[PROJECT] Bar Stock Steam Engine

[Cross Slide]

I have the next two parts of the steam engine build complete. The Cylinder and Cylinder Head. They are machined out of 12L14. The material I was starting out with was 1-5/8” OD and would not fit through the bore of my chuck. So this caused me to have a lot of material sticking out of my chuck. Also gave me the opportunity to use my steady rest for the first time.
   

I started off by facing the end then drilling the centre of the bore. The I reamed that hole to 1/4”. This hole is the hole the piston rod will slide threw. 
   
   

After that was done I drilled for the piston bore. Once I had the hole large enough I switch to a boring bar. 
   
   

Once I had that done I had to turn down the OD to 1-1/2”. I took TomG’s advice and machined a plug that fit into the bore to accept my live centre. That way I able to remove the steady rest. 
   
   
   
   
   

At this point I was able to put the part in my mill and drill the bolt circle for the cylinder head to attach. 
   

I then made the cylinder head. Once it was made it was bolted onto the cylinder. It was also bigger OD then the cylinder itself. Since I turned the OD of the cylinder down it was able to fit into the bore of my chuck. I used some aluminum stock to protect the finish on the cylinder from my chuck jaws and turned the OD of the head down to match the cylinder.
   
   
   
   

Trevor