For Practical Workers 



( 



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 tiie 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 



289 



