Walking Beam?

[Matt_R]

Has anyone here made a walking beam? A few years back I made one from styrene in 1/72 scale, but I'd much rather have one 3D-printed or cast in smaller scales. Wondering if there are any 3D renders available, haven't been able to find any on Shapeways.

 

[Uwek]

Hallo and welcome here on board of our forum.....

"walking beam" ?? could you explain your needs maybe a little bit more in detail ...

 

[Matt_R]

Hi Uwek. It’s the most prominent feature of vertical beam steam engines.. are we more focused on sailing vessels here?

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

a walking beam steam engine has the lever arm above the engine like this





the engine i built has the lever arm at the side

 

[Matt_R]

Amazing work, Dave! Is the Syracuse model a kit or did you scratch it?

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

to answer your question Matt

Has anyone here made a walking beam? A few years back I made one from styrene in 1/72 scale, but I'd much rather have one 3D-printed or cast in smaller scales. Wondering if there are any 3D renders available, haven't been able to find any on Shapeways.

to be honest i don't think you will find a 3D print file for a walking beam, that is a rare thing to come across. You would have to search model engineering and steam groups to have a chance of finding one.
Although we do have several people on the forum that can 3d print a file they may not know much about CAD and drafting to produce the STL file needed to do the print.

So you need to start at square1 and get a drawing of one step2 draw it out in CAD or a 3D program like fusion 360 or solidworks then have it printed. The beam will vary depending on the engine it is designed for.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

Amazing work, Dave! Is the Syracuse model a kit or did you scratch it?

the engine model is for the steam ship Mississippin i did not build the Syracuse that is just an image i had on hand.

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

this is the 3D model for a lever arm

do you have a drawing of the walking beam?

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

ok now i see why your asking about a walking beam. The CLIFTON had a walking beam engine

 

[Matt_R]

Thanks Dave, I'll stick to scratchbuilding then. I tried CAD a while back but just couldn't grasp it.

Yes, that's the one! The Heyl drawing of her is inaccurate on more than a few things, but that'll all come to light eventually.

 

[Jimsky]

Hi Uwek. It’s the most prominent feature of vertical beam steam engines.. are we more focused on sailing vessels here?

No Matt, all kinds of ships from any era, period, and time are welcome. In fact, not even ships are welcome as the models. But a 'walking beam' is a specific term and people who don't build steam engines will not know...

 

[MikeC]

If I remember correctly there was an old wooden hull ferry boat at Fisherman’s Wharf in San Fransisco. It would have been moored close to the Balclutha. I think it had paddle wheel propulsion driven by a walking beam steam engine. Some one in SF might know of it or have photos. Ferries used to carry train passengers from the Oakland train terminal to downtown San Francisco. That would have been in the early 1950’s.

 

[boat man too]

HELLO: try [ MICRO-MARK,] THEY HAVE a 3d printing machine, as well as a CNC machine and supplies you may need to go with them. [ www.micromark.com ] They are small tool specialists, a scaled-down hobby shop.