Customer Comments

Larry Shannon from NC writes about building the "Simplex" engine in his blog...       "I received five sheets of plans, and three pages of construction notes, which I think are the better part of this documentation. For      someone starting out, being told how you do something is as important as being told what to do. The writer can't stand at your back and    look over your shoulder while you work, but his notes are the next best thing. They also cover assembly and run-in instructions for after the    engine is finished. The plans themselves are clear and well executed CAD drawings with thorough dimension information. If you have any   experience at all reading mechanical drawings, you should have no problem." (Larry's blog can be found at www.9x20lathe.blogspot.com.) Larry decided to make two Simplexes...one as shown in the plans and one the opposite hand...then joining them on a common base and with a common crankshaft and single larger flywheel to make a two cylinder Simplex. A picture of Larry's twin is shown below as a fine example of adding your own creativity to the basic plans. For more info. check Larry's blog at the link above.

Art from Washington sent this picture (below left) of his completed Rotary beam Engine. After several e-mails back and forth concerning timing    issues and design questions he wrote, "I appreciate your 'hand holding.'  Just sending e-mails allowed me to 'think out loud,' which helped solve the problem. It's a neat little engine." Art also built a half size version of the engine pictured below on the right.

Steve from Oakland, CA  sent in this picture of one of his two completed Simplex engines. Steve wrote "Just want to thank you for the wonderful Simplex engine plans. I now have two of them up and running like Swiss watches. I learned more building these than I ever expected. The process was an education in itself and the results exceeded my expectations."

 

After completing his full and half size Rotary Beam engines, Art began work on the Mill Engine shown below. Note the use of clear acrylic for the steam chest cover and the auxiliary pulley which can be used to power a secondary mechanism.

 

Marv Klotz provided this picture of his finished Rotary Beam Engine, showing his own personal touches to the basic design. Marv's contributions to the hobby are many, and if you haven't visited his website, you can do so at: http://www.myvirtualnetwork.com/mklotz. There is a wealth of useful Home Shop Freeware there.