The Model Engineer's Handybook: A Practical Manual On Model Steam Engines
Author: Paul N. Hasluck
Published 1902
The book reviews I post on my blog are quite simply books I've read and like. I suppose I might write a review if I really didn't like a book too. But I have no difficulty putting down a book I don't like and moving on to another one. Some reviewers get free books sent to them by publishers and authors; that isn't the case here. The ones I review are ones I've bought or borrowed. This book review is of a book that was published more than 100 years ago ... but, I really like the book, so I'm writing this review! This books copyright has expired. You can download the entire book here:
Steam engines are more widely used today than people realize. Most electrical power in the world today is generated by steam power. You hear talk about natural gas plants, coal-fired plants or nuclear – but even in a nuclear power plant, a steam turbine is often used to turn the dynamo to make the electricity. The nuke is used to turn water into superheated steam. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power
The same thing is true when you are talking about a coal or natural gas fired plant – they use the coal or natural gas to turn water into steam.
I'm interested in producing power from steam; so I've been researching the topic a bit. You would think as old as steam engine technology is that information would be readily and easily available. A few months ago I stopped in at a near by bookstore – one that is part of one of the largest national chains in the US to see what they had on steam engines. The only thing they had was a book about the history of steam-powered trains – a coffee table style book full of full color pictures. It was interesting, but certainly didn't address any serious engineering questions.
In my searching, I found an extraordinary resource: http://books.google.com – Google has scanned lots and lots of old books. When it comes to steam power, some of the best books I've been able to get my hands on are actually so old the copyrights are expired and you can download PDF versions directly from Google.
In addition to reading, I decided to build some model engines and have found this to be a great way to learn about the pros and cons of various designs and issues.
The Model Engineer's Handybook is simply outstanding. I haven't seen a better book on the subject no matter the date.
I like the way the author explains why things are done a certain way, not just how to do it. The book does not provide step-by-step directions, but rather explains many issues and shows examples of how they are solved. The reader who invests the time to understand these explanations will come away from this book with an uncommon understanding of how steam engines really work and will be better prepared to make modifications to model engine designs or even design original models.
Here's how the book is laid out:
Chapter 1: Principals of the Steam Engine
Chapter 2: Model Steam Engines
Chapter 3: Single-Acting Toy Engine
Chapter 4: Horizontal Engines
Chapter 5: Oscillating Engines
Chapter 6: Launch Engine
Chapter 7: Tank Engine
Chapter 8: Tank Engine Details
Chapter 9: Governor's and Pumps
Chapter 10: Erecting a Model
Chapter 11: Model Boilers
Chapter 12: Miscellaneous Items
Index
In Chapter 1, Principals of the Steam Engine, the author weaves the history of the steam engine with interesting information about how to estimate the horse power of a given engine. The math presented is clear and examples are worked through in a step-by-step manner that make it easy to understand. I took the formula's the author discussed and put them in an OpenOffice spreadsheet: [ Download ]. The author goes on to explain the relationship between temperature and steam pressure. Chapter 1 is an excellent introduction to how steam engines work.
In Chapter 2, Model Steam Engines, the author gives an overview of the various types of steam engines. The author also discusses some of the tools needed and various building techniques. Plans are given and the text is pretty detailed, but it does presume the reader can figure some things out on his own. That is one of the things I love about older books – they aren't for dummies.
Chapter 3, Single-Acting Toy Engine, describes how to make a simple single-acting oscillating steam engine. In a single-acting steam engine, the steam only works on one side of the cylinder while in a double-acting steam engine, the steam works first on one side of the cylinder, then it is routed to the back-side of the cylinder. Double-acting engines are quite a bit more powerful, while also more complex, so it is fitting to start with a single-action.
An oscillating steam engine is one where the cylinder moves, or oscillates. The cylinder has a hole in it that aligns with a hole in the engine block (often called the standard). The engine block has two holes, one is to let steam in and the other is to let it out. As the engine oscillates, the cylinder moves back and forth from one hole to the other.
In this chapter the author shows how to build a very simple steam engine without getting bogged down in too many details. Those details aren't spared in the following chapters.
Chapter 4, Horizontal Engines, discusses horizontal engine designs. These types of steam engine's were often used to generate power for factories.
In this chapter, the author explains the valve mechanism for a double-acting steam engine and works through the design of a model horizontal engine.
Chapter 5, Oscillating Engines, delves into the details behind the oscillating engine designs and presents a design for a double-acting oscillating engine.
Chapter 6, Launch Engine, looks at a design featuring a vertical cylinder that is still popular in marine applications. The model design presented in the book is a single-cylinder design.
Chapter 7 and 8 provide details on a design called a tank engine. According to the author, this model running at 1,000 RPM has a power output of ¾ HP with only 45 PSI of steam, which would make it useful for generating electric power in small amounts or for a few critical circuits.
The details of the tank engine are well described. These two chapters could have benefited from more illustrations, but the author takes great pain to explain not only how the engine works but how to build the parts.
Chapter 9, Governor's and Pumps, talks about constructing governor devices and pumps. These devices are quite clever and interesting.
The drawing above is of a governor.
Chapter 10, Erecting a Model, is all about putting models together once the parts have all been made.
Chapter 11, Model Boilers, offers information useful to constructing model-size boilers. Today, model steam engines are often operated on compressed air the theory being that boilers are dangerous. As a result, modern steam engine kits seldom come with boilers and finding plans to build boilers takes some effort. The information in this chapter isn't as in-depth as I'd like, but it does provide useful information. If you are looking for plans to make various types of boilers, check out another book I reviewed here.
Chapter 12, Miscellaneous Items, is filled with tips about tools and techniques.
Even if the book cost $40, I'd be recommending it, but you can download it for free. It takes up just 6MB of space and I think it is an excellent use of 6MB.
If you are familiar with other old books about steam engines, drop me a note or post a comment, I'd love to hear about them.
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