Recent content by DaveR

Here are a couple photos to show the progress on my Cole's Corliss. I'm not as far along as ZAPJACK has shown us in his wonderful build log, but I'm making progress none the less. Please try to ignore the blue layout ink and white shellac primer (which is a great layout paint for iron...

I used a 5c spin indexer (for example: https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-5-c-spin-index/g5649). I prepared a rod long enough to make two valves, plus a bit extra in the middle, say an extra 1", so I could hold one end in the indexer while machining the other end. The two valves were...

Richard, I'll admit, these things were a pain the neck. Of course, the "slots" I was referring to in my earlier post were for the passage of steam (and exhaust). As for the slots on the ends of the valves, one end is to drive the valve. The slot on the other end is in the drawings and is, I...

Richard, Here's an exhaust valve (with through slot) and a steam valve (with 1/16" holes). I forgot that I milled a 1/16" wide slot about 1/16" deep to match up with the slot in the cylinder, hoping this would leave the valve timing unaffected by he use of holes in place of a slot all the way...

Your engine is looking great! I'm building the same engine and cringed at the thought of milling the 1/16" wide slot 1/4" deep in the steam valves, so I cheated and drilled a series of 1/16" holes as close together as possible. I think this will allow plenty of steam throughput; time will...

I’m building the same engine and was also skeptical of using set screws to fasten the flywheel to the crankshaft. I decided to use a custom tapered gib key and this has worked well, and looks good. The gib I made is 5/32” wide and 1/8” high at the thick end. Good luck, and let us know what you...