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.
 

Comments

[Electronics Man]

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

[FlameHazard]

AWSOME DUDE, Just awsome!

[dmat257]

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?

[jj.inc]

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.

[Lapin1]

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

[kcbford1]

yes sir!

[Lapin1]

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.

[kcbford1]

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

[FishDaddy]

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

[kcbford1]

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

[Bongmaster]

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

[randofo]

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.

[NachoMahma]

> 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.

[kcbford1]

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.

[DieCastoms]

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.

[harmonbill34]

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:)

[techno guy]

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

[Kiteman]

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

Please!

[kcbford1]

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

[kcbford1]

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

[mman1506]

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

[kcbford1]

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.

[mman1506]

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

[kcbford1]

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

[Lectric Wizard]

AWESOME !! Can't wait for the ible ! Very original idea ...

[kcbford1]

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

[Ghost Wolf]

Amazing I have never seen this before! Are you going to have it drive something like a fan or a mixer for coffee or tea?

[Bongmaster]

awesome :) please ible this engine :D

[kcbford1]

will start tomorow

[Azeem-Naseer]

great work

[kcbford1]

thanks

[roshan sharma]

really great idea

[kcbford1]

thanks

[NostalgicStone]

Yes this is very neat, Make a full Instructable!
Plz?
= ]

[cpotoso]

This is very nice! Can you add a diagram and list of items needed if one wanted to reproduce, please?