I made this model from castings over 35 years ago when I was 14. Most of the machining was done on a Unimat 3 lathe and milling machine. The Unimat 3 is a tiny lathe and hence the need to split the valve connecting rod into 2 parts to machine it as the swing was not large enough on this tiny lathe.
- Overall Height: 6 inches
- Flywheel: 3 inches in diameter
- Bore: 3/4 inch diameter
- Stroke: 3/4 inch
- double acting
This was the first engine that I made, the castings were bought from a radio control model shop on the outskirts of Chelmsford – RadioActive.
The owners have changed and ownership of the shop has changed many times since that time and I vaguely remember the castings costing around £14. A set of unmachined castings today will set you back around £80+VAT.
Cast Iron
Boxbed, soleplate, standard, cylinder, valve chest and cover, top and bottom cylinder covers, flywheel.
Brass
Slide valve, piston, connecting rod, eccentric rod, valve operating block, glands, crosshead, crankshaft bearings.
Steel
Crankshaft, crankwebbs, eccentric sheave, crosshead pin, piston and valve rods.
Sundries
Detailed drawings, gaskets, cylinder lagging, gland packing, fixings pack.
This was and is a very popular set of castings as you get a good starter design, the machining does need some thought and the finished engine runs very smoothly with a good level of torque output. On an 80psi airline I cannot stop the flywheel.
The patina of the iron castings at 35 years is superb and the old fashioned enamel paint finish has bedded down to a lovely look.
The S on the valve chest has been picked out in gold leaf.
The finish of this particular 10V is rather agricultural, such as the valve block and cover that are not perfectly aligned, the locations for the nuts and bolts have not been spotted and no washers to seat them. However, it was a first build engine at the age of 14 and just goes to prove that with patience you can build a steam engine.
The flywheel casting has superb dimensions and style and I have used this for other engine designs. Stuart offer a great parts service: Stuart Models Spare Parts
You can fit a smaller flywheel and reversing gear to make this engine perfect for a steam launch.
My engine is on a simple wooden plinth for display purposes.
You can buy this engine machined and ready to assemble from Stuart or if you look on ebay you will often see these engines for sale in various states of machining and completeness.
Engine made by: Nigel Taylor
More of my engines are in my gallery page.
Miniature Burrell Valve
For the design of the Miniature Burrell Valve inspiration is coming from the Stuart 10V. Maybe more than inspiration, I’m measuring the valve dimensions and halving them. This Stuart engine I made over 40 years ago and it still runs like a dream.