Author Topic: The Rainbows Engine.......  (Read 16056 times)

Offline Stilldrillin

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The Rainbows Engine.......
« on: February 22, 2014, 08:34:20 AM »
Every year, members of my other forum have a charity steam up, at Eastwood in Nottingham. Near to Junction 26 of the M1 motorway.

Hence..... The J26 Steamup. On behalf of the Rainbows Children's Hospice.

Last year, we made over £2,500.

Presentation day.......





At the end of the day, this orphan was left on my table.

It will be recycled, then auctioned on forum.........




I believe it has traveled all the way from Australia. Then had a little adventure here. Before finally coming to me.........




Stripped.........




Another poorly designed Seig engine. Unfortunately, there are a few things, not right.

The aftermarket perspex base holds the burner in the wrong position.
The displacer is too short, compared to the swept volume of the hot cap.
The ratio between pistons is only 1.15.

I'm thinking of enlarging the displacer volume, this time. As opposed to (usually) sleeving down the power cylinder.


Hopefully, there will be steady progress. As and when, I can get comfortable workshop time........

David D
« Last Edit: March 21, 2014, 04:54:34 PM by Stilldrillin »
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline steamer

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #1 on: February 22, 2014, 08:50:14 AM »
That's cool Dave!... :ThumbsUp:

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline K.B.C

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #2 on: February 22, 2014, 10:44:45 AM »
Dave,
Leave it to Chief Engineer MIA, she'll fix it, no problem !!!!!!!!

Great stuff with the RAINBOW TRUST.

George.
Your never too old to learn.

Offline Ian S C

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #3 on: February 22, 2014, 11:09:46 AM »
I was just wondering, does it work with that ratio, and does it take a lot of heat to get it moving?      Ian S C

Offline ths

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #4 on: February 22, 2014, 11:55:35 AM »
There must be thousands of these engines incapable of movement world wide. I'm looking forward to your corrections!

Hugh.

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #5 on: February 22, 2014, 01:46:15 PM »
Thank you, Dave!  :ThumbsUp:

George.
That young apprentice needs a little more tool training, as yet.......
She gave her engine a couple of clonks with her twister. Knocking off several chips of lovingly applied paint!  :wallbang:
The twister's been replaced by a standard, 4mm allen key. She's not impressed! 

Ian.
There is a posting on the steam forum, dated 2010. Not sure if it ran happily, if at all. If that is the same engine.......

As we know, the recognized minimum is 1.5. I reckon I can beat that. Probably!  ;)

Hugh.
My sentiments, exactly! I'm looking forward to it performing on my tartan table, at the J26 show!  :)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #6 on: February 22, 2014, 02:05:16 PM »
I am sure you will work your magic on it David resulting in another fine runner. Once auctioned, do the proceeds benefit the Hospice? If so, I can't imagine a more worthy cause!!

Bill

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #7 on: February 22, 2014, 02:22:03 PM »
Hi David, that will keep you out of mischief for a while :ThumbsUp: Good luck with the auction.
All proceeds go to the charity and David and Pete do a tremendous job every year   :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
Will give you a bell tonight just email youre number again :facepalm:Maybe at Keddleston Hall Sunday so you can hide under the table
Cheers
« Last Edit: February 22, 2014, 07:36:31 PM by fcheslop »

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #8 on: February 22, 2014, 08:12:21 PM »
Thanks for your confidence, Bill!  :ThumbsUp:

I'm sure there will be the odd stumble, along the way......  ;)

Every penny we make goes to the hospice, at the handover. Usually mid August.


Thanks Frazer.

If you're passing. We'll not be hiding......  :)

David D

David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline krv3000

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2014, 09:51:14 PM »
hi as looking forward to this

Offline Ramon Wilson

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2014, 11:03:48 PM »
I can't say hot air engines are especially my cup o' tea David but good luck with your rebuild of this one, and particularly for such a noble cause  :ThumbsUp:

Ramon
"I ain't here for the long time but I am here for a good time"
(a very apt phrase - thanks to a well meaning MEM friend)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #11 on: February 28, 2014, 08:01:38 PM »
Bob, Ramon.
Thanks for your kind comments!  :ThumbsUp:


I had a good think, about making a new hot cap/ displacer, with the largest possible diameter. The 24mm dia locating recess is the limiting factor.

Trepanned through the square flange.

Piece of 1" dia tube. It's bore cleaned up at 22.5mm.........




Set up central to the mounting holes pcd.......




And bored to 24mm, plus a bit........




Friction turned a 1.5mm thick, end plug.

The machining heat glued it to the delrin. Handy for deburring........




Flux and silver solder.......




Penetrated nicely........




Cleaned up nicely.........




T'other end. No small dia solder in stock.........




Nicely filled, and penetrated........




Cleaned up ok. Spigot to 24mm......




That should make an improvement.......




Steel displacer, next.

Thanks for looking in.....   :)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #12 on: March 09, 2014, 10:38:35 PM »
Next job. The displacer.
 
I found a piece of thin wall steel tube. (Handle from a Vileda mop), 21.5mm o/d. Perfectly matching the hot cap bore of 22.5mm.

Silver soldered the hot end. Same as hot cap, previously.

Turned a top hat bush, with 6mm spigot to accommodate the M3 thread. Also, a groove, for solder......




Formed solder ring. Fluxed. Then closed together........




With no vent hole, the solder burped a couple of times as it melted. Worked ok though.......




Cleaned up. Drilled/ tapped, then fitted the displacer shaft.

Comparison to original components.......




I adjusted the displacer to give 1mm clearance, at either end of stroke.

Then literally, just screwed the parts together. For test purposes.


And, tested..........

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-XZYav6HrI" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-XZYav6HrI</a>


It's a (noisy) runner! Oh HAPPY DAY!!!  :whoohoo:   :cartwheel:



Several of the sloppy linkages need bushing/ shimming. A couple of shafts need replacing, and a new wooden base. But, overall I'm pleased with progress.  :)

Thanks for looking in!

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2014, 11:07:42 PM »
A happy orphan! What are the plans for it?
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #14 on: March 09, 2014, 11:10:46 PM »
A runner :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
still think we have to be mad to play with these engines :insane: but its fun
Good luck with the auction
« Last Edit: March 09, 2014, 11:16:05 PM by fcheslop »

Offline Don1966

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #15 on: March 09, 2014, 11:33:56 PM »
Another beautiful job David and a happy ophan to boot. I like......... :praise2: :praise2:

Don

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #16 on: March 10, 2014, 12:59:16 AM »
A nice result David. It looks great and seems to be running like a top!!

Bill
« Last Edit: March 10, 2014, 10:54:27 AM by b.lindsey »

Offline Doc

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2014, 02:56:46 AM »
A nice little runner, good job!!!

Offline ths

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2014, 07:58:42 AM »
Well done Mr Drillin', worthy of the tartan spread!

Hugh.

Offline Nicolas

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #19 on: March 10, 2014, 08:04:34 AM »
Very well done, David. Looking and running great :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:

Nicolas

Offline kev

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #20 on: March 10, 2014, 12:03:18 PM »
Great runner (Kevin from the "other" forum)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #21 on: March 10, 2014, 10:43:10 PM »
Hi Carl.
Plans? Finish it to my spec. Show at the Junction 26 Steamup. Then sell to the highest bidder!  ;)

Frazer.
Mad? I'm beginning to think you're right. But, I can't stop it.......  :shrug:

Don, Bill, Doc, Hugh, Nicolas.
Thanks for your kind comments Fellas. Tweaking and fettling should soon get it running sweetly.  :)

Hi Kev.
Thanks! Nice to see you "over here", too. This is another, happy forum......  :ThumbsUp:

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #22 on: March 10, 2014, 11:02:35 PM »
Hi David,It helps but not as mad as youre lass now her mop handle is 2inches shorter :Jester:
Hi Kevin didnt realise it was the same Kevin :ThumbsUp:

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #23 on: March 16, 2014, 10:39:44 PM »
Hey, Frazer.
Have you forgotten? I make 1" dia. hot caps, from Mrs. Drillin's exercise bike, saddle stem. She hasn't noticed that, either.... Yet!  ;)

Made some more progress.

A new left hand, half shaft. The other had been filed, enthusiastically.
Brass spacers, to position the crank throws.
Washers between moving parts.
And four, healthier looking nuts & washers, to hold the assembly together........




A new, better fitting replacement piston. To replace the undersize replacement(?) piston......




Opening out the cooling fins, for the larger o/d hot cap.
Hoping I don't finish up with a set of washers........




That fits, nicely.........




The engine's finished. Now, just needing a new base board.

I found this redundant Maiwald base. Should be able to plug the holes, and tidy it.......




Not too long now......  :)

Thanks for looking in!  :ThumbsUp:

David D
« Last Edit: March 16, 2014, 10:42:55 PM by Stilldrillin »
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #24 on: March 16, 2014, 10:51:28 PM »
Hi David, another orphan coming on nicely  :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
Dont worry I wont spill the beans to youre lass :lolb: our old hoover pipe just became 50mm shorter :naughty:
Slowly eating the elephant
cheers

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #25 on: March 16, 2014, 11:00:59 PM »
Hi David, another orphan coming on nicely  :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
Dont worry I wont spill the beans to youre lass :lolb: our old hoover pipe just became 50mm shorter :naughty:
Slowly eating the elephant
cheers

Thanks Frazer!  :ThumbsUp:

Hoover pipe? Yer've got to get your materials from wherever you find em.   ;)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #26 on: March 16, 2014, 11:34:12 PM »
Opening out the cooling fins, for the larger o/d hot cap.
Hoping I don't finish up with a set of washers........

 :lolb:
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Offline Heffalump

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #27 on: March 18, 2014, 12:00:00 PM »
Opening out the cooling fins, for the larger o/d hot cap.
Hoping I don't finish up with a set of washers........

 :lolb:

This made me laugh too, before I felt a rush of empathetic dread! Glad it worked out!

Get that base sorted I can't wait to see it running!

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #28 on: March 19, 2014, 11:08:38 AM »
Carl, Heff.
Thanks Chaps!  :cheers:   Not long now.   :ThumbsUp:


Thought I'd show the finished base, before it has an engine fixed to it.......




Turned some 3.5mm wooden plugs from dowel, and the smaller 2mm ones, from barbeque skewers.

The faced off end of the dowel, is flush with the face of the base. Tidying the surface, but not disguising it's previous life.

When the paint's fully cured, I'll assemble the engine to it.  :)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #29 on: March 19, 2014, 05:47:26 PM »
All done! Here we go.......












I don't do polished n shiny. So, I've left the original parts as is, to show their history.

Final video. Sometime soon........

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #30 on: March 19, 2014, 11:16:49 PM »
What do yo mean some time soon Im in suspenders waiting :Lol:
Good luck with the auction I hope she does well for a worthy cause and that you break last years final figure.
You and Pete should be proud of youre selves and I can only add :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
Best wishes marra

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #31 on: March 20, 2014, 01:09:52 AM »
David, that brass looks plenty shiny to me!!  What a magnificent job you have done on it and I wish you all the best with the auction. Looking forward to the video too though.

Bill

Offline Heffalump

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #32 on: March 20, 2014, 10:26:35 AM »
That looks great! some really good work there :)

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #33 on: March 21, 2014, 07:14:16 PM »

Frazer Lad.
Yer always in a hurry! Bet you'll soon be asking me, "what's next"...... 

Thanks for your kind wishes n comments.  :ThumbsUp:

Bill.
What you're looking at is gilded brass. I was referring to signs of it's earlier life.

It's spent some time in a rather damp environment.......




I always try to preserve previous patina. Thanks for your best wishes.  :)


Hef.
Thanks for that!  :cheers:


Time for the final video.

Still a bit tight. But happy.......

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5Zp-DpDTQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN5Zp-DpDTQ</a>


Thanks all. For following along.  ;)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Online Jo

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #34 on: March 21, 2014, 07:29:37 PM »
 8)
Enjoyment is more important than achievement.

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #35 on: March 21, 2014, 08:43:54 PM »
Nice :NotWorthy: :NotWorthy:
WHATS NEXT THEN :Jester:

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #36 on: March 21, 2014, 09:56:07 PM »
Beautiful job. Won't/Can't be an orphan now.

You mentioned 'gilded brass'. I looked it up...but still not sure what that means or the process.
Please teach me.  ;D
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
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Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #37 on: March 21, 2014, 10:23:17 PM »
Jo.
Thanks!

Frazer.
Thanks!

Next? Something you mentioned, is still in my brain. Several months now.........  :thinking:

Carl.
Thanks!

Sorry. Can't tell you anything about the process. But, most of the brass bar components, have been plated with"gold", then varnished.

See the three finished pics, on page 3.

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

fcheslop

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #38 on: March 21, 2014, 11:00:24 PM »
Good luck hope it works better than the one that was in my brain for a few months
Back to the drawing board for me :lolb:
Going to have to go cap in hand to a certain well known gentleman :Jester:again
May become an orphan or just live with the Westbury in a dark place :lolb:
« Last Edit: March 21, 2014, 11:57:37 PM by b.lindsey »

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #39 on: March 21, 2014, 11:58:54 PM »
Frazer, I resized the picture to something that most should now be able to view.

Bill

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #40 on: March 22, 2014, 12:22:37 AM »
Nice work David.

It's always a pleasure watching you transform these orphans in to beautiful running show pieces.

Thanks for sharing,

Dave

Offline arnoldb

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #41 on: March 22, 2014, 03:58:39 PM »
Well done Mr. Drillin  :ThumbsUp:

That sorted her out nicely!

Kind regards, Arnold
Building an engine takes Patience, Planning, Preparation and Machining.
Procrastination is nearly the same, but it precludes machining.
Thus, an engine will only be built once the procrastination stops and the machining begins!

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #42 on: May 30, 2014, 05:55:39 PM »
Dave, Arnold.
Thanks for your kind comments.  :cheers:


As promised. I showed the engine, at last weekend's Junction 26 Steamup. It ran sweetly for more than 4 hours. Despite the rotten weather.

Today, I gave it a rub with a duster. Then took some up to date pics........








And..... Put it up for auction on the Steamtoys Forum.

After 1 hour's bidding, it now stands at £100.........    :)

Happy!   :whoohoo:

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #43 on: May 30, 2014, 06:05:23 PM »
That is great David and a little beauty she is too!!  I hope the bidding keeps going up and up too. Please do let us know how it goes.

Bill

Offline ths

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #44 on: May 30, 2014, 09:44:28 PM »
That's good news regarding the auction, and 4 hours running...well done, she's certainly proved herself.

Cheers, Hugh.

Offline Don1966

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #45 on: May 31, 2014, 03:14:03 AM »
Awesome work as always Dave I am sure who ever get the winning bid will enjoy it. I like................ :praise2:


Don

Offline Stilldrillin

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #46 on: June 08, 2014, 11:50:53 AM »
Bill, Hugh, Don.
Thanks for your good wishes.  :cheers:

Last night, the hammer dropped, at £175!  :whoohoo:

It's off to a Happy Chap in Norway, in a few days time.......  :)

David D
David.
Still modifying bits of metal... Occasionally, making an improvement!
Still drilling holes... Sometimes, in the right place!

Offline steamer

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Re: The Rainbows Engine.......
« Reply #47 on: June 08, 2014, 11:56:34 AM »
Nicely done Dave!    and respect for the great effort for a fantastic cause! :praise2:

Dave

"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

 

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