My ongoing Stuart steam engine project

Hi I am currently building a Stuart Twin Launch steam engine. I am about half way done and thought it would be fun to share my progress so far.

**LINK**

If this link doesn’t work try to search for my channel name “anders workshop” on YouTube

Anders

It's looking good Anders. JD

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That is as Jeff says looking good.

I like the Stuart twin. Just wish they did a slightly larger version say 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 ish. Something like a twin No.9

How long have you been on the project Anders.?

Regards, Nick

Very nice Anders!

I was just watching the video and it helped to take my mind off a few real life worries for a few minutes, quite theraputic, thank you. I hope I can build one of these types of engines in the future.

Ed.

Hi everyone, thanks for the positive feedback. Sorry for the late answer- had a really busy week (schoolwork). Nick_G I started this project in September last year. If you have a CAD-program you can always scale the drawings. But then you will have to fabricate all parts. I have just drilled the finale holes in the cylinder-block (62 holes in total)

Anders

Hi

I am currently working on the pistons and I wonder if it is necessary to fit the piston rings?

I have not made the groves for the rings yet.

Does it rally make any big difference with or without rings?

Anders

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It does really matter IMHO yes.

You would get away with it turning over for demo purposes so long as everything else was very loose and free. Probably too loose and free really. - You would also waste a lot of air.

Do you have an issue with the creation of the piston ring grooves. If so what help do you need.?

Nick

Hi

Ok Nick_G I will fit the piston rings.

I have a question, the piston ring is 1,62 mm wide. According to the drawing there are two rings in the same grove. How much wider shall I make the grove?

The rings are very thin, is there any trick to mount them without braking them?

Anders

You don't want the groove too much wider than the rings, maybe 0.05mm more than the two so something like 3.30mm total. The groove can be a bit deeper than the depth of the rings say 0.10 to 0.15mm. If you have them too loose you can get a knock at TDC and BDC.

As Nick says the engine should run without rings but you will have some air getting past the piston so your compressor will be running more often or if using steam you will have to produce more steam. If you then apply any form of load you will get more air/steam escaping. I usually test run my engines without rings, gland packing or gaskets and they seem to go OK.

63 - don't forget the big one through the middle

Neil

64 Neil, its a twin. Must pay more attention

Hi

Thanks JasonB I will start with the groove today.

Neil....of course, how could I forget the big hole in the middle...... I will fix that, and when I am at it I can drill some random hole, glue some steel bars and sell it as modern art, earn a million dollar, retire at age 18 and spend the rest of my life in the workshop..

Anders