Wilesco steam engines

I would suggest to bypass running air directly into the engine and not through the boiler.

Do not know if you have a safety on the boiler or what the boiler was hydro-static tested too.

If you can get the line of from where it goes into the boiler and use a piece of silicone tubing to your engine.

The engine should run a a low pressure 5 to 10 lbs (your compressor should have a regulator)., Make sure you keep the engine lubricated as the cylinder will be running dry.

I assume it is a single acting oscillator rather than a double acting engine.
If it is a single acting you can put some oil into the cylinder.
If it is a double acting you can put some oil into the input hose of the engine.
A displacement lubricator will not work as there is no steam.

For taps and Dies, there is a company called Coles Power Models. There is no website, but they have a facebook site and phone number. I remember that they will sell a catalog with a price list as this is how they make some of there money.. There are other sources for Taps/Dies/Fitting and they can be researched out on google.

Coles does have great fittings and you will need to find out the diameter and tread size along if it is a straight thread or miniature tapper pipe thread.

Sounds like a nice idea. Make sure you post some picture on the build.

Thanks for that information! Yes, I am only going to "feed" the oscillating engine with air, no boiler hook up. Actually the engines are in one building, and the boilers in another. I saw these engines running on air at TRAINFEST, and they too had them at 5lbs. Oiling as noted. Now to find those fittings to pipe things up. Not sure when this project will be off and running, but I am wanting to gather the pieces-parts so I can make plans.  Thanks.

Jeff

Jeff:

Check out PM Research and LocoParts - they have numerous small fittings that could work for you. 

Neil

Neil: Thanks for those sites. I never imagined, nor heard of them. I will certainly study what they have, and also learn about the thread sizes etc. Do not have to work today, so maybe I can dig deeper today. Thanks.

Jeff

GTW posted:

Jeff:

Check out PM Research and LocoParts - they have numerous small fittings that could work for you. 

Neil

Neil those are great source too.

Another source, google Stuart Models in England (they have a listing for fittings.

I also saw that Wilesco wss under Wilesco Stucco. Once in site I did a search Wilesco parts. Strange that the fitting listed as metric. Do not know how old your unit is but I would measure the Diameter and find the tread size.

Anyway to cut the tubing from the boiler to the engine in two than a piece of silicone tuning (can be purchased at a hobby shop that sell RC Model airplanes and parts) to slip on the metal pipe from the engine to your compressor. Then if you want to put the steam engine back together with the boiler you can repair the cut pipe with a piece of silicone