Building A Portable Steam Engine

This practical, instructional book describes the construction of a model of the Lampitt portable steam engine, which dates back to 1862, and which provided rotative power to drive threshing machines, circular saws, feed mills and other farm machinery. The construction of every component is described in precise detail and the text is supported by many helpful step-by-step photographs. In addition, useful advice is provided about obtaining materials and about the tools that are required to equip a model-engineering workshop. Accordingly, the information provided in this fascinating book will enable the reader to construct not only the Lampitt engine but also many other engineering models in the future. When the reader has finished building 'the Lampitt' he will, in effect, have completed an engineering apprenticeship, and will have a model engine of which he can be proud and which fully reveals the skills that he has learned. Fully illustrated with 142 step-by-step colour photographs.

The portable steam engine is closely related to the traction engine but is not self-moving, requiring to be towed. It was designed to drive machinery such as threshing machines, saws and pumps. Less attention has been paid to portables than their industrial significance warrants and this book gives an overall picture of their history and development, dealing with portables at work and in preservation. Technical features are examined in some detail, especially where portable engine practice differed from that of tractions. The introduction of portable engines into agriculture was a major advance not readily appreciated in these days of diesel and electric power. Their use spread into the forestry, construction and manufacturing industries. Portables were still being made after traction engine building had ceased and the author describes some old working machines.

This book contains classic material dating back to the 1900s and before. The content has been carefully selected for its interest and relevance to a modern audience.

Originally created in 1911, Locomotive Building is the definitive text concerning the construction of steam engines for railroad use. Chapters include descriptions of all locomotive systems and their functions, including side rods, boiler, wheels, axle and diving boxes, frames and cylinders, valve motion, shop practice and more. Profusely illustrated with diagrams and rare photos, this reprint has been slightly reformatted. Care has been taken however to preserve the integrity of the text.

A guide to building simple oscillating steam engine models. It describes the making of four such models: Kitty, a small overtype engine; Otto, a simple steam turbine plant; Wencelas, a superior Christmas present; and Henry a 19th-century vertical engine and boiler.

This book is a collection of vintage articles on the subject of installing miniature steam engines in model vehicles. Highly-detailed and profusely illustrated, this volume will be of considerable utility enthusiasts with an interest in model engineering, and would make for a fantastic addition to collections of related literature. Contents include: “Simple Model Steam Engine Construction”, “Design for a Motor Car type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-Type Steam Engine”, “A Model Compound Under-Type Steam Engine”, “Some Interesting Steam Models”, “A Small Steam and Petrol Air-Gas Plant”, etc. Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. It is with this in mind that we are republishing this volume now in an affordable, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on model building.