Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 89.djvu/303

 For Practical Workers

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���An Opposed Cylinder Steam Engine

By Ray F. Kuns

��THE steam-engine shown in the drawings is one requiring no ma- chine work and is so designed that any amljitioiis amateur may feel certain of success if he is at all careful in his work.

The base shoukl be worked out to the size shown in Plate 2. If no iron base is at hand the hardwood base shown may be covered with either tin or sheet-brass. If this is done the bottom should be covered as well as the top, and edges and all joints soldered to ex- clude moisture. If not co\ered the base should be painted or enameled to prevent it from warping when thesteam and hot water strike it.

The cylinfler support is shown as C S

in Plate 2 and in detail in Plate ;,. Work this up out of wood. Ne.vt cut out of brass or tin two strips as shown on Plate 3. These are fastened to the wood support with screws. To make a neat job the ends and top of the supjxjrt may be covered with brass or tin ami all joints soldered.

���Plate 1. A steam engine having opposed cylinders, which can be constructed by an amateur

��The cylinders are made from l6-gage seamless-drawn brass tubing. This is 13^-2 ins. outside diameter and should be entirely smooth and free from blisters on the inside. A piece 6 ins. long will make both cylinders and the eccentric ring, allowing for squaring and cutting. If no tubing is available an old bicycle- pump or automobile-lire pump will furnish the material. After one end of the tubing is squared up the length of the cylinder 2)^2 ins. is measured off on it

and carefulh' marked, after which it is cut at that point with the hack- saw. The end is again scjuared up with the file and another cylinder marked and cut off, after which the two uneven ends of the CN'linders are filed true and smooth. Two cylinder heads are required, one for each cylinder. These are shown at 67/ in Plate 2. l^se i8-gage brass or hea\-y sheet-tin, cut i] ^> ins. in diameter and carefulh' solder in place.

The steam-chest, SC in Plate 2, is a jiiece of i8-gage seamless-drawn brass

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