Making Simple Model Steam Engines

I wanted to make a simple steam engine, and this book describes in detail the simplest possible steam engine. I've ordered the metal to make the "simple Sam" engine and the metal stock costs about $47 on-line, but the $47 of stock will make several engines. I do have a mini-lathe, and the build would be significantly more difficult without the lathe. I plan to operate my engine with compressed air rather than steam, so that it can easily be operated by children in a museum setting, but the book does give details on building a steam generator, and the effort to build a steam boiler seems straight forward. The builder should be careful to order metal stock that is easily machinable - I ordered 360 brass and 304 stainless steel.I did view a u-tube video that showed a working "simple Sam". I would suggest that anyone thinking of buying the book look first at some u-tube videos to see what a typical 1 cycle steam-engine looks like. It does not resemble a commercial steam engine with its complex valving. Anyone first looking at a "simple Sam" may not recognize it as a steam engine.Overall, this book provides plans for several steam-engine projects that will can be enjoyed by an amateur hobbiest.

I may have made a mistake on my earlier review of "Building Simple Model Steam Engines" as this is the book ("Making Model Steam Engines") for which I earlier wrote. My aplogies!The author, Stan Bray may well be an Englishman, but he gives all of the dimensions in both Metric and Imperial measurements (which is a great relief to us "Yanks"). He writes in a very consise yet easily understandable manner.The book is also illustrated with both photos and working drawings to build engines, boilers, crankshafts, flywheels, and all sorts of neat parts from scratch.You need not own a complete machine shop to build some of the simpler engines, however a lathe will aid your efforts considerably.Mr. Bray shows how to build burners, boilers and several types of steam driven engines from the most simple to a twin cylinder. The last chapter deals with building a Verticle Boilered Locomotive from the wheels up.This is a very interesting book, not only for the model maker but perhaps also for anyone interested in how older technology actually worked.One last note: These "models" are actually small "toys", meaning that this stuff is small and intricate.All in all, this is a very good book and I recommend it highly.

"Fairly Simple Construction of Simple Steam Engines For The Intermedient to advanced Hobby Machinist. I bought a lathe and set up a dedicated metal shop a year ago, producing a lot of fun low to moderately precise objects- black powder cannons, tools and metal parts, etc. My other goal was steam engines and hopefully model steam locomotives. I collect self-learning skill instruction books and find this one outstanding as to readability, illustrations, etc. But the author's awe shucks, hand tools delivery belies a lot of skills and tools necessary to produce a precision steam engine. Can't find a commercial D bit at Lowe's? Use your blacksmithing skills to make and heat treat/oil quinch and temper your own. I finally produced a well working, non leaking one ofhis simple engines after breaking down and acquiring a milling machine mostly as a precision drill necessary to accurately drill 4 1/16 holes for the double acting models. I found jigs to be cumbersome and difficult to secure to the stock to be drilled.Some of the measurements/dimensions are suspect. If the clapper engine is accurately built per plans there is no room for steam passage.What is between the lines is that after accurate part production and assembly it takes a day or so to tweak, de-burr, and introduce some slop here and there to get really friction free action.I thank the author for making me learn the machinist mind-set as to accurate lay-out, precision drilling, good tap and die techniques, and the humility and patience to remake innaccurate parts.One last suggestion to the more skilled just starting on steam engines- there are lots of plans on the internet for larger engines such as Gerry's beam and Elmer's grasshopper, especially if you like metal and woodwork.

My son absolutely loves this book

An interesting and well written book. Informative as well as easy reading. It gives a good description of the production methodes as well as drawings and mesurments. I liked the way the aouthor handels the different mesuring systems, i,e Metric as well as Imperial.

I am a home shop machinist and quite interested in the history of the industrial revolution. I would like to make a model Watt beam engine with sun-and-planet linkage, Watt's straight line mechanism, flyball governor, and representative valve gear. All engines in this book have rocking cylinders so that the valve operation is greatly simplified and the piston is rigidly connected. This makes a workable toy but is not like any full scale engine.The author puts much effort into describing how parts might be made with simple hand tools (files, etc.) but uses lathe and mill himself. I am rather skeptical of the (apparently untried) hand tool methods. I do not expect to get any use from this book.Instructions for silver soldering seems quite good.

you need to understand how to solder and use simple power tools ! easy to follow plans

Very nice well bound hard back with drawings for home built steam engines, boilers, burners as well as various fittings. Most of the engines are simple oscillating type but there are a couple of others. Good introduction to engine building with a chapter on tools, measuring and materials. Clear black and white photos of each project engine. Even has complete drawings for a unique miniature steam powered rail locomotive.If you have a small lathe such as a Sherline you will love constructing the engines in this book.