Hello from Oswestry, England.

[wrongtimeben]

Hello,

My name is Ben.  Thank you for allowing me to join the forum.

I am married to a wonderful lady and we share 3 wonderful children.  I am very blessed.

I have lived with depression for most of my adult life and never found it all to easy for the rest of it.  Following an almost fatal breakdown some weeks ago i have been diagnosed with probable bipolar type II, have changed meds accordingly and am supported superbly.  I also have lots of time on my hands as a result.

I have an inexplicable inherent desire to make things.  Anything, but most specifically engines.  Which is how i ended up here.  I cannot for the life of me, get my head around the simple slide valve.

My Uncle recently completed this http://youtu.be/HIwbgFfw--I which has inspired me to have a crack at my own, and lots of time on my hands.  There is a build log on modelboatmayhem under steam and sl wear.

I hope that is a good enough introduction.

Regards Ben

[steamboatmodel]

Wellcome aboard Ben,
If you can find a copy of the April 2012 Model Boats magazine Richard Simpson has an article on Slide Valves which is very good. Back when I was in High School (Centeries back) one of the instructors had a rectangular box with three drain holes, by moving the Valve around you could cover all three holes or the center one and one of the end ones. By playing around with the box filled with water you could get some idea of how the valve worked.
Regards,
Gerald.

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's....& welcome Ben....

My second [& still current] wife suffers from a bipolar condition & she is tea total & never consumed an illicit drug in her life...so I feel for your heart ache

You have a very talented uncle...I have posted messages to him in his build blog on modelboatmayhem.....from this he should be a good source of inspiration

Look around here @ PD's and Mayhem.....we hope you find a project to commence

Keep us posted & don't be afraid to ask questions......... Derek

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Ben, found this it may help with understanding D valves.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPSKuzO9JpA&feature=channel&list=UL
Regards,
Gerald.

[wrongtimeben]

Hello,

firstly.

thank you for your welcomes and advice.

I'm sorry for the delay in reply, i have ups and downs, and have just had about 5 down days in a row.

Derek, thanks for your comment, it was kind.  Unfortunately, i could well have brought this upon myself.  i have tried many different things to try and dull the pain of depression over the years.  The clocks cant go back now.  i'm determined not to let my condition damage my family.

with regards to the slide valve, i have the concept in my head however, i'm struggling with critical dimensions for lap and lead and the size of the land between the inlet and exhaust ports for example.  I think i need to make a model.  I may of course be overthinking and most of my concerns may not be relevant in a miniaturised model engine.

Oh well, i'll plod on.
I'm also severely dyslexic and find reading older styles of writing almost inpossible.  I bought the book- The Slide Valve, Simply Explained.  The title of this book is absolutely misleading.  There is nothing simple in its explanation at all.  I think it was written by the same person who wrote the king james bible.  I struggle with the good news version.

best wishes to all

thanks again

ben

[wrongtimeben]

Gerald, thanks for both of those tips,

i'll see if i can get a back copy.

Ben