http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Home   Sign Up!   Browse   Community   Submit

   All     Art     Craft     Food     Games     Green     Home     Kids     Life     Music     Offbeat     Outdoors     Pets     Photo     Ride     Science     Tech

Hardware Store Steam Engine full instructionsby kcbford1 on February 19, 2011

Table of Contents

Hardware Store Steam Engine full instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro:   Hardware Store Steam Engine full instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1:   Base and Flywheel Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Step 2:   Flywheel and Crank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Step 3:   Cylinder and Stand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Step 4:   Piston and rod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Step 5:   Valve Holes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 6:   Pivot Cap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Step 7:   Clean and Run . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Step 8:   Trim base and Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Step 9:   How i took my video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Author:kcbford1Hello my name is Kyle, I am 23 years old but still take things apart as I did at age 10. I work for Spirit AeroSystems as a team leader on the 787 41 section. Igot married on October 9th 2010, and now have baby boy due in july 2011!

My interests are:• Electronics• Auto work• Bicycles (Mostly gas Powered)• Woodworking• Astronomy• Science• Technology

My Favorite podcast:• Skeptics Guide To The Universe• Astronomy Cast• Bad Astronomy• NPR Programs• MakeZine

Intro:  Hardware Store Steam Engine full instructionsHello, after uploading the following http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engines-no-machining-require/ .......... I was flooded with emails to makeanother and submit a full Instructable. So………..here it is!

This is a steam engine that requires no machining of parts, and everything you need you can buy at a hardware store. I made two of these about 2 years ago but I didn’ttake any pictures of the build. So this is my third one, I built it this morning.

What you will need:

½ brass test plug .625” O.D.(piston)  http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/Rod-Stock-2ABJ4?Pid=search

½ copper repair coupling 12” stick (cylinder and other components)

½ copper pipe.

½ copper cap 2 Qty

¼ copper line

Wood for a base

Epoxy

3/16 brass rod (connecting rod)

5/16 bolt and  Nut to fit

3/16 steel rod

Caster wheel (flywheel)

Miscellaneous hardware as needed

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 1: Base and Flywheel Stand1) Cut out your base, leave it plenty big you can always trim it up later.

2) Now you need to pull the caster wheel out of its bracket assembly. you don’t have to cut a relief in the base for the flywheel to sit beyond flush, I just like it because itkeeps the center of gravity low.

3) Cut out two posts from the ½ copper pipe for the fly wheel stand. Drill two pilot holes in the post (leave under size, will ream full size once post are cured to the base)

4) Drill two 5/8 holes in base for flywheel stand.

5) Mix two part epoxy and bond the post to the base, put a rod through the pilot holes and make sure rod is set perpendicular to the base as the epoxy cures.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 2: Flywheel and Crank1) After cured, ream flywheel post to 5/16, deburr

2) Cut your 5/16 bolt to length. Run nut down to the bolt shank, then cut off threads flush with nut.

3) Weld a length of steel rod that’s bent to an “L” to the nut

4) Center flywheel, then drill a hole through the flywheel and bolt for the pin.

5) Slip bolt through first post, slip flywheel on bolt, push bolt in, set fly wheel pin, and thread on the nut (crank)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 3: Cylinder and Stand1) Cut the cylinder to 3 ¼ “ length ( ½ repair pipe)

2) Cut the pivot pipe to the same length (½ pipe)

3) On this engine you see that the pivot is closer to the flywheel, I didn’t like how the engine was balanced after I was done, I suggest soldering it right in themiddle of the cylinders length.

4) Solder the cap and the air line to the end of the cylinder

5) Cut 2 post for the cylinder pivot stand.

6) Solder a 3 ¼ length of ½ repair pipe to the two stand posts.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 4: Piston and rod1) You can make your piston from 5/8 brass stock or find a solid brass test plug,

2) Drill a 3/16 hole through the center of the piston and insert the 3/16 brass rod, solder.

3) Cut to length and solder on a fitting (second photo) to connect to the crank shaft.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 5: Valve Holes1) With motor assembled rotate crank up and drill a 3/32 hole through both pipes, rotate all the way down and drill another hole about an 1.5 away to prevent airescapement.

2) Take apart and deburr.

3) Solder a length of tube over the holes you just drilled.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 6: Pivot Cap1) Plug the inner pivot pipe with a brass plug about .5 inches in.

2) Cut off excess, leave about an ½ inch, slide cap on and drill hole,

Step 7: Clean and Run1) Take it all apart and clean very well.

2) Oil up all moving parts

3) Apply air to one of the inlets. And get it a spin. If you apply air to the other inlet it will run in reverse.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Step 8: Trim base and PaintNow paint it and bring it in to the living room for decoration, your wife will apreciate it!!!

Step 9: How i took my videoVise camera stand

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Related Instructables

Hardware StoreSteam Engines(no machiningrequired!)(Photos) bykcbford1

Build a BetterStirling Engineby marshon

R/C SteamTurbine Tank bycrabfu

How to SweatSolder abrass/copperpipe andcouplings(video) bybmerritt5

Steam PoweredPotato Pistol 1.0by robbtoberfest

Gray HovermanTV AntennaActive ElementAssembly byunclesam

Comments

50 comments Add Comment view all 77 comments

 nolte919 says:  Mar 16, 2011. 8:44 PM  REPLYRegarding the hole between the 1/4" tubing and cylinder wall. Did you drill a hole in each and then line them up and solder the whole thing together? Or didyou somehow solder it first and then drill through both at the same time?

 myakka says:  Mar 12, 2011. 9:13 AM  REPLYwhatever you do, don't go to ace for anything! that place sucks. the only helpful thing i could find is the castor(10 fricken dollars!) and a push button switch(7dollars) for another project. i will never go there again!

 itsthatsguy says:  Mar 12, 2011. 7:06 PM  REPLYsounds like your ace sucks, mines pretty awesome they had every part i needed and there are 2 employees that help me out in particular (were freindnow) and theyre always very helpful not just on the parts but with ideas too.

 myakka says:  Mar 12, 2011. 6:36 AM  REPLYcould you mold a piston from some epoxy and some pipe that matches the the power cylinder?

 kcbford1 says:  Mar 12, 2011. 9:01 AM  REPLYDo you think it would hold up to the steam? Other than that I think it would work just fine!

 harmonbill34 says:  Mar 10, 2011. 3:43 PM  REPLYWhere did you get that caster? I have been trying to find a similar one without much luck. I tried a 2 inch one and it was too small to keep the engine running

 kcbford1 says:  Mar 10, 2011. 4:27 PM  REPLYAt a local store "the big tool store"

 medionlvr says:  Mar 9, 2011. 5:05 AM  REPLYOne change i will make. With the plug from granger i 1 ft long there is plenty left over to make 4 - 1/2 inch blanks to be soldered into the ends of the uprightposts and then drill and thread so they can be bolted through the base. The reason I would do this is the idea that if the balance is off the the epoxy wouldeventually fail. Great Instructable!!

 kcbford1 says:  Mar 4, 2011. 2:31 PM  REPLYFYI, i had a busy week! i will be on sometime this weekend to answer some of the questions that were asked this week. Thanks!

 BIGHAIRYDUDE says:  Mar 3, 2011. 5:02 PM  REPLYcould you use 5/8" steel rod for piston?

 reddnekk says:  Feb 27, 2011. 5:01 PM  REPLYReally enjoyed this, altho the oscillating valving is not clearly explained (but some of us know how it works).

As for a steam source, cheap, try one of the $89 steam cleaners now sold, or even one of the clothes steamers. As steam generators for small engines, theyshould work well (I am currently experimenting with one to power a steam calliope with PVC pipes). As for the Doble, I got to drive one around a couple ofblocks in San Francisco back in 1949 when, just out of the AF, I moved there from Mather Field. I remember well its effortless acceleration up one of SF'ssteep hills.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

Keep up the good work--have gotten several ideas out of this "ible".

 John-4 says:  Feb 27, 2011. 4:25 PM  REPLYHow much does this cost?

 chakra says:  Feb 27, 2011. 8:30 AM  REPLYan oscillating engine!!ever run this petite babe on steam?mind finding out how is the efficiency for this?

way to go sir!!

 jay oliver says:  Feb 26, 2011. 8:48 AM  REPLYPlease explain the purpose adn construction of the 1/4" tubing soldered to the side of the piston chamber. What does it doe and what is it attached to at eachof its ends ?

I think that this is a fine posting.

Thank you

jay oliver349

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 7:58 PM  REPLYit to route air/steam to the top of the cylinder, its noted in the last photo on step 3

 harmonbill34 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 4:27 PM  REPLYIf you can't find 5/8 brass test plugs or don't have access to 5/8 brass bar stock. To make a piston try this. I took a 3/4 piece of the 1/2 copper pipe and filledit with an epoxy putty called Fix it Stick..It is available in the plumbing dept of Lowe's. It sets very fast and can be drilled. I have used this stuff to fix manythings. It can be drilled and tapped too.. It has been holding the exhaust together on my car for over a year.

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 7:57 PM  REPLYgood thinking!!! i might just use that on my next one, to save $$ maybe instead of epoxy, solder two pennies at the top and bottom then trim flush...?thanks for the tip!!!

 rtysantos says:  Feb 25, 2011. 6:13 AM  REPLYAre these photos out of order? How does air flow through the air line (1/4" tubing?) into the cylinder? The air line looks to be pinched off and there's no pointwhere a hole is opened between the cylinder and the air line...

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 7:53 PM  REPLYtheres a photo with a blue line indicating air path. theres a small hole drilled through the tube and the cylinder wall.

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 7:56 PM  REPLYthe photo is on step 3, last pic

 justarunner says:  Feb 24, 2011. 8:07 PM  REPLYWhat is the pipe that is soldered to the side of the cylinder and pinched shut at the end? I saw it in the photos but not noted in the assembly instructions.

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 26, 2011. 7:55 PM  REPLYstep 3 last photo ---> it routes the steam/air to the top of the cylinder.

 kea says:  Feb 24, 2011. 10:32 AM  REPLYA great effort. The hardest part I have found to make is the BOILER.

The only way to go is a flash boiler, preferably like the DOBLE boiler.This uses flat coils. &7 or so turns per coil times 2 layers is enough to run a 3 HP steam engine.I have recently finished a Green steam engine & while easy to build I think it is overated. Running at say 300 rpm & geared up Running a smart driveGenerator would be the way to go.GO TO IT; some-one.Cheers Kiwi John

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

 yubasolar says:  Feb 25, 2011. 6:00 AM  REPLYWish I was young enough to build the Doble flash boiler, I went to the patent people and got the plans for the whole car about 20 years ago, ah well,perhaps in my next life.

 kea says:  Feb 25, 2011. 10:09 AM  REPLYYep I have the Doble steam car book + set of plans.Have been unsuccessful in winding the flat coils, even though it has been explained. I need pics or seeing how its done.Cheers Kiwi John

 maxman says:  Feb 25, 2011. 4:22 AM  REPLYGreat project! I too am wondering about what this previous poster asked:

"When drilling for the valve holes. What is the relationship of the crank to the piston?Do you drill the inlet with the crank in the 12 o'clock position and then the outlet with the crank in the 6 o'clock position?. If it was a vertical engine would it becrank at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock when you drill the holes?I was thinking you would drill the inlet when the piston is at top dead center and then the outlet when it is at bottom dead center. That is the only thing I amhaving a hard time understanding with this build."

I have been wanting to make one of these for a long time. What are your thoughts on the valve holes?

 jisgleas says:  Feb 25, 2011. 1:47 AM  REPLYmuy bueno

 kage_no_akiri says:  Feb 24, 2011. 6:46 PM  REPLY....but whadia power it with? -chuckles- sorry....couldnt help meself. seriously though.....im impressed with this....as a conversation piece. cus as far as imconcerned....if it cant run a 6in line shaft....its a toy. im sure you could find *some* productive use for it. like a steampunk fish tank oxygenator? idk...... i thinkthis would be a worthwhile project for someone whos getting into steam engine construction.

kenkou ooku no seimigood health much life

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 6:53 PM  REPLYTo be honest with you I’m really enjoying it as playing the role of a conversation piece on my TV stand!! lol.... I think steam engines are terribly inefficientto power anything on a small scale and a lot of maintinance. But you know what that means…… it’s time to start building sterling engines again!!Yessssssss.. Thanks for reminding me!

 kage_no_akiri says:  Feb 24, 2011. 7:53 PM  REPLYohhhh im sure you are....-chuckles-. quite frankly....i think itd be pretty ace to have a working steam engine on *my* coffee table. i mentioned the lineshaft cus im one for older technology (i have and use a hand crank drill press from the late 1800's) and im planing on powering a standard enginelathe and med sized milling machine on one. ill probably only use a 4in shaft though cus 6 would require more power to drive and woudl put out morepower then i need. id actually have to consult my books on it for dai vs rpms as well as how wide of a belt id need. not to mention the size of the drivepulleys.

kenkou ooku no seimigood health much life

 earlyflyer says:  Feb 24, 2011. 7:43 PM  REPLYThanks for sharing! This is great!

 Ayce says:  Feb 24, 2011. 1:12 PM  REPLYI had to make one of these in my high school shop class many years ago. We had to plot it all out on a CAD program using win 3.1 (wow I think that mayhave been outdated even when I was in high school). Then we had to take chunks of metal and cut all the parts from scratch. It was probably the best projectthat we had that whole year. I've still got my engine there is no way I'd get rid of it. Very fun project to do.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

 lucek says:  Feb 24, 2011. 5:33 PM  REPLYThat's a Stirling engine.

Still cool.

 drawe21 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 2:28 PM  REPLYThey only had 2 computers in my school and they were black & white with tape drives (What's a hard drive). A full 16k (Yes I said 'K' of ram)State of the art all they way at my high school...>Very Early 80's<

 Ayce says:  Feb 24, 2011. 4:42 PM  REPLYoops... I meant to say less. I've got 64k

 Ayce says:  Feb 24, 2011. 4:41 PM  REPLYWow that's more RAM than I've got in my current computer. Well... my current old computer anyway. I do have a Tapedrive for it too. I love oldercomputers, I would love to get an Apple IIe fully decked out.

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 1:29 PM  REPLYcool. we did projects like this in shop too! i miss those days where i had acsess to a full machine shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 jj.inc says:  Feb 24, 2011. 2:18 PM  REPLYI may have missed it, but why doesn't it just stay with the piston all the way out, what releases the air and starts/stops its flow?

 ohforgodssake says:  Feb 24, 2011. 10:48 AM  REPLYThis is great! What air pressure does it use?

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 2:06 PM  REPLYi cant say for sure, i didnt hook up a psi gauge. sorry!

 jam BD says:  Feb 22, 2011. 12:19 AM  REPLYReally well put together.Simple yet effective, both the ible and the engine.

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 11:36 AM  REPLYthanks!

 Ronyon says:  Feb 21, 2011. 11:25 PM  REPLYHow about a pressure cooker as a boiler?Should be safe, they even have a built in safety, a purposely created weak spot, just in case the place where the steam exits the cooker is jammed with food.

Team this with a Rocket Stove ...

 kcbford1 says:  Feb 24, 2011. 11:36 AM  REPLYi dont see why that wouldnt work, i used to make small boilers out of tomato soup cans. take an unopend can and drill a small hole at the top, blow out allthe soup. then you can solder on any type of brass or copper fittings you want.

 Web_MST3K says:  Feb 24, 2011. 7:32 AM  REPLYI'm thinking you could set something like this up with a boiler assembly, harness the engine to a small generator, and use a joule thief to charge a battery.The battery could provide power while the boiler is heating up.

If you are really masochistic, you could use the whole mess as a power source for a steampunk robot.

I think I had better go lie down before I get any more ideas.

 twhaley says:  Feb 24, 2011. 7:10 AM  REPLYGood stuff, may have some cool steampunk application.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/

 Re-design says:  Feb 24, 2011. 6:24 AM  REPLYNice work!

 harmonbill34 says:  Feb 23, 2011. 11:55 AM  REPLYWhen drilling for the valve holes. What is the relationship of the crank to the piston?Do you drill the inlet with the crank in the 12 o'clock position and then the outlet with the crank in the 6 o'clock position?. If it was a vertical engine would it becrank at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock when you drill the holes?I was thinking you would drill the inlet when the piston is at top dead center and then the outlet when it is at bottom dead center. That is the only thing I amhaving a hard time understanding with this build. How do you keep solder from blocking the hole in the cap when you solder the 1/4 inch line for the airpassage? It also looks like you have put a small piece of the repair coupling near the joint of the pivot pipe and the cylinder. Does this act as a stop to keepthe pivot pipe from sliding too far in to the pivot? Thanks for the great ible. Your valve idea is brilliant and I want to make one of these and one of the onesyou made with just and elbow joing the pivot pipe and the cylinder. Luckily I work for Lowe's so I can get my materials at a discount :)

 xander.marks says:  Feb 23, 2011. 4:00 AM  REPLYThank you for this instructable. I've always wanted to make a steam engine, but I didn't understand the principle. Now I inderstand it and when I have thematerials, I can build one. Thanks!

 lloydrmc says:  Feb 22, 2011. 2:59 PM  REPLYIt's more of an air engine, is it not? ;^) That makes for a far less snappy headline, I suppose.

Seriously - nicely done!

view all 77 comments