IHC Mogul Castings Q. Tom Meahl, RR 6, Box 114,
Seymour, IN 47274 writes that he and his father have built several
models from castings, and are now ready to try and make their own
castings. They would like to start on a 4 or 6 HP IHC Mogul model,
and would like to know about original drawings, and how modelmakers
develop the drawings.
A. We know that at least one GEM reader and
modelmaker has developed castings for the Mogul-Mr. George Scott of
Outlook, Montana. Since George scaled his model from my 8 HP Mogul,
I have a good idea of how it was done. Much of the work was done
from photographs in which I was able to draw in specific dimensions
so that the remaining dimensions could then be scaled. Other
modelmakers begin with graph paper and establish certain base
dimensions, drawing in other details as the measuring process
continues. It is by far the easiest way to have an engine on hand
that can be partially dismantled so that each piece can be measured
and scaled. Then remember too, that it is virtually impossible to
keep certain parts in exact scale owing to the strength
required.
Fairbanks-Morse ‘N’ See photo MM-1
illustrating my Fairbanks-Morse ‘N’ engine. It started as a
set of castings from George Scott. It is built with a hit-and-miss
governor as well as a mechanically actuated fuel valve that allows
the engine to be run on propane. Presently the governor is set for
375 rpm. The thermosyphon cooling system is quite effective. At
present I am building a ? scale Rider-Ericcson hot air engine and a
small steam engine. Dale Hoxie, RFD 3, Box 177A, Stonington, CT
06378.
Freelance Models Forty years ago my wife gave
me a Craftsman 6 inch lathe which cost $57. With it I made the
steam engine in MM-2, a two-cycle, and the four-cycle vertical
shown in MM-3, also the horizontal engine illustrated in MM-4. It
is about 8 inches long and 4? inches tall. Made of alumninum stock
and bar steel, it has a 1 x 13/8 inch bore
and stroke. The stainless steel sleeve has water entirely around
it. An unusual feature is that the governor mechanism is on the
right side and is fed through the block to the lockout mechanism on
the left side. This was done in order to keep the flywheels
equidistant from the center of the engine frame. Ignition is
supplied by a motorcycle coil and battery.
I am presently building a steam engine entirely from stainless
steel. Building these engines from scratch, using scrap metals has
been very enjoyable and challenging. Robert J. Bauer, 1306
Elmwood, Gainesville, TX 76240.
Maytag Model Norman Brockelsby, 909 W. North
Front St., Grand Island, NE 68801 sends us some photos of his
latest creations. MM-5 shows Norman holding up his half-scale model
of the two-cylinder Maytag engines, and MM-6 gives a size
comparison between the original and the model. The little engine
uses points inside the flywheel, 10 mm spark plug, and a cast iron
cylinder and piston rings. MM-7 shows a small light generator using
castings and old alternator parts.
A CLOSING WORD
At the last minute we received additional information on 24/3/5,
identifying this as an Iron Horse engine. It is very interesting to
note that there are a substantial number of these fine little
engines still around, and we are pleased that quite a few of our
collectors have taken an interest in them.
Our compliments to all the readers who sent in articles and
photos for the Modelmaker’s Corner this month. It’s nice to
know that model making is gaining more and more momentum within our
hobby, and we hope to hear from more of you at your earliest
convenience. Curiously though, we have yet to hear from anyone who
has castings for a Corliss steam engine of larger dimensions than
Cole’s 1?x 2? inch size. Having seen a couple of these, the
Reflector concluded that the dimensions were a bit small-in fact,
small enough that some of the parts nearly get down to fine
instrument work, and ye olde Reflector isn’t enough of a
machinist to make small and fragile parts. Perhaps we’ll have
to follow the lead of some of the modelmakers noted above who have
fabricated engines ‘from the solid.’
The purpose of the Reflections column is to provide a forum for
the exchange of all useful information among subscribers to GEM.
Inquiries or responses should be addressed on: REFLECTIONS, Gas
Engine Magazine, P. O. Box 328, Lancaster, PA 17603.
