How Steam Engine Cylinders Work

[@mrpete222]

Your explanation was exceptional & very comprehensive. Best I have ever heard. I liked your teaching aid and your closeup photography as well. You're a smart one.

[@kimhenriksson2080]

I agree =)

[@Pualn08]

Agreed!

[@thisissoeasy]

Very well said, mrpete222!

[@86333able]

Well said. Many other videos on this subject are confusing because of the fast rate they are going.

[@chrish8846]

Cheers Mr Crispin - I've no engineering background and have been struggling to understand how cylinders work from books/diagrams...this has really helped me, very clear and much appreciated.

[@H.pylori]

I was so confused as to how the piston valve worked and allowed steam in and exhaust out. Your video with the teaching aids cleared it all up for me. Now I understand where how the steam/exhaust system works as far as entering and leaving the piston chamber and exiting to the smoke box and up the stack. GREAT JOB!! Thank you.

[@acdnrg]

This is the single best, comprehensive and complete explanation I have found - and I watched many. Spot on, great explanation at just the right pace, thank you for contributing this - it helped me tremendously.

[@Dave5400]

Been looking into this for about a month now for a model I would like to build (one day...). This is by far the best explanation I have found! All of the other sources are either too complicated, or too fast. This is a nice and slow explanation of each stroke, as well as being explained in layman's terms. Many thanks!

[@flintstoneengineering]

One of the best demonstrations I've seen on KZbin. Thanks.

[@peckelhaze6934]

This has to be the best explanation of the function of a steam cylinder.

[@rogerdeane3608]

Thank you for devoting so much time to this comprehensive explanation.

[@msampson1949]

thank you young sir credit where credits due, just getting into this model machining after 45year of being out of the tool room having been made redundant in the 70s, just built my workshop with lathe bridgeport surface grinder etc and pantograph i think i saw one in your shop as well, just machined the cylinders not really knowing how they worked, these video's are like the light bulb moment, looking forward to the next 2 years as at the stage you are, i'm building a S15 Greene King thanks again

[@grandadsfishingboat7455]

Brilliant explanation for someone like me who struggles to take on board purely verbal explanations sometimes. Thankyou

[@neilraine9324]

MrCrispin beautifully describes & demonstrates the pathway of steam entering & leaving the cylinder through a valve. Looking forward to learning more about model engineering. Well done. Absolutely superb !

[@robertling9872]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and steam engine principles.

[@SagarDeshpandeIndia]

Superb explanation, illustration and demonstration. Thx a lot. No other video on KZbin explains the different types of valve cylinder piston movements and its working. Thx.

[@Rich206L]

Crispin, that was an extraordinary explanation of a steam engine! You should consider becoming an educator! Also, I hope the Keith Fenner reads this. You made your bid for the "What's in your box" all by yourself and came in 2nd. #1 hasn't done anything of note as far as I can tell, and he had lots of outside help and generous budget too, or that's how I saw it. Anyway, I am genuinely happy to see you, a fine craftsman and engineer, doing so well and using the tools you won. I will be watching your channel much more closely in the future. Bravo! Cheers, Rich

[@CarterWHern]

You and Mr Pete are natural born instructors. Great video. More, more.

[@derekbroestler7687]

+Carter W Hern I just found MrCrispin, but I've been following Mr Pete for a while... I couldn't agree more. VERY well done videos and easy to watch and follow even for a beginner like myself.

[@rupertpowell]

A straight forward explanation. You make a good tutor Crispin and I love the CAM concept.

[@theburrell4626]

I have worked with / played with 5" gauge steam engines since I was about 8 that has to be the best explanation on how the cylinders work! Fantastic thank you :)

[@63256325N]

Good to see you. That was a wonderful explanation of the workings of a steam piston. Very clear and concise. If you ever get tired of working as a machinist you could teach. Thank you and am looking forward to the next in the series.

[@upthereds4939]

unbelievably good explanation! just found your channel yesterday. Absolutely love it mate!

[@wolfganggerber6046]

Habe im Netz lange suchen müssen nach solch einer schönen Demonstration. Leider nur in Englisch, aber ich habe dadurch eine Hilfe bekommen. Danke mein lieber Dampffreund.

[@MrBanzoid]

Great explanation of how a piston valve works - thanks very much. You're a great teacher. A brilliant engineer and machinist as well.

[@Rubbernecker]

Brilliant! I should have watched this prior to your cylinder/head videos, I was all our of whack. Incredibly clear explanation - thank you for sharing!

[@WHJeffB]

Mr. Crispin, I've been slowly making my way through your videos. You are an exceptionally talented young machinist/engineer! Thoroughly enjoying your videos, thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge and your project.A fellow (amateur) machinist/engineer from the USA...JB

[@nodrogawson963]

You explained that far better than I have found in books.You covered far more in those few minutes and made it very easy to understand.Your diagrams are very neat and easy to follow.Thank you for sharing much appreciated.

[@Radiotexas]

Absolutely wonderful.... especially from a young man! I'm impressed. Thank you!

[@dropthatwand4848]

Amazing explanation! I have been looking for something like this, and here you are, explaining it so that even I can understand. You're a born teacher! Thank you. :)

[@YCM30cnc]

I've always been curious about the theory of operation of steam engines. Your vid is excellent and I have a much better grasp of how theses style steam engines work. Fabulous presentation and visual aids.

[@MrSychnant]

Very comprehensive , and well explained, the penny was able to drop for me..

[@lorenlieder9789]

Great video you should be able to get a teaching job at any university any where in the world young man you are a great speaker and very smart!!

[@BM-jy6cb]

I've only recently discovered your channel (KZbin is very good at hiding some channels), so I'm still catching up on all your videos, but I'm astounded at your depth of knowledge and machining skills given your relative youth. When I first saw your videos, I thought this guy has to have served a top quality apprenticeship - that was before I knew you worked at Royce's. Nuff said. Even your CAM (☺️) model is a work of art - who needs Fusion 360! I wish you a long and productive career now the UK has seemingly begun to once again see the value and skill involved in engineering after shunning it for too many decades.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks

[@bernienufc3166]

brilliantly explained, you make an excellent teacher

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Thanks

[@bernienufc3166]

​@@MrCrispinEnterprises i read that the slide version is better for beginners, but that means dealing with high pressure on the ends of the chest as opposed on the inner, i would have thought the piston one was the way to go, your thoughts on this please would be intuitive

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

The piston valves are less forgiving and perhaps take more care to make and get right. I think that is why they suggest slide valves for beginners as they are more straight forward and more likely to be successful.

[@MyHeap]

Thank you for the steam tutorial. Very clearly explained.

[@Worksengineer]

Excellant explanation Crispin, clear and concise, as always

[@gustavok9790]

Great, great explanation! You're a good teacher. Thank you very much.

[@springwoodcottage4248]

Bravo! Extraordinary clarity & logic, beautiful diagrams & magnificently communicated both to how & why one design is best.

[@martinsmith1447]

You are destined for great things! What a genius!

[@GnosisMan50]

Mr. Krispin is already a good teacher just like Keith Fenner and Jody (from welding tips and tricks) i can see why he won the tool box.

[@cgis123]

Very well thought out and explained video Crispin. I look forward to the next one. Matt

[@robw53]

Excellent video as expected! You didn't mention the advantage of slide valves in that any excess water trapped in the cylinders will lift the valve and escape through the exhaust instead of blowing the end caps off or locking up. 😀

[@royreynolds108]

I once saw a model locomotive with piston valves with an arrangement at each end of each cylinder to relieve the water caught in the cylinder by using a ball in a hole with steam in the chest on top of the ball holding it down on a small hole connected to the cylinder so that if there is any water pushed by the piston the water pressure forces the ball up allowing the water to escape into the steam chest. This locomotive was made in Leeds, England in 1926 on an order of two for the Canadian National. I think this locomotive has been regauged back to 12 inches from 16 inches and is back with it's sister on a little railroad close to St. Louis, MO, USA.

[@roncartwright8125]

I have been waiting for this one. Well done! Concise as usual.

[@MikeGalusha]

Excellent! I love learning how things works and I've never looked into that before.

[@tonyburndred9828]

Nice to see you back Crispin, great video clear explanation, look forward to the next one, well done

[@FredMiller]

Absolutely fantastic explanation of the valving processes! I really enjoyed you explaining the advantages and disadvantages of each. I will be following your build very closely.. Fred

[@MissionTapasya]

I have a doubt,if some one can answer it woul be great,it may sound silly Q1.In a steam engine,is the forward stroke speed equal to reverse stroke speed,i know they are not very different,but still if there is a difference of seconds or micro seconds Q2.if the forward stroke pressure(or force)is similar to reverse stroke pressure(or force) Plz answer my two question,i am a student Thanks in advance

[@pierresgarage2687]

One of the best explanation on the subject.... ;)

[@yagwaw]

Brilliantly done explanation!

[@ScottsProjectsChannel]

Another extremely informative and well presented video. Thanks, and keep up the good work.

[@MrToolsinbox]

fantastic explanation and description. Keep going Crispy !

[@paulbuckberry7683]

Great explanation, thanks for taking the time.!

[@tobyw9573]

Well done! Cannot wait for you to explain uniflow engines. :) Jay Leno goes into quite a lot of detail on operation and mods his shop has done on one of several of his Doble steam cars. Thought you would find it interesting if you are not already aware. Thanks for sharing!

[@josephmagedanz4070]

Nice presentation, thanks. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@JasonSmith-vd1sz]

That was the best explanation I’ve ever heard! Thank you!

[@GaryGrumble]

Thank You very much. Your explanation was very clear. Can't wait for the next video.

[@thekingcreaky]

thankyou for taking the time to provide such a fantastic explanation.

[@gvet47]

Very good demo and explanation!

[@pouyan225]

Thank you for taking your time and explaining it!

[@kevCarrico]

absolutely brilliant - incredible information, presented in an exceptional manner!

[@matthomer8350]

Great explanation...just what I was looking for being a newbie ! thanks

[@magnusklahr8190]

Very good! Intresting to follow your work! Thanks!

[@shadowdog500]

That was an excellent explanation!!!!

[@malinthamanoj4721]

A very clear demonstration ... Thanks

[@MarkGarth]

Love the CAM comment and good to see you back. Very interesting video, many thanks :-)

[@keithnoneya]

That was very well thought out sir. I've always been interested in steam engines, but never knew how the valves worked. Now just have to figure out the timing, lol. Best Wishes n Blessings. Keith

[@dannyfischer8336]

Incredible video!! Very comprehensive!!

[@1873Winchester]

A very interesting video, I read about slide vs piston valves earlier on some model forums and one thing that was mentioned there was that piston valves wear out, slide valves wear in. I got the impression they would thus be longer lasting, I am not sure if it's really a huge difference though. I've never built a steam engine or a boiler, though some day I'd like to.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Definitely a difference in terms of performance as you waste less energy operating the piston valve vs operating the slide vale. (much more friction with a slide vale as the steam in the steam chest is forcing the port face and valve face together. )

[@chillierdavro]

Impressive as always MrCrispin!

[@MustangGT4.6L-2A]

Outstanding Video Thank you.

[@TheViking2008]

Brilliant explanation thanks so much 👍🏻

[@mog5858]

great work. love the info you shared with us. keep up the good work.

[@meduffer]

Excellent explanation.

[@vintagearthur918]

Fantastic video!

[@taterbug70]

Mr. Crispy, Making Sheffield Great Again.

[@gervasebarnes]

excellent description

[@alanjackson7560]

Good Video. In one of your earlier videos, you mentioned a rotary table(it was on the subject of sphere turning)could you recommend a good quality one,as i've had problems with backlash with the one i've got. Thank you.

[@frednewman2162]

Great video and explanation on how they work! even for someone with very little knowledge of steam engines, your diagrams and explanation could teach anyone. Have one question though. when you were explaining how they could throttle back steam into the lower piston after cylinder was hot or up to speed. what means is used to do this? is there some mechanical means of controlling the upper piston to govern its speed in relationship to main piston, or is the upper piston driven externally by steam too, and the amount of steam supplied to it is just throttled back?

[@Pualn08]

Great explanation, the best I have found. But I was curious would a piston steam engine work in reverse if you alternated the steam entering the exhaust and used the internal emission valve as and exhaust? Or is there a better way to get it to go in reverse? Thanks or posting, I am very new at this.

[@railroad9000]

Great explanation.Thanks.

[@petertyrrell6690]

Excellent. Thank for sharing.

[@datsunz152]

How much energy is wasted through the leaks around the connecting rod? is there a noticeable increase in power when the piston is going right as apposed to left with your model?

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Interesting question. I'm not sure. The theoretical answer is no or at least not a noticeable amount. I will check with an expert.

[@johnkashka803]

That was great....The way the valve works has always confused me...until now.

[@julianosousa7092]

Ótima explicação, parabéns

[@wisdom_wellness365]

Very nice! I like it!

[@WaveDudeTX]

Very educational...thanks.

[@darrenphillips6456]

If I were a student in your class I would consider myself very lucky.

[@vikingsofvintageaudio7470]

Great video!!!

[@phooesnax]

Very nice job

[@joshedwards961]

looking for rpm formula for steam locomotive do you know where I can find this info ?

[@pauls5745]

I would debate a flat slide valve as being less efficient than circular spool/piston valves. A slide valve has less contacting surface area than a spool valve and weight of the valve is much less, so friction is negligible however it will wear fatster than the larger spool valve. this is why spool piston valves are favored, not for efficiency but in durability and longevity. A case can be made for rotary valves as being the most efficient and cheaper to manufacture, however adjusting the timing may be more complicated

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

The loss in efficiency with a slide valve is down to the force of the steam pressing the slide face against the port face. The friction is far higher once it has the force of the st am acting on it.

[@diy-chris1332]

the English sliding valve is not so good for heavy use because the friction of the valve on a smaller surface leads to greater abrasion! therefore only for slow-running machines usable

[@milosavage7327]

GOOD JOB FROM AFRICA

[@dlstanf2]

Great Job!

[@garyrhodes7089]

Mr crispin 96 I would like to send you a section of copper tube for your boiler 18" x 5" how would i get your contact details to send it to you also any other off cuts of copper tube you would like to construct your boiler I will likely have

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

+gary rhodes Hi, Thanks very much indeed for the offer. Unfortunately the Boiler is a 6" OD, also its 25" long so I don't think I could use it for the barrel. I could potentially cut it up and use it for other bits of the boiler depending on the thickness? Fire tube wise there are 4 tubes that are 7/8" x 16SWG, and 18 tubes that are 1/2" by 20SWG Thanks again Crispin

[@garyrhodes7089]

MrCrispin96 most of the tube i have access to is metric 22mm tube is.867" od 0.040" thick 15 mm .591" od .030 thick what dia is fire box

[@garyrhodes7089]

if you can use those sizes i will send you all of it

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

+gary rhodes Thanks very much, Im doing some calculations so i will get back to you soon. Thanks

[@marcopolo6590]

Bravo !!!!

[@PaDesactivarInquisidores]

A Jullir Crispi'n!!! ~ "A Hoojir Cris-pin" ~ Cripi'n a la Huida ~ Crispin to the Scape!! ~ Get Out it Here!!!

[@jesusjoelgarcia8115]

Well done thanks

[@vivekguna2608]

Thank you so much

[@chevycam8977]

Well Done!!!

[@MissionTapasya]

I have a doubt,if some one can answer it woul be great,it may sound silly Q1.In a steam engine,is the forward stroke speed equal to reverse stroke speed,i know they are not very different,but still if there is a difference of seconds or micro seconds Q2.if the forward stroke pressure(or force)is similar to reverse stroke pressure(or force) Plz answer my two question,i am a student Thanks in advance

[@vincit1813]

On a Mamod wobbler engine yep, very different lol. Valve timing gets close enough on most engines.

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

On this locomotive the pressures on either end of the piston is the same. The same inlet from the boiler is being switched between the front and back of the cylinder. See my video 'how steam engine cylinders work'

[@MissionTapasya]

@@MrCrispinEnterprises sure

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Sorry my mistake, I just saw that you comment was on the video 'how steam engine cylinders work'! It just came though as a comment.

[@Toadydo]

Well done

[@Maxi-hs5nk]

How is the piston valve operated to adjust the steam? Thanks

[@jleoneleone8760]

Very good very good