Spool Valve! Big Steam Engine Build, part 12

[@spdy3926]

I am addicted to these very informative videos. Your style, and incredibly articulate use of the English language leaves me in a very happy place. The descriptions of the work to be done, how, and why you chose the method is so unique on your channel. It is complete. 😯🥰

[@chrisosowski8531]

Love your videos and down to earth demeanor. My daughter saw me watching and said “Is that a girl doing that stuff”? I said dang right it is!

[@johnathancorgan3994]

As this project gets nearer and nearer to completion, Quinn is happier and happier in the intro and narration. It's refreshing to watch someone exercise their skill and see everything unfold so nicely.

[@PiersCawley]

Shhh! Murphy is never far away!

[@b-camaks785]

Dial indicator on the tail stock, genius. *chef’s kiss

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

There’s blood in every shop, just ideally contained in the soft flesh bag running the machines

[@alextopfer1068]

in my experience the containment is never that good :\

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

@@alextopfer1068 that's why it's ideally contained, it often breaches containment

[@mikebeacom4883]

I tend to put a little of myself into most projects…

[@Tasarran]

Usually, it's just a scrape, skinned knuckle, or minor splinter-stab; but I almost always have to sacrifice at least a drop or two of blood to every project I do in my shop.

[@MegaDada1995]

Just wanted to say that your uploads are always the highlight of my saturday!

[@TandaMadison]

I brought up KZbin earlier, no Blondihacks video came up. In a panic, I showered and went to work. Just kidding of course... I had no time to shower.

[@joelvale3887]

I've learned a little bit of the chip making trade at college, I enjoy more assembling and repairing machines. I enjoy watching and learning more from your videos.

[@adelheidsnel5171]

…and Bob’s your uncle…machining was never this funny untill you decided to share it with us! ❤️

[@paulerenberger1286]

I’m a union Pipefitter and in our apprenticeship we were taught for a proper thread you shoot for 3-4 full turns by hand and it should be tight. That is a good thread. Just food for thought. On smaller threads I believe it’s 2-3 threads

[@ericdouglas9804]

Really enjoy following along. I built the horizontal version from PMR and this is nice seeing how you approach things. Mine performs wonderfully but has an unidentified knock, that several seasoned model engineers at Cabin Fever ( a big model show in the US) nor I have been able to isolate. In regards to the “they will run but the closer the tolerances the better” statement; actually that’s the way hot rods began. In the very early years the real only way of producing more power was to refine the tolerances from production line acceptable to precision quality. And it continued: I’m old enough to remember when the phrase: “balanced and blueprinted” was all the rage. The balancing is obvious and the blueprinting is nothing more than getting those perfect tolerances. I’ll be happily following along, sorry about the rambling 😂

[@ryanfisher5376]

My dad (god bless) made a steam engine from scratch when I was a kid. We're both engineers and honestly, this is a real treat to watch!

[@taranson3057]

You really should consider making a bar stock Hit-N-Miss gas engine, you have the skills and I know you can do it. Great video, thanks again for sharing.

[@daniellewis1789]

I wouldn't mind seeing a non-steam engine project.

[@MariniProduction2021]

The world of craftsmanship and industry are beautiful .... I make metal objects for furniture in my free time, they are hard work but they bring enormous satisfaction. I hope to grow on this platform, like everyone else. Greetings and good luck

[@gwheyduke]

Good information on the spool valve construction.

[@oddiev]

To maintain "position" and still clear chips with the tailstock backing out method you can use the carriage as a stop when you're finding zero. Every time you back your tailstock out and back in it'll bump on the tailstock and you're back on track. I tend to do half a turn back on the tailstock handwheel before clearing chips just to tone down my distrust for my mini lathe 🤣 Great Work!!!

[@garymurt9112]

I had to drill several1/8th holes in some rod. After breaking the first three bits, I looked up the speed I needed. I had been running the drill press as slow as it would run for drilling 1 inch holes. I moved the belts around to get max speed and fired it up. It should be noted that in my area mud dobbers are very common and the top cover of my drill press is missing and I'm tall enough that the bults and pully are eye level. I hit the on switch and it was like a bomb had went off. My glasses protected my eyes, I wish I'd had a full face shield, mud dobber nest parts bounced off all walls of the shop nocking tools off the wall. Drilled the next 20 holes without breaking another bit and to this day 20 years later I duck when starting the drill press.

[@johnmcclain3887]

I'm in eastern North Carolina, mud daubers are very common here as well. I moved here in 77, from Chicago, been gone and back many times, really enjoy my community and culture. Had a very similar experience when I first arrived, "and was introduced to mud daubers", along with their sting. They invade everything in this area. Been enjoying Quin's work as well.

[@jimsvideos7201]

Your videos are a treat for me and all your other viewers, so perhaps this will get a little treat for you and for Sprocket. 🙂

[@Priapos93]

Thanks Quinn and patrons!

[@howder1951]

1:32 excellent tip, and now I have another use for my collection of nail polishes. (Really I have this collection for marking tools and colouring fishing lures)(well, I might take up fishing one day). Anyhow I enjoyed the video Quinn, keep on machining, cheers!

[@Rubin5342]

Thank you Q and thank your patrons. Love this. //ji

[@LenPopp]

Some say that there was a time when Quinn wasn't building a steam engine. Others say that she has always been building steam engines. We may never know for sure.

[@Skaldewolf]

Another advantage about this type of valve is the fact that it's ideal for model-engines. Turnings can be made easily on hobby-grade machines, while milling a slide-valve is more tricky. Furthermore piston-valves can be more easily scaled to very small engines. Wilesco, a German manufacturer of toy-engines, is using this system, along with oscillating engines.

[@paulhampton199]

Hey Quinn! For drilling controlled depth holes with the tailstock, I run my carriage back until its contacting the tailstock. You can use it for a zero stop. It works very well, and allows you to rapidly clear chips. Try it out if you haven't already!

[@johnmcclain3887]

Very nicely done and explained. I've built a couple with "slide valves", worked on a couple of this sort, never built one. Very nice, easy dictation, explanation of the steps taken, and the order. I liked your "hand operated engine action". Thanks for sharing.

[@stuartburrell7629]

Hi Quinn, Wow I am really enjoying all your videos, you are an inspiration and I thankyou for introducing me to my new hobby. You are teaching me all sorts of new skills that unless seen with the eyes, you would never learn these out of a text book. You are great teacher Quinn, and as a result of your videos for the last year, I have just purchased a 2hp single phase lathe with a Dro, down under here in Australia. I will just start out slowly and practice on some of your earlier projects like the tap and die followers. Thankyou once again Quinn, I look forward to the your next video of attaching the valve body to the engine and will be watching your all your following videos as you change over from compressed air to the steam boiler etc. Very good work Cheers Stu

[@MrBrokenwrenches]

This channel has helped me slow down and think about order of operations. Love the shit outta the channel. Thank you!

[@stevebark4873]

Very good work! You’re the first person I’ve ever heard on KZbin to call out “ National Pipe Taper”. When talking about pipe threads. Most ppl say “National Pipe Thread”. There also is a National Pipe Straight commonly used in electrical fittings. I’ve learned so much from your videos, thank you. Thank you for your time too, It must take hours to edit & produce these videos.

[@thorsten3325]

11:30 Iove this szene. 😉 Lubrication is always important.

[@dakel20]

Yay, best part of Saturday is here!

[@joshward7896]

Your telescopic gauge technique is perfect! You can't find the size of a hole until you perfect this.

[@clydedecker765]

Quinn, I am a little befuddled on the "path" of the steam that makes it all work. The "Exhaust" path versus the "drive" path is a bit confusing. Maybe a set of steam flow pictures on a cutaway? (No graphs please!) Love watching your efforts and your explanations are usually a cut above anyone else. Thanks Quinn.

[@russelldold4827]

Really nice fits! I also applaud your effort with the temporary pin. Great series!

[@firebird8600]

Yay! It's Blondihacks time!!!

[@MrCrispinEnterprises]

Nice job

[@mot6021]

Enjoyed watching the video, I have had a steam engine kit in the corner for years. I should get it out and finish it!

[@darrinswanson]

Thanks!

[@Just1GuyMetalworks]

Looking great, Quinn! Your gonna need a bigger boiler! 😊 You may be able to rotate the lower valve head and find the perfect sweet spot on the valve rod if you're lucky. Not a big deal, just a possible solution if it erks you 😉. Cheers!

[@johnapel2856]

As always, very neat! It's really looking good. I'm definitely enjoying this series of videos. Thanks, and Meow to Sprocket.

[@CmdrFlemming]

I like this kind of content... and humor! - thank you for making it possible to tag along

[@haramanggapuja]

It is just a joy to me to watch you build this stuff. Reminds me of my youthful years building my won toys. Truly nice work. Stay safe & well and sane!

[@AmateurRedneckWorkshop]

You are certainly doing a great job of engine building. Really close to done now. Soon we will see it run.

[@raystevens1458]

I have followed this project from the start and looking forward to the final count down of completion.

[@paulthomas3782]

Looking good not long to go now, Well Done.

[@ChrisHiblerPinball]

Super cool. It is nice when a project comes together enough so that the end vision can be at least partially realized. Happy Saturday Quinn!

[@someoneelse2106]

The 6.0L diesel engine in many Ford trucks from yesteryear have injectors that use spool valves that must have very tight tolerances. I spent too many days trying to get their fits exact to get the truck to run. Finally I just bought new injectors to make it run.

[@sonovoxx]

A 3 yahtzee edition. Doesn't get better than that! Beautifully executed parts.

[@FinnoUgricMachining]

Thanks Quinn! One thing to mention about a spool valve as compared with the traditional sliding valve is how they wear. The spool valve wears out whilst the sliding valve wears in.

[@fabianbrock]

Beautiful part as usual. For drilling deep holes one can bump the tailstock onto the carriage. This gives a repeatable setup for the tailstock so one can quickly retract it and put it back where it was and still use the dial indicator etc. on the tailstock quill. Might not be as accurate as your method though but if it is sufficient it is a big time safer.

[@michelhv]

But what is Sprocket’s opinion, as an animal, on chamfers?

[@carlhitchon1009]

I'm reluctant to watch your videos, because when do I have to wait another week for the next one.

[@byronnelson1556]

I’m currently working on a twin cylinder piston valve engine with eccentrics locating the piston valves. I’ve one extensive searching on timing this operation. Timing will change. When switching to steam due to the dUE to the energy steam Contains. Currently I’m settingTHE pistons at TDC THEN I CAN measure down the “ hole to the piston valve cylinder. Thus I can set timing engine exactly he same timing. I have an air compressor so I’m running on air for now. I don’t have even a tarting point for eccentric timing. The bad part is I’ve already had one crash that set screws came loose and messed up the crankshaft. I’m working on cad design of a clamp. On securing system so I can do away with all set screws. . I watch as many of your videos as I can. You do first class work and make great videos.

[@matthewlee8917]

As always, great content. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@andrewjames7616]

Thankyou 👍

[@pondafarr]

What makes the grass grow? BLOOD BLOOD BLOOD! (I was never a Marine, but I saw some on TV once) 🤣🤣🤣

[@tom_tom_go]

Thank you Quin for the continued inspiration. I have my first lathe levelled and ready for use but taking those tentative first cuts are made easier with your lathe tutorial series. If you find yourself in the UK then I would gladly buy you a drink 🇬🇧

[@modtwentyeight]

😊Thank you.

[@DenEiferer]

Watching this project reminds me of a big wood engine I built last year. It was about the same size, and it took me 7 months from start to finish. Seeing you make things like this prompted me to get a lathe and cross over into metal machining.

[@warrenjones744]

Nice work on the valve Quinn. This is becoming quite an interesting project to follow. Cheers

[@christophergagne9269]

When drilling I put parting blade in tool holder and put drill at its z0, then have blade touch end of drill chuck. I zero carriage indicator and move over how deep I need to drill. Now I can retract by sliding tailstock back and when drill chuck touches parting blade again, I know I've drilled to depth

[@mperry9025]

Thanks Blondi

[@billofalltrades2633]

Well done!

[@tkat6442]

There may be no blood in your shop, but this is by far the bloodiest comment section I've ever seen! Nice work, btw!

[@paulmorrey733]

Thanks Quinn

[@seeigecannon]

Something I have for my lathe is a Morse taper holder for the quick change tool holder. It makes drilling high aspect ratio holes so much easier. For heavy drilling I will still use the tailstock though.

[@paulsto6516]

Good show!

[@stephenbridges2791]

Nice work.

[@WayneWerner]

There's no blood here... except that spot. Out, damned spot!

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

This video goes best with cream soda, & sour cream and onion potato chips.

[@terrytopliss9506]

Well thought out Quinn.👍👍

[@notsonominal]

.. lost _and/or used it_ .. haha, i like your perspective on things!

[@PeterWMeek]

When you get that lower valve head located so it all runs smoothly, (dare I say it again? YES!) how about a couple of tiny taper pins? The Sperry company used this method to do a really nice job of building an amazing all-mechanical, analog computer that could calculate differential calculus on the fly. And this was back in the early 1940s. ( [ Sperry S-1 bombsight ] if the click-bait got you interested.)

[@WatchmakerErik]

I love Saturdays! Great video as always and now you can add valve operator to your resume 😁

[@frankdoner8402]

Nice job Quinn. Skill and patience,i don't know which is harder to come by. Patience is a tough one for me.🙃

[@synthocado6736]

I've been doing some machining for my job recently and seem to have picked up quite a few of your tips and techniques. Love your videos!

[@a.bakker64]

Hasta la spool valve baby!

[@bRad73016]

To mark dull tips, I take them to my bench grinder and dress the stone. This completely ruins the tip so I cannot mistake it for a good one and does a little dressing on my bench grinder while I'm at it - 2 birds, 1 stone!

[@bernieshort6311]

Hi Quinn, I actually like the method in which you produced these parts and believe it would be my preferred method were I to make them. Nice one, stay safe and I look forward to your next video.

[@backyardmachinist]

Awesome! Your videos always make my Saturday lunch breaks :) Can't wait to see this thing blow some steam!

[@charliemacrae1045]

Great job as always. Excellent work.

[@flyingjeep911]

Usually when I’m struggling with a stuck nut or tight space. Nothing gives up to goods until blood is spilled. It’s always a busted knuckle that ended the battle.

[@sd4594]

My double Keck Gonnerman traction engine has the balanced type of valve that you mentioned early in your video.

[@UpLateGeek]

I have no idea how much is really left, but it feels like it's getting close to finished. It's looking great now, so I can't wait till it's all painted up and running under its own steam! With my projects I'm always tempted to push on late into the night to get another part done (hence my nom de guerre). My last (err, current) project when the PCBs arrived I realised I had all but one part, so I decided to start assembling it after work at 10 pm. Unfortunately I discovered a couple of errors in my design, so the temptation was to update the schematic immediately. Needless to say I was very tired the next morning at work. It's too easy to keep going when the soldering iron and oscilloscope are within arms reach. I'm guessing that temptation is lessened by the fact that you need to plan each step carefully, prepare tools and equipment, and set up the camera to record everything?

[@atheistsfightclub6684]

I'd love to see the various machinists i watch do something like an unnecessarily complex tool build, choose a tool that's relatively simple and then make it with as many fiddly operations as possible, machinists gotta machine. =)

[@redoorn]

Nice.

[@HM-Projects]

Amazing dedication to craft. How do you find time between a full time job and general day to day life things ? You need to do an episode on time management.

[@BlackSunCompany]

To be fair, many pieces of precision machinery (be it a computer or a machine tool) demand a blood sacrifice every now and again. The only question is the level of tolerance in specificity. Most desktops you can get away with sacrificing a rubber chicken or a PS/2 ball mouse when they start acting up but some arcane piece of machinery like an SGI Indigo2? Time for the medical gauze when you take off the cover - it's not asking, it demands and will take at its own whim. The Machinery's Handbook was supposed to contain specifics on sacrifices to the machine spirits but O&J couldn't get fit in due to space constraints. Rumor has it the Machinery's Encyclopedia has an entire eighth volume dedicated to the subject.

[@dakavanagh]

very cool part of the engine!

[@dass1333]

The piston does the hokie pokie steam moves it up and down and that's whats it all about.

[@rexmatthew5543]

Madam r u mechanical engineer?, Your works are very nice, and explaining in clear manner 👏🏻👌🏻

[@sazafrass]

Amazing video as usual.

[@mustafatoruk1791]

Perfect👏👏👏

[@mattorendorff8858]

Any narrated turning video where said narrator says, “turn down,” I cannot help but think to myself, “for what” EVERY. FREAKING. TIME.

[@kensherwin4544]

When I hear it, I wonder why nobody ever turns anything UP.

[@dondotson4604]

awesome humor :0) Love it.

[@johnwiley8417]

14:25 I don't know about that. My Virginia Black & Tan Foxhound will knock the edges off nearly anything she encounters. Her knob is turned up to 11.001.

[@jeffholden7942]

Could you cut the spool and add a couple orings

[@ianloughney9570]

I saw this video right when it posted so I'm saying Hi Quinn, in hopes that you actually see it!

[@kevgermany]

First time I've seen a hand job on a steam engine. 😉 Seriously, great precision. Lovely seeing it come together like this.

[@theprojectproject01]

With 20-micron clearance, and-- what, 125 psi, tops?-- you probably have pretty good sealing. But for whatever reason, I'm reminded of the operating pistons in gas-driven semiauto firearms. And what those developers have found is, you can really improve the sealing on those by cutting grooves as if for piston rings, but not installing rings. What happens is, The gas that escapes past the piston (or, in your case, valve) packs into those grooves and continues to expand, thus providing much of the effect of actual metal rings. I dunno. Maybe this will be useful to you or someone else who reads this.

[@ronodowd5724]

Mark you drill helps

[@mrimmortal1579]

Quinn: “This worked for me, but I wouldn’t claim it’s the smartest solution…” Me: would have to scratch my head for two hours to think of something even half as smart as Quinn’s solution, and even then it would only have a 26.7% chance of working without causing a severe injury.