Rudy Kouhoupt Stirling Tractor

[steamer]

Nice job brazing that Frazer!

Dave

[fcheslop]

Thanks Dave
best wishes
frazer

[arnoldb]

You're certainly moving along at a good clip Frazer 

Had me puzzled for a moment as to what the boiler was doing there for the Stirling Tractor, till I realized it's a side-line project 

Kind regards, Arnold

[fcheslop]

Sorry for the confusion Arnold, I do tend to bounce from one build to another and there's others that I dare not include as one has been ongoing at least 10 years . I tend to build several at once then as funds or scrounging allows they move forward.This one should be reasonably quick or that maybe famous last words
cheers

[fcheslop]

Thanks again for the interest shown
The wheels had been left 15 thou over size to allow them to be cleaned up .The centers were fitted then bored 8mm for the bearings I'm not tooled up for the metric system but been a tight wads I am using metric sized bearing as they are a bit cheaper
The wheels are retained on the axle with is it E clips they are called ? This involved turning Rudys original spindle around




I didn't like the look of the clips been on show so decided to make some little hub caps . The brass bar was bored to a push fit on the wheels. Then a mandrel made to a wring fit and the caps turned to shape



I just think it looks a bit tidier although on the original design you would have only seen the retaining screws.
The engine bearing blocks have been made and again fitted with ball bearings instead of just running in the alloy. I believe  had cheap miniature bearing been available at the time Rudy designed her he would have used them in his build.
So as per that old song Iv got two wheels on my wagon but she ain't rolling along yet

Thanks for looking in gents
best wishes
frazer

[b.lindsey]

The little hub caps look great Frazer and I agree, far more tidy looking. The whole thing is looking most impressive, even on just the two wheels

Bill

[steamer]

I like that a lot Frazer!.....I'm sure the ball bearings will help in this application!

Dave

[Stilldrillin]

By 'ek Frazer! 

Those caps look really nice! 

Can't fault the wheels either...... 

David D

[fcheslop]

Thank you for the kind comments 
I need to learn more about taking pics but my w/shops like the black hole of Calcutta and my very poor use of English its shocking.
The wheels need a final clean up .I have started on the the gear selector for driving the wheels but as the sun was shining the dreaded DIY reared its ugly head
Hi David hope J26 turned out well
kind regards
frazer

[Don1966]

Hi Fraze, I also like the hub caps. It gives it a more appeal look.

Don

[NickG]

Agree hub caps look great, especially  because they are so well executed.

[fcheslop]

Thanks again.
Just a little update.Iv lost a lot of pics on photo bucket I simply cannot get my thick head around the new site
The flywheel was turned up from a bit of cast iron
You will have to forgive me as the build is totally out of sequence as I simply dont have the materials at the moment and it will be a few weeks before I can get my grubby hands on whats needed

A simple tool makers reamer was made to ream the flywheel center to size then of to the hack saw machine



After cleaning up the flywheel the gear selector block was milled up and again Iv fitted ball bearings

Next up the gas/fuel tank again I didnt have the sizes specified but have used 22mm domestic copper pipe. This allowed me to use a couple of end feed fittings and saved having to spin them up but first they needed shortening




All the parts to make the tank and now masked up ready to hard solder using 620 degre C solder
The masking may look over the top but it saves me from getting the stuff every where and should make a neat job
The solder rings are formed and this also saves me from using too much solder I just hate to see big blobs of the stuff all over the place.
The big heat up

Then a quick clean up

The joints look almost tidy
A group shot and thats about it other than a little diversion

a little job on this old watch that had been dropped I only do the odd one and this fits in nicely as it has a stop mech built into it.


It reads Watch makers to the late Queen Victoria and the silvers marks that are visible date it to about 1910


Looks like Im going to be busy
cheers
best wishes
frazer

[b.lindsey]

Nice work frazer, nice watch too...what do you need to do to it ?

Bill

[Don1966]

Nice progress Frazer, she's coming along great. Love that old watch looks like quiet a few parts to tinker with.

Don

[Dave Otto]

Hi Frazer

Just wanted to say that I have been enjoying your build and especially the silver soldering tips.

I have a soft spot for hot air engines and this is going to be a real nice piece when finished.

Dave

PS. The brass hub caps are a nice touch.