Elmers #26

[Grimm1966]

I started an Elmer's wobbler a couple of months ago, it's almost ready to test drive.
Here is the link to the plans (skip the #25, don't know why they were included together):

http://www.john-tom.com/ElmersEngines/25_26_WobblerBoiler.pdf

Here is what it looked like a month ago:

Here is the progress since then:

I did find one problem with the plans, either that or I read them wrong. The radius of the boiler top turned out much too large if you make it 2" radius. I found that 1" radius is almost perfect. Also I'm building this from just stuff I had laying around. The stack has a smaller diameter (.375") then the 1/2" called for in the plans. We will see how well it works out. :-\ There are other small differences that I had to do because I didn't have the correct materials. One was the connection from the boiler to the engine. My K&S copper tubing's wall was much too thin to put threads on it, so I just soldiered it to the engine. I can get the engine to tick over a couple of times just using my breath (I don't have an air compressor). So I'm going to take that as a good thing.

Now all that is left is to paint it and put the boiler lagging on then the live steam test. :big:

Jason

 

[mklotz]

Do the live steam test before you paint. You may have a few leaks that require resoldering and that will add unusual textures and colors to the paint.

 

[Grimm1966]

Thanks Marv, that's a good point. I will put it all back together and test tomorrow. I don't have the fuel or wicking I need yet.

Jason

 

[ShedBoy]

Is that boiler soft soldered?

Brock

 

[Grimm1966]

Nope, it's 430 degree silver bearing solder from PM Research.

Jason

 

[ShedBoy]

Great looking boiler and parts. Looking forward to seeing it run. I love wobblers. Time I made another I reckon, with a boiler I think. Need to build a present for someone.

Brock

 

[Grimm1966]

Thanks Brock,

IT'S ALIVE! Well for the most part. ;D Here is a very short video of it running. Sorry for the bad video quality, I was trying to get the engine to run and hold the camera at the same time. It still has some issues but I'm happy that it at least runs. :big:

http://www.frostyfoot.com/grimm/images/wobbler/wobbler_anim1.mpg

Jason