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Titles to Look Out For:
[In Alphabetical Order. Date signifies earliest edition. Later editions covered by each listing]
1981. Building the Overcrank Engine Georgina
1981. Building the Williamson Engine

About the Author:
Tubal Cain is a pseudonym concealing the identity of a retired professional engineer whose personal experience ranged from reciprocating steam engines to gas turbines, and much more than just this. He was just one of a family of engineers going back several generations, with his son and grandson following in his footsteps. As a boy, he used to wander around the iron and steel works before undertaking training which involved working on most machine tools and extensive experience on the shop floor building and testing engines. Later he became a leading designer with responsibility for the research & development (R&D), later turning his attentions to postgraduate degree work, living up to his pseudonym, which is supposed to mean 'an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron'.

He bought his first lathe in 1935, a 1 5/8 in. 'Adept', the start of a long career of making models. Whilst this is no different to the paths of many other model engineers, his considerable expertise and experience in his employment as an engineer meant he was able to apply that understanding to designing models and not just building them. This shows in the instructions that he has provided for readers to build his models; he relies very much on his own past experience of what to do, and what does and doesn't work. This really comes from the time when fitters actually had to fit parts together rather than just assemble. The approach he takes is good for the model engineer because it means that with time and patience a solidly working engine should always be the result.

• Building the Beam Engine Mary [top]
  First published in 1981 in Great Britain by Model and Allied Publications, Argus Books Limited in paperback, 83pp, illustrated, ISBN 0852427549

About this book/synopsis: Published in 1981 by Model and Allied Publictions and written by Tubal Cain (a pseudonym concealing the identity of a retired professional engineer whose personal experience ranged from reciprocating steam engines to gas turbines - one of a family of engineers going back several generations), this 83 page paperback (ISBN 0852427549) details with plans, text and photos (black and white) the first of the designs by "Tubal Cain" in which he explored the "Age of Elegance" of the 19th Century.

Based on a non-condensing engine intended for driving a West Indian Sugar Mill, it displays all the characteristic features of its type - including a 'Watt' type governor which will, if carefully made, control the speed of the engine. The scale of the model is such that it falls well within the capacity of the average model engineer's workshop equipment, and yet the smaller features, such as the gib-and-cotter type of bearing, are correct in both detail and scale. Castings are available for the major parts, and no complicated fabrications are needed. The book follows the text of the original articles from the "Model Engineer" magazine, but has been revised where appropriate, with some additional drawings and photographs. The descriptive matter is clear, and with the assistance of the line drawings of jigs and processes, and numerous photographs of work in progress, even the relative novice should have no difficulty with the construction

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• Building the Overcrank Engine Georgina [top]
  First published in 1981 in Great Britain by Model & Allied Publications, Argus Books Limited, pbk, 54pp, ISBN 0852427470
  The text of this book is based on articles from 'Model Engineer'

Contents: The book is packed full of photos, diagrams, data and detailed instructions. The engine built is representative of a type widely used for small power, and occasionally larger ones, including colliery winding engines. It's simple in design, but it introduces some very interesting manufacturing techniques, and its slender proportions make it a delight to see when it's running. The author takes the reader through construction with many sketches of time-saving devices and photographs of work in progress. The design uses castings for the cylinder and flywheel which are (were?) readily available, with the remainder of the parts requiring no more than the usual bar stock. This engine can be built in its basic form, but there are drawings and instructions to add on a feed-pump if desired.

Strong emphasis is placed on the use of simple methods, and no elaborate workshop equipment is needed, for apart from the flywheel, the smallest lathe will suffice. The engine was displayed at the 1979 Model Engineer Exhibition; and those who saw it are reported to have remarked on its elegant design and symmetry of proportions. With this book, readers can now add this popular engine to their collection with all the information needed for its construction, clearly and concisely outlined in this book.

Chapters:
Arches
Arrangement
Assembly
Baseplates
Bridle
Columns
Connecting Rod
Crankshaft
Crosshead
Cylinder
Cylinder Covers
Eccentric
Feedpump
Flywheel
Glands
Painting
Piston & Rod
Piston Rod Guide
Plinth; Pump
Steam Chest
Valve and Rod

Tubal Cain Books:

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• Building the Williamson Engine [top]
  Based on a series of articles published in 'Model Engineer'
  First published in 1980 in Great Britain by Argus Books
  Reprinted in 1981 in Great Britain by Model & Allied Publications (Argus Books), paperback, 86pp, ISBN 0852427190 . Original UK retail price: £2.50

About the book: This book shows the reader how to build the model Williamson Engine, which was designed and built by Tubal Cain from the original which was made by Williamson Brothers of Kendal, Westmorland and shown at the International Exhibition of 1862. The prototype of the model described in this book was their 5 h.p. engine of 6.5 in bore, the stroke was about 14 in., the speed being approx 130 r.p.m. The model is one-tenth full size in scale. Most model makers will find this book of instructional details and technical drawings, taken step by step an invaluable asset besides being informative in its own right. At the time of publication, castings were supplied as a package by Messrs. Stuart Turner, now Stuart Models

Chapters:
Making a start
Engine structure
Cylinder set
Crankshaft and flywheel
Running gear
Valve gear
Preliminary fitting and erection
Governor
Final erection
Boiler
Appendix