Vickie Stirling Engine

[b.lindsey]

This will be the next project unless something else catches my eye at CF this weekend. The "Vickie" Victorian Stirling Engine is one of Jerry Howells older designs but I think one of his most elegant stirling engines also. As I had noted elsewhere, I had actually started on this one several years ago but then along came the Briggs project and this one got put on hold or in "time out" as dreeves likes to say Photo one below is from Jerry's website and shows the completed engine. Photo two shows the parts I have on hand already made,  the hot cap, the displacer piston with the closed end cap, and one of the two crossheads. I have been looking over the plans and may look for a few sizes of aluminum I don't have on hand at CF. More to follow as things progress but it won't be till next week at the earliest.

Bill

[tvoght]

That looks like a good start. I'd enjoy seeing it come together.

--Tim

[Dave Otto]

Nice start Bill, and I'm glad to see your Vickie build here on MEM.

I always though that it would be fun to remove the stands and drop the engine to the floor; a flywheel pit would be required . Then a nice little sheet metal exersize to make the burner cover with chimney to  look like something from a Victorian era power plant; if there ever was such a thing.

Pulling up a chair for this one,
Dave

[Don1966]

Oh that's a beauty Bill and you know I will be following this one.

Don

[Jo]

Yes I like the Vickie as well its a pretty little Stirling engine 

Jo

[Stilldrillin]

That's a lovely looking engine. Off to a good start, Bill.

I'll be watching your build....... 

David D

[Ian S C]

Bill, that looks like a good one, what size is it?
Ian S C

[b.lindsey]

Ian, here are the specs on it:  Specifications: Flywheel Dia.: 4-5/8", Cylinder Bore: .600, Piston Stroke: 1", Overall Length: 10".

Thanks for the interest everyone, more than I had imagined there would be. I don't think this one has been done here on MEM yet so part of the reason for doing it will be to add it to the available build logs for future builders. As many of you have concurred, this is a lovely example of a stirling engine, with a bit of flair to it thanks to Jerry's design.

Bill

[Ian S C]

bill, thanks for the specs.  I'll have to keep watching.
Ian S C

[b.lindsey]

Since it was a rainy day today, I spent some time in the shop working on the Vickie. First up was some roughing out work on the displacer cylinder. I had drilled a 7/8" hole through a piece of 2 1/8" dia. aluminum at work on Friday so I began by facing it to length and then boring it out to 1.000" as called for. Then I transferred it to the four jaw chuck and chucked it on the ID to clean up the OD. The fins will be cut first with a 3/32" slotting saw using the mill and RT and then the taper on each fin will be finished on the lathe. Lots more to do on this part but the roughing stages are shown in the first three photos.

Then I worked on the bearing housing for the crankshaft. A 3/4" dia length of aluminum was faced to length, drilled and reamed out to .375" and then each end turned down and bored for a light press fit for the two bearings. This is shown in the last four photos. All that remains on this part id to drill and tap a 5-40 hole in the center of the bearing housing ultimately for the stem of an oil cup.

Bill

[Don1966]

As Eric would say, "Ok professor you're just an't a messing around are you." Darn good start bud.  and I'm watching the progress.

Don

[b.lindsey]

Thanks Don. I hope to be able to do most of this on  the Sherline equipment. If I can keep the pace of a part or two a day it will help this one come together in a reasonable time, not that its a race but there is a certain casting set calling for attention too

Bill

[fumopuc]

Hi Bill, stirling engines are not my favorites but I will following along. May be your build will change my mind. Seeing your sherline chuck and the tape rule I am always impressed how small the lathe is.

[wagnmkr]

I have the plans for this one and will be following along. I have many projects to finish before starting mine though.

Tom

[b.lindsey]

Sounds like me Tom, too many projects, too little time for now. I thought I had said it above but maybe it was in another thread. I have had these plans since 1997, so this one has been on the list a long while.

Bill