Making a Stuart 10V or 10H

Some forum members will be aware that I provided a series for the Model Engineer magazine showing both a Stuart 10V, and 10H, being made using just a small lathe and a drilling machine.

Subsequently, I published all the photographs in the series on my web site as many of the photographs (82 in all) were understandably published quite small and the photographs on my site could be much larger, as a result, display the finer details of the setups.

This I considered would be helpful to those making the engines, including those who did not have access to the magazine articles. The details of the number of visits to these pages show that they are very popular.

I have now, for the benefit of those who do not have the magazine articles,included the text describing the methods I proposed, some additional to those illustrated in the photographs. See these pages here.

It is perhaps, a little inappropriate to publish this at a time when the castings are not available but hopefully that situation will be resolved satisfactorily soon.

Surely, the demise of the Stuart brand would have a greater effect on the hobby than the demise of Myford.

Harold

Edited By Harold Hall 1 on 21/04/2012 18:30:30

I enjoyed your articles Harold and I have built a few Stuart models but I think that the demise of Stuart and Myford will have a much lesser effect on the hobby than the sheer cost of materials. I have a big pile of "scrap" materials which were purchased at minimal cost many years ago but to replace them now would be more than my pension, or SWAMBO, would allow. "scrap" is my sons description - until he needs some of it!

I too enjoyed your articles Harold and actually started taking the Model Engineer to ensure I had the complete series before I had even taken delivery of any machinery because I knew that building a 10V was on my learning curve. I found them most helpful and thank you for them.

I agree that if the Stuart kits were no longer available this almost standard route to modelling proficiency would be greatly affected. However, there would then be scope for a new series of articles on the Stuarts "replacement" from a different supplier and eventually a new favourite would emerge.

But let us not get ahead of ourselves. There is a plan for Stuarts to continue and as it apparently involves the current supplier of their castings all should be well. I certainly hope so because a couple of projects along my road I plan to do a Stuart beam engine.

Jim

May be with one less link in the chain........may be the price won't go up (can't see it going down).

Ian S C

I too have enjoyede Harold's articles on his website. It is in my Bookmarks list.

Thor

If only I had seen this before I struggled on my first project... a 10v, it worked in the end but i did everything the hard way! am sorely tempted to buy another set of castings and do it again!!! (as soon as they return).

Thanks Harold

"Surely, the demise of the Stuart brand would have a greater effect on the hobby than the demise of Myford."

does this mean Stuarts are Finishing ?

i am making 3 Stuart 10V at the moment all scratch built without castings from solid cast iron has been a challenge and is going well.

TY Kevin

I also followed the articles and found them very interesting, but I already had in stock a No 4 with reversing gear - so made a start on that (it's like a big 10v)

I loved making it and enjoyed the challenges it presented and am pleased to say it runs like a sewing machine

Following this project I fancied another but horizontal this time. I ended up choosing a PM Research engine of 1.5 bore and 2.5 stroke, it is a large engine (the flywheel of which had to be filed pretty round before it would turn over the Myford bed)!!

I have just got it pretty well finished (with a few improved deviations from the drawings), photos soon, it has turned out well and runs nicely.

BUT, it is not in the same league as the Stuart engine - my No 4 is a minature full sized steam engine which looks the part, the PM is 'just a model steam engine' - if that doesn't sound too rude. A good engine with large bearing surfaces and good castings but in a different class.

I enjoyed making both my engines, but I would rather make another Stuart! Long live Stuart!

Alan