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I thought i'd have a little break from Tich for a bit and have a go at another Oscillating engine. The Stuart ST (also known as the S.T. Oscillator) is a classic beginner’s model steam engine from Stuart Models. It’s a compact vertical single-cylinder double-acting oscillating engine with a 7/16 in bore and stroke, standing only about 2½–3 in tall, with a 1 in diameter flywheel.
Enter the Brass Wobbler — a small oscillating steam engine kit of materials I picked up here from eBay. For about £52 delivered, you get a bundle of brass bar, rod, plate — everything needed to machine your own shiny wobbler from scratch.
After getting Elizabeth chuffing happily on the bench, and the heroes engine spinning away, I wanted something simple to build confidence before tackling anything more complicated. Enter Simple Sam from Stan Bray's Making Simple Model Steam Engines.
After finishing my setup and some practice pieces, I decided Elizabeth — the horizontal oscillating steam power plant from that book — would be my first proper running steam engine.