What do I use to run my oscillating engine?

Hi,

When I complete my oscillating engine I won't have a boiler or anything live steam wise to run it on so obviously I will be running it on compressed air, so my question is what do people use for this? Mini-air compressor, aquarium air pump? Any suggestions please

Many Thanks

Aquarium pumps may not do the job; not enough pressure. Air brush compressors will run most small engines but may cycle frequently depending upon the size of the engine and the size of the air receiver. I know guys who use the mini to fill an air tank of some sort so they can run quite a while....

Pete

Ok so the best option is buy a airbrush compressor and make/purchase a air tank for it while I build a steam boiler?

Many auto parts stores sell air tanks to transport air to locations without compressors. Anywhere from about 2 gallons to 5 gallons size.

Air brushes are very nice to have when painting models.

Pete

For testing locomotive chassis I run them on air (not too long) but use Singer sewing machine oil which doesnt break down under condensate on air.

Cheers,

Julian

Auto parts stores also sell small compressors for inflating car wheels.

I used a propane cylinder for a hand held torch as an air tank on my airbrush compressor to keep it from short cycling.

Hi Mark,

I too use an air brush compressor for running my small oscillators. If your oscillator has little friction they don't need much pressure to run. For a simple to make low-pressure boiler see here.

Thor

See previous post about powering small steam engines

**LINK**

Edited By Paul Lousick on 18/06/2016 06:28:11

Morning gents, thanks for the advice, I've had a quick look online and an airbrush kit that contains a compressor with tank is only about 40-50 quid so I'll probably get one ordered today and as Peter said it'll be nice to have anyway for painting my future models 👍🏻

Mark 😎

Old fridge compressor? they are very quiet.
They don't produce a huge volume but quite a good pressure eventually.

I tested my first wobbler on the coffee maker steam outlet.

Edited By john carruthers on 18/06/2016 07:44:17

There are two ttypes of airbrush compressor, the piston type which produces high pressure but low volume and the diaphragm type which produces larger volume but lower pressure.

This second type is better for small engines.

Do you have a cappuccino machine? You can run a small engine for a few minutes using a silicone tube on the frother (don't let your coffee addicted better half catch you though).

Neil

On my Reeves Master engine, I made an inlet 'manifold' using a schrader tyre valve body as the inlet connector, silver soldered into a brass block. It runs well off a compressor, but will also run (less evenly!) using a bicycle pump .

Martin

I initially used a airbrush compressor with tank myself, the only fault is that it cycles frequently which is common for this type; I also have a larger compressor bought from M/Mart on one of their VAT free days, obviously this provides a larger volume of air, so it's dependent on your budget what you get.

George.

Edited By mechman48 on 18/06/2016 11:18:28

I have a small medical compressor(30psi) that works well on small steam engines, it won't handle a Stuart Turner S9, double acting 1 1/2" x ! 1/2". For a quick test run I have a 5L garden spray pump, and that will run any of my little wobblers.

You can always make a simple boiler too, by silver soldering a couple of end plugs in a six inch length of 1.5" copper or brass pipe with suitable small pipe fittings for water fill and steam outlet. A cough drop tin full of cotton wool soaked in methylated spirits is all you need for a burner.

You trying to get me divorced? Lol

the plans for the oscillator I've all but finished also has plans for a simple boiler, I think that will have to be my next project.

Thanks for all the advice 😄

Being a cheapskate I've used a car tyre foot pump with a plastic lemonade bottle as receiver to turn a small engine. Make two nozzles to fit through the bottle cap and connect between pump and engine with aquarium tubing. Cheap and cheerful and you get a real sense of how much work you have to do to keep a even small engine running.

I've not managed to burst a bottle yet. Blood vessels yes - exercise isn't my thing!

Dave