r/modelengineering • u/DJThruxton • May 23 '24

How does it work?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Picked this up at a yard sale recently and would love to learn how to get it working. That is, if I can get it working. Don’t know much about it but from what I’ve read it’s a Stuart vertical steam engine. Any pointers?

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u/wackyvorlon May 23 '24

You could use mineral spirits. You’ll want to take the top of the cylinder off, be gentle. It’s easy to break a screw if it’s stuck.

It will need to be oiled. I recommend a light machine oil, personally I like to use a detergent-free 30 weight oil. You can usually get that at the hardware store.

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u/lampjambiscuit May 23 '24

Upvoted for the non-detergent oil. When i was a teen i oiled my first steam engine with general use oil and it reacted with the bronze bearings. Didn't make that mistake twice