Newcommen Engine

Something I have never done before I want to build a model Newcommen engine. I will do all the drawings on Autocad and realise this will be a lengthy process from research, ideas, drawings and build. Once succesful I would like to share the drawings here as I do them for input so we can get a working design that anyone who wishes can build.

First there are a number of questions I can't seem to find the answers to and I also have an idea out of left field that I wish to incorperate in the model.

1. How do you stop the piston from hitting the bottom of the cylinder on the down stroke.

2. I know nothing about pumps so I wonder if anyone can steer me in the right direction for a suitable water pump to build. (must look authentic).

3. Wish to use LPG for for boiler and maybe make a mechanical pressure valve that will both turn down the LPG flame when boiler is up to pressure and increase the LPG flow when below pressure as well as a relief when over pressure.

Am I biting off more than I can chew, probably. But if I don't try I'll never achieve it. Maybe this could be a team design rather than a team build.

Size I'm looking at is 2" bore 8-9" stroke and a domed boiler about 12" dia at the base. That is about all I got at the moment as far as Ideas go maybe I'm on the wrong track if so please steer me back.

My ultimate aim is to start with the Newcommen and build further models tracing the development of the steam engine through the ages, I think it would make a great historic model display if I can achieve it.

Hi,

Good luck with your project, and I'll be watching with interest.

I've not read right through, but this might be a good start :- http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/f12/newcomen-steam-engine-274/

Dave

Thank you Dave, I have been looking around for months at everything to do with the Newcommen, and I have all these picture ideas floating around in my head of what I want it to look like and details I want to incorperate. But still many questions so maybe I should get it out of my head and on to paper to make room for answers to the questions that create the hurdles. The way I do things may confuse people because I work with snippits of ideas put them down and are mostly random. It basically creates a list for me and then I see what is on the list and discard the useless stuff and see what I'm left with. LOL

No, stick with it - thats how the interesting models get built! There shuold be more than enough info on these engines for you to build an accurate working model, but if it comes down to it and an internal detail isn't 100% accurate, does it really matter?

If it's any use, I'll PM you my email address, and perhaps we can get a few friends bouncing ideas around...

There is a fellow who has gone to great detail reconstructing early steam models. His name is David Hulse and a link to his web site is here http://www.davidhulse.co.uk/ He has I believe two books out showing and talking about the model builds as well as the research he put into the projects.

I look forward to your designs and builds.

Daniel

Thanks guys for your support, I'll be looking at that site and see if I can get anymore inspirational ideas.

Well just to keep you up to date I have drawn the cylinder and bottom steam in let pipe. Decided to go with 2" dia and 5" stroke, will post drws when they are worthwhile posting still figuring a few things out.

A very good book on this subject is "The Coal Viewer" by John Curr. 1797.
I see a recent digital reprint which some of them do not have the fold out drawings properly scanned. That is a shame because the drawings are what made me buy the 1970 reprint I have.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1170305164/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Dan

Thank you Dan, I will go have a look and purchase one

Well just an update, I have gotten a bit further with the information supplied by all you helpful forumers. Now I'm looking for simple vertical piston pump plans with simple valve setups. Looked everywhere on the net with no success so far. Maybe I'm looking in the wrong places, any guidance would be appreciated. Currently I have some of the frame structure, cylinder and basic boiler. Once I have all the basic layout together I will post it for comments and then I will move on to working out the construction of each component and making detailed drawings. These drawing will not necessarily in order of construction but in an order as I work out the best way to construct each component. Probably starting with the easiest once to make.

Has anyone come across any methods to age timber rapidly, not willing to wait 10 years for it to weather and age outdoors to get an authentic look to it. I may not live that long LOL

I used to work in a sign/display company that would age new things to look old. One way is to use a wood stain. The type of stain varies depending on the type of wood used. We used fir a lot so a stain with some red/brown in it was used. In other words choose a stain that will give you the colouring of what the wood of choice would look like after natural aging. I recommend practicing on a scrape board. Varying the amount of stain you apply to the board will give a more authentic look. Next, you can sand back using 220-320 grit sand paper some of the areas or all depending on look. The sanding softens the look.

Another thing one can do is to beat up the wood somewhat if the look of wood that has seen abuse. The exposed ends would have checks in them--which can be put in with a knife/chisel. The corners can be gauged and banged to represent objects hitting it while being moved. The odd nail hole left over from hanging something from a pole that once opened up a little dilute black/brown paint can go in the hole to represent a rusted nail hole.

Daniel

To age wood, soak some steel wool in vinegar for a day or more and then use it to treat the wood. It affects different types of woods in different ways, so you will need to test the solution to see what you will get.

Mark T