New engine available from Monahan Steam Models Inc.

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hello Everyone,
 
  Monahan Steam Models Inc. is proud to announce that we are releasing a new steam engine, the "Heron", available for the live steam enthusiast!
   
The "Heron" is a double acting, slide valve, twin cylinder, 3/8" bore, 3/8" stroke engine. We have chosen to use a Stephenson linkage for reversing due to the smooth ease of motion for servos, not to mention they just look great. The crankshaft is supported with precision grade, sealed ball bearing to ensure a smooth long hassle free work life.  
 
  The Heron is constructed from varying grades of Brass, Bronze and Stainless Steel only. We do not use any materials that would rust in a marine environment. A great deal of research went into choosing materials that would be compatible with one another as well as withstand premature wearing. Machining finishes were also a great concern while constructing the parts for this engine, not only for cosmetic reasons but more importantly wear mating and sealing issues.  All of our parts are made in house so that we have complete control over their quality from start to finish.  
 
  A shaft driven water pump was built into the design for modelers who wish to increase their run times. We wanted the water pump to compliment the design of the engine and not look like an after thought. If the modeler wishes, he/she can remove the water pump easily if it is not needed, or reinstall it if their future needs suit.  
 
 Every measure has been taken to reduce weight as well. The Heron only weights 15 oz including the water pump. The Heron was designed to operate on pressures varying  from 10psi. to 100 psi.  
 
If you wish to see more or contact us you may visit our website at:  www.monahansteammodels.com
 
   
Best Regards,
 
Monahan Steam Models Inc.

[Engineman]

A very good piece of fine engineering!!! A real competitor to MHB and MH products - I guess the best what we have (had) on the market.
Looking forward for more details   .

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Thank you Engine Man,  
 
You are too kind!!!  
 
Both M.H.B. and M.H. have consistently in my opinion produced some of the finest products over the years!  
 
To be put in a similar class as them is a huge compliment!

 
The Heron engines are designed to be real performers. Looks just aren't enough.

If there are any other questions I could answer or if there is content you would like to see on the website, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's & to our "Engine man" in Zehrgut.....how is progress   with your new engine :?: .....I posted a question to Monahan Models some days ago ...as follows   ...your call...but I agree the engine looks  :no1 but appears VERY expensive ...Derek
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

From: Enquires@monahansteammodels [mailto:enquires@monahansteammodels.com]
Sent: Sunday, 14 October 2007 4:34 AM
To: 'Derek L Warner Pty Ltd'
Subject: RE: Monahan 'Heron' Engine

Hi Derek,

Thank you for your kind comments. You have a great set of questions that I will try my best to answer.

The water pump has a 3/16” bore and a 1/8” stroke.

The out put shaft size is 5/32” which makes it roughly .001 of an inch smaller in diameter than 4mm.

Both water and steam inlet/outlet tube sizes are 5/32”

There are six stainless steel ZZ sealed ball bearings supporting the stainless steel crankshaft.

Yes, the Heron was designed to be available as a mirrored pair.

The introductory cost for the Heron is $1568.00 US plus shipping. This includes water pump, steam oil, tube olives and nuts.

All threads are ¼”-40 so this should make the steam plant compatible with other manufactured boilers and accessories.

Each engine is assembled per order. This makes the lead time for delivery right now about two weeks.

Hope this has been helpful. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to drop us a line.

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan

Monahan Steam Models Inc.



________________________________________
From: Derek L Warner Pty Ltd [mailto:dlwarner@bigpond.net.au]
Sent: Saturday, October 13, 2007 5:09 AM
To: enquires@monahansteammodels.com
Subject: Monahan 'Heron' Engine

Hi Nick …from Derek Warner in Australia

I noted you posting today in Paddleducks…the UK based WEB site – I have a French built JMC3H twin paddle engine & a Scottish boiler & accessory set & a French  ANTON manufactured V72 gas regulator

Your 3/8” x 3/8” Heron engine looks very impressive, however could you please confirm

a)   The water make up pump stroke & diameter = displacement per RPM
b)   From the .jpgs I assume it is a 1:1 ratio?
c)   The engine out put shaft size?...assumed a 4.0 mm being the apparent universal sizing
d)   Water input/output tube size…guessed as 5/32””
e)   Steam inlet & discharge tube size…again guessed as 5/32”
f)   Are the big end ball bearings stainless steel & ZZ sealed?
g)   Number of ball bearings in the big end?
h)   Cost in US $ per engine & lead time for delivery
i)   Is the ‘Heron’ engine available as a mirror reversed pair?

I have been considering a mirror reversed pair of the French Fabrice Bertange…ANTON Cristal 3.1 cc engines & have communicated both with Fabrice & his wife Christine on many occasions - the 3.1 CC Cristal has bronze bearing big ends  

The clear advantages I see with your ‘Heron’ engine is the built in water pump & the ball raced big ends…..

regards Derek

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hi P.D.'s
I've done a side by side comparison for you.
 
Anton's Prices....................................../ Monahan Steam Models
 
Crystal Engine 4,5cc...................650.00Euro.../ Heron Engine.........1568.00 U.S.
 
Greasing Device...........................21.00Euro..../ Oiler........................Included
(Displacement Lubricator?)
 
Winnows cut radio operator gas.....65.00Euro.../ Throttle Valve.......Included
(throttle valve?)
 
Pumps refeeding.........................220.00Euro.../ Water Pump..........Included
(Water Pump?)
 
Total in Euro's.............................956.00......../ Total in Euro's.......1,103.19
 
Conversion in Pounds.................665.33......../.................768.31
 
 
After I added up all the separately priced parts it would take to make the Crystal a little more comparable to what our engine already comes with, the price really isn't all that different. With our new engine we wanted to make an engine that not only ran great but showed great as well. We went a little over board on the complexity of the machined parts as well as tolerances for this engine. All tolerances are +/- .0005.  
 
As always I appreciate your feedback!

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hello Everyone,

We would like to take the time to personally say "Thank You" to everyone who has sent us all of the really kind emails over the last few days! Your responses have been tremendous and it has been a pleasure to chat with all of you.  

We appreciate all of your feedback. If there are any questions you have, no matter how big or small, please continue to ask. We are here to serve you!

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan
Monahan Steam Models Inc.

[Engineman]

Hi PD's & to our "Derek Decoy" in Wollongong...the progress with my 'new' engine is coming along pretty slowly as I lost my small Workshop and my Wharf...what a mess. Anyways we are still afloat and keep on firing... That is where we are now with the "dummy compound".

I cannot agree with your resume about the HERON engine. The ANTON's CRYSTAL and even more robust JADE are the products of a different class (lower one) and can be hardly compared to HERON because...of the parameters (i.e. working pressure limits). The possibility to steam normally at 100 psi (~6.5 bar) - that's a serious benefit for an engine which really costs because of tolerances and materials.

Nick, could you please send some photos of the HERON showing the design of piston rods, crossheads and connecting rods?
Looking forward for some detail photos of the boilers if possible. I guess - I am too fast with my wantings   .

Regards,
Workshopless Engineman

[crash93]

I have been following this thread and was a bit concerned by the comparison.

 1 does your engine have a gas control valve as you have included one for the Anton or is it an extra steam control valve?

2 what will the taxes be , whenever I have purchased from the states It has cost me an extra 20% plus postage?

Thanks Peter

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hi PD's & Engineman
 


Engineman I am sorry to hear of your recent workshop loss. I've been there before. In fact on top of trying to get the word out on your side of the pond about our new engines we are in the middle of moving all of our equipment and such into our new shop.

 
A good friend of mine owns one of the Anton Crystals and one of Sandy's  beautiful and extremely well made boilers. Its a great combination.  
 
I have to say that I was really hesitant to post the comparison of the price differences, between the Crystal and the Heron. I have to agree with you Engineman, they are two totally different classes of beasts. Both have their positives.
 
Unfortunately with sad closing of Cheddar Models, there is not really anything else out there to compare to, at least that I am aware of currently.  
 
There are a few reasons why our engine costs what it does. The only parts on these engines that we buy are the o-rings, ball bearings and e-clips! Everything else has to be made from scratch.
 
For example, we could not find stainless steel hex head screws that fit our stringent strength and cosmetic requirements, so what else can you do but make them yourself. This has been the same story for every single part. Designing this engine has been all about passion not profit. If the latter was true, parts could have been made simpler to cut costs on machining, but the Heron's looks would have been compromised. Looser tolerances and rough finishes would have made life simpler as well, but the engines wouldn't last forever and I would die an early death from all the negative phone calls I would be receiving. Maybe off the shelf mild steel pan head fasteners would have saved a lot of cussing and swearing too perhaps. The fact is that our engine has 30% more parts than other engines currently on the market and over the past years. Don't even get me started on the tight tolerances we use on every part of this engine.
 
Even though we have been around for a few years, most of you have never heard of us. What kind of impression would one get if the very first engine or boiler they purchased from us was rubbish? What kind of rapport would we have with them then? This is a small elite community of people that are into this hobby. So letting one go in Church wouldn't get you very far would it.
 
Worst of all we all know how hard we have to work to pay the bills. Bad investments can really ruin ones day. That is why we have put so much passion into designing this engine. Not many things these days are designed to last and be passed on through the generations. There are more profitable things out there than building steam engines.
 
P.S. Engineman,
 
BEAUTIFUL CRAFTSMANSHIP ON YOUR COMPOUND!

I would be happy to send you more pictures as soon as I have a chance to take them. What I can tell you is the piston rods are heat treated stainless and fit tightly in the o-ringed bearing bronze cross heads. The bearing bronze we use is a trade secret of course, but what I can tell you is the grade is common for severe duty applications. The wrist pins are hardened as well. The engine has been tested up to 120psi and holds together just fine, but I shouldn't recommend anyone running theirs at that pressure.  
 
Boilers will be available shortly. There are some really neat innovations we have come up with for those too. You have to wait though.
 
Best Regards,
 
Nick Monahan

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Hi Peter,

I am not sure why you have had to pay an additional 20% plus postage for items being sent from the States. My guess would be Customs charges, but I have never heard of them being that high?

Send me an email through my web site and I could find out more about this for you.

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Derek has raised a great point. :idea:  

We have not listed the Heron's foot print.

So here it is as follows:

The highest point on the Heron Twin is 3 5/16”.

The overall width is 2 11/16”.

The overall length is 3 15/16” including the out put shaft

The crankshaft centerline from the mounting surface is ½”

Base dims. are 1 3/8 wide by 3 7/64” long

Mounting hole centerlines are 1 3/32” W by 2 5/16” L

Mounting hole sizes are .120 diameter.

The engine is painted in a high temp midnight blue gloss color

Hope this helps.

[Monahan Steam Models Inc.]

Greetings Everyone,

Just a friendly heads up for anyone looking for a complete ready to run steam plant.

If you are currently in the process of building or thinking about starting a new winter project such as a steam launch or tug boat and you are in need of a complete steam power plant, we will be releasing our "turn key" ready to run steam plants in a few weeks or so.

The current production process for these steam plants for the most part is now finished. However they are just receiving the last bits of their icing so-to-speak.

As I am sure you all realize these are not mass produced items and each one requires a lot of time and love before they arrive at their new homes. We have had to start a pre-release waiting list to ensure modelers they will receive their steam plants of choice for this production run. If you would like to be penciled in or penned in for one of these just drop us an email. No deposits or commitments required.    

Feel free to contact us anytime. Even if you just wish to talk shop about model boats. We love hearing from all of you and love to hear what you are currently working on.  

Best Regards,

Nick Monahan

Monahan Steam Models Inc.