM »

After nearly thirty year I have taking up an old hobby that I really love, working with a mill and a lathe, making steam engine and things around it.

It is such a feeling, after many hour and late nights, the project I was working on, finally been successful.

Some weeks ago I’ve got a packet from Tiny Power, US. It was a casting kit of a steam engine called “Little Kathy“. She was presented in a nice box, with plans and a reprint of an orginally article from 1926 published in The Modelmaker magazine.

There was something about Little Kathy makes me looke a little closer to her. The velve cheest is diffrent then Stuart 10 for exampel. The appearance makes her to look like the real thing – a Steam Engine.

One thing, to try to make something from US is that they always talk about inch, I on the other hand, is born and raise with millimeter. Converting from inch to mm is not allways so easy so what I am going to do is as long as I can I will stick with the inch, but for me when I building I always convert to mm.
They have also the enoyng thing that sometime they describe a measure as 1/4 and sometimes 0.250. And also when talking about drilling they have #53 and so on.
My solution was to create a computerprogram where I could translate all of those strange numbers to mitric.

There was two plans, the orginal plan fron 1921 and a uppdate plan.

Starting with the base..

..some milling..

Then drilling and threading the bearings to the base.

Finish the column

Making the crankshaft..

all the part together..

.. and finish

Then the flywheels

And so far..

Somthing is comming together. Now while I am waiting for some equipment, I’ll go on with the cylinder. First some center hole in the lathe..

next I have to drill ..

then some turn in the lathe.

I will be back when I have done some more progress, until then

Hej då.

Benni

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2011, 03:14:49 PM »

nice going Benni

Looks like you put your new four jaw chuck straight to work

Looking forward to seeing some more

Rob

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2011, 03:27:32 PM »

Looking good Benni!

Very well shown too!

David D

ALB · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:25:06 PM »

Hello Benni,

That looks on the way to being a nice engine

How do you get the crank to stay rigid? do you just press fit them in ?

Keep them pictures a coming

James

saw · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2011, 05:44:31 PM »

Hello Rob.Wilson, Stilldrillin and ALB.

Thanks for nice comment. Yes my new chuck has come in handy. It's so nice to have good tools when working with engine.

ALB:
The crankshaft was 3/16 = 4,8 mm. With some turn in the lathe I make it to 4 mm 3,2 mm long so I hade a edge. Then I use my knurling tool and then I could press everything together. It works fine.

Yes my friends I am going to continue to send in more photos and tell you a bit about it on my broken english.

(You should be very happy that you can't here me when I am typing...)

Ha det bra.
Benni

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2011, 08:49:59 PM »

Don't worry about your broken English. It is much better than my non existent Swedish!

Looking very good! Keep the pictures coming.

Eric

75Plus · « **Reply #6 on:** January 31, 2011, 09:31:38 PM »

Hi Benni,

If you don't already have one here is a conversion chart for drill sizes in metric, inch and number/letter from .25mm to 1 inch.

http://academic.evergreen.edu/projects/biophysics/technotes/fabric/drill_conv.htm

And here is a simple, quick and free program for imperial to metric (or visa-versa) conversions.

http://joshmadison.com/convert-for-windows/

Dean W · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2011, 09:36:18 PM »

You're doing well, Benni. This will be an enjoyable build, (for all of us!).

sbwhart · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:39:45 AM »

Good job that man

Enjoying your build Benni keep it comming.

Stew

saw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2011, 03:37:23 AM »

Hi every one and thanks for nice words.

Da_Kengineer_Meister:
A drillchuck is not the best tool for a endmill, so I take very very light cut. (I'll use the drillchuck while I'll waiting for some new eqiptment[mandrel I think the name is])

75Plus :
Thanks for the links, but as I wrote, I have build a program where I can convert all the inch, fanny numbers and so on to metrics.

Ha det

Benni

NickG · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:48:07 AM »

Nice work, should be interesting. It looks a bit like a scaled down stuart no. 1.

Nick

madjackghengis · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2011, 10:07:16 AM »

Hi Benni, that is going to be a very nice looking and good running engine when you are done. I bought a kit, and ended up giving it to a close friend for Christmas, so he's building it, but the castings are good quality, and the plans are such that with modern equipment, it is much easier to build than it was eighty years ago. I have the same problem with conversion to metric and imperial, having been raised on U.S. standard, the funny thing is, any one system would work, but no one is willing to let go of their own, long accustomed, and well ingrained system. We officially adopted the metric system almost a hundred and fifty years ago, yet very little of America uses metric except in imported things primarily. I hope you get this going smoothly and quickly so we can all see a good running engine, and for all the arguing, converting to a close enough size, one that fits the job, it must do, is as good as it needs to be, I use metric when scrap parts turn out to be such, and are things like ground shafting, and bushings that fit, and just adjust things around to fit in. Great start on a nice engine

Cheers, mad jack

saw · « **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2011, 11:50:24 AM »

Thank you every one for nice words, that is a big inspiration for me.

Some progress sense last week:

I am still working on the cylinder..
Drilling the center hole for the valve chamber..

.. and then some turns on the lathe..

..some drilling for the exhaust steam..

..cleaning up..

..threading.

The very same for the steam inlet.

Prepare for the steam channels

Those channels should be drilling at 45 degree.

Finish.

The cylinder head..

Drilling hole for the allen bolts.

Threading.

And now my friends, this part is finish.

I'll be back
Benni

Ray · « **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2011, 01:21:02 PM »

Good job Benni.

Ray

arnoldb · « **Reply #14 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:08:52 PM »

You're doing a really nice job Benni

How big is this engine ? - it looks like it is quite small!

, Arnold

saw · « **Reply #15 on:** February 04, 2011, 02:53:28 PM »

Arnold:
Well it's a rad small engine, 138 mm.

krv3000 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 04, 2011, 06:40:46 PM »

thats shaping up niceley

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2011, 04:04:29 AM »

Looking good Benni!

Taking shape nicely.....

David D

Bogstandard · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2011, 04:38:51 AM »

You're doing very well there Benni.

Everything is looking great so far.

Bogs

sbwhart · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2011, 05:39:30 AM »

Looking good

Stew

Dean W · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2011, 07:46:35 PM »

Once again, it's looking good Benni.
It appears to use a great big valve compared to others this size.

Trion · « **Reply #21 on:** February 06, 2011, 04:06:34 AM »

Mycket bra! Looking forward to the next post!

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #22 on:** February 06, 2011, 04:29:53 AM »

Nice work Benni

Rob

saw · « **Reply #23 on:** February 08, 2011, 03:42:43 PM »

Hello gent and thanks for kind words.

Dean W: this steam engine has an valvet chamber, a cylinder not done yet, and inside a round valve is connected. Thats why it is rada big.

Ok the story goes on.
It’s time for the bottom cover it’s a little bit tricky as you can see on the plan.

On the upper side it should pass the inside of the cylinder, to the left a hole for the column and to the right two holes for the other column.
On the bottom side a center hole for the piston rod. But as you can see there is no steam packing so I decided to modified little Kathy a bit.
First some turns in the lathe for the piston road.

Then I make the steam packing.

The top side passing for the cylinder.

Then drilling for the column.

Drilling and threading for the cylinder.

Assembling the parts so far.

I am still waiting for some equipment so I have to do this small work wail I am waiting.
I’ll be back
Benni

NickG · « **Reply #24 on:** February 08, 2011, 06:46:02 PM »

Benni,

It's all looking very good to me. Did you use a die on that packing gland thread or screwcut?

Nick

saw · « **Reply #25 on:** February 08, 2011, 07:11:52 PM »

NickG: I'll use a die.

saw · « **Reply #26 on:** February 16, 2011, 07:59:17 AM »

Hello gentlemen.

Well it’s time for an update.

First a run on the lathe for making the piston.

And complete with the piston road.

Then milling the column and making place for the crosshead.

Making the column square.

Cleaning up the crosshead…

and making it square…

And check if it fits well.

Drilling the guide strip…

And checking with the cross head again.

Drilling the cross head for the piston road.

Drilling and treading for mounting the bottom cover.

And it began to be an engine, right?

Now I have to do some adjustment so everything will be working in line, I suppose it will take some time, until then..

I’ll be back.

Benni.

arnoldb · « **Reply #27 on:** February 16, 2011, 01:38:10 PM »

Very nice progress Benni - looks great

Kind regards, Arnold

Dean W · « **Reply #28 on:** February 16, 2011, 06:36:45 PM »

The assembly shot shows it off well, Benni. It's coming out a nice looking engine.

fixit · « **Reply #29 on:** February 16, 2011, 07:30:10 PM »

Looking very good Benni !

can you please tell me what camera you are using , i have to relace mine and your pic's look realy good.

Steve

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #30 on:** February 17, 2011, 03:29:27 AM »

Looking good.

Taking shape very nicely Benni.

David D

saw · « **Reply #31 on:** February 17, 2011, 04:47:00 AM »

Thanks for nice words.

fixit:
I brought myself a new camera a few month ago, a Nikon coolpix P100. This is perhaps the best camera I ever hade. It's very easy to take macropicture.

madjackghengis · « **Reply #32 on:** February 17, 2011, 09:48:19 AM »

Coming along very nicely, you should be running it soon, and putting on a show for us. Nice work, and nice fitment.

cheers, jack

scrapman · « **Reply #33 on:** February 17, 2011, 10:02:31 AM »

Nice build cant wait to see it running

Ray.

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #34 on:** February 17, 2011, 10:47:48 AM »

Hi Benni

I see you motoring along with the build

,, she is looking fine

Rob

saw · « **Reply #35 on:** February 20, 2011, 07:56:03 AM »

Hello gent and thanks for nice words.

Now it’s time to take care of the crosshead. I have make an special rig for milling..

and it comes out radar good.

Drilling for the crankshaft..

and put together.

So far so good. Now coming so far, I can see some very ugly and wrong. It’s all that ugly allen bolt’s . They are in wrong size and don’t look as a full size engine should do. I will try to replace those allen bolts with something better.

I’ll be back.

Benni.

madjackghengis · « **Reply #36 on:** February 20, 2011, 10:27:41 AM »

Hi Benni, it's good to see you coming along so well and smoothly. It is easy to look at someone else's work and criticize, but when you are doing the work yourself, all of the sudden it is only your own standard that counts, and looking at your own work, and deciding it doesn't look quite right because of something like the allen bolts, is a big step from simple utilitarian, just getting the job done, stepping up to getting it done and working, and looking right as well, which is particularly satisfying for a person's own pleasure and enjoyment of the hobby. I do my best to build engines with studs and nuts, over sized bolts, and all the things done to ensure engines stayed together and lasted long in the field, when they were built, and enjoy watching them turn and chuff, far more because they are right looking, as one watches. I'm looking forward to seeing her under steam soon.

jack

NickG · « **Reply #37 on:** February 20, 2011, 11:06:57 AM »

I agree, I always prefer the look of hex head bolts or studs and nuts on engines like this

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #38 on:** February 22, 2011, 01:00:05 PM »

WOW ,,,,,,,,, Benni

Great job

Rob

saw · « **Reply #39 on:** February 24, 2011, 12:01:14 PM »

Hello gentlemen and again thanks for nice words.

The story’s goes on
I decided to make a modification from the plan and I make some oil cups.

They come up radar nicely I think.
Then drilling and threading for the oil cups..

and it fits radar well I think.

Now it’s time for big business, the connecting rods.

First center in the lathe

then some cleaning up..

and again.

Drilling for the bolts.

Then divide into two parts..

and threading.

Back to the lathe and drilling for the crankshaft.

Then some more cleaning up.

Then back to the mill and making space for the crosshead..

and finish.

And now gentlemen, I have got some of my bolts, and believe me it makes some different.

Thanks for watching this log.
I’ll be back

Benni

Ray · « **Reply #40 on:** February 24, 2011, 01:59:22 PM »

That Little Kathy is coming right along. Keep up the good work Benni.

Ray

NickG · « **Reply #41 on:** February 25, 2011, 05:51:30 AM »

Looking good Benni, not far from a test run

saw · « **Reply #42 on:** March 05, 2011, 09:59:45 AM »

Hello Gentlemen.
Thanks for comments.

Wel now it’s time to take care of the last thing, about the valve.
First some turns in the lathe for making the valve chamber.

As you can see at the plans, there are same channels that have to be drilling and milling. As you can see I have also maked the top screw.

Next, some turns again in the lathe for making the valve.

This is the valve road eye. First some turn in the lathe again, then treading for connections with the valve.

After that, drilling for connections with the eccentric strap.

And now, the eccentric strap, first cleaning and planning in the lathe.

Center drilling for connections with the valve road eye.

Then drilling and milling..

and some threading.

Some cleaning on the eccentric strap.

And now, all the parts are finish.

I’ll just have to mount the engine, so I can see how she is coming out.

Do not believe that she is finish yet. It’s now the real building begun. She needs lots of adjustments. As I know for now, some parts have to be redone. I have replaced some of the ugly allen bolts, but not all. After that all the painting need to be done. I am not 100% shore about with color I shell choose, but I am thinking about greyish blue.
Around the cylinder, I am thinking to cover with some wood strip, stain and then seal with sealing.
So this is for now.

I’ll be back

Benni

NickG · « **Reply #43 on:** March 05, 2011, 11:52:03 AM »

Looks good Benni, like the sound of the wooden lagging strips - I always think that looks nice and authentic.

Nick

madjackghengis · « **Reply #44 on:** March 05, 2011, 10:46:10 PM »

That little Kathey came out really beautiful and I'm looking forward to seeing her run. I'm sure the lagging will go well with the bronze and make a nice contrast.

cheers, Jack

arnoldb · « **Reply #45 on:** March 06, 2011, 02:34:50 AM »

Looks really nice all assembled Benni

Regards, Arnold

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #46 on:** March 06, 2011, 03:09:21 AM »

Nice going Benni

Looks like she will be a runner soon

Rob

saw · « **Reply #47 on:** April 06, 2011, 11:29:54 AM »

Hello Gentlemen.

It was a while ago but I have not been lazy. There was a couple of detail as I have to redone, then painting of course. Then I put some wooden lagging strips on the cylinder and of course some bling.

I have not taking any photos during the painting or the other things I have done, I think that my of the finish engine will speak for itself.

I have some trouble to run her, I have managed to run her for 30 sec, but as soon as I find the correct adjustment of the valve she will be a good runner.

Now this project is finish but..

I’ll be back

Benni

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #48 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:25:37 PM »

Benni.
She's beautiful!

Blummin well done.....

Video, next?

David D

NickG · « **Reply #49 on:** April 06, 2011, 12:34:12 PM »

Benni,

Very nice. Yeah get it tweaked and tuned and post a vid!

Nick

Rob.Wilson · « **Reply #50 on:** April 06, 2011, 02:06:28 PM »

well done Benni

she sure looks fine

Rob

madjackghengis · « **Reply #51 on:** April 07, 2011, 09:21:49 AM »

Hi Benni, I had to go back and look at your engine after the paint and bling, and I must say, you've done a beautiful engine up, and I really can't wait to hear it run. I gave a kit like that to an old friend some time ago, and he's not finished it, but I think I will direct him to your build log, and inspire him. I really look forward to your getting the timing right, and hearing it run, that is the final test, and for me, the best feeling of all. Very fine job and interesting jigs and other means of getting your parts the way you want.

Cheers, Jack

saw · « **Reply #52 on:** April 07, 2011, 01:49:13 PM »

Thank you gentlemen for all of your'e kind words, it's you that make everything happend.

I couldn’t resist to show you my last photos, when the light where nearly perfect. Here I have complete little Kathy with some pluming.

Now I am going to set off some time for having Little Kathy to run.

arnoldb · « **Reply #53 on:** April 09, 2011, 11:09:08 AM »

Your engine came out just dandy Benni

Well done; looking forward to a video

Kind regards, Arnold

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Author Topic: Little Kathy and me (Read 26209 times)

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