ABOUT THE ENGINES

DESCRIPTION OF THE MODEL STEAM ENGINES

Each engine has a steel boiler made from an empty MIG welding cylinder but for health and safety reasons – see safety page – I have not included its design in the plans. You will have to either buy a boiler from a supplier or build one yourself from an approved design. I strongly recommend that you do not try to build such a boiler yourself.

My engines use ordinary bottled gas as a fuel and take less than 4 minutes to run from cold. Again for safety reasons I have not included my design for the burner in the plans.

The engines are designed on the oscillating cylinder system which eliminates the need for valves. The oscillating cylinder itself acts as a valve, which covers and uncovers the steam ports as the engine runs. The cylinders have a bore of 12 mm (which can be increased for extra power if you wish) and a stroke of 40 mm.

I have designed these engines as an alternative to the light tinny engines offered by some commercial producers. They can each be made for a material cost of less than £50.

These sturdy engines are a delight to own and run. They are not available commercially so if you would like one you will have to build it yourself!
To find out how to purchase the plans click HERE