Ford's First Engine replica - casting project

[kquiggle]

Just started working on a project to make some castings for an eventual build of a replica Ford 1893 engine (aka Kitchen Sink Engine). I'm collaborating with an acquaintance to make the mold patterns and get them cast at a local foundry. We plan to make at least two replica engines, with the goal of making them look as much like the original as possible.

We'll be working on two parts: The flywheel, and the combustion chamber. I will be 3D printing the patterns. The printed patterns will need some post printing work to make them ready for the foundry - this will be done by my acquaintance.

Right now I am working on the flywheel. The first step is to design a copy of the original flywheel in 3D CAD:


The flywheel is too big to print all at one time on my Prusa Mk3/S printer, so I "cut" the flywheel into sections in CAD:

Here are a couple of segments test printed and fitted together:


Each segment takes about 8 hours to print.

 

[kquiggle]

An update on the casting project:

With the help of another person who is collaborating with me on this project, Cattail Foundry produced castings for the flywheel and combustion chamber.

 

[user 50511]

An update on the casting project:

With the help of another person who is collaborating with me on this project, Cattail Foundry produced castings for the flywheel and combustion chamber.

View attachment 123530

Is there an update on this project yet?

 

[kquiggle]

Here is a sort of update:

I have not made any significant progress on the build. As the saying goes, "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans." So unfortunately, the project has been pushed back by some higher priority issues. I'm hoping to get back to it one of these days, and when I do I will certainly update here.

Thanks for asking.