Author Topic: Mia's engine........ (Read 32787 times)

Stilldrillin · « **on:** January 17, 2014, 03:46:31 AM »

I was test running one of my hot air engines on the coffee table, when Little Granddaughter trotted in......... "What dat Grandad?"

Before I could answer, Grandma said. "It's one of Grandad's engines. He will make you one, one day." ..... Thanks Grandma!

Those lovely big brown eyes turned to me. "For my birfday?" (In three days time!)

What to do?? Grandad's Little Sweetheart is three, in three days time! And, she wants an engine!!

I dived into the Come in Handy pile. And found a heavy aluminium oil pot, from some, long ago scrapped, hydraulic system.

1/4" cross hole.........

Axle........

And, a couple of spare flywheels.......

I reckoned she could safely spin the wheels. Without doing too much damage to herself, or the furniture.

So, I dismantled and boxed. Ready for the next time she called here.......

To be continued........

David D

AussieJimG · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2014, 05:05:37 AM »

Well done David, this is something she will remember all her life.

My Grandfather gave me a piece of 1/2" brass rod about 1" long in a Vaseline jar (with the blue and white lid) full of kerosene. I carried it around for ages telling anyone who asked that it was "a bit of carburetor - the most technical word I knew).

I shook it so much that the glass jar broke. I was devastated. But 70 years later, I still remember it.

Nostalgia is alive and well

Jim

lordedmond · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2014, 01:04:50 PM »

David

Had a similar thing but my task came in the form I want to make a engine like granddad closely followed by her sister

well the are both to young to allow the uses of the machines so this is what I did

hope its ok to link to another forum mod delete if its not allowed

http://www.modelenginemaker.com/index.php/topic,2743.msg47004.html#msg47004

Stuart

millwright · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2014, 04:23:44 PM »

Nice one David,
My two grandchildren always like to go in my garage to see what im tinkering with . But most of all to see my spider that lives in the corner of the window and the side of one of my tool chests. I dont know if its the same one but theres one there permenantly for at least 5 yrs i feed it on maggots through the winter just to keep it going. The Kids Love watching but from a safe disdtance.

John

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #4 on:** January 17, 2014, 06:09:44 PM »

Thanks for your replies Chaps! Much appreciated.

Jim.
Ah, yes! The special/ secret items we lads carried. Including a penknife......
I still have my George III penny!

Stuart.
I started following your posting. But a computer rebuild, made me miss the completion! Thanks for posting the link.
A lovely story, and pics.

Don't worry. We have no problem with inter forum links, here.

John.
Mia loves to explore in the workshop! Saying wot "dat", at most things she sees.
How do you explain the pieces in the scrap/ come in handy pile?

The last big spider I found in the shop, bit/ stung me when I picked it up!
Not too sure about having one for a pet........

I think I should explain. Today was Mia's 4th birthday.
This little adventure started, a year ago, and is not finished yet. Will post more developments, tomorrow.

David D

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2014, 08:36:42 AM »

Installation and commissioning didn't quite go to plan. Though, it was fun!

Mia spent quite some time inspecting, and trying to make parts fit together.

Didn't want any help. So I let her get on with it.........

Can't quite figure out this bent wire bit.......

Eventually. With my help, it was assembled.........

Couldn't get the hang of spinning the wheels. Preferred the "radar dish" mode........

NOT happy! Want to build it, with Grandma's help........

Guess what Grandma's saying.......

After an hour, or so. It was all a bit too much........

Regularly, building/ stripping this "Lego Set" engine, kept her amused until mid summer. I finally managed to hide it in my toy cupboard. She hasn't mentioned it since.

Has she forgotten about it, by now?

Hope so! Cos I've been modding it.........

David D

philf · « **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2014, 09:14:55 AM »

Lovely stuff Dave.

My grandson's only 13 months old and I'm hoping he'll be interested in engineering and that we can spend some time together in the workshop.

Even at 13 months he seems to have a fascination with clocks.

Cheers.

Phil.

Manxmodder · « **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2014, 11:15:42 AM »

Well done Dave for engaging her with an interesting alternative to the usual junk toys or video games.

Sometimes the simpler joys in life are the best and I really wish more parents and granparents would engage their kids in more real world problem solver projects that give gratifying reward to the child after a bit of toil and struggle.....OZ.

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #8 on:** January 19, 2014, 08:56:47 AM »

Phil.
Thanks! Won't be long for you now......
At around 2yrs old, Mia took an interest in everything Grandad was doing. "What dat/ wot doin, Daddad".

When she could climb up onto the step stool, and see on the bench, very little was secret any more!

Dunno where from. But, she found an M6 wingnut.
I screwed it onto 6" of studding, with a nyloc nut on each end. She still loves it!

OZ.
Thanks! I can't do video games. My son despaired of me.

But, Mia would rather play with Grandad's, simpler toys.......

Now, we've caught up to present day.
Mia hasn't seen this, since last mid summer. I really hope she's forgotten about it. But, somehow, I doubt it........

Set onto mill. Align crank axis with 1/4" silver steel shaft.......

48mm in X. 18mm in Y. Spot face, and drill/ ream through, 4mm........

Rotate 180* Offset 18mm 'tother side, in Y. And spot/ drill/ ream to 4mm......

1/4" slot. Blummin chuck jaw's in the way.......

Add temporary, pre used, crank discs, plus cranks........

We got a finger engine........

It works very well, for a temporary set up!

I will show the permanent parts, as they are made. Plus an action video, eventually.

My only worry, is what Mia will think of her engine, when she can't dismantle it........

David D

raynerd · « **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2014, 09:41:28 AM »

Hi David, fab work, she will be thrilled with the little finger engine.

My daughter is 5 and often comes into my workshop and we build bits. When she is a little older and it is time for an engine, I think we will have a bash at one of those little rocker engines everyone was building a few years back. I've seen a few running on someone blowing through them which is nice and safe. Just a thought I'd share.

Chris

krv3000 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2014, 12:38:05 PM »

hi and the work is brill only one problem whe she finds out you hav chanjed it seh will go off it the wife washt me dorters tedy ber when she was three and she is still in the huff a bawt it and she is 12 gnaw

Brass_Machine · « **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2014, 01:29:00 PM »

That's awesome David. Mia must love it.

Eric

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2014, 05:52:16 PM »

Thanks Chris!
I also made one of those little rockers. It was strobed at 9,000 rpm at 40psi. But, I have never tried it on gob power. Yet.

Bob.
It's surprising, just how long females can hold a grudge! Hoping Mia can't see through the camouflage I'm planning.

Thanks Eric.
I certainly hope so!

Time to make the two cranks.

This is the first time I've made anything from mild steel! En1a?
I have always used heat treating steel, when at work, and since retiring. En24/ 36/ 39/ aisi4140 etc. But, stocks are now getting low. I've had to buy some.
Got to admit, it's sweet cutting material.......

Drilled/ reamed 1/4" through, from either end. Part off.......

4mm dia, drill/ ream, the 6mm throw.......

Drill/ tap, the grubscrew holes........

Finished.......

Spun in the lathe chuck. One end is within 2 thou of the other.......

Crank assembly finished.......

Finger clearance, under the lever. Now need to make a knob, or dish to mount on top ........

Flywheels, next. Wooden ones!

David D

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2014, 02:46:13 PM »

Flywheel time!

Two blanks, chopped out of a 16mm chopping board. 1/4" hole through centre........

Mount onto 1/4" bar held in chuck. Friction turn against chuck jaws.......

Cleaned up at 4.3" o/d. That will do, for now........

Test video........

Need now, to design some detachable hubs. For when Mia Mechanic wants to play.

David D

75Plus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2014, 11:29:00 AM »

David, Those tiny PM motors that are used in toys make excellent generators. Perhaps you can find one small enough to hide inside the motor and use it to power a lamp bulb or LED's when Mia is running it.

Joe

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2014, 06:01:26 PM »

Quote from: 75Plus on January 26, 2014, 11:29:00 AM

David, Those tiny PM motors that are used in toys make excellent generators. Perhaps you can find one small enough to hide inside the motor and use it to power a lamp bulb or LED's when Mia is running it.

Joe

Good idea Joe!

Not much clearance on the shaft for a pulley. What sort of revs would it need?

David D

75Plus · « **Reply #16 on:** January 27, 2014, 09:42:01 AM »

You will start getting voltage with as little as 10 RPM. Depending on the design voltage they can go up quite a bit more. The polarity will change depending on the direction of rotation.

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #17 on:** February 01, 2014, 06:03:38 PM »

Thanks Joe.
Something to keep in mind, for later.......

I've been "watching paint (and varnish) dry", most of last week. While life got in the way, the rest of the time.

Puzzling how to make the flywheels, Mia manageable. I remembered, she had included the 1.5mm allen key, as part of the game.

Hmmmm. This bit goes here, somewhere........

So, I drilled n tapped the half shafts M5. She can have a couple of capheads and washers to play with!

The alloy hubs will be sleevelocked onto the half shafts, then the flywheels bored to suit.

Looking a little more respectable, I think......

David D

AussieJimG · « **Reply #18 on:** February 01, 2014, 09:50:23 PM »

Lovely!

Jim

mechman48 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 02, 2014, 05:47:29 AM »

Hi David
Lovely intro into engineering for Mia.

As an aside, I noticed your tailstock arrangement for the rotary table on the mill, I have a similar RT (Soba 4") & was looking at getting a tailstock to match from the usual supplier but have not noticed anything that bears resemblance to your set up, seems to be sitting on a tapered rising block ? is it home made or do you have any ref / link to it... drawings maybe?

regards
George.

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #20 on:** February 02, 2014, 10:50:25 AM »

Thank you, Jim!

Hi George.
I bought it in a bit of a rush, as I was leaving the Harrogate show. I think, from Chronos.

It looks like this one. (Ref: XC163)
http://www.chronos.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/sh000001.pl?WD=tailstock&PN=Soba_Rotary_Tables_and_accessories.html#aXC163

It needed a block, due to the extra height of the hinge....... http://madmodder.net/index.php/topic,7643.msg82090.html#msg82090

And, it works a treat!

David D

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #21 on:** February 03, 2014, 01:05:10 AM »

Have followed this thread with interest and pleasure. Well explained and photographed. Thanks for taking the time and effort to post. One possible tweak I thought of would be to "perhaps / maybe" add a small flat or suitably shaped disk to the top side of the lever so Mia's finger or thumb has a more comfortable bit to press on. Regardless it looks great.

Regards, John B

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #22 on:** February 03, 2014, 12:11:40 PM »

Hi John. Thank you!

Looking at the last pic posted. I have positioned a chrome ball, roughly in it's proposed position on the lever.

If this doesn't suit her, I can soon make something else to fit on the m4 thread.......

David D

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #23 on:** February 04, 2014, 01:33:28 AM »

Yup, Missed the chrome ball or didn't realise it's significance. My excuse, "Well I do have an appointment with the eye specialist next month" perhaps some new optical crutches might help?
John B

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #24 on:** February 04, 2014, 04:23:43 AM »

"That (excuse) will do nicely", John.

I've just received a new pair of hearing crutches. WOW. What a difference!

David D

millwright · « **Reply #25 on:** February 04, 2014, 03:26:29 PM »

Hi David
followed this one with interest, i'm sure Mia will be pleased.
As for the ear crutches i didnt know how noisy it could be to read a newspaper!!! eating crisps sounded like thunder. It does settle down as you get used to them.
John

davidh · « **Reply #26 on:** February 04, 2014, 05:32:30 PM »

and then you need to add the one way clutch somewhere inside. pump,pump,pump, coast......................... just a thought. nice work. . very cute little kidddo, looks a lot like grandma too. . .

steamup · « **Reply #27 on:** February 04, 2014, 06:04:53 PM »

Really enjoyed reading the building thread even better looking at the photos of that lovely little girl.
By the way she is the double of her Grandma.

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #28 on:** February 05, 2014, 10:25:26 AM »

Hi John (Mill).

I was diagnose with industrial hearing damage some 25 years ago. Had my first aid, some 10yrs later.

How wonderful, to hear the birds singing again! Passing car's, tyre noise was frightening......

Now, just received an updated pair.

DavidH, Steamup.

Thanks for your kind comments chaps! You've made Grandma's day.......

David D

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2014, 01:39:19 AM »

Oh Dear, looks like we are all falling apart in some way or another. Still so long as we can mess about in the shed / workshop / Man Cave, or wahtever else we want to call it life is good.

Who knows some day I just might remove enough swarf to get a model that runs.

Meantime I get great info and encouragement from all in this forum.
John B

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #30 on:** February 13, 2014, 03:42:58 AM »

Finished!

I have made a better big end bearing, 6mm dia. As the original M4 caphead's shank, rattled in it's 4mm hole.
Unfortunately. Chief Tester, Grandma doesn't like it. "It's too quiet, now".......

Here are the component parts.......

Assembled.......

Just need a certain young lady's approval, now. Hmmm.......

David D

Meldonmech · « **Reply #31 on:** February 13, 2014, 04:40:11 AM »

Hi David

What lovely toy this has turned out to be, I like the colour scheme and especially the design on the wheels. I think both Mia and all her friends will be delighted with it. Being so original it must be a winner.

Well Done
David

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #32 on:** February 13, 2014, 02:45:04 PM »

Hi David.
Thanks for that! I hope it will be enjoyed, long after I'm gone.......

Video......

David D

SwarfnStuff · « **Reply #33 on:** February 14, 2014, 02:17:25 AM »

Great job should result in one happy little lady. Grand Dad should be well chuffed with the result, not to mention the brownie points from said little lady.
Thanks for posting.
John B

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #34 on:** February 14, 2014, 06:37:08 AM »

Thanks John!

Training and Handover Day, arrived.

Unfortunately, Mia has been a little quiet and withdrawn, since her face was scratched by a boy, at school.
She was not quite, her usual happy self.

Showed her what to do.......

She immediately got the idea. A little short on dexterity......

Hmmm....... Now. Let me see........

Grandad knows where this is leading.......

Where is my old engine? I want to play with my old one........

Ohhh...... NOoooo!! She remembered!

"You can't sweetheart. I don't know where it is". "What did you do with it?"

It's in YOUR cupboard. In the blue ice cream box. Ah! Hmmm.......

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. But. It's not there now........."

Instant tears, and a ten second sulk. (Though, it felt much longer). Grandma, just laughed.......

She can usually be coaxed...... "Look what I've got here". What is it? Sniff...

She calls it her screwer.........

And, it goes in here........

And..... After some fumbling.......

Happy again........

Amazingly. She asked me what each component was made out of! (How do you explain delrin, and M5 stainless capheads, to a four year old?)

Shortly after she went home. She told Daddy. You need two fingers, not one. For her new engine.......

Oh! My........

David D

Manxmodder · « **Reply #35 on:** February 14, 2014, 09:35:31 AM »

Lovely job there David, that little project has evolved very nicely and I think it warrants a set of plans and list of materials.

I could imagine plenty of other people would like to replicate this project for their children or grandchildren.

Well done David,I really like it.....OZ.

dsquire · « **Reply #36 on:** February 14, 2014, 02:43:00 PM »

Hi

Top marks there David. I've been quietly sitting in the background watching. You definitly appear to have made one little girl very happy. It looks like it will be sturdy enough to stand the test of time and be a playtoy for her daughter someday.

Cheers

Don

millwright · « **Reply #37 on:** February 14, 2014, 03:03:33 PM »

Well done David
Enjoyed the whole story, it looks and works great. Mia's enthusiasm and questions must have given you a lot of satisfaction.
when will you start on the hand cranked V8 version for her?

John

JD · « **Reply #38 on:** February 14, 2014, 05:53:23 PM »

Well done. Granddad did well.
Trying to get my Grandson interested, but TV and Computer games get in the way, he lives 300 miles away so visits are short so on wards and upwards.
Enjoyed the whole story.
John W

DaveH · « **Reply #39 on:** February 16, 2014, 06:16:46 PM »

Very nice David, luv the spirals

I'd have to agree with the "chief tester" far to quiet, - any chance of making it 'hum'?

DaveH

AussieJimG · « **Reply #40 on:** February 16, 2014, 09:53:03 PM »

A great story and another triumph

Jim

lordedmond · « **Reply #41 on:** February 17, 2014, 10:32:52 AM »

Dave
Great work as usual

OT

how do the new ear trumpets work around the machines ?

They have completely screwed mine up it like banging your head against the wall to get them to fix what they broke I am down to 95% lip reading now

they altered mine to improve things

got home when in the WS and aid shut down then came on again but not as you know it no shut down sound or restart music they just keep going on and off its the VFD in the Myford thats bad but the mill does it and the quern That has a VFD on as it was cheaper to buy a 3 phase motor and VFD than the specced one form the UK

but when I complain they say they have reset them and they are perfect

now they just screech all the time , at least they do if I use them .

my tabs when duff from working in the power house at Stanton our shop was next to the intake for the blowers for the base exchange units your were completely deaf after a shift for at least 1 hour

guess i will have to pay for some but i just what them to put them right

Mia is like our two GK they never forget when it suits them

Stuart sorry for the OT

Stilldrillin · « **Reply #42 on:** February 17, 2014, 05:48:23 PM »

Hi Chaps.
Thank you all, for your kind comments.

OZ.
Plans n materials? Steady on! They never exist, for anything I do. It just, comes out me head.
I usually find something, which is near enough. Then chop away what doesn't fit, or look right. Until it does..........

I guess I could do you a crap o cad of the lever/ stroke dimensions. If that would be sufficient.......

DaveH.
Not too sure about a hum.
Could probably manage a bit of spring steel, against the crank disc screws. Would a click do?

Over the next few days, it's having a turned wooden plinth to stand on. (Grandma is concerned about her coffee table). Then called finished.
We'll see how it survives being Mia'd, over the next few months........

Stuart.
Thanks.

No problem with the machines. These units shut down automatically at 80db, just like the last ones.
Not sure about VFD. But, I don't think I've got one.......

They tried me with the small dia, Corda tubes, which were a waste of time. Could hear better without the units.......
Had my old inserts and pipes fitted to the new units, and all is well.
They are a little enthusiastic, at times. But, I'm very happy with them.

Hope you get yours sorted, soon.

David D

lordedmond · « **Reply #43 on:** February 18, 2014, 02:57:22 AM »

David
you have mad me think 80 db is loud but not loud as in a windy pick I just wonder if mine has a feature that the ID ten T do not know about, the big problem is because I do not live in the city ( derby) i cannot get back to the NHS audio unit they will not evan talk to me , but have to use the appointed contractors Omrod ( boots ) , but there equipment and operators are duff first time i when in to see them they could not read from one unit , its my box so he proceeded to thump it on his desk ( did not use a DFH though ) and it did connect but thats when things when down hill I am sure that it did corrupt the data and now they just refresh the same data.
so unless I open they wallet but that could let some moths out I am stuck , I am OK having lip read now for 40 years if I can see the face you would not know I am deafened

Stuart

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Author Topic: Mia's engine........ (Read 32787 times)

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