Build a Simple Steam Engine for Under Rs. 10

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on the construction of a simple steam engine using inexpensive materials, costing only Rs. 10. The engine is built from cardboard, a disposable syringe, straw, pen end caps, and bicycle spokes, and operates on blown air, resulting in lower RPM. Participants discuss the potential for increased power through the use of a compressor and the mechanics of oscillating engines, noting that valves are not required for this design. Suggestions include varying the flywheel mass to enhance momentum during operation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of oscillating engine mechanics
  • Basic knowledge of pneumatic systems
  • Familiarity with materials like cardboard and syringes for DIY projects
  • Experience with simple mechanical assembly techniques
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of oscillating engines and their designs
  • Learn about the use of compressors in pneumatic systems
  • Explore methods for enhancing momentum in mechanical systems
  • Investigate materials and techniques for building more powerful steam engines
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Hobbyists, DIY enthusiasts, and educators interested in mechanical engineering, particularly those focused on low-cost engineering projects and steam engine mechanics.

ganuganu
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Hello everyone this is my first steam engine made using very simple parts like cardboard, disposable syringe, straw, pen end caps and bicycle spokes.

How much economical can you make your engine? Here it is costs only about Rs.10. Blowed air through mouth that's why produces lower rpm use compressor(i don't have one) iam sure it will give good results. Hope you all like my engine and video. Took nearly 20minutes to make the engine.
Cannot hold the breadth for long time

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3gLL4LSitE&list=UUMrDsjmztQSbx5IHa1WL9nw&index=1&feature=plcp
 
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That's nice. Can you detail out it some more? Then I can see how to help you making it more economical or more powerful. How does it wrk? I can see you have used no valves..
 
PhysicoRaj said:
Then I can see how to help you making it more economical ..
i think its already economical.
 
Yes, to make a steam engine out of those things, costing just 10 Rupees. But if it is made more powerful, u can have some use out of it. But this will make the cost go high.
 
PhysicoRaj said:
Yes, to make a steam engine out of those things, costing just 10 Rupees. But if it is made more powerful, u can have some use out of it. But this will make the cost go high.
I blowed air that's why it produces lower rpm, if compressor is used iam sure it gives good result and also be used for some application eg. power a LED.
 
What is the mechanism you used? I mean did you use the system of valves, etc. that are used in the original commercial steam engine? I didn't get to see how you built it in the video.
 
Its oscillating engine, valves are not required for this type.
 
So, after being pushed down by the blown air, the piston simply moves in the other stroke (upward stroke) just due to the momentum of the flywheel? Because, in the original one they use another fresh steam inlet to complete the other half of the rotation. If that is the case then I think you have not used an airtight piston so that it would facilitate the piston in the other stroke.
 
PhysicoRaj said:
So, after being pushed down by the blown air, the piston simply moves in the other stroke (upward stroke) just due to the momentum of the flywheel? Because, in the original one they use another fresh steam inlet to complete the other half of the rotation. If that is the case then I think you have not used an airtight piston so that it would facilitate the piston in the other stroke.
There is also another type of oscillating engine other than what you said. Here is the picture, i used this principle for my engine.
 

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  • #10
That's a good idea.
 
  • #11
Try varying the mass of the flywheel to something a bit heavier and see if that helps keep it rotating by the increased momentum on the exhaust stroke.
Quite ingeniuos I must say.
 

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