Brian builds a Corliss

[brian Rupnow]

Liar,Liar, Pants on fire---I said yesterday that I only had the valves left to make. A closer look this morning showed that I had yet to make the air intake and exhaust pieces. Got it all sorted out today anyways. I think I'm going to remake the "wobble plate" that sets on the front of the cylinder block and operates all the valves. I misread my own drawing when I made it, and although it would work as is, it looks to skinny for my taste. I hope I have another piece of brass big enough to make it from. If not, it will be made from mild steel.

[brian Rupnow]

Today I made a new "wobble plate" that fits onto the front of the engine and operates all of the valves. I also cut the slot in the cross-head guide. I still need to buy some #2-56 socket head capscrews to tighten the linkage onto the ends of the valves that protrude thru the outside of the block. I have nothing major left to build. Maybe an adjustable rod end to run the wobble plate, and I still have to drill and tap a set-screw hole thru the center of the eccentric to clamp it onto the crankshaft.

[Dan Dubeau]

That looks like quite and assembly of part Brian, thanks for sharing.

[brian Rupnow]

Hi Dan--It is beginning to look quite interesting, isn't it. I can't believe I'm almost finished making parts. It's going to be interesting to see all the parts mounted to the baseplate.---Brian

[brian Rupnow]

I'm pretty sure that I've seen this before---Somebody was riding it across the desert in a StarWars movie!!!

[Cuttings]

Looks good Brian and I like your comment about the Star Wars movie.

[brian Rupnow]

Today seen the first full assembly of the engine, with all the parts in place. Everything goes round and round and up and down with no major stoppages or binds as it rotated thru 360 degrees. The valves haven't been timed yet, and there will be considerable attention paid to cosmetic stuff, but today was a milestone for me, just seeing all the parts assembled and going thru their motions. If the engine Gods smile on me, I may have a runner sometimes in the coming week.----Brian

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Fjnn5qklA

[Jon Heron]

Today seen the first full assembly of the engine, with all the parts in place. Everything goes round and round and up and down with no major stoppages or binds as it rotated thru 360 degrees. The valves haven't been timed yet, and there will be considerable attention paid to cosmetic stuff, but today was a milestone for me, just seeing all the parts assembled and going thru their motions. If the engine Gods smile on me, I may have a runner sometimes in the coming week.----Brian
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8Fjnn5qklA

I cant wait it see it run!
Very interesting machine this one, great work Brian.
Cheers,
Jon

[sid pileski]

Looks like your going to have to do your usual running in with the electric motor.
Looks tight.

Sid

[RB211]

I did notice too how tight the engine seems in video. If I am not mistaken, this is your first steam engine? I assume you will run it on air. If steam, need to allow for expansion of parts.

[brian Rupnow]

This is my 21st or 22nd steam engine. I will run it on air. It looks stiff because it is stiff. This was the very first time that all of the parts have been assembled.

[aostling]

It's been three days. Is it still stiff?

[Dan_the_Chemist]

It's been three days. Is it still stiff?

You are supposed to seek help if the stiffness lasts for more than 12 hours.

[Dan Dubeau]

You are supposed to seek help if the stiffness lasts for more than 12 hours.

lol

[brian Rupnow]

Okay Sid---Be happy. My Corliss is out on the workbench being "run in" by an electric motor. This has been a busier than average week for me, and I haven't had much of a chance to play with the engine. This is the only way I know of loosening things up until the engine spins freely with very little drag. The shaft drags a little in the bearings. The piston drags a little in the cylinder. The cross-head drags a little bit in the cross head guide. Non of these areas of friction are deal breakers by themselves, but added together they do present enough total friction to keep the engine from running on relatively low air pressure. I much prefer an engine that spins freely with very little drag, but on almost all of my engines, be they steam or gasoline powered, they require this "running in" to loosen up all the tight spots. The engine is turning at about 450 rpm, and everything is bolted down tight and slathered with lubricating oil. I will let it run that way for about two hours, checking every half hour to squirt on a little more lubricating oil. I have to make gaskets yet, but the next step after making and installing all of the gaskets should be a running engine.---Brian