Redesigning a vertical slide valve steam engine - Phase Two.

[BerkeleyGang]

I think you'll find a DRO to be a significant improvement over counting (and losing count of) turns. Even something as simple as the iGaging scales - about $30 an axis. If you want to go all-out, the Shumatech DRO-550 is a very economical full DRO for your mill and/or lathe.

Are pressures low enough you don't need gaskets?

Thanks again for sharing your work!

[johnsimmance]

@BerkeleyGang I now have DRO's on all three axes of my milling machine! The pressures are very low - in fact I can run the engine on mouth pressure only! Over 20 psi, it goes ballistic! I like to get flat and accurate mating surfaces so the need for gaskets is minimal, but since the steam chest cover has to fit over two separate steam chests, it needed a gasket there as although the steam chest thicknesses mike up the same, they leak without gaskets. Thanks for your nice comments!

[BerkeleyGang]

@johnsimmance Thank you, John. I'm looking forward to seeing more of your machine work! Glad you have DRO on all three axis now! Congratulations.

[jmar1371]

Beautiful work, John. May I suggest an acrylic steam chest cover? We can watch your valve work when it runs. 8^)

[johnsimmance]

Yes, it is! The original horizontal Elderberry Mill Engine had an aluminium cylinder and it seemed to work very well. But I agree - it is unusual, I would prefer 360 brass but as the smaller Elderberry engine worked well, and I wanted to move on, I used aluminium too. But I may well make another cylinder (& piston to, they have to be a matched pair) later onb to satisfy myself! Then I will have added to the improvements! Regards - John.

[mnewlyn]

Hello John.

Is the cylinder made from aluminium? I haven't seen aluminium cylinders before.