Topic: building a new steam launch (Read 8417 times)

Steamedup · « **on:** November 07, 2018, 08:26:40 pm »

Hi to you all.
I am new to this site but have be loitering for some time, lots of good info on here so thank you all
I have started building a steam launch 1900’s open top 30” hull and a VR1A engine so I may be calling out for some help in the future.
All the best
From Mike

SteamboatPhil · « **Reply #1 on:** November 07, 2018, 08:38:52 pm »

Welcome Mike
You will certainly be able to get help here, good luck with your project, photos please as you progress

Phil

Steamedup · « **Reply #2 on:** November 07, 2018, 10:16:35 pm »

Thank you Phil, will do

Steamedup · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2018, 12:22:15 pm »

I have started the build of my steam launch, and gone for a Victoria 30” hull and a Graham VR1A engine as it is a double acting cylinder so will be self starting plus having the Stephenson reversing gear making it RC fully controllable. I have styled it on the African Queen, so I will use a Vertical Boiler from Mamod with should provide plenty of steam
This project starts from way back when I was a child in 1959 my father made a steam boat for me using a single cylinder Stuart Turner [/color]engine, and we sailed it on Whitestone Pond in Hampstead Heath always loved steam from then on.

LJ Crew · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2018, 02:02:15 pm »

Hello Mike, I used to sail my boats in Whitestone Pond. I traveled up from Golders Green on the 210 bus or, occasionally in my Dad's car. We had an original Bassett-Lowke Streamliner and I remember that on one occasion it caught fire, soon put out by pushing it under the water. I also had toy yachts and a "Jetex" powered jet boat. Ah, memories. John.

Steamedup · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2018, 04:03:28 pm »

Hi John
Well what a small world we may have met way back then and yes I had Jetex not very good I have had problems uploading photos so hope this will work all the best Mike.

Steamedup · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2018, 04:16:37 pm »

here we go

ooyah/2 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2018, 08:29:55 pm »

Quote from: Steamedup on December 17, 2018, 12:22:15 pm

I have started the build of my steam launch, and gone for a Victoria 30” hull and a Graham VR1A engine as it is a double acting cylinder so will be self starting plus having the Stephenson reversing gear making it RC fully controllable. I have styled it on the African Queen, so I will use a Vertical Boiler from Mamod with should provide plenty of steam
This project starts from way back when I was a child in 1959 my father made a steam boat for me using a single cylinder Stuart Turnerengine, and we sailed it on Whitestone Pond in Hampstead Heath always loved steam from then on.

Hi Mike,
I hate to dampen your enthusiasm but the VR1A is not self starting, if while out on the water for any reason the engine is stopped, if it stops with the piston at either T.D.C or B.D.C. you will not be able to start it without something to kick it over T.D.C. or B.D.C. what happens is that the slide valve covers the inlet port and the engine is then dead.

With the Stevenson reverse linkage you may be able to crash the engine over while still running but that is not for sure.

I do like your hull so best of luck with the build.

George.

rhavrane · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2018, 09:10:07 pm »

Bonjour;
Here is a mechanical solution to avoid the famous probem of the dead points on mono cylinder or compound machines:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AasvhDdzG0
Possible concern, this system takes some room and is perhaps not available for smaller machines.

Steamedup · « **Reply #9 on:** December 18, 2018, 12:26:35 pm »

Hi George, Bonjour Raphael
I have looked at most videos on the VR1A plus boats fitted with this engine and all seem to start but I do take your point that it has a dead spot, and Raphael you have found a way to get over this.
My take on this problem is to fit a servo with an arm that will engage with the flywheel to give it a nudge so the engine will pass this dead spot and start but I will have to get the engine built first and tested
Many thanks for your feed back on this.

Mike

IanJ · « **Reply #10 on:** December 18, 2018, 04:06:35 pm »

Hi Mike & Welcome,

Looking forward to following your build of the Victoria. As others have said, lots of photos please.

I find my iPhone works very well. The photos automatically stream to my laptop & I then copy them to a dedicated folder & it's from there that I upload them to the site after resizing them. i.e making them smaller.

Not posted for a while due to other distraction. However getting back into the "Marcher" build, so will post progress.

Cheers

Ian

derekwarner · « **Reply #11 on:** December 18, 2018, 08:58:24 pm »

Hullo Mike.......there are a number of Victoria builds in the MBM archives......may well be worth reading

Whilst I fully understand that camera angle can distort, however I have followed as best the parallel shaft line and bought it up into the machinery space and the shaft location between the coupling position and the engine appears a little high

I am not sure what your plans suggest here?

Derek

frazer heslop · « **Reply #12 on:** December 18, 2018, 10:38:14 pm »

Basil Harleys Victoria is a nice wee build
I built my version plank on frame as I didnt like the vac moulding and made and fitted a scaled down JP Duval twin oscillator using Basils boiler
Good luck with the build for a self starting single cylinder Im sure Typhoon made such a beast at one time
cheers
frazer

coch y bonddu · « **Reply #13 on:** December 18, 2018, 10:48:29 pm »

Quote from: Steamedup on December 18, 2018, 12:26:35 pm

Hi George, Bonjour Raphael
I have looked at most videos on the VR1A plus boats fitted with this engine and all seem to start but I do take your point that it has a dead spot, and Raphael you have found a way to get over this.
My take on this problem is to fit a servo with an arm that will engage with the flywheel to give it a nudge so the engine will pass this dead spot and start but I will have to get the engine built first and tested
Many thanks for your feed back on this.

Mike

Just pointing this out to you but BLUE is reserved only for the moderators

Dave

Steamedup · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2018, 03:29:42 pm »

Hi Dave

My apologies for using the blue, and thanks for the feedback from Frazer and Derek you are right on I made the tube to steep an angle it was so I could fit a bigger prop also so the engine was not to low in the hull and hidden but looks like I may have the C/G to high and it might not be to stable.
I will not know till the engine and boiler come, they are on order should be here next year?

Many thanks to all
Mike

Steamedup · « **Reply #15 on:** December 21, 2018, 07:12:30 pm »

Merry Xmas

my engine is on its way in ALBUQUERQUE NM

Steamedup · « **Reply #16 on:** December 29, 2018, 02:42:41 pm »

Hi Chaps

I will be fitting a inline type lubricator to my VR1A engine and I wondered what steam oil to use as I believe there are several grades of oil 450 -800
so what would be best for my engine?

[/size]Many thanks
Mike

rhavrane · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2018, 04:58:08 pm »

Bonjour Mike,
Grade 1000 oil is good for scale 1 steam plants, too thick for our small models. Personnally I only use 480 grade oil in and on the machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyGEAozABZQ

Steamedup · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2018, 10:34:23 am »

Bonjour Raphaël

Thank you for getting back to me; it helps give me peace of mind about the oil

Mike

Steamedup · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2018, 11:14:50 am »

The hull is all most done now, have installed the electrics and battery and have a working rudder, when the engine and boiler are fitted I will fit servos for the Thro / For / Rev and Whistle.

Mike

Steamedup · « **Reply #20 on:** January 04, 2019, 06:11:03 pm »

Now started build on VR1A and all going well

Steamedup · « **Reply #21 on:** January 04, 2019, 06:31:31 pm »

Here are some more pic.s of build

Steamedup · « **Reply #22 on:** January 04, 2019, 06:56:54 pm »

Plus a small video

https://youtu.be/taxtPorHGjc

Steam Boat Willie · « **Reply #23 on:** January 04, 2019, 10:46:27 pm »

It is worth considering the brass hex screw set available from the manufacturer as well as giving the engine a paint job before you go much further, especially as it is going to be very much on show in an open launch. Both these make a big difference to the overall appearance.

By the way I can confirm the VR1A is considered as a non self starting engine despite the fact that it might in fact do so. The determining criteria is that it might not.

Steamedup · « **Reply #24 on:** January 05, 2019, 02:47:52 pm »

Hi Willie
[/size]That is a very nice paint job but I like the raw look, thanks for your feedback all the best.
[/size]Mike

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Author Topic: building a new steam launch (Read 8417 times)