The most detailed review of the miniature beam steam engine ever
To be honest, this is a rather expensive model and for the price, it is really not suitable for children. It is a working model, beautifully machined and designed, and is more suitable for older boys between 12 and 16 years old or adults.
My first feeling when I received the package was that this package was really heavy. Open the package and you will see a beautiful set of color instructions and two layers of carefully packed complete parts package.
The following parts impressed me deeply:
A. A working centrifugal flyball governor: I like this amazing little device very much.
B. Brass beam: It is of good quality, with pistons and beautiful and extraordinary Watt parallel action mechanism.
C. Beautifully machined aluminum flywheel: It has been coated with brass bushings and is very delicate.
D. Brass cylinder: It is much heavier than I thought and has a very textured feel.
E. Complete parts: Including eccentric band and valve, two small burners, metal wick, beautifully made brass boiler, glass sight glass, small switch valve, whistle and handle, oil filling hole, pressure release valve, drain hole, etc.
F. Basic small tool kit: Although there is a basic tool kit, if you have your own tools, you can directly use the tools at home.
This model is not only a simple toy, but also a beautiful craft, suitable for mechanical enthusiasts to collect and display.
The overall assembly process is also quite pleasant. When I really finished assembling this engine, I felt very accomplished.
1. Illustrated instructions: This engine comes with an illustrated type of instructions, without any actual text, so there is no need to worry about the text understanding problem affecting the assembly progress.
2. Easy assembly process: The assembly process is easy and pleasant, you just need to fix all the parts on the metal plate base. No drilling or machining is required, just follow the instructions step by step. Just use the screws through the holes, and then start to install the brass base, tighten the column with a small Allen hex screw, and the brass cylinder is directly fixed to the plate with four small screws. When assembling, just tighten all nuts and bolts with your fingers, because you may need to align them later. All fasteners are metric, and the threads and hexagons are also metric, and they provide all the wrenches needed.
3. Installation of the beam assembly: Install the entire beam assembly to the column, and the piston must enter the cylinder. Be sure to oil it before assembly, install it into the cylinder, align it as much as possible, and tighten the small set screw.
4. Install the bearings: This step is particularly simple, just install the two bearings into the bearing seats. These ball bearings are very small, smaller than your pinky finger, but they are easily pressed into the bearing seats.
5. Install the eccentric and crank: Next, just take the eccentric, crank, belt and valve, add a little oil to the valve, and install it into the brass block, which is the steam box. This engine uses a one-piece eccentric and crank.
6. Installation of the flywheel and main shaft: When you are ready to install the flywheel and main shaft, pay attention to the small set screw that is already pre-installed in the flywheel. Another screw may hit the pre-installed screw. Note that the main shaft is not symmetrical, the short flat is at the crank end, make sure the set screw hits the flat, and the flywheel must also rest on it.
7. Connecting the connecting rod and crank: Install the small set screw to the brass upper crossbeam. The connecting rod is connected to the crank through this small brass screw. After this step, the engine looks beautiful.
8. Installation of the flyball governor and small belt: The flyball governor is a common speed regulating device used to control the speed of the steam engine, using centrifugal force to adjust the speed of the transmission system.
How does the retrol crossbeam steam engine flyball centrifugal governor work?
8.1. Preparation:
- First disconnect the small pipe on the boiler and pressurize the system with air to make it run. Usually 2 pounds or 3 pounds of pressure is used directly into the speed regulating valve.
8.2. Flyball centrifugal part:
- The key part of the flyball centrifugal governor is the flyball device. When the steam engine is started and running, the flyball centrifugal device will rotate as the engine speed increases, and the flyball will move outward due to centrifugal force.
- The movement of the flyball will drive the rod in the speed regulating valve up and down through a series of mechanical connections.
8.3. Valve Adjustment:
- The actual speed regulating valve is located near the fly ball centrifugal device. The valve regulates the amount of steam entering the engine by moving the rod up and down.
- When the fly ball moves outward due to increased speed, the valve closes a little to reduce the amount of steam entering the engine, thereby reducing the engine speed.
- Conversely, when the fly ball moves inward due to reduced speed, the valve opens more to increase the amount of steam entering the engine, thereby increasing the engine speed.
8.4. Speed Regulation:
- By adjusting the small brass nut at the bottom of the fly ball governor, the speed of the engine can be adjusted to remain constant at different pressures.
- Even if the engine is given 10 pounds more pressure than required, the governor can still keep the engine running at a constant speed by adjusting the valve.
8.5. Operational Observation:
- When starting the engine, the fluctuation of the small valve of the governor can be observed, indicating that the governor is regulating the amount of steam to maintain a constant speed.
- As the pressure decreases, the position of the fly ball entry can be observed to change, verifying the working principle and effect of the governor.
The whole idea of the governor is to automatically adjust the valve by the change of centrifugal force of the flying ball, so as to keep the speed of the engine constant.
9. Bottom installation: This is the hardest part. There are threads on the bottom and top, and you need to install it in the correct direction as shown in the figure. Put two small stainless steel bands on the boiler. These small hexagons have threads on both ends and engage with small metric screws.
10. Burner installation: Put two small burners (wicks) into the frying pan, and then cover the small parts with heat shields. Take out one and put it in after adding fuel, and it can run. The small stainless steel plate is placed below to collect condensed water.
To be honest, the design and assembly process of this retrol engine reflects extremely high mechanical craftsmanship and design aesthetics. It is not only a hands-on fun, but also a beautiful work of art.
What surprised me the most was that Retrol also provided some spare parts. In fact, few engine manufacturers will do this, which makes me feel very interesting. After the assembly is completed, every screw and part is just right, there is no excess, and there is no missing part.
It took me about 50 minutes to assemble this steam engine. Once you are done, you have a beautiful little model that is ready to run. When you are not running it, you can place it on a bookshelf, in your study, office or workshop, because it is not just a model, but a gorgeous decoration. The brass and stainless steel materials will make it stand out in your space.
All parts of this engine have been rust-free so that it can be preserved for a long time. If properly maintained, this engine can be passed down from generation to generation.
To be honest, this is a rather expensive model and for the price, it is really not suitable for children. It is a working model, beautifully machined and designed, and is more suitable for older boys between 12 and 16 years old or adults.
My first feeling when I received the package was that this package was really heavy. Open the package and you will see a beautiful set of color instructions and two layers of carefully packed complete parts package.
The following parts impressed me deeply:
A. A working centrifugal flyball governor: I like this amazing little device very much.
B. Brass beam: It is of good quality, with pistons and beautiful and extraordinary Watt parallel action mechanism.
C. Beautifully machined aluminum flywheel: It has been coated with brass bushings and is very delicate.
D. Brass cylinder: It is much heavier than I thought and has a very textured feel.
E. Complete parts: Including eccentric band and valve, two small burners, metal wick, beautifully made brass boiler, glass sight glass, small switch valve, whistle and handle, oil filling hole, pressure release valve, drain hole, etc.
F. Basic small tool kit: Although there is a basic tool kit, if you have your own tools, you can directly use the tools at home.
This model is not only a simple toy, but also a beautiful craft, suitable for mechanical enthusiasts to collect and display.
The overall assembly process is also quite pleasant. When I really finished assembling this engine, I felt very accomplished.
1. Illustrated instructions: This engine comes with an illustrated type of instructions, without any actual text, so there is no need to worry about the text understanding problem affecting the assembly progress.
2. Easy assembly process: The assembly process is easy and pleasant, you just need to fix all the parts on the metal plate base. No drilling or machining is required, just follow the instructions step by step. Just use the screws through the holes, and then start to install the brass base, tighten the column with a small Allen hex screw, and the brass cylinder is directly fixed to the plate with four small screws. When assembling, just tighten all nuts and bolts with your fingers, because you may need to align them later. All fasteners are metric, and the threads and hexagons are also metric, and they provide all the wrenches needed.
3. Installation of the beam assembly: Install the entire beam assembly to the column, and the piston must enter the cylinder. Be sure to oil it before assembly, install it into the cylinder, align it as much as possible, and tighten the small set screw.
4. Install the bearings: This step is particularly simple, just install the two bearings into the bearing seats. These ball bearings are very small, smaller than your pinky finger, but they are easily pressed into the bearing seats.
5. Install the eccentric and crank: Next, just take the eccentric, crank, belt and valve, add a little oil to the valve, and install it into the brass block, which is the steam box. This engine uses a one-piece eccentric and crank.
6. Installation of the flywheel and main shaft: When you are ready to install the flywheel and main shaft, pay attention to the small set screw that is already pre-installed in the flywheel. Another screw may hit the pre-installed screw. Note that the main shaft is not symmetrical, the short flat is at the crank end, make sure the set screw hits the flat, and the flywheel must also rest on it.
7. Connecting the connecting rod and crank: Install the small set screw to the brass upper crossbeam. The connecting rod is connected to the crank through this small brass screw. After this step, the engine looks beautiful.
8. Installation of the flyball governor and small belt: The flyball governor is a common speed regulating device used to control the speed of the steam engine, using centrifugal force to adjust the speed of the transmission system.
How does the retrol crossbeam steam engine flyball centrifugal governor work?
8.1. Preparation:
- First disconnect the small pipe on the boiler and pressurize the system with air to make it run. Usually 2 pounds or 3 pounds of pressure is used directly into the speed regulating valve.
8.2. Flyball centrifugal part:
- The key part of the flyball centrifugal governor is the flyball device. When the steam engine is started and running, the flyball centrifugal device will rotate as the engine speed increases, and the flyball will move outward due to centrifugal force.
- The movement of the flyball will drive the rod in the speed regulating valve up and down through a series of mechanical connections.
8.3. Valve Adjustment:
- The actual speed regulating valve is located near the fly ball centrifugal device. The valve regulates the amount of steam entering the engine by moving the rod up and down.
- When the fly ball moves outward due to increased speed, the valve closes a little to reduce the amount of steam entering the engine, thereby reducing the engine speed.
- Conversely, when the fly ball moves inward due to reduced speed, the valve opens more to increase the amount of steam entering the engine, thereby increasing the engine speed.
8.4. Speed Regulation:
- By adjusting the small brass nut at the bottom of the fly ball governor, the speed of the engine can be adjusted to remain constant at different pressures.
- Even if the engine is given 10 pounds more pressure than required, the governor can still keep the engine running at a constant speed by adjusting the valve.
8.5. Operational Observation:
- When starting the engine, the fluctuation of the small valve of the governor can be observed, indicating that the governor is regulating the amount of steam to maintain a constant speed.
- As the pressure decreases, the position of the fly ball entry can be observed to change, verifying the working principle and effect of the governor.
The whole idea of the governor is to automatically adjust the valve by the change of centrifugal force of the flying ball, so as to keep the speed of the engine constant.
9. Bottom installation: This is the hardest part. There are threads on the bottom and top, and you need to install it in the correct direction as shown in the figure. Put two small stainless steel bands on the boiler. These small hexagons have threads on both ends and engage with small metric screws.
10. Burner installation: Put two small burners (wicks) into the frying pan, and then cover the small parts with heat shields. Take out one and put it in after adding fuel, and it can run. The small stainless steel plate is placed below to collect condensed water.
To be honest, the design and assembly process of this retrol engine reflects extremely high mechanical craftsmanship and design aesthetics. It is not only a hands-on fun, but also a beautiful work of art.
What surprised me the most was that Retrol also provided some spare parts. In fact, few engine manufacturers will do this, which makes me feel very interesting. After the assembly is completed, every screw and part is just right, there is no excess, and there is no missing part.
It took me about 50 minutes to assemble this steam engine. Once you are done, you have a beautiful little model that is ready to run. When you are not running it, you can place it on a bookshelf, in your study, office or workshop, because it is not just a model, but a gorgeous decoration. The brass and stainless steel materials will make it stand out in your space.
All parts of this engine have been rust-free so that it can be preserved for a long time. If properly maintained, this engine can be passed down from generation to generation.
Veny much impressed with your easy explanation for assembly. What is the cost of it. Will there be free shipping. Is it available with step by step instructions to follow