How to Make Clupet Piston Rings at Peter's Railway

Christopher Vine’s series of 20 books tell the story of Peter and Grandpa building and operating a railway across their farm.
The Peter's Railway bookshop is here: petersrailway.com/shop/
Combining real engineering with adventures and true stories, these books feed inquisitive young minds!
In this video, Chris Vine explains and demonstrates the secret of how to machine Clupet Piston Rings. These are designed specially to minimise leakage, but are notoriously tricky to make.

[@ponkkaa]

It blows my mind to think that someone was able to imagine this, then design it and make it. We don't give engineers and machinists the credit they deserve. Well done sir!

[@PetersRailway]

It would be interesting to know more about the history of the inventing of these little gadgets.... Chris.

[@GpunktHartman]

Read Tolkien: "Lord of Rings"! 😂 ...

[@cristianpopescu78]

Indeed!

[@custos3249]

Amazing how far a little lateral thinking can get you. Likely was thinking of how to solve the issue of compression loss due to the traditional gap, how to make a more conformal ring that constricts rather than pinches (making it less prone to snapping and making it wear more evenly), or both. But for all know, may have just looked at a spring, wondered "what if," then gave it a go. Makes me wish we were still in the days of testing ideas rather than projecting a few high IQ calculations then concluding too inefficient, expensive, or some other reason that earns engineers disregard.

[@misterstrongerman]

​@@PetersRailway The entire thing is pointless, it can be done way easier: Put 2 regular gap rings in the same groove on the piston, the gaps must be placed opposite to one another. The rings' gaps are increased to allow for a positioning rivet or pin to fit in it with tiny clearance. The positioning pins are installed in the piston's body. This way any gas that enters the gap of the first ring is stopped by the second. Does this exist or I invented it?

[@rcdogmanduh4440]

Machining since 1971, manual then cnc. This here is what made me fall in love with the trade! Nicely done!

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks 👍

[@GpunktHartman]

CNC = can't nothing cerebral 🤣

[@cncshrops]

A daunting job broken down and explained in a way that de-dauntified it. Thank you.

[@PetersRailway]

De-dauntified is a new word to me! A bit like mantling something when you put it back together.... Chris.

[@waynec369]

If I hadn't seen you turn that ring inside out the way you did, I would swear you were lying about it! Incredible!

[@PetersRailway]

Yes, it really is a bit of magic. I never could work out how they got rid of the gap when machined!! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@ricknijenhuis9705]

As a mechanical minded person with a machining background, I paused the video at the start to try to work out how to machine a ring like this but I was unable to work out all the details. I didn't think of turning the ring inside out and stress relieving it. Brilliant, thanks for teaching me this Chris. I don't need a steam ring but I might make one for the fun of it.😄

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed seeing them being made. In fact, I had bought the original set for the locomotive, and asked the man who made them how he did it. From his explanation, I couldn't understand it at all! Finally, I found a video which gave the hint of flipping and stress relieving. Then when I wanted some more, it seemed like a fun project/brain-teaser! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@MsN-ol5kt]

A nice little gem suggested by the algorithm! 😊

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you think so! Chris.

[@WithoutCertainty]

Thank you for bringing this to us. As an old steamboat builder, I very much enjoyed learning about this process.

[@PetersRailway]

Apart from railway steam locomotives, I just love old steam boats. One day!!.... Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@mikef.1000]

Great work, great explanation -- and Peter narrates it like an episode of Play School for mechanic-heads! I dips me lid.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for the fun comment. My day job is writing the Peter's Railway series of children's books which explain engineering properly - I hope. The objective is to explain without dumbing down!! Chris.

[@diegovianavillegas3297]

That ring is a masterpiece. I've always used the Trimble method for my engine's rings. This ring makes the Trimble way look like a trivial thing.

[@PetersRailway]

Very cool!

[@steveb1739]

Ha! Love the Super 7! The most versatile small lathes ever. The heyday of British design and engineering.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks! Yes, the Super 7 is a wonderful machine. They last for years, especially as you can still buy any spares!! Chris.

[@bobw222]

Fascinating. Always interesting to see how something "impossible" is done.

[@PetersRailway]

The Navy used to have a saying: The difficult takes a little while. The impossible takes a bit longer! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@HaraldFinster]

Ingenious! Excellent explanation of the process and the underlying idea. A pleasure to watch.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tfsupp]

I've made many rings for both steam, petrol and diesel engines over the years from the 50cc up to emergency hand forged 980mm dia with many from the 200mm to 600mm as I was a fitter & turner in a marine work shop and a ex marine engineer. But I have never made any of these and I was totally cringing as well as being initially confused as to turning them inside out, waiting for the snap. Thank you for this post I really enjoyed it and going to try one on my next little model engine for both the piston and shuttle. Thank you

[@PetersRailway]

What an interesting job that must have been! I am glad it was a bit cringing, watching and waiting for it to snap. You should try it in real life!!! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@dorringtonw]

What a craftsman, lovely to watch. Thank you.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@savage22bolt32]

Excellent vid! The thought process, ingenuity, craftsmanship and patience that went into this is astounding. Thank you for posting.

[@PetersRailway]

Very welcome!

[@turbofan67]

Mind Blown ! I hope there are young people learning these skills before the old guys depart.

[@PetersRailway]

That is the point of my children's book series, Peter's Railway. They combine engineering with adventures etc, to get or keep youngsters interested in all this fascinating stuff!! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@robervine7721]

This has to be the most significant step forward in ring design and manufacturing for a very long time! Well done Sir 👍

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for the good comment. However, these rings have been around for donkey's years. (ears?) They are not really needed in modern car engines because the simple type work so well and last for so long!! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@BrucePierson]

That was very interesting. I'm a retired motorcycle mechanic and I still work on our own cars, but I have never seen a piston ring like that. It was certainly tricky to make, but you are well set up with your equipment, so you made it look easy.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it, and you are right, they are certainly tricky to make!! In truth, I am not sure how much better they are than ordinary rings, especially if you put two ordinary rings in one groove, with the gaps on opposite sides. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@blk77sunshn]

Nicely done! I've never seen that type of ring before. I am now further educated. Great video!

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@qwadratix]

I have absolutely no use for a Clupet Piston Ring - but it was very interesting to see the engineering problem and it's solution. You never know when something like that might come come in handy. 🤣

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for watching, you never know when you will have an engine with a worn cylinder and some special clupet piston rings will give it a new lease of life!!! Chris.

[@nlo114]

A day without learning is a day wasted. I learnt something new today. 😊

[@PetersRailway]

That's great, and thanks for watching!! Chris

[@Jacob-zo5fv]

I'm an Seal design engineer who does a lot of PTFE or other plastics. It's great to see how seals were manufactured before the rise of plastics. I think the method of energization is especially unique!

[@PetersRailway]

That is an interesting job, modern materials are so efficient, but often they depend on a perfect mating surface, or in this case cylinder bore. The funny thing is that cast iron is such an amazing material in terms of a bearing surface, it seems to retain oil and the graphite nodules embedded in the iron also lubricate. The miracle is that a piston ring survives even a few minutes in a modern IC engine, let alone for 500,000 miles!! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@peterlastrucci324]

What a great presentation and well done on a tricky bit of manufacturing!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you kindly! Chris

[@JohnComeOnMan]

The KZbin algorithm served this up to me and I'm so glad it did.

[@PetersRailway]

The YT Algorithm is a mysterious thing! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@aeroearth]

Thanks for that Peter! Never heard of a "clupit" ring. As you are going through the process I was asking myself "how would I do the next bit?" My ideas being a lot more complicated than yours! I work on model aero engines and the smaller sizes do not use piston rings but lap the piston and bore so the piston seals on the castor oil film only. However with careful lapping it is quite possible to get the engine to hold compression forever when it is hot. Lapping to less than a micron. Just a suggestion for squaring up the part in the fixture in the chuck for facing and that is to bring up the tailstock with drill chuck fitted, partially tighten the three jaw chuck then press the part into the chuck a little using the tail stock. If the part is of small dia. and would disappear into the tailstock's hole, hold a bit of ground flat stock over the tail stock's end face whilst using the tailstock's wheel to push the part into the chuck. When done, fully tighten the three jaw chuck.

[@PetersRailway]

Yes, the model aero engine fit of piston in cylinder is a miracle! Thanks for the tip about holding thin things in the chuck and getting them square: In fact I use this trick quite often, but have never used a piece of gauge plate as the pusher for smaller parts. Cunning plan!! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@TK42138]

I've heard about these types of piston ring but never knew how they were made. What an excellent video.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@94NeoM]

whoever was the first person to figure this process out was a genius

[@PetersRailway]

Certainly was! Thanks for watching, Chris 🚂🚂

[@billshiff2060]

Fascinating and unique information there. Thanks for sharing this.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it, Chris.

[@willo996]

Superb, you are also a natural narrator, you have a great voice.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for the lovely comment, much appreciated!! Now I will have to try to make some more videos, either workshop based or on the little railway. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@oldSawyer]

As a retired Machinist that thought he'd seen it all, I Actually Learned 3 or 4 New Tricks, (or New to Me Anyway). Liked and Subscribed.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for watching and also for your kind words. I guess there is nothing new under the sun!! Chris.

[@toast47624]

I think I do some pretty tricky stuff in my shed but Men like this on YT constantly remind me of how much I don't know. That was absolutely fascinating. Great to watch.

[@PetersRailway]

I am glad you have a shed too. They are the source of a happy life!! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@johnkerr2043]

chris, totally incredible and a great lesson in engineering ,should be taught in the national curriculum

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for your lovely comment, John. There should be so much practical stuff in the curriculum, but I think that clupet piston rings might be pushing it a bit. Now, Pistons and cylinders - that would be a good start!! Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@A9106]

Lovely stuff, Chris. I did an engineering apprenticeship from school and spent 19 years as a scientific instrument maker, making all manner of things using a wide variety of (non-CNC) workshop equipment (Jack of all trades!) - from design inception to testing and refinement and everything in between. Watching this video has really stirred up some feelings: for the last 19 years I've been doing a (largely) non-workshop job managing a lab (still technical but not so hands on), as it was the only way to 'progress my career' (i.e. earn more money), and yearn for the simpler days of using real skills to actually make something useful (and not manage people, which I now realise I am not suited to). I'm now 54 and this video is inspiring, helping me realise what makes me happy in work, maybe a change of job is to be considered. Anyone need an small batch, slow but very accurate, machinist?!?

[@PetersRailway]

Gosh, I don't think I intended the video to have such life-changing consequences!!! Seriously, I think you should consider setting up a workshop, if you don't have one already, and then get back into making things for your own, and maybe others', pleasure. I hope the current job does bring satisfaction, but I do agree that making things is more interesting than bit of paper! All best wishes, Chris. PS, an old friend of the family, long passed, used to be quite senior at AVO, many years ago.

[@A9106]

@@PetersRailway Not quite changed my life yet, but just made me think on it a bit!

[@PetersRailway]

Thinking is always dangerous - especially at work!! Chris.

[@A9106]

Indeed - I shall endeavour to avoid it.@@PetersRailway

[@Rienck]

Discovering this channel is like finding diamond for me! I'm amazed, amused and stunned! Thanks for sharing!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you!! I will now have to make some more videos for you... Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@campbellmorrison8540]

Thats incredible I wouldn't have believed it possible if I hadn't seen it done, Im still trying to get my head around what happened when you turned it inside out. Im amazed you could machine it using only the tension to hold it, I felt sure the end would grab the cutter and fling the thing out. Brilliant video thank you

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you the kind comments. Yes, it is surprising how much things like that can grip - it is important that the machining forces wind the springy component onto or into the "chuck". Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@enesfazlic6017]

Damn it just pulled me in. Needed to watch it. Thank you for this greay video.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! Chris.

[@frundlemud]

Engineering at advanced level a true specialist.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for watching! Chris.

[@stevenaegele5228]

Very well explained and fascinating. Thank you.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you liked it! I am in the process of overhauling the small tank engine (you can see that in the how to build a railway), I am making some videos as I go along. Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@ColinWatters]

Id never heard of Clupet rings until this video. Interesting.

[@PetersRailway]

Yes, they are a lost art - almost! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@TheTsunamijuan]

I am so impressed the amount of work your doing by hand, unaided by jigs, or work holding.

[@PetersRailway]

When I was an apprentice, many years ago, I was told that the most difficult tool to learn to use was a file! Sort of a clever thing to say, but there is quite a bit of truth in it. Thanks for watching! Chris.

[@19TAHITI70]

What to say! Jaw droppingly amazing! Just a shame very few future engineering apprentices, will ever achieve such skill, precision. Amazing. Keep up the good work👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris.

[@trevorpom]

Nothing better than watching a true craftsman at work, as shown here. Quality.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for the lovely comment, it is much appreciated. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@peterfitzpatrick7032]

Its like a fancy keyring !! 😏 😎👍☘️🍺

[@PetersRailway]

Pretty much. They can squeeze a key ring into shape, but these are made of cast iron so much too brittle. All good fun and thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@223mike]

One of the best videos on KZbin

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for you support, now I will have to make some more films!!… Chris

[@MuellerNick]

Now that was interesting! Well done!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@justtim9767]

That is a labor of love.

[@PetersRailway]

It certainly is, but I enjoy every minute of being out on the railway. Thanks for the comment, and Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@mrscrewu1199]

I absolutely love mass production and machines capable of producing thousands of parts per minute, BUT, nothing will ever be more impressive or astounding than hand crafted parts like this. Fantastic work!

[@PetersRailway]

I too love mass production machines. However, in the home workshop, hand skills usually can achieve what is needed for one or a few items. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@WobblycogsUk]

That was absolutely fascinating, thanks

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you enjoyed it! Chris.

[@edsmachine93]

Outstanding job. Very impressive process. Certainly a piece of Art. As a builder of engines, I have never made anything like this. Thank you for sharing the process. Just found your channel. Just subscribed to your channel. Take care, Ed.

[@PetersRailway]

Neither had I!! I realised that I needed new rings and that it was going to take longer to order them (long delivery as they are more or less hand made) than to make them. Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@richb419]

wow! amazing work! thanks for the video Rich

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you liked it! Chris.

[@gekigasky]

Aerospace lathe guy in the US here. Couple of really useful techniques I've never seen before in this video. Thanks for showing your process. I hope these skills survive us.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for watching and for the great comment! Chris.

[@evancourtney7746]

That thing is insane! What factory manager, ever, decided he wanted to use those things?

[@PetersRailway]

Very true!! I think they were mainly used in the old days to continue to use an engine with worn bores. With modern designs there is no need for them! Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@tomgiorgini9154]

very impressive work, never seen that before

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris.

[@robertwest3093]

Machinists with this type of skillset don't get paid nearly enough and are taken for granted. You have machinists that only want to know barely enough to do basic operations. Then there are machinists like you who know how to overcome any obstacle to make the impossible. I'm subscribed!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for grand comments. I will have to make some more videos! Chris.

[@JohnSL]

That is very cool! Nice video.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you very much!

[@user-xe8oi5oq6c]

Thanks a lot! You've made a masterpiece! Even if the technology was invented 200 years ago, you resurrected it! And taught me.

[@PetersRailway]

I am not sure when they were invented! but thanks for watching, Chris.

[@peterpocock9062]

Hi Pete, I'm new to your post but glad you have come up! I've often wondered how to make Cluppet rings, now I know. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@PetersRailway]

Glad it was helpful! Chris.

[@belair_boy6035]

Great video Chris, I think you have discovered a new format if the number of views are anything to go by. I for one would value other workshop technique videos if you want to make them. Keep up the great work.

[@PetersRailway]

I have made quite a few videos about the books and little railway. This, somewhat esoteric, subject has been the most popular by far!! Thanks Chris.

[@sergegostoli9524]

I particularly enjoy the easy going mild tone of the narration, I suspect you are one of those craftsman's that even when faced with failure (like a ring snapping at the last stage of fabrication (cause it's no fun when it snaps at te start)) just shrugs it off and starts over

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for the good comment about the narration! In fact, I (and almost all engineers or people who work with their hands) do have some pretty choice language when things go wrong! There is a reason for this: If you hit your thumb with a hammer, "Oh dear, I appear to have hit my thumb..." doesn't really do the trick. Things happen very quickly. On the other hand, a poet who has just written a bad poem will probably not swear after he has read it for the first time - he knew it was bad over a long period. With engineers, it all goes wrong in a split second!! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@yousiftareq8694]

You have no problem expressing your self. Nice work!

[@PetersRailway]

I appreciate that! Chris.

[@bonzai2380]

Absolutely amassing machining on such a small delicate part!

[@PetersRailway]

Many thanks! Chris.

[@juancarruyotrainer5128]

Great Job. Congrats!!!!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you, and glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/ and we ship overseas.

[@doodlegassum6959]

Excellent film work, editting and commentary. I was on the edge of my seat the whole video. Good show Sir.

[@PetersRailway]

I was on the edge of my seat every time I had to flip the rings!! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@Kevin75668]

Absolutely beautiful end result. I'm tempted to make one of these just to put in a glass cylinder and stare at. Interestingly, how you tension the ring and close the gap is much like how coiled electrical cords are made- heat treated on a mandrel, then flipped over to tighten the coils.

[@PetersRailway]

I never knew that was how they made electric cords. Every day is a learning day!! Chris.

[@MrCloisonne]

Way to go! Thanks for the pleasure of watching a very skilled machinist!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you very much! Chris

[@mumblbeebee6546]

Fascinating, and such clever engineering that people did! Well told and shown, thank you!

[@PetersRailway]

The clever bit was the person who invented it years ago!! Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@mumblbeebee6546]

@@PetersRailway That’s what I tried to express but I was a bit tired :)

[@mrmyorky5634]

Seriously impressed. Thank you for showing us the process.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it, Chris

[@toast47624]

The bit many people would not consider is how long this all actually took. With shop rate of say $100.00 per hour the ring is possibly about $400.00 - $600.00.

[@PetersRailway]

You are right!! If this wasn't a hobby, they would have been very expensive. However, I enjoy challenges like this, so it is all part of the fun. Thanks for watching, Chris.

[@toast47624]

@@PetersRailway 2 years ago I dived in to CNC mill. It never ceases to amaze me how long it takes to make things. To design it, Program it and then machine it. I can head out to the shed in the mid morning then came back out for lunch and its pitch black, more like dinner time. I swear its like a time machine in there. I have become obsessed with it. I drive diggers all day and right about now I could sell up all my equipment and start a new career. I have actually stated talking to a local CNC shop about doing exactly that.

[@jimgiordano8218]

Now that was impressive, making your own piston rings. So I'm sure you bored the cylinder's and machined new pistons too. I'm now a subscriber to your channel. 👍

[@PetersRailway]

Yes, it was quite a project in its own right. The piston valves (sorts of pistons) needed remaking too. Thanks for watching and subscribing, now I will have to make some more videos! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@DavoShed]

Great to see old school machinist making parts that push the limits. I’m an old manual machinist but would not have been able to figure out how you made that. Now it’s stored on the internet for future machinists. Well done. BTW you sound a lot like Ronnie Corbett 🤠 Maybe that’s simply because I’m in Australia Great video

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for watching and for the good comments. I have been told many things in my life, but never before that I sound like Ronnie Corbett, I will have to get a comfy chair to narrate my videos from !! Chris.

[@FarmerKen355]

I have been making stuff for sixty years, its not often I get to see something new. Thanks mate this is cool. I have made piston rings before and use the heat to get the size and shape desired but you had detail that I have not seen or done before. Thanks, you made my day. Nice work too by the way.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you, I hope it was useful??!! Chris

[@nkelly.9]

Terrific job. If one were to charge all one's time making this special part plus materials plus the prodigoius intellectual capital involved it follows they would be expensive parts, and so they should be. Well done Sir and thank you for sharing.

[@PetersRailway]

Luckily for me it's a hobby. The Peter's Railway children's book about trains and engineering are the day job. However they do get a bit tangled up sometimes!! Chris.

[@nkelly.9]

@@PetersRailway I had seen these rings but was not aware of how they were made. (Didn't know what they were called either) And the rings are just one small component of a complicated machine made up of hundreds, if not thousands, of equally intricate components. You obviously are very skilled . I suspect that you very much enjoy what you do, something that that most human beings never experience their entire lives. Once again thank you for freely sharing this content and your intellectual capital.

[@meyrickgriffith-jones3908]

They are designed to accommodate a very worn bore. They offer no advantage in a fresh bore. Of much greater importance is the sidewall pressure: most rings being too stiff or thick radially. See Tubal Cain - the Model Engineers Handbook. The formula is quite complex to resolve as given, but a quick search will find the formula set out for the correct thickness. See chapter 11 3rd Edition. Much easier to ream out the bore (or hone out) to straight and use a pair of conventional rings with the slots opposite each other, and use TC calculation for the installed gap. Having said that - lovely work.

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for watching. In this case, the bore was fresh but had a little porosity in the casting. Chris.

[@meyrickgriffith-jones3908]

@@PetersRailway In which case Clupets are of no great assistance. People think that because standard rings have a tiny installed gap that there is a problem of seepage there. In fact the vast majority of seepage takes place (and has to take place to get the ring to work) around the gap in the ring groove. So Clupet or standard ring, that annular gap is vast compared to the installed gap. This is why wall pressure is so important - because at the low pressures of steam, the ring has to flex to press against the bore wall and seal. Far more important than a tiny installed gap of around .001". For a ring to work, HP steam has to get behind it on admission, and then be squirted out on exhaust, by the contracting ring on exhaust as the pressure drops, ready for a new charge, pressing the ring agin the bore. So the ring is flexing, admitting steam into the annular groove, and exhausting it on every stroke. So you can see why a porous bore is not going to make the slightest difference as far as ring design goes. And that is why one never makes the groove a tight fit on the rings.: and in terms of area, the installed gap in a standard ring is of no significance, compared with the annular gap around either design of ring. The devotees of Clupets always overlook, both how a ring works, and the presence of that loose fit of any ring in its retaining groove. To argue that Clupets have no gap is mistaken.

[@PetersRailway]

@@meyrickgriffith-jones3908 I'm not really a devotee of clupets, but have found that they work well in the valves of this engine. Because they are on the piston valve heads, and not on the pistons themselves, the pressure from the high pressure steam between the valve heads is fairly constant, so not the same as on a normal piston. Whatever the theory, the old valves were leaking because the bores of the valve liners were worn/damaged/porous. The remedy was to ream them back to goodish condition but I could not go so far as a next standard size up. Result: Make my own rings. Second result is that they work and are pretty steam-tight. Thanks for your interest! All best, Chris.

[@BerlietGBC]

Outstanding I had often wondered how these were made Thank you

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@1ManShowCy]

Incredible manufacturing skills sir I enjoy every minute of the video.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you very much! Chris.

[@kaxbyrita9279]

Just amazing

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris.

[@nialstewart8263]

"Now just 7 more to make". I've skimmed through the comments and can't see anyone else asking, how long did it take to make 1?

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for a great question! It took quite a few hours to get set up for the first one. Jigs and little holding fixtures etc. after that it was probably around an hour each. It would have taken months to get them made commercially… thanks for watching!

[@jihellechat1785]

most impressive... I'd be unable to have that much patience.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you, I think that patience is most of the battle with these tricky problems! Chris.

[@skunkjobb]

I don't plan to make any piston rings but I found this very interesting anyway.

[@PetersRailway]

Glad you liked it! Chris.

[@Tunstershtain]

Гениально!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you, I think!! Chris.

[@EdmondHaarman]

Just waauuw, I saw this design quite som years ago with a friend who made them for his living. He didn't say how they were made but they were gas tight or steam tight. And al the time I wonderd how he did it. Thanks for the really good and patien video. 💟❤️💖

[@PetersRailway]

Hi Edmond, Thanks for the great comment and also for watching!! Chris.

[@monkeyflyer410]

Excellent! Now please do a dedicated video about your Harrison milling machine, with special detail of the clearly very nice vertical head you've made. I have two of those good old machines, one in the middle of a CNC conversion, the other as original and in very nice condition. It took years before I found a vertical head and I spent a good while working on a home made alternative which eventually became based on a shaft driven motorcycle bevel gear set. I'd love to know how you did yours.

[@PetersRailway]

Hi and thanks for watching the video and great comments!! The Harrison vertical head was, in fact, made by Sonter Engineering. In truth, it isn't very good! First, it doesn't give much height above the bed: The proper Harrison head has an uplift in its design. Also, the Sonter one is quite fragile as there are two screw gears, like helical gears at 90 degrees. The driver is only supported at one end and can be forced out of mesh. This only happens with something large like a fly cutter, but is a poor design in my view. If you have the Harrison original, that is a much better bet. If I was starting with this mill again, I would get an old Bridgeport head and mount that on the front of the ram! All best, Chris.

[@monkeyflyer410]

@@PetersRailway Hi Chris, thanks for such a rapid and detailed reply. I remember those considerations when designing my version, vertical clearance was a major problem without quite serious gearing and structure to hold it all. I didn't make it the end but I effectively copied into my design the original Harrison features, just driven by a motorcycle gear set. The mounting of a Bridgeport head also became quite a developed idea, I even bought a knackered old Taiwanese copy as a head doner but realised after that it was too big for the Harrison. After having the Bridgeport copy reground and several years of slow restoration work, I'd say just buying a Bridgeport type machine would be the way to go, it's very capable and versatile, just too expensive for a good one and a fair bit bigger than a Harrison. Anyway, excellent work! All the best, Ed.

[@lawmate]

Great process, thanks for sharing

[@PetersRailway]

Thanks for watching!

[@yadibalderlou1443]

An Intricate job

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you for watching! Chris.

[@steamgent4592]

A friend makes his piston and valve rings from teflon. While not prototype they dont wear out nor is there a risk of breakage or rusting from sitting to the cylinders. Jolly good demonstration of these iron rings though it was fantastic.

[@PetersRailway]

That is interesting to know. In fact, I have heard of this before, but I wonder how well it works in cast iron cylinders which are a bit rougher than, say, bronze. Cast iron in cast iron is an amazing bearing material... Thanks for watching! Best wishes, Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children (age 3 to 90!) about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@steamgent4592]

@@PetersRailway they almost never wear out. Ive known guys that have used them for about 50 yrs now. What does wear is the oring behind it. The rubber oring goes into the slot in the piston and then the teflon ring on the outside of it. When you put the piston into the cylinder the ring compresses and the oring keeps that pressure maintained until it wears out. Once it does you take it apart and put new orings in behind the teflon ring. The idea of using teflon was from a former running gear shopman who worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad in steam days before WW2 until retirement. Ive run many a loco with them thanks to friends.

[@PetersRailway]

That is really interesting to know, especially about the O ring packing up before the PTFE ring does! I will have to give it a try next time I need to replace any rings... Thanks for sharing, Chris.@@steamgent4592

[@philipdevonald1273]

Fascinating work. Subscribed

[@PetersRailway]

Welcome aboard!

[@keithgarland3404]

Absolutely fascinating to watch how they work, and how you managed to manufacture them.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris.

[@MrThomashorst]

Makes me speechless😲😲😲

[@PetersRailway]

What it doesn't say in the video is that it took around a week to make them. However, that is all part of the challenge of engineering and not just buying stuff! Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@dr650dualsport]

That was so satisfying. Amazing work

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you, Chris.

[@SteamCrane]

Awesome machining work!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you very much!

[@crumantapete8156]

Great craftsmanship!!!!

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris

[@jdsstegman]

Oh, I will be using every bit of you knowledge sir! Thank for sharing!

[@PetersRailway]

And thank you for watching! I’m glad it is useful, Chris

[@roy2689]

gotta say 'I'm impressed'

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris

[@boydovens4180]

That was very challenging to say the least , so easy to screw up . Well done.

[@PetersRailway]

I only screwed up and broke one of them, and that was by being clumsy while filing one end. I think there were two practice ones while I got to grips with widthing them. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@davidhamer8333]

Fascinating work. I admire your patience. Bravo.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@hermand]

What a genuinely lovely bit of work - subscribed

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Chris.

[@gazza116]

brilliant machining tecniques.👍

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you!! Chris.

[@somerandomguy3868]

Absolutely fascinating bit of technology, nicely done

[@PetersRailway]

There is so much old technology that was really clever in its day. Nowadays, with modern design, metals and oils, they are not really needed in car engines. Thanks for watching! Chris. PS. If you would like to know about the books I write to teach children about railways, science and engineering, there’s lots of info here: petersrailway.com/

[@tarekessed3036]

Excellent 👍 from great master 👍

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you! Cheers! Chris.

[@christhamilton42]

Love your work. I learned so many tricks regarding how to hold stuff while you machine it from this video. Good stuff.

[@PetersRailway]

Thank you. Yes, the little chuck idea is cunning, but not mine. The direction of the "helix" makes the ring grip or slip... Chris.