A PM RESEARCH MODEL STEAM ENGINE - PART #1 - IN THE WORKSHOP

[@lynwoodreed9032]

I have one of these engines. I found all of the hex bolts and nuts in America from McMaster Carr, the thread is 4-40. The widest range of fasteners I have seen.

[@jonathanbale5410]

When you have finished i hope it will rotate the correct way as when you took it apart it was running backwards, good videos keep up the good work.

[@mikesenginesandadventures]

These are great engines. I have one and I absolutely love it.

[@AdventureswithZack]

It’s a great little engine and a great beginner casting kit for a beginner. Its the first steam I built

[@TheFreshmanWIT]

Those bolts (and many on this kit) are #5-40 UNC.

[@bryanhedstrom7071]

Those fillister head machine screws should be 5-40 UNC thread.

[@david9783]

I have had the same engine for 15 years and it powers my modest steam plant. I installed some very small ball bearings on the crankshaft journals, and even one on the crank web. it runs so quietly you at tick-over that you can barely hear it. But over time I did need to replace the cylinder because of blow-by at the piston valve. It wore out indeed!

[@paulcooper2897]

On this side of the pond, if those kits are built in/for USA/Canada, those are going to be #6-32 tpi, #8-32 tpi, or #10-24 tpi machine screws. They are a common standard over here. Hard to judge on the video which size they are. Thanks for sharing 🇨🇦

[@Basty5095]

I have always wondered what the pre-machined pm research #3 looked like. I'm thinking of buying one. Nice vid!

[@marcsummerlott3965]

Well done.

[@trainman419]

I have one of these PM research kits, and they use American bolts. I don't remember the exact size, but most of those slot-head screws are probably 4-40 or 5-40. 5-40 will have 1/8" major diameter. 4-40 will be a bit smaller. It's great to see one of these that's been professionally built up; gives me some ideas of what to do with my kit as a finish it!

[@mrcmoes]

I am currently looking to buy one of these as my first model steam engine. Thanks for making a video on it.

[@MonkeyWithAWrench]

Thanks for the video. I've been eyeing one of these exact engines for close to a decade and have never purchased one because i've had no clue or indication on how well they were machined. I've got a PM research 6CI casting kit waiting to be machined and the castings are flawless save for one very small void in the flywheel. Knowing that they do a good job of machining those, I'll probably purchase one.

[@wgm-en2gx]

Keith, I've been watching way too many of your videos. The first thing I noticed was the off-center lug. That's one of the things that immediately grabs your attention. It's probably hard to get the flywheel casting completely centered up before machining. Then when you put the flywheel in the bin I was like "that could be cleaned up better to get rid of the flashing"...

[@silverfox1779]

The slotted screws are 5-40 machine screws. I built one of these engines a few years ago and I agree those screws really take away from the looks of the model

[@lazyrapter8543]

How did you run it? I'm trying to get one working without a boiler. Can you help me by letting me know the tubing you used and what type of pressure tank was used?

[@keithappleton]

Compressed air from a small compressor with a length of Silicone Rubber Tubing.

[@lazyrapter8543]

Thank you very much! I was stressing about the design but now I have a clear idea on what I have to do.

[@lazyrapter8543]

Ok so I just got my air compressioner but I think it might be a little too weak, so I have a question how much psi you used to run it, because when I used the engine it gets stuck and does not run.

[@captianm4766]

The screws may be a #6-32 or one of the other US standards

[@daveboatman4024]

The screws are a #3-48 screws. A bastard size anymore in the US. I built one of these unmachined kits about 10 years ago as my 2nd machining project as a self taught chip maker. I’ll be interested in what you replace the screws with as I agree with you that they are unsightly.

[@projectsfromtheworkbench]

Keith, is it true that slide valves are more resilient to condensation in cylinders without drain cocks because the compressed water will push the slide valve off the seat to escape..but piston valves just cause things to break?

[@eugeniomarins2936]

Dear Sir, I found out, the hard way, that cooking for six is completely different than cooking, the same meal, for twelve. Cheers from Brazil.

[@keithappleton]

Yes, you are right }:-)))

[@wilsonlaidlaw]

Keith, would not the screw sizes be American number sizes. For example a #5 coarse is 1/4 x 40 tpi?

[@pirminkogleck4056]

hy keith , i waited for the video this evening and would like to know if u can tell me wich BA taps and dies are rquired for the stuart 10V build

[@keithappleton]

Use the thread sizes that are shown on the drawing which are mainly 7BA.

[@theburrell4626]

Peeling the potatoes didn’t come with a safety warning ⚠️!! Haha take care Keith

[@Jims-Workshop]

Keith, Those screws are size 5-40 SAE. The PM research supplied ones are ugly.

[@PaulSteMarie]

Probably 8-32 UNC, 10-24 UNC, or 10-32 UNF. 8-36 UNF is possible but rather unlikely. All very standard in the US, where PM Research is located. Hex cap screws are very rare in those sizes, however. You can go with Phillips filister heads or socket head cap screws if you don't like the slotted filister heads. The #8 is 0.164" dia and the #10 is 0.190" dia. The closest US equivalent to a #5 BA is a 5-44 UNF, but that's a double oddball size: #5 is very uncommon, and UNF is uncommon in sizes from #2 through #8. A 5-40 UNC might also be a possibility.

[@624Dudley]

I quite agree, Mr. Appleton, those slotted fasteners are well below unattractive. By the way, the head style is called “fillister” in the US; I couldn’t discern whether that name is used in England.

[@M1PAC]

Peeling spuds , well I did a lot of that in the army, kidding , they had a machine for that in the cookhouse .

[@david9783]

We had one, too. Good thing for us1

[@Ififitzisitz]

Why such a grudge with flathead bolts?

[@keithappleton]

Slot headed bolts on miniature steam engines just look silly. Small Hexagon bolts look like miniatures of the full size ......

[@JamesPetts]

How were the potatoes?

[@keithappleton]

They were very nice thanks }:-)))

[@Blue.4D2]

⭐🙂👍

[@phoenix15477]

Those screws are 5-40.

[@willi-fg2dh]

i've watched too many of your videos . . . first sight of the engine i said to myself (the only one who will listen) "needs fettling, those screws have to go and what's with the phony, cladding on the cylinder" . . . i guess it saves having to cut mahogany.

[@malcolmwright146]

Being an american engine the fixings will be UNC.