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Hardware Store Steam Engines (no machining required!)

****** FULL INSTRUCTABLE GO HERE http://www.instructables.com/id/Hardware-Store-Steam-Engine-full-instructions/!***** STEAM ENGINES!!!!!! and you dont need a machine shop.
I built these a while ago not intending to post on instructables so unfortanly i have no photos but i have videos

fly wheel = steel caster wheel
piston= brass plumbing plug
cylinder = copper pipe

where the steam inlet is theres a small hole drilled on the inner copper pipe, as it rotate this hole opens on the power stroke, and then closes on the back stroke

just the oposite happens for the steam outlet it closes on the power stroke and then on the back stroke it opens to let pressure out.

if i ever build another one i will make sure i take lots of photos!

GOOD LUCK! ask if you have any questions.

35 comments

May 11, 2012. 5:43 PM

Electronics Man says:

WOW this is great, how did you make the piston?

Oct 15, 2011. 9:21 PMFlameHazard says:

AWSOME DUDE, Just awsome!

Feb 24, 2011. 3:49 PM

dmat257 says:

Really cool, I love steam engines, very powerful. I was wondering how to build the boiler for this project, or where to find it here?

Mar 6, 2011. 5:15 PMjj.inc says:

You can use just about anything for a boiler, just get a metal pipe, fill it with water, attach a hose, and put a heat source under it.

Feb 17, 2011. 6:49 PMLapin1 says:

Your design is really neat. I'm just guessing, but the inner pipe openings should look like this:

Feb 17, 2011. 6:52 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

yes sir!

Feb 17, 2011. 9:21 PMLapin1 says:

I never could come up with such a nifty valve system. You're a genius!
I gather some pipes and give it a try. This should not prevent you from building another... and ible it.

Feb 19, 2011. 3:59 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

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

Feb 25, 2011. 8:10 AMFishDaddy says:

Very cool - How about greater detail where the Air/Steam enters the piston tube?

Feb 18, 2011. 6:14 AM

kcbford1 (author) says:

Thanks! lol, im obsessed with steam engines! after many many tires to build a working model without a machine shop, and i finally nailed it. good luck

Feb 19, 2011. 3:17 PMBongmaster says:

u done wat i have been wanting to do for a ling time :) i have no machine shop either XD, a butane torch and a dremel copy is my best bet x3

200

Feb 17, 2011. 2:39 PM

randofo says:

Those are very cool. Why do you have two inlet valves?

I'd be very interested to see a full build if you ever make another one.

Feb 17, 2011. 2:57 PM

NachoMahma says:

> Why do you have two inlet valves?
. Looking at the videos, they appear to be forward and reverse.

. I would most definitely like to see more, especially how the valve is constructed.

Feb 17, 2011. 3:22 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

correct,
one is a inlet and the other is the outlet.
but you can supply steam to the outlet and the motor will run in reverse, and the two valves will swap functions inlet will become outlet, and outlet will become inlet.

Feb 24, 2011. 2:27 PMDieCastoms says:

I would love to see you use this same principle to make a double acting engine or a multi cylinder engine. I have no idea how you would sort the valve, however.

I wish I had ANY 'machinery' or metal tools. I left everything behind when I had to move in a bit of a hurry...

Mike.

Feb 23, 2011. 11:43 AM

harmonbill34 says:

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 be crank at 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock?
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 am having a hard time understanding with this build. Thanks for the great ible. Your valve idea is brilliant and I want to make one of these. Luckily I work for Lowe's so I can get my materials at a dicount:)

Feb 21, 2011. 3:51 PMtechno guy says:

Can you get the parts from the home depot or lowes?

142

Feb 17, 2011. 2:36 PM

Kiteman says:

Oh, please, please write up a proper Instructable on these engines!

Please!

Feb 19, 2011. 3:59 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

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

Feb 17, 2011. 3:29 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

Im very exited that this was featured! i will start shopping tommorow and building this weekend! i secretly was looking for an exuse to build another one lol. Thanks

Feb 18, 2011. 11:35 AMmman1506 says:

do you have to weld the inlet pipes could you use jb weld or something similar

Feb 18, 2011. 6:26 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

i suppose you can jb, but solder would be a lot easer, just get your self a little propane torch and go to town. theres a lot of soldering on these engines. Stand by........ im getting ready to build another tomorow, ill post a full ibel after completion.

Feb 18, 2011. 6:32 PMmman1506 says:

Ok i thought it was welded (pretty stupid come to think of it) I have a 60W iron which should work

Feb 19, 2011. 3:59 PM

kcbford1 (author) says:

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