“As had been said many times before all steam engines have their own personalities and this is very true, even if they are built of obstensively the same components they all turn out different and have their own little quirks something to bear in mind when researching model steam engines and model steam engines for sale.”
Model steam engines are relatively easy to maintain obviously depending on their complexity. Although most steam engines are very durable it makes sense to keep them well lubricated and to clean them from time to time. Good lubrication will extend the life of an engine and cleaning from time to time will not only make them look better it will also help to remove any potentially abrasive deposits that may build up. The action of cleaning will also alert you to any problems or undue wear that may be present.
When maintaining model steam engines it is not generally a good idea to dismantle them yourself, either refer back to the manufacturer if there is a problem or seek out the advice of someone who has experience in this field. It is all too easy to make things worse by taking matters into your own hands, not only that but many model engines require specialist tools otherwise things like bolt heads and nuts will become "chewed" and it will detract from the appearance of the model steam engine.
The best way of cleaning an engine is to remove it from the model it is in, all you need is some hot water, a suitable detergent like washing up liquid, a soft toothbrush or similar and some kitchen paper. Immerse the engine in the hot water and then apply the detergent to it quite liberally. Then in a methodical manner start working around it with the toothbrush insuring that you get between the various components, you can also get more specialist toothbrushes which will allow you to address the more intricate parts. When you are satisfied that you have thoroughly cleaned it rinse in hot water, rotating the engine while doing this should be avoided as there is a danger of introducing detergent into the engine, ideally the inlet and exhausts should be plugged to prevent this from occurring. The engine can then be dried off using kitchen paper, it is then a good idea to treat the engine with something like WD40 this will help to displace any water and also prevent any unwanted corrosion.
Detecting the Problem Areas
Model steam engines that have been run for a considerable amount of hours might start to manifest problems after extensive use; steam engines by their nature are robust and long lasting providing they are maintained correctly. It is normally a case that the engine will tell you there is something wrong maybe by exhibiting a strange sound or by just refusing to run. Gradual wear may be less easy to detect and as a rule of thumb as long as the engine runs well then there is not an issue to be that concerned about, once again good maintenance is key.
Lubrication
Like most mechanical devices model steam engines require lubrication, on a steam engine even a model one this can take a number of forms, most common in smaller engines is a displacement lubricator, this is a device which is usually a sealed vessel that the steam entering the engine passes through, it is filled with steam oil and as some of the steam that is entering the engine condenses into water it has the effect of displacing the oil, hence the name. This displaced oil enters the flow of steam entering the engine and serves to lubricate the internal workings of same. Other engines may have forced lubrication by way of a pump which forces oil into the steam flow, although more sophisticated it serves the same purpose.
Other points of lubrication are normally fairly obvious as there well be some facility provided to allow lubrication; this can range from a simple hole to an oil cup or in some cases a box that needs to be filled with steam oil. If instructions are provided with your engine then these should illustrate fully the points to be lubricated and the grade of steam oil required.
Steam oil comes in all sorts of grades varying from 80 to 680 these numbers tend to refer to the viscosity. Steam oil tends to be thicker than conventional motor oil which allows it to function at higher temperatures and still maintain its properties. Heavier oils towards the 680 end are also designed to be used with a super heated steam and have other additives which prevent degradation at temperature and to prevent deposits building up within the engine. Operating pressure is another factor in the choice of oil as the higher the pressure the higher the temperature. Model compound steam engines may require different oils as the cylinders operate at different pressures. If you do not know which grade to use then it is worth seeking advice from a recognised outlet.
So when researching Model steam engines for sale it is a good idea to do some homework and find out what the various features are and what is going to be suitable for your own unique requirements.
Author Bio: Martin is a well known engineer within the world of steam and Model compound steam engines. Read his articles about model steam engine maintenance and when considering a Model steam engine for sale.
