Hardware Store Steam Engine full instructions

Hello, after uploading the following http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engines-no-machining-require/ .......... I was flooded with emails to make another 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’t take 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

Step 1: Base and Flywheel Stand

1) 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 it keeps 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.

Comments

[Angrierbeaver]

was wondering if copper pipe and piston diameter can be increased? And if so does the safety ratio go down when powered by steam?

[synapser]

Do you remember by chance how much this total project costs to construct?

[joaquinakiwi]

Also, how might I hook it up to a toy car or something to power it?

[joaquinakiwi]

Where does the steam come from? Do you have to pump hot water/ steam into the engine or could you out some sort of heat source under the tank?

[kcbford1]

FYI, i had a busy week! i will be on sometime this weekend to answer some of the questions that were asked this week. Thanks!

[chris.klim]

Fantastic design. I think I will build this over the weekend.
only one question- where is the escape valve?

[zaktheyak]

i love the simplicity of this engine, during a lt of it i had no clue what was going on but once i understood it was an ocilating engine it made so much sence. wonderful plan! thumbs up here.

[tremblay.eti]

What if the steam cools down below the boiling point before exiting the cylinder?Could there be water accumulation and how would that affect the engine?

Very clever design by the way!

[TheWilks1]

Could you make this out of PVC piping?

[Orchestrapit]

only if you planned to use compressed air, to power it. if you wanted to use steam, you would need to use metal tubing.

[dso2]

Is there a alternative for the brass test plug?
the test plug is expensive and hard to find.

[dso2]

What r u doing with the flywheel in the second picture?

[myakka]

here is my design i just finished. it is a vertical compact design that would be easier to use for making moving models like a boat or something. all the stuff needed for this can be bought at the hardware store just like kcbford1's.
im way to obsessed with this instructable.

[gemhund]

Here is one I just finished, made out of glass.

http://youtu.be/c2TAccSxQJk.

I put a sequence on my blog.

http://hansmeevis.blogspot.com/

For what it's worth......

[TheWilks1]

Do you have a how to video?

[gemhund]

Unfortunately no. I do tutorials with photo's but this one was just a prelude to figuring how to build a steam machine out of gem stone.
Check out http://youtu.be/HhAkS0vWsEo
And just for interest sake, I put up a tut on my blog yesterday, unrelated to engines but concerning jewellery .
http://hansmeevis.blogspot.com/
I have a lot on my website http://meevis.com/jewelry-making-class-list.htm
Nevertheless, It was your original tut that started all this (grin)
My wife has been heard muttering things like second childhood and senile...etc.
Cheers, Hans.

[The steam engineer]

Do you think it is possible to make the pipes 2 inches and increase the power. I am trying to build a steam locomotive and am hoping this piston will work... Thanks

[costiecam]

This looks like a fun build! Looking to build this week/weekend. Quick question, how far apart are the flywheel stand posts and the cylinder pibot stand posts. I saw you had center lines drwand on the base board between the two. If i could just get the distance between the lines that would be awsome. Thanks.

[Dustinstroh]

How many PSI does this engine require to run?

[myakka]

i run 20 or 30 but its fast

[kyledude70]

Is the over all stroke 2 inches

[kdinh2]

where can i buy the 1/2 repair coupling 12" long ? i been go to grainger ,plumbing ,true value supply and they show me the 1" long repair coupling. can you let me know where to get this coupling

[VictrolaGuy]

Most Lowe's stores still carry the 12" long repair couplings.

[gemhund]

Hi Kyle,
I just finished a machine based on your instructions. Thanks, very cool and very well done. I had been looking around for something like that and yours fited the bill perfectly. I posted a video of it running on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmRI4YB7VCA My user name is gemhund. Thanks again,
Hans

[You213]

I am going to combine this with the desktop steam boiler and make an R/C car !

[Dustinstroh]

Have you completed this yet? I am in the middle of combining these two projects aswell. I have the boiler complete, now to move on to this engine!

[carfur]

i can't get my hands on ½ brass test plug.Can you please tell me what else can i use for the piston?Or how to mold something simmilar.
@myakka:if you soldered it right it shoud hold up pretty good.I made my flywheel from a nut and 6 bolts and tested it with a drilling tool and it remained intact during and after the spinning.

[myakka]

Just use a 1/2" steel rod from tractor supply co. As long as you oil the engine and remove it after running then im sure it wont rust.

Btw: you solderd six bolts to a nut? I realy hope those dont break off... Or even 1 of them ... It wold shake itself to peices

[carfur]

I soldered bolts to a nut because its the best way to balance the flywheel and the crank by adding nuts on the bolt that needs more weight.Its just a beta version until i complete my spotwelder.I plan to make a v4 from this concept.Im concerned that the steel rod will be to heavy and it will run slow.For the moment i rolled pvc insulation tape and it holds up pretty well for the piston.I think i will use the steel rod as the endcap.I also discovered that hotglue vs steam isnt a good ideea(ruined my first motor with it).

[dromano2]

Hi i've been looking at green transportation and was considering a compressed air engine then thought a steam engine uses pressure to spin so i figured that this would work with compressed air but was wondering if this could power a bike or how much i would have to scale it up so that it could, by the way, nice instructable.
Dan

[myakka]

I solderd my crank instead of welding. Im gona see how long that holds up

[myakka]

Wooohooo! Just finished mine today! 40 psi souds like a jet engine!

[Nerotox]

Hi thanx i always wanted to buid 1. Now i just want to know can u make it generate power jurt to power a 1.5v led?

[PINKmonster325]

Gosh, you could make enough power to run ten 1.5v leds

[baker amin]

Of course you can!

[fesoj_92]

how many amp/volt/watts do you think its possible to get out of this?
It would be nice to be able to charge a smart-phone with burning wood ^^

[Orchestrapit]

with the right alternator/generator combined with a buffer battery, this engine should generate more than enough power ( but not too much more) to charge a smart phone, it just depends on the coil dimensions of the alternator/generator and the rpm of the motor.

[Orchestrapit]

actually, since it's low current, you could probably use a dc motor as a generator, just make a battery charging circuit.

[mastertinker]

Thanks for showing this. It's always helpful to see something work in action and have good pictures showing the layout. I'm going to tweak the crank a little which may or may not work. Good job!

[firelar]

Great plans! Any interest in mating this with a Rocket Stove for high efficiency?