“You also need to build your own boiler or have someone do it for you. “To build a steam engine, you have to know how to weld, use a vertical mill and use a 14 by 40-in. They also may require slight modifications, not to mention certain skills and special tools. These are not bolt together parts, but pieces that require extensive machining to exact dimensions. For $5,000 a wannabe steam engine operator gets a kit of more than 50 grey iron castings, not including pieces like a water pump or other off-the-shelf parts. A DVD with boiler and steam engine plans as either PDF’s or blueprints is priced at $300. They keep the patterns and pour high quality castings for me.”Ĭarroll sells plans and castings for a Case 65 hp., 1/4-scale steam engine. “I looked for castings for 6 months before I was told about molds for making the parts in Canada,” says Carroll. When he did, he decided to make them available to others as well. When he finally located them, he couldn’t find the castings needed. Carroll couldn’t find plans when he wanted to build his own. Sounds like you already have the "skills" won't know for sure till you try.Scott Carroll has the plans and parts needed to build your own 1/4-scale steam engine. There's no reason you can't practice on your own design of a crank, piston or cylinder even if there's no chance it would actually work, as in my case. Would love to build my son a working engine some day. Some day I will get a kit and give it a try, but before I cut into the $100 casting I'll keep working on scrap till it's comfortable. For me it's a lot of trial and error to get comfortable with turning something. Hardest thing was figuring out how to make it in a 3 jaw chuck, don't have a four, but thats half the fun. Didn't have any plans but researched the concept. Still using scrap with partially cut cam lobes and journals in it.īuilt this last fall after several attempts just so i could say I did it. Works for me and sometimes I even surprise myself. Jump in head first and give it a try knowing your going to make mistakes. Unfortunately for most, that's a lifetime of experience.įor the rest of us, and its just my opinion. When you can build your part without any boo boo's to exacting tolerances, then, you have mastered the art. If you know how to set up and cut your work, you have the knowlege. If you can comfortably run your machine you're skilled. Don't think it's so much a matter of skill, rather more patience.
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