Steam engines

Small model steam engines all home made with brass and bronze. Construction methods and plans for a twin-cylinder free on this site.

Single cylinder double stroke

Vertical single cylindre double stroke 

Characteristics : 
 
Bore diameter 13mm. 
 
13mm stroke. 
 
Distribution by slide valve and eccentric. 
 
Built entirely of brass and stainless steel.
This engine is home made and personal design. It is inspired by small marine engines and for the technique the magazine MRB gives many information as well as plans. 
 
The construction is entirely made of brass and stainless steel. Brass may have more wear than bronze but it is good enough for a start model. The parts are either cut in the mass or made by assembling and brazing simple elements and then machined. This technique is within the reach of hobbiyist  less equipped and can get closer to the "rustic" aspect of the foundry parts. 
 
Soon on this site you will find this detailed and illustrated method of photos showing the construction of a twin cylinder, but be patient because today only plans are drawn. 

The boiler is the essential energy source for a steam engine. A personal realization is also possible but caution, it is essential to be sure of the quality of the solders because a boiler is not a simple can, if you mistreat it, it can become a bomb
 
Never pressurize a boiler unless it has been water cold tested to at least three times its operating pressure. CAUTION a steam test may lead you to EMERGENCY if the boiler is defective.
To complete the installation and facilitate engine and regulator tuning, it is useful to build an autonomous heating system with its own gas supply. 
 
The copper tank with the stamped extremities formed with hammer ball (sheet of 1,5mm). The thread rings are made of brass and the whole is silver soldered.
The boiler and the engine equipped, it lacks only the heating system with burner and gas tank. An installation of this type makes it easy to have a test bench. 
 
For the moment heating is provided by a soldering lamp placed at the entrance of the boiler furnace, it is not very beautiful but works well.
Read more
JLS-13-2
Stephenson reverse double stroke twin cylinder. Plans available for download.
MV Simul
Steam engine simulation software, a freeware available on this site.
Machine tools
How to build your own machines to machine metals, to see on this site.
machines
MRB magazine
French magazines MRB and RC Marine.
JP Duval site
Many plans to download.
fredy42 - Youtube
Fredy42 Youtube channel, many running steam engines. Fans of  beautiful mechanical will appreciate.
See more
JLS-13-2
Plans of twin cylinder
MV Simul
Steam engine simulator software
Machine tools
Machine tools home building
Magazines
MRB / RC Marine
JP Duval Site
Many plans to download
Fredy42
Youtube channel with many running live steam engines

My first engine

Oscillating single cylinder double stroke

Characteristics : 
 
Bore diameter 13mm. 
 
13mm stroke. 
 
Can be made without machine tools, only a simple drill. 
 
Ideal to start.
Il s'agit d'un bon petit moteur pour débutant. Pas de pièces complexes, pas de brasure forte (tout est soudé à l'étain), la construction peut même être faite sans tour car le piston peut être tiré d'un rond de laiton et le cylindre d'un tube laiton, le tout se trouve en magasins de bricolage. La glace est réalisée à partir d'une plaque de téfon (PTFE) mais cela n'est pas indispensable.

This is a good small motor for beginners. No complex parts, no strong brazing (everything is soldered with tin), the construction can even be made without turning because the piston can be cut from a round of brass and the cylinder of a brass pipe, the whole is in DIY stores. The distribution plate is made from a Tefon plate (PTFE) but this is not essential.
The cylinder as the rest of the engine are simply brazed with tin, no need to use silver brazing for such a small engine working at low pressure. 
 
The plan and the ideas come from the french magazine "le Modèle Réduit de Bateau" n°241.
See more
JLS-13-2
Stephenson reverse double stroke twin cylinder. Plans available for download.
Tin brazing
The technique for successful tin soldering.
MRB magazine
French magazines MRB and RC Marine.
Steam in Polynésie
Many knacs and plans. Ideal for finding a model and knacs for getting started.
See more
JLS-13-2
Bicylindre double effet, les plans
Tin brazing
The technique for successful tin soldering.
Magazines
MRB / RC Marine
Steam in Polynésie
Many knacs and starter plans
Made with OpenElement
Date mise à jour  
CARNETS JL-S
Technical hobbies
Carnets JLS
Top page