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Engine building without power tools

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Mark Harrison 1	05/09/2009 17:52:36
18 forum posts	hi all I would really like to "dip my toe" into model engineering and love static engines. Is there a kit that has machined casting so I do not need to fork out on lathes and mills etc until I know I want to go on to bigger and better kits? Look forward to your replies. Cheers M
David Clark 1	05/09/2009 18:13:32
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	Hi There Try Googling Cotswold Heritage. regards David
JasonB	05/09/2009 18:51:32
25215 forum posts 3105 photos 1 articles	Stuarts also do some of their engines in kit form and so do Macc Models and Sussex steam Jason Edited By JasonB on 05/09/2009 18:55:19 Edited By JasonB on 05/09/2009 18:59:07
Mark Harrison 1	06/09/2009 14:43:34
18 forum posts	Thanks guys, these look like just the thing. My next question may well be answered with "how long is a piece of string" but I am looking for something that will keep me busy for a little while, how long do you think these kits would take a novice to build to a good standard? (Macc and Sussex appeal more than the Stuart) oh and by the way the string is 6 and 7/8" long Cheers Mark
Mark Harrison 1	06/09/2009 16:20:40
18 forum posts	Ah well, I have taken the first step and have ordered this http://www.sussexsteam.co.uk/Beam.html wish me luck
JasonB	06/09/2009 17:48:32
25215 forum posts 3105 photos 1 articles	I think that kit will take you longer than expected. Its looks like some of the parts are not machined? Jason Edited By JasonB on 06/09/2009 17:49:44
Mark Harrison 1	06/09/2009 20:33:20
18 forum posts	Hi Jason Given the statement on the site of "The kit is designed so that only minimal tools are required. No previous model engineering experience is necessary and assembly should be easily within the scope of the average person familiar with the use of normal tools." What leads you to think they are not machined? Thanks M
JasonB	07/09/2009 07:45:17
25215 forum posts 3105 photos 1 articles	Going by the photo some of the castings do not sem to be drilled eg the pedestalls and there are also lengths of raw bar stock laying about. I would not want to be drilling castings freehand and cutting & threading bar is not really something to do on the kitchen table. The stuarts for example just require painting and bolting together with maybe a bit of cleaning up of machined surfaces. Worth just giving them a call this morning to check whats involved. Jason
David Clark 1	07/09/2009 08:49:17
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	Hi There Perhaps you would like to write up the construction for Model Engineer? regards David
Philip Rowe	07/09/2009 13:09:47
248 forum posts 33 photos	Hi Mark, Can't remember exactly when - 70's, 80's maybe there was a series in ME called "Handmaiden" by Tubal Cain I believe. This was a construction series on building a stationary engine using only hand tools. I'm sure some of the more expert members here may be able to elaborate on this. I thought it may be of interest as there won't be the financial outlay on potentially expensive kits, only the purchase of stock size materials which will always be useful regardless. Phil
Bob	07/09/2009 13:28:02
51 forum posts 1 photos	Posted by Philip Rowe on 07/09/2009 13:09:47: Hi Mark, Can't remember exactly when - 70's, 80's maybe there was a series in ME called "Handmaiden" by Tubal Cain I believe. This was a construction series on building a stationary engine using only hand tools. I'm sure some of the more expert members here may be able to elaborate on this. I thought it may be of interest as there won't be the financial outlay on potentially expensive kits, only the purchase of stock size materials which will always be useful regardless. Phil Hi Mark I am sure Phil is right about Handmaiden. However, I don't think it was intended as a beginner's project, rather it was a 'proving it could be done' sort of exercise. I recall that Tubal Cain used a set of castings to make Handmaiden. Bob
David Clark 1	07/09/2009 14:51:22
3357 forum posts 112 photos 10 articles	Hi There It was a Stuart 10 H with the trunk guide cut away. I remember the series well. The cylinder was drilled with a hand brace I think regards David Edited By David Clark 1 on 07/09/2009 14:51:52
Mark Harrison 1	07/09/2009 20:46:43
18 forum posts	Posted by JasonB on 07/09/2009 07:45:17: Going by the photo some of the castings do not sem to be drilled eg the pedestalls and there are also lengths of raw bar stock laying about. I would not want to be drilling castings freehand and cutting & threading bar is not really something to do on the kitchen table. The stuarts for example just require painting and bolting together with maybe a bit of cleaning up of machined surfaces. Worth just giving them a call this morning to check whats involved. Jason Thanks Jason, will do
Mark Harrison 1	07/09/2009 20:47:31
18 forum posts	Posted by David Clark 1 on 07/09/2009 08:49:17: Hi There Perhaps you would like to write up the construction for Model Engineer? regards David Hi David, if it would be of interest to anyone I would gladly do a write up, let me know Cheers M
Mark Harrison 1	07/09/2009 20:48:49
18 forum posts	Thanks everyone, some really great feedback for a new guy on the block!
Mark Harrison 1	16/09/2009 08:52:25
18 forum posts	Will the kit arrived this morning and looks nice quality. I am going to pick up a pillar drill this morning as its quite low cost and I think the project will benefit from it rather than use a hand drill.
Ian S C	16/09/2009 12:21:16
7468 forum posts 230 photos	Great what you can do with a drill press,it's realy a vertical lathe!Good luck IAN S.C
Mark Harrison 1	16/09/2009 12:34:21
18 forum posts	Cheers Ian, i have been looking at the sub £100 drill presses at Machine mart and screw fix. Any opinions?? Obviously you get what you pay for but........... Thanks Mark
Geoff Theasby	16/09/2009 16:10:41
615 forum posts 21 photos	Mark, I have a CDP5DD from Machine Mart, the chuck is not quite concentric with the quill, about 0.1mm out, but small drills accommodate this by bending, and large drills do not really notice as the object being drilled can move slightly. The main thing is to ensure the a good solid centre-pop is made, so that the drill starts off properly. Regards Geoff
mgj	16/09/2009 16:56:54
1017 forum posts 14 photos	If I might suggest it - a little centre drill and a centre punch might be wise. (apologies to grannies) All drills skid, even in a megabucks milling machine!. A quick centre pop is a useful cure for premature baldness, as suggested. Using a centre drill means you don't need much of a pop - you can almost get away with nothing more than a scribed cross, so for a couple of quid its a very good investment.

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