Model Boat Mayhem

The Shipyard ( Dry Dock ): Builds & Questions => Steam => Topic started by: patternmaker on March 19, 2012, 09:11:15 pm

Title: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on March 19, 2012, 09:11:15 pm
Stuart V twin oscillator based on the old Cheddar Pintail engine 7/16” bore and stroke, very powerful for Its size,  I am building mine from scratch and a 5” x  3” dia cross tube horizontal boiler.

Pattern made in mahogany used for casting the Standard in Gunmetal.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Bernhard on March 19, 2012, 09:42:26 pm
hi Mick....super,...look to be a nice castning.... :-))

Regards
Bernhard
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: mogogear on March 22, 2012, 03:24:08 am
Nice --well look at all of us on our 1st post!!! {-)

Good all was saved!! Following this !
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: pettyofficernick on March 23, 2012, 08:16:58 am
Excellent work! :-)) :-)) :-)) :-))
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 05, 2012, 02:36:16 pm
Now completed, I will post pictures of the build if anyone is interested.

Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steamboatmodel on May 06, 2012, 12:50:09 am
Yes we are interested.
Gerald.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 06, 2012, 09:38:57 am
Yes we are interested.
Gerald.

OK so here we go,
Part 1
The standard was cast in gunmetal by a foundry that owed me favours from my patternmaking days.
These pictures might help for those who are maching the standard & crankshaft, the crankshaft bore was centered from the boss on the casting each side, bored undersize then reamed to size, I then made a mandrel which allows the standard to be fitted in a 3 jaw chuck or milling vice which ensures that all the faces are machined
perfectly square with the crankshaft.
The crankshaft was machined from one piece of steel rather than fitting a separate pin, much easier and more
accurate.
 
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 06, 2012, 12:34:41 pm
Part 2
The port drilling measurements are critical, a good centre punch  is essential I use a 3/32 drill first to make sure they are correct before drilling to 5/32”. The reversing valve is machined from gunmetal.
The cylinders were machined from 25mm dia brass, top & bottom cylinder covers and cross heads from phosphor bronze, piston rods stainless steel.

Assembled engine running on 15psi air http://youtu.be/HIDA0EUCISg
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steamboatmodel on May 07, 2012, 12:32:27 am
Thank you that is great.
Regards,
Gerald.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 07, 2012, 10:14:47 am
Cheers Gerald.

Part 3

The boiler is quite easy to build, the barrel can be 16g 1.5mm thick, I used 12g 2mm, the end plates are formed from 2.5mm, annealed with a 3/16” flange formed on a hardwood block .5mm oversize to the inside dia of the barrel which allows machining of the flange to fit.

The burner tube is 28mm copper with end fit plumbers elbow and end fit caps  whit 7- 3/16” cross tubes arranged in A spiral at !/2” centres. Make
The the 28mm copper tube longer than required as the end caps will be cut Off after soldering and hydraulic test to 50psi.
The boiler stays & bushes are phosphor bronze.

Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 08, 2012, 03:43:19 pm
Finished boiler, condenser, gas tank & completed plant.

Thanks for all the interest shown?
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: gondolier88 on May 08, 2012, 04:07:30 pm
A very tidy little plant there Mick, the main casting was very good quality- could I ask who the foundry was? I like your turned funnel cap, a nice little detail.

So, what boat is it going in..............?!?

Greg
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 08, 2012, 05:56:49 pm
Greg,
I cannot name the foundry for privacy reasons The foundry owed me quite a few favours when I retired from my patternmaking business in 1999

The plant is going in a Krick Alexandria which I am currently rebuilding purchased over 3 years ago from a MBM member described as Museum quality, its that Museum with no windows or lights, I was going to give it a Vikings funeral but decided to rebuild it as the kits cost over £200.00. When finished I will it sell to recoup my costs.

Normally the Alexandria has a vertical boiler but I think it will look much Better and be more stable with a horizontal boiler.

Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: gondolier88 on May 08, 2012, 10:52:02 pm
I look forward to seeing it...
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steamboatmodel on May 09, 2012, 12:01:50 am
Thanks Mick, It looks great.

Greg the castings are still listed at Stuart Models at Price: £73.50 (exc VAT)
http://www.stuartmodels.com/inprod_det.cfm/section/casting/mod_id/89
Regards,
Gerald.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Circlip on May 09, 2012, 09:21:23 am
Sadly Gerald, with respect to the quality of Stuart castings, "Fings ain't what they used to be"

  Regards   Ian.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: gondolier88 on May 09, 2012, 05:59:18 pm
Hi Gerald,

Thanks- I was actually more interested in jobbing founderies that make a good job of small non-ferrous castings.
I have to concur with Ian on the state of ST castings- I've had to do allsorts to the bedplate of my D10 just to make it machineable!

Greg
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steamboatmodel on May 11, 2012, 01:34:25 am
When did the quallity of the Stuart castings start to go south?
I have a set of D10 casting to do, but I am not to sure how old they are is there any way to tell?
Regards,
Gerald.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: gondolier88 on May 11, 2012, 07:29:03 am
I bought the castings around 2 years ago- I understand there could always be batch problems, but having been given a much older ST cylinder casting, the difference in quality is astounding.

Greg
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Circlip on May 11, 2012, 11:24:14 am
Alignment of the pattern "Halves" seem to have been a problem at times and also the sizes of the castings, not allowing much waste material for machining. This would appear to have happened after the Engine operation was sold on from Stuarts. There were tales of horror of someone at Stuarts gleefully burning wooden patterns before the sale.  >>:-(

  Regards  Ian.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: ooyah/2 on May 11, 2012, 11:43:47 am
Alignment of the pattern "Halves" seem to have been a problem at times and also the sizes of the castings, not allowing much waste material for machining. This would appear to have happened after the Engine operation was sold on from Stuarts. There were tales of horror of someone at Stuarts gleefully burning wooden patterns before the sale.  >>:-(

  Regards  Ian.

Ian,
What year was that ?
George.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Circlip on May 11, 2012, 01:34:32 pm
Grey cells and all zimmers George but was just before Stuarts became Chedder and Braye (Guernsey). I think the Viking funeral was reported on one of the M/E forums. I remember Braye Road were going to redraw all the engines on CAD to update them before they started re - selling the kits as the new operation. Belive castings are going to be made back on mainland now?

   Regards   Ian.

 Sorry for the hi-jack Mick, your work, as ever  :-))
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 11, 2012, 03:53:36 pm
All castings produced in 2 halves, the pattern is doweled to ensure correct alignment in the foundry core boxes providing the core boxes are aligned properly, not easy with small castings not much room for error.
The secret of a good casting for small items is the mould mix, Fine Green Sand mixed with a fast curing adhesive gives a very good finish.

Generally I have found  Stuart castings good, once the crust has been removed with a 1/32” first cut with sharp lathe tool about 300 rpm and No Lubricant then resharpen to finish.
My only criticism is that Stuart's should allow more material on their Castings for machining, Pattermakers allow for contraction on patterns.
Most problems come with machining valve chest covers being only 3/16” thick, and the crust can be quite thick.
If you have a problem with a particular casting Stuarts will replace free of charge.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: ooyah/2 on May 12, 2012, 10:03:57 am
When did the quallity of the Stuart castings start to go south?
I have a set of D10 casting to do, but I am not to sure how old they are is there any way to tell?
Regards,
Gerald.

Gerald,
Don't be concerned about the age of your castings or in machining them, if you do as Mick has posted you will be O.K.

Over the years Stuart in there old capacity and in the new one on the channel island they must have sold thousands of 10v & D10 castings and of all the postings that have been made on various forums I can only find 3- cases where people are unhappy with machining them but this could be due to their inexperience in machining and the proper grinding and setting of tools and doing things that are not supposed to be done according to the design and the drawings.

I personally have had no problems with these castings and have lost count of the number of the 10 series and steam pumps that I have made without any casting problems.
 At present I am working on a Launch engine set of castings which are of unknown age and so far no problems.
Do you have the book  BUILDING A VERTICAL STEAM ENGINE  which has a very good explanation on how to build the 10V , I can recommend it.

George.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 25, 2012, 04:37:54 pm
Completely rebuilt hull the plant is going in.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: ooyah/2 on May 25, 2012, 11:22:00 pm
Mick,
What a beautiful rebuild, your craftsmanship, not only with wood , is an inspiration.
Look forward to seeing the steam plant installed.

George.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: vnkiwi on May 26, 2012, 08:48:25 am
Beautiful work, keep the photos coming
kiwi
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on May 26, 2012, 09:41:52 am
Thanks George & vnkiwi for your interest and comments

Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steam up on May 26, 2012, 09:47:06 am
Current list price £156 :((
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: steam up on May 26, 2012, 09:52:14 am
Sorry placed in the wrong section should be in Steam RD . correct boiler engine size.
By the way model looks really cool.
Mark

Hi Mark

No problem as it's interesting to us.

You can repost in R&D if you want to.

Regards

ken

Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 07, 2012, 03:47:58 pm
Steam plant installed, I have made a small boiler hand pump and modified the sight glass.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: ooyah/2 on June 07, 2012, 05:33:49 pm
Mick,
Another superb build of boat and steam plant, you are a very talented man with wood and metal.
Thanks for the pics they will make me try harder.
George.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 07, 2012, 06:41:29 pm
Thanks George for help & advice

Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 16, 2012, 08:36:06 am
Model Completed
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: scoots on June 16, 2012, 09:03:40 am
Very nice Mick.
Hats off !

Alain
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Jerry C on June 16, 2012, 10:25:11 am
It's pat on the back time. You always show us how it's done. Inspirational. Thankyou.
Jerry.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Tug-Kenny RIP on June 16, 2012, 02:30:16 pm

A pleasure to see. Well done Patternmaker.   :-))


ken
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Bernhard on June 16, 2012, 07:29:15 pm
OHHHH YESSS  :-))
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: flashtwo on June 16, 2012, 10:05:45 pm
A work of art!

An inspiration for my current build.

Ian
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: frazer heslop on June 18, 2012, 10:23:40 pm
Hi Mick,A beautiful build thanks for showing it.Just one question as I seem to be missing it what dia is the boiler
many thanks
kind regards Frazer
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 19, 2012, 08:32:06 am
Hi Frazer,
The boiler is 3.25" dia, my good friend George (ooyah2) supplied the plans for this very efficient boiler, thanks to all for your interest and comments.

Regards Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: frazer heslop on June 19, 2012, 08:38:36 pm
Thanks for the info Mick
best wishes Frazer
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 21, 2012, 08:09:16 pm
Little & Large
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 24, 2012, 04:54:45 pm
Ruby first steam run in 8ft dia pool.

http://youtu.be/gof3vQ0rsSA
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: KNO3 on June 27, 2012, 09:05:25 pm
And now it went to ebay?
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on June 27, 2012, 10:11:02 pm


The plant is going in a Krick Alexandria which I am currently rebuilding purchased over 3 years ago from a MBM member described as Museum quality, its that Museum with no windows or lights, I was going to give it a Vikings funeral but decided to rebuild it as the kits cost over £200.00. When finished I will it sell to recoup my costs.

Mick

Yes KNO3 it is,  I would think most of 20 current curiosity watchers are from this forum.
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: KNO3 on June 28, 2012, 10:19:44 am
Happy bidding then! :-)
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Kerrsy on June 28, 2012, 01:43:47 pm
Hi Mick
You have been bussy while I've been away
Great job and a great phots to help us not so gifted.
Hope you are well and the old back is not playing up too much

Alan (they have changed my handel to broger for some reason)
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: muleears on July 04, 2012, 05:28:00 pm
Model Completed

Now THAT is museum quality!    :-))
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: groomwise on March 20, 2013, 06:04:53 pm
Part 2
The port drilling measurements are critical, a good centre punch  is essential I use a 3/32 drill first to make sure they are correct before drilling to 5/32”. The reversing valve is machined from gunmetal.
The cylinders were machined from 25mm dia brass, top & bottom cylinder covers and cross heads from phosphor bronze, piston rods stainless steel.

Assembled engine running on 15psi air http://youtu.be/HIDA0EUCISg (http://youtu.be/HIDA0EUCISg)
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: southsteyne2 on March 20, 2013, 09:24:28 pm
Hi Mick love your wideawake :-)) just starting my version and if it turns out anywhere near as good I would be over the moon ,by the way what size rivets did you use
Cheers
John
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: patternmaker on March 21, 2013, 03:23:23 pm
Hi John, 1/16 rivets, you will need 800.
Mick
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: Bernhard on March 24, 2013, 02:18:52 pm
 {-) hi...ohh yes Mike can do it,,, looks good
Regards
Bernhard
 
Title: Re: BUILDING A STUART V TWIN OSCILLATOR & BOILER
Post by: GreenSteam on April 18, 2016, 01:14:19 pm
Whoops!  I posted in the wrong thread!  LOL

GreenSteam