Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

My grandson gave me this (in kit form) as a xmas pressie.
Can't make the ruddy thing work I'm sure that I have followed the instructions correctly, both in Japanese and the English suppliment.

The quality of some of the components is questionable, with the crankshaft aligning badly. Has anyone had one of these or ever seen one working?
Don.

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t103/donthebat/heatengine.jpg

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
That looks as if it might be a "Coffee cup" model of the Stirling engine.

Do the instructions suggest standing it on top of a cup of hot liquid and then spinning the flywheel/CD?

I have certainly seen the engineered candle driven one working.

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Come on, you are going to have to explain what we are looking at to a very puzzled buzzy bee!

Cheers

Dave

Uncle Joe · Guest

Penman: I think that you are correct there in that it is a model Stirling engine.

Buzzy: You really dissappoint me. Laughing

I thought that you liked all old things, or maybe Stirlings are to old for even you.. They are relatively easy to make, and can be a lot of fun!

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Yes, it is the one that can stand on a coffee cup. I can only think that it has a leak through the 'O' rings that seal the top and bottom plates...
I have tried it with a kitchen blow torch and apart from burning my finger and setting a tea-towel alight I had no luck.
I shall try some sealing compound on the 'O' rings when I can find some.

Don.

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

For O rings to seal use red rubber grease or vaseline.

I am sorry but I have never seen these before Sad

I do like all things old, but even a 22 year old victorian has his limits! hehe Laughing

Cheers

Dave

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

Dave,

Goggle the Rev. Stirling. Wink

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Remember they don't self start, you have to spin them.

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Hi
Have a look on here:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&dfsp=32&from=R10&_trksid=m37&satitle=stirling+engine&sacat=-1%26catref%3DC6&sargn=-1%26saslc%3D3&sadis=200&fpos=BB3+2JZ&sabfmts=1&saobfmts=insif&ga10244=10425&ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=32%26fsoo%3D2

There are a number of similar ones to yours but also some engineered ones with turned Brass cylinders etc.

buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

I had a look, and now see what we are on about, not seen them before, well they ring a bell, but I think that was something a little different powered by a candle.

What is it that goes up and down in the base?

Cheers

Dave

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

Some friends of mine recently bought a few pieces from a heat engine set (at least I think thats what it is, it relies on heat but doesn't have a boiler), so far we think that they were made by an Ernst Plank, early 20th century, I think I have some pics somewhere, proper old kit it is, includes a model lathe, various pulleys and some other bits n bobs. Doesn't look like pigtin's machine though

R
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Uncle Joe · Guest

Pigtin: Avoid using grease on the o rings, the one thing that Stirlings dont like is friction.

For those of you that are interested in cars and this type of engine, check out this link:

http://www.vok.lth.se/~ce/Research/stirling/papers/ST_TA2_1.pdf

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7118 Location: Edinburgh

YouTube for the sceptics Wink

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tezrQXFLVOI
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=SErsegAaRF4

Maybe you need a block of ice on the top. Twisted Evil

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=QsisnRjWi6E

Peter

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Yes, that's to one. Now that I have seen one running I can approach it with new confidence....Many thanks..
Don.

Geoffp · Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 3:03 pm Post subject:

Rick,

Ernst Plank were well-known makers of steam toys in the 19th and early 20th century, so the workshop may have been powered by a model stationary steam engine, like the Mamod ones. Dare I post a link to this site:
http://johno.myiglou.com/plank.html

Sorry to divert you all from your restoration projects, but living in a (presently) classic-free zone gives me a bit of spare time to look around at some of these sites Smile

Geoff