Steel bores in steam engines, do they hold up?

[Kaleb]

Pickings have been good at the local scrap yard recently, and I've managed to score some offcuts of steel hollow bar that look like good starting points for steam engine cylinders. Question is, how long will it take before the bores rust up on me?

I've asked a couple of other model engine builders I've met in my travels about this, and got very different answers from each of them. One said that the steam oil will protect it, while the other told me that a steel bore was a bad idea where steam is concerned.

Is honed hydraulic tube a different story? I believe it's some sort of chrome steel. I'm asking about that stuff because a local hydraulics specialist has offered to sell me some if I need it.

 

[lohring]

Steel cylinders with cast iron pistons is what these engines use.

Lohring Miller

 

[Mechanicboy]

Works well, important to protect against rust after use with conserving oil into the steam engine. To run steam engine: Use steam engine oil since the steam oil will not wash away from surface by steam and water.

 

[bazmak]

Cast iron cylinders and pistons are often used and rust just same as steel
Bad if the engine is left unrun for long lengthd of time but everyone says the use of steam oil and regular turnover help