Recent content by propclock

As far as grey iron castings go , I know of at least 2 possible customers . They don't do "air" they are full time steamers. I am a member of BAEM but we use the hospitality of Golden Gate Live Steamers for our meetings and there are some active steam engine builders . I know selling...

Yes I am sorry I didn't credit your fathers build and your creation of the drawings. I used them to extent that I could. Other than my mentioned changes to run more balanced on air they are in fact 90+% based on your Father's build/your plans. Thank you very much.

I saw this engine first on HMEM, there was a wonderful l post on the build of one ,and there are several beautiful, beyond perfect examples of this engine on HMEM and on the web. I run my "steam" engines on air at shows and at home . So my approach to this build was biased by my desire to...

youtube link plus bla bla Well, things I learned from final long term runs. The Hot tube is in direct contact with a propane burner and my silver soldered cap to the tube failed repeatedly. All my fault. I use mapp gas and don't get hot enough but with two...

3" Rider Ericcson final run before paint. Runs great IMO with low gas consumption. Lots of Paint and plumbing left to do. https://youtube.com/shorts/ob_6FTQ3

I was gifted these castings and decided to tackle this project. It was a challenge due to the size. Very little fit in the mill vice and table clamps used a lot. The 13" flywheel was at the limit of my lathe a 10ee . the 7" cylinder was also a challenge because I have no steady rest for my...

Yes you are correct. not sure if any castings are still available some had cast iron flywheel and cam ring . Of interest to me is the cam ring on the patent pictures show the cam ring squarish and that makes sense it would give improved valve timing but for the model maker it would be a...

I recently completed this engine. It is fairly true to scale and seemed weird at the time. For example, a 8" flywheel with 3-48 and 2-56 screws for the main bearings? Also wedges and cotters for bearing mounts. many hours on split bearings and all bolts and nuts are square. Nice gun metal...

Yes All Stirling's are a challenge IOM . Air tight and frictionless ,not trivial . I let the water pump packing gland leak a bit just to cut friction. If all is perfect I get 6+hrs running on 1, 1pound cylinder of propane. Gortex expanded PTFE (teflon) for the power piston rings . Mostly ball...

Just a short poor quality video but I though I would share the water wheel. the water wheel gets a Lot of attention at show. Just a simple tip bucket type The buckets are made from Champagne cork metal retainers. The buckets are tipped when they run into the cork on the bottom. It is not...

Just my 1.414 cents worth. I have used S/S cdi units and they work well, my experience is the sparks tend to go their own way inside a small distributor. I am not sure if it is rise time ? just personal experience. I have a LOT of engines. I agree with Sage that the ignition must be small. I...

I have had good luck with Gore-tex Piston rings, both circular cut or strip cut to fit in a piston ring groove. Gore-Tex is expanded PTFE. Also graphite lube is good with no oil. Just the powder form and mix with alcohol if needed. FWIW

Fantastic , I can relate, first time ? that is very impressive.

Thank You, fabulous build, and although I have never cast it is still a dream. Perhaps I missed it, you asked for advice on the displacer material choices. What did you actually use? It is an excellent runner!!

Love it , and I am also a war of the worlds fan.