I love how the V engine and the inlines have different sound characteristics just like with gas or diesel engines. It's obviously due to the timing, but I just find that awesome.
If a one cylinder engine is in the top or bottom dead center position the steam valve is closed so if it stops in this position it will not start. This would be the 12:00 position. However the three cylinder single acting engine and the two cylinder double acting engines have no positions of the crankshaft where all of the steam valves are closed, so it will start.
If you are interested in a plan and general building instructions for the one cylinder single acting steam engine contact me at lesproper@gmail.com and I will send you a free copy in pdf format. A small metal lathe is needed to build the engine. The engine is made from easy to obtain materials and is a quick and easy build for steam engine enthusiasts.
I have thought about how I could make the self starting engines reversible. I think the easiest one would be the three cylinder as there is a way to do it with the gears that run the valve shaft. There is a name for this type of reversing mechanism, but I can't remember what it is. It will be a project for another day.
Hi, I am not a good source to answer this question. I have no education or training in machining. I have a Sherline lathe and mill (not CNC) that I have used to build all my engines. I know that the Sherline line can be equipped with CNC.
Power is a property of the steam boiler and more specifically the rate at which fuel can be burned to produce steam. Since an engine with more cylinders can utilize a larger boiler it will produce more power. However, there is no difference in power output between the engines if the same miniature boiler is used. Using the same boiler the single cylinder engine will run 4 times faster than the V-4, but the V-4 will have 4 times the torque.
The engines have pretty good torque considering their small size. They can power a small steam boat very nicely. I have several videos showing the engines powering small steam boats ranging is size from about 10 to 14 inches in length. I do not sell the engines, sorry.
I wrote a book on building miniature model steam boats which contains about 80 pages of detail plans, pictures, and building instructions for six different steam boats. Each boat has a different engine and steam boiler. The V-4 engine is used in one of the boats and is included in the book. I can provide cost information if you send a request to my email (lesproper@gmail.com).
Leslie Proper could you send me one too ?love the steam engines so very little book an e.mqil d plan if you do not mind thank you and I am subbed .👍👍👍👍👍 email.mail chucoflores13@gmail.com thank you so much.
Love the engines. Have e-mailed my email address for details of how to obtain your book and plan for the single cylinder engine. Hope to build one soon.
You sure can, get out in your shop and make one. You'll soon realize why they are not for sale. With all the hours of labor factored in, nobody would pay what the finished product would cost. I make model gas engines as a hobby, it is not for the faint of heart. I have 5 months in my latest build and it's not done.
very beautiful! I'm interested in steam all of a sudden, and I can't believe how small you can make a steam engine. :P I fell so tempted to make one~ I have a lathe, but I dunno what shops to get the metal from :'/
I will send you a pdf plan of the one cylinder engine if you are interested, but I will need your email. The plan sheet has a list of materials needed for building the engine and the materials can be ordered on line.
off the top of my head, the materials required for these tiny beauties should not be too much trouble to find. An armchair, a laptop, and eBay should cover it, plus a medium to big soldering iron, junior hacksaw, small files and your lathe. Good luck.
so amazing great work. love these engines. thank you for sharing.
Very nice work!
You are very talented!
I love how the V engine and the inlines have different sound characteristics just like with gas or diesel engines. It's obviously due to the timing, but I just find that awesome.
Great job thanks for sharing
Nice looking engines! They seem to run very well too!
Awesome! They run great. Very nice job!
Very nice work; what a great hobby.
Again, briliant! How about a miniature steam turbine with low and high pressure blades ❤️
I love it all!
But I have question: What makes a certain engine capable of self starting while another cannot?
If a one cylinder engine is in the top or bottom dead center position the steam valve is closed so if it stops in this position it will not start. This would be the 12:00 position. However the three cylinder single acting engine and the two cylinder double acting engines have no positions of the crankshaft where all of the steam valves are closed, so it will start.
My kind of fidget spinner! Great stuff!
incredible work!
so cool these engines
thumbsup
If you are interested in a plan and general building instructions for the one cylinder single acting steam engine contact me at lesproper@gmail.com and I will send you a free copy in pdf format. A small metal lathe is needed to build the engine. The engine is made from easy to obtain materials and is a quick and easy build for steam engine enthusiasts.
+Leslie Proper i have sent email to you, please send me the insteruction, i want to try this mini engine at my home,
thanks before
I ve would like one of your plans
+Tim Medved I would be happy to send the plan, but need your email to send it. Contact me at lesproper@gmail.com and I will be able to send it to you.
medotimi2001@gmail.com
Leslie Proper is your offer for plans still valid?
Thanks
WOW these engines are beautiful!!! I send you an email because i am interested in the instructions to this engine
wow cool this is why i got a mini lathe. i'll take u up on the instructions
from where the steam goes out
These are great; colour me inspired! Have you considered constructing a version of the double-acting vertical twin with a forward/reverse mechanism?
I have thought about how I could make the self starting engines reversible. I think the easiest one would be the three cylinder as there is a way to do it with the gears that run the valve shaft. There is a name for this type of reversing mechanism, but I can't remember what it is. It will be a project for another day.
Thanks for your reply. I'll keep an eye out in future in case you post a video of such an engine.
Hi Leslie, i've sent you an email requesting a copy of the plans and details on your book, thanks and keep up the good work!
What lathe would you recommend to build something like these mini engines? I would love to add a lathe to my cnc and 3d printing machine's
Hi, I am not a good source to answer this question. I have no education or training in machining. I have a Sherline lathe and mill (not CNC) that I have used to build all my engines. I know that the Sherline line can be equipped with CNC.
felicidades muy buen trabajo...
Hi Mr Proper,
Great little engines. Well done.
I have sent you an email regarding.
Thank you for sharing the idea and keep it up.
Best Regards
Paul
Thanks Paul
Is there a way I could purchase one of the three cylinder single action engines?
Amazing work with such detail!
+Dutch Blades Sorry, I do not have any engines for sale.
More Cylinder = More power?
Power is a property of the steam boiler and more specifically the rate at which fuel can be burned to produce steam. Since an engine with more cylinders can utilize a larger boiler it will produce more power. However, there is no difference in power output between the engines if the same miniature boiler is used. Using the same boiler the single cylinder engine will run 4 times faster than the V-4, but the V-4 will have 4 times the torque.
very good work
I have a few questions: 1. do the V-4 engine have a lot of torque? can it power a propeller on a boat? 2. is there any way for me to buy on of those?
The engines have pretty good torque considering their small size. They can power a small steam boat very nicely. I have several videos showing the engines powering small steam boats ranging is size from about 10 to 14 inches in length. I do not sell the engines, sorry.
ok, thanks for reply. since u are not selling, do you have a detailed turtorial or plans on how to build the V-4?
I wrote a book on building miniature model steam boats which contains about 80 pages of detail plans, pictures, and building instructions for six different steam boats. Each boat has a different engine and steam boiler. The V-4 engine is used in one of the boats and is included in the book. I can provide cost information if you send a request to my email (lesproper@gmail.com).
Leslie Proper could you send me one too ?love the steam engines so very little book an e.mqil d plan if you do not mind thank you and I am subbed .👍👍👍👍👍 email.mail chucoflores13@gmail.com thank you so much.
wonderful little engines :)
send me a pdf of your engine please! its so nice, great job!
What a prize of one of this motors?
how do you build these? i really must know.
You should show us how to make those steam engine i would really enjoy
Where can I get your book? Very interesting stuff, good job.
Send me your email and I will send back the information. My email is lesproper@gmail.com
Hey, my email is spaced055@gmail.com. Thank you.
Where did u buy
+Bob Cota I designed and built the engines. They are not too difficult to build, but a small metal lathe is needed.
Love the engines. Have e-mailed my email address for details of how to obtain your book and plan for the single cylinder engine. Hope to build one soon.
LINKS PLEASE
Can I get one of those
You sure can, get out in your shop and make one. You'll soon realize why they are not for sale. With all the hours of labor factored in, nobody would pay what the finished product would cost. I make model gas engines as a hobby, it is not for the faint of heart. I have 5 months in my latest build and it's not done.
Quanto custa?
太勵害了，功夫了得。
very beautiful! I'm interested in steam all of a sudden, and I can't believe how small you can make a steam engine. :P
I fell so tempted to make one~ I have a lathe, but I dunno what shops to get the metal from :'/
I will send you a pdf plan of the one cylinder engine if you are interested, but I will need your email. The plan sheet has a list of materials needed for building the engine and the materials can be ordered on line.
ok, sure~ ^_^ I might not be able to make it, but an idea of the materials could be handy. Thanks.
I'll send you an email now, if you don't mind.
off the top of my head, the materials required for these tiny beauties should not be too much trouble to find. An armchair, a laptop, and eBay should cover it, plus a medium to big soldering iron, junior hacksaw, small files and your lathe.
Good luck.
Parabéns
Big hands with small toy engines
Hi! I really liked your work, can you give a couple of plans to me by email? Thanks in advance.
Send your email address to me at lesproper@gmail.com and I will send you the single cylinder plan.