Thread: A different kind of engine---

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Since my hotrod is finished, I have bought a metal lathe, and am now researching machining projects. I was able to download free plans from the internet for a simple steam engine, called a "wobbler". This rather ingenius design has no valve train, but the oscillating action of the cylinder covers and uncovers a steam port as the engine runs. I took the drawings that were supplied, converted them to 3D cad models, and thru the magic of my engineering software I am able to make the engine run, and save it as a video clip.--So ---If ya want to see a wobbler running, click the link (or picture).---Brian

brian this eng looks like a sterling cycle hot air engine I have a working model and a vary informative book on these engs ford actualy put a few of them in some test granedas back in the earley 70 they also made some that used a magnafing glass to use solar power to run it I KNOW ALL THE RULES AND I KNOW HOW TO BREAK EM TED

IT RUNS!!! IT RUNS!!! My God---its setting beside me right now, running like a ---well---like a steam engine!!!! I got the steam port machined and drilled this afternoon, and took apart an old mechanical pencil for the spring that holds the brass cylinder block tight against the side of the main frame. I ran up to the hardware store and got a peice of 1/8" i.d. polyurethane tubing and machined a small coupler and silver soldered it into an air chuck fitting. I tried it at a real low air pressure, and it wanted to run, but there was just a bit too much friction. I kept turning up the air pressure, and flicking the flywheel, and finally it started to run all on its own. I immediately had to call my wife down to the workshop to have a look, and then my next door neighbour!!! After it ran for about 10 minutes, it must have worn down some of the friction points, because I was able to turn down the air pressure significantly. I am totally stoked!!!

cool.. do you plan on making a small boiler for it?

Not to burst your bubble, but I had several wobblers when I was a kid. They sold for a few bucks, and ran on alcohol. The boilers rusted out in a year or so, but we powered lots of Meccano whirygigs with them.

No, I do not plan on making a boiler. These small engines run just fine off my shop air compressor. RPope---I'm happy for you, that you built wobblers when you were a kid. You must have had access to a lathe. I didn't.

I didn't build 'em, I bought them. They were advertised in the back of comic books, and sold in toy stores. Yours is much smaller and more intricate, but the idea is the same. I just meant that the design wasn't new.
How about a turbine next? Only one moving part, but lots of delicate machining to get it right!

Really kewl Brian!!!! Looks like you're getting the little lathe dialed in quite well!!!!! When you run out of project let me know.....I have a looooooong list!!!!!

Anyway, get that lathe all dialed in, then get started on a new project!!!!! We're all waiting for the build-it thread from the guy who originated them!!!!!

Dave---Fact is, I'm kind of burned out on hotrods right now. I still drive the Wild Canary every day, but my heart isn't in hotrodding any more. I find that I do about 5 years of hotrodding, then hit burn-out, and find some other enterprise/hobby to involve myself in for a few years. I am enjoying building things with my lathe, and have just ordered a milling machine. I am doing most of my posting over on the Home Shop Machinist and Model Engine Machinist these days.---Brian

Very cool Brian. We studied Sterling engines in my collage physics course. It must be a great feeling to be able to make a running engine from parts you made yourself! I also think it was quite clever of you to power yours with compressed air! Have you done any stuff with model planes? I saw a great project a Guy did making a scale version of the Spruce Goose which he powered with appropriate scale engines, and I believe it did fly. I'm pretty sure the Guy has passed away now, but I know there are still web sites about his project.
I know what you mean about burning out on projects, and trying different things for a break. We spent 12 years fixing up our old house, and adding an addition to it. Mytruck project is the change I shifted into. I still really want to make a wooden tall ship model, some time in the future, maybe after the truck gets done. Glad you still are driving your truck daily!

No, I never messed with model planes. When I was a kid, we were dirt poor. The cheapest thing you could get back in the late 1950's to play with was a model A Ford!!! Everybody had one out in the back field, up on blocks. They hadn't quit running---people had just grown tired of them and bought a newer model car, as the economy picked up after world war 2. People gave them away just to get them off the property!!! I had my first model A when I was 13 years old. It was given to me. All it had was an engine, a chassis, and a seat, ---no body. But it ran, and ran good. I learned to drive with it. I could never understand kids who built models. Hell, all you could do after they were built was set them up on a shelf and look at them. I wanted to play with things that were mechanical, and had some practical purpose in the world.---I also messed around with paddle wheel driven boats. We lived near a big lake, and the first boat I built was powered by twin side paddle wheels driven by an old bicycle frame and pedals I had mounted on it. I later upgraded that to a stern wheeler driven by an old gasoline washing machine engine.---Yes, I said washing machine engine. There was no hydro where I grew up, and all the washing machines were driven by a one cylinder gasoline engine with a kick starter, no less. After the hydro came through our area when I was about 12 years old, people gave these gasoline powered washing machines away to any kid that would drag them away.

That's the first I've heard of gasoline powered washing machines! Seems natural to modify it for other water applications!
Kind of like us using lawn mower engines for go carts!

Originally Posted by brianrupnow

Dave---Fact is, I'm kind of burned out on hotrods right now. I still drive the Wild Canary every day, but my heart isn't in hotrodding any more. I find that I do about 5 years of hotrodding, then hit burn-out, and find some other enterprise/hobby to involve myself in for a few years. I am enjoying building things with my lathe, and have just ordered a milling machine. I am doing most of my posting over on the Home Shop Machinist and Model Engine Machinist these days.---Brian

Hmmmm... How about a faster hull and a "tuneable" sail system for my Hobie Cat?????

A gear changing system (like a 10 speed bike) for a people powered paddle boat????

An efficient and affordable electricity producing windmill for homeowners?????

Brian

Congrats on the engine! Looks like a great first project.

Precision metal fabrication can be addicting. I started as a teen at the local trade school and found it to be fascinating. I even made a living at it for many years. I got burned out on machine work for a while, but have recently found my interest rekindled.

I hope you enjoy your new found hobby. It has the potential to keep you busy learning for the rest of your life.

Mike

What about machining a connecting rod to hook it to a pencil sharpener or somthning?