Recent content by n7gtb

I agree they do look nice! I have some 1 1/2" dia brass bar, enough to make up for my mistakes...;) I don't know that mine will turn out this well, but here's a link to some made in the UK, and have brass cylinder covers: http://www.myford-lathes.com/steam41.html -Vern N7GTB

Hi Jim, Just sent you a PM regarding the engine parts... Thanks, -Vern

The kit arrived yesterday eve, and I've just finished inventorying the box contents. After carefully removing the shrink wrap, it appears that the 35mm x 1 1/8" cast iron slug used to machine the upper and lower cylinder covers somehow went missing prior to shrink wrap to the cardboard panel...

Thanks Jim. Unfortunately, I'm still waiting. I was unsuccessful at completing an online order from Stuart Models, so (long story short) ordered a kit over the phone from MiniSteam.com. They were great to deal with, and shipped the kit very quickly...Now I'm simply waiting for FedEx to...

I've been wanting to build a small steam engine for some time now. So congrats on your build, and for inspiring me to take the plunge... Unfortunately, my attempts to purchase online have now failed twice! First with MiniSteam.com, and also with Stuartmodels.com... I've called MiniSteam, but...

Nice work TorontoBuilder! If time allows, I may try your circuit(s). I'm in the process of building up a second controller using a Texas Instruments MSP430 micro...using a launchpad and will add a bluetooth module. That way, the display can be an android device (just thinking aloud here)...

Here's a couple of photos of my version. One mod I would make to mine, is to reduce the distance from the stepper to the spindle. Other than that, it's nearly the same. I used a 400 step motor, and a 4:1 ratio of the pulleys... As Chuck mentions, this really was a simple build...er, well at...

After about an hour of working it down with 180 and 320 grit abrasive, the bearings now fit snugly. The local supplier didn't have the Timkens in stock (I only had one to begin with), but did have SKF equivalents, and at about half the cost. Part number ( if anyone is interested) is 6204...

Hi Paul, The info I have for the P204PP is that the ID is 20mm...(OD is 47mm) Am I in error on this? Ref: http://www.timken.com/en-us/products/Documents/Timken-Ball-Bearings-Catalog.pdf (see p. 4) Thanks, -Vern I just hit submit, and then noticed your edit... Thanks for the clarification...

...so converting my inches measurement back to metric, I get a spindle diameter of 20.0152mm... I don't know what tolerance should be for that item, but seems a bit large to me :confused:... but then again, I'm also not used to working (or thinking) in metric. Thanks, -Vern

Hi Chuck, I purchased a similar ER20 spindle (collet chuck?) that measures 0.788" (+ or - a half thou), and am looking for sealed bearings...which ones did you use? I have a Timkin 204PP, but looks to be about 0.003" too small for the spindle shaft (or is this press-fit?)... Thanks, -Vern