How to Build a Small Steam Engine
- 1). Use a very small nail and punch two holes 1/8 inch from the top of the can across from one another. Cut the tube with diagonal cutters and file one end of each tube to create a wider opening, using pliers to squeeze the other end so that it is open just slightly. Put the open end into the can at an angle. Then use a high wattage soldering iron to solder the tubes onto the can with lead-free solder.
- 2). Solder a length of beaded chain into the center of the lid. Then use the lid to trace a circle around a rubber sheet (which you can get from a tire patch kit). Cut the circle out and press into the lid. This will act as a gasket to keep the steam from seeping through the lid.
- 3
Your engine resembled a crane
Make the engine support from the piece of wood and two dowels. Drill a hole into the flat piece of wood (the base) and then insert the larger dowel into the hole. Make sure it fits snugly. Then drill a hole into the inserted dowel an inch from the top and insert the smaller dowel into the hole. The hole needs to be drilled into the small dowel as well, an inch from the top to make room for the beaded chain (just slightly larger than the chain). If the chain fits loosely, insert a bit of wire into the hole for a tighter fit. By now your engine resembles a crane, with a base, a dowel pole rising from the end with another dowel as the arm. - 4). Insert the chain into the small dowel at one end and solder it to the lid at the other. Now fill the can with water and push the lid in place. The rubber sheet should hold it snug. Then put the small can of Sterno (jellied alcohol used to keep food warm) beneath the hanging tin can and light it. Allow the blazing sterns to heat the water in the tin can above until it comes to a boil. As it boils, the steams escapes through the brass tubes, causing the can to spin.
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