The photos show the traction engine with the Crankshaft, Connecting Rod and Cylinder Assembly mounted on the Boiler.
Basset Lowke 3/4″ Scale Traction Engine Cylinder Assembly
The Cylinder Assembly comprises, Cylinder Saddle, Cylinder, Valve Chest and Cover, Piston and Rod, Crosshead and Trunk Guide.
Makin the components for this cylinder assembly has been very interesting with intricate machining and very accurate setups needed. Particularly so because the tolerances are so small on such a scale scale model.
On a large model bearings. for example, to take shafts or other moving parts are often made with say a 6 ‘thou’ clearance (typical on my 1/2 scale Little Samson Traction Engine), but at this 3/4″ scale these parts are made with no clearance and then lapped to size.
The same situation applies to setting out. I always blue the parts and mark out as normal but these would just be guidelines. All setting out distances have been measured using the DRO on the milling machine.
I hope to post some photos of the machining operations in another post.
Of course, that Cylinder Assembly is just the main components, there being many more items to make and add next, primarily the valve gear:-
Plus the ‘plumbing’ meaning the steam supply and exhaust piping, passageways and fittings. (Lubricator, Regulator etc)
