Recent content by rickharris

OK I admit so far my efforts to engineer a Stirling engines that actually runs reliably have so far amounted to zero. But this short clip give me hope - and any way I kind of like the Rube Goldberg way it works. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPHFwrNKMgY

Just had to share this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5pen3QMgzQ

As an electronics engineer I always referred to final setting up as Fettling - Perhaps I got it from my Engineer Father.: Some definitions: Definitions of fettle on the Web: * remove mold marks or sand from (a casting) * a state of fitness and good health; "in fine fettle"...

On occasion the kids at school would want to use the belt sander for aluminium. Experience with cut and broken belts quickly showed us that using the disc sander on the side was a better option as the disc has no join to catch and rip. Watch those fingers!

Small lumps - try to find some old sash windows the weights were cast iron - A plastic installer window may be able to help. For bigger lumps Tractor weights.

I ran a RC club at shool for a couple of years - both indoor and outdoor models which the school provided and we built as part of the educational experience. A number of things stick with me from that: 1. When you let people control something that is moving, in the air or on the ground, they...

For various reasons, mainly travel sickness I prefer to listen to audio books. this is a selection I have listened to recently or intend to on my forthcoming trip to New Zealand: Tori Spelling Stori Telling Walter Mosley Devil in a Blue Dress Yann Martel Life of Pi Terry Pratchett All of...

I think the top one is fuelled with methylated spirits - you used to see adverts often in older engineering mags or practical mechanics.

There is a certain elegance about this approach, Not "steam" driven though (yet) http://makers.makezine.com/video/video/show?id=2767042%3AVideo%3A10433

I also have a tens unit for chronic sciatica. I asked how they work and was told that actually it isn't well understood at all. Some feel it is disrupting the transmission of pain information by over loading the nerves locally, Some think it is a distraction signal that confuses the brain...

Some information here http://roundtable.menloschool.org/issue1/umphreys/index.html BIG stirling http://www.stirlingsouth.com/Roy/itasca2k/rob/trewhella_recovered.htm http://www.stirlingengine.com/product?usca_p=t&product_id=49

This http://www.animatedengines.com/vstirling.shtml is perhaps the best explanation and animation of the Stirling cycle. As for drawings, in various form they are all over the web.

We had English Electric Lightings in Germany - Very Impressive to see flying - A man strapped across 2 powerful jet engines. Somewhat akin to a cowboy astride a good horse! Only 15 or 20 mins on full reheat though.

WOW, it's now 48 years since I graduated from my electronics training course. Where does the time go.

City of Lincoln is quite smooth although she never flew in battle. The skin is very heavy on the rivets though!.