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There's gobs of terribly interesting vehicles out there, for certain. And you can think you’ve seen everything on the playa and then, when looking through someone else's photos, see some enormous creation that stands about 60' tall and wonder, "How did I miss that?" And you're right, the drive...

Thanks, Powder keg... I appreciate that. Now here's where I need some help from those more expierienced than myself: I must first state that the intent of the entire Contraption project is to take things… antique agricultural implements, old truck parts… reappropriate them, and make them...

Hello again, all!! Despite my having not been active on the boards recently, I have not been just sitting around. Please find below some pics of the sum of the last few months evening work. This is an engine made using an old refrigeration compressor and a lot of head scratching, researching...

Hey Kactiguy… Great engine. I’m a big fan of repurposing found and scrounged materials for other things. Nice…

Wow… a wood framed engine that’s integral to the vehicle frame? That’s my kind of wonk!! I toyed with different ideas for power sources initially, but decided upon a railcar-type pump with a flywheel battery. I thought of using a hit-n-miss engine as well, but opted for steam because… well... I...

It did indeed make it to Burning Man in 2007. We covered… I’m estimating, here… about 5 miles with it by the end of the event… all under human power. We’d grab people out of the crowd and get them to help pump it. Then they’d get tired, and a few more would jump on. Tried to keep them cycling...

Hello again and thanks to all who chimed in before. You really helped me a bunch and I appreciate it. I’ve been in full-bore research mode and haven’t checked in on the new forum location until now. So I figured it was time that I come in a give a quick post on the progress of the steam upgrade...

Thanks wareagle, Though it nearly wore me out, I've certainly had a lot of fun putting it together. And lots of other people got their hands into it as well. There was a couple, a few years younger than myself, who wanted to help. Not only was it their first time messing with large pieces...

Oh jeez... I heard so many horror stories working in a Tool shop. Made up or not, they made my cautious nature even more on alert. The worst thing I ever saw in the shop I was in was a fellow get the very tip of his finger smashed in an small injection mold. Still popped it like a grape.

Ok, I’ve a question… It makes good sense to me that you’d need some sort of pressure on the feed end, even if it had natural flow due to the heated water rising, since it would insure that it doesn’t get a dry spot in the tube. But here’s what I can’t understand and can’t find anywhere on...

I think that will indeed help. Just for inspirational value alone, its a gold mine! Thank you!

Hey Gil!! I’m new to these particular forums too, and though reasonably experienced at machining, I’m new to steam power. This has been a fun place to read and interact for me and I‘ve learned a lot already. And I must second that we all learn from questions. Even if it’s a question I’ve...

Thanks for the links and info, Cedge. I ran across the Doble online today, actually, and have been reading up on it. that type of boiler seems very much like what I need. I also found some plans for a nice looking monotube boiler here (bottom of the page) but am waiting a bit before...

Yes!!! Nicely done. Human power still has its place, you know. And the flywheel does indeed look sharp. I like the drilling along the circumference.

That's about the size I was thinking, at least as best I can tell. The one in the photo appears to be a two cylinder V. On a side note, I've seen a fellow who used old compressor pump as steam engine. Seemed to work well and be an accessible form of steam power for folks without the means to...

I love the rivets... This is quite a project. I've only seen the finished tractors before. I'm glad to be able to see one in progress.

I love how you are giving as much effort to aesthetics as you are to the mechanics of this engine. Really a class act, sir. I’ve got this old Singer treadle sewing machine, and along with all the other details, the tops of the rods for the presser foot and needle carrier both have these tiny...

I like the idea of using stainless tubing rather than copper, since it seems even safer as far as bearing the temps.. It might increase steam up time a bit (lower thermal conductivity), but I don't see that as a huge issue either. So if in a Flash Steam boiler, the water must be continuously...

AHA!!! So Monotube Boiler and Flash Steam Boiler are synonymous!

Regarding boilers, here’s what I’ve learned so far: Monotube boilers are better since they’re a bit easier to build and safer. I’m not familiar with a flash steam boiler. Can you elaborate or point me in a direction? I’ll Google it too. I had hoped to run the thing on either propane or...