Alyn Foundry 'CHUK' Flame Gulper / Flame licker

[Jasonb]

Look forward to your video Andy.

I seem to recall that at the time the Stockport was published I had decided it could all be fabricated and one with a 9" flywheel would look so much better

J

[Jo]

one with a 9" flywheel would look so much better

Hi Jason, you could save time by doubling the size that would let you use the off the shelf R&B flywheel which already has 5 curved spokes

And we would also expect you to do yours as the original gas engine 

Jo

[Chipmaster]

Thanks for that info Jason, According to the Polly Models catalogue the Stockport engine featured in Model Engineer from June 2009 et seq. I haven't had Model Engineer for years so I'll have to look out for copies of the articles.

Andy

[b.lindsey]

Very interesting engine Andy and you did a wonderful job on the pictures. I too am looking forward to the video.

Bill

[Jasonb]

one with a 9" flywheel would look so much better

Hi Jason, you could save time by doubling the size that would let you use the off the shelf R&B flywheel which already has 5 curved spokes

And we would also expect you to do yours as the original gas engine 

Jo

Could not only save time but a lot of money if I did not use the 12" R&B flywheel but instead used a 9" R&B flywheel which would have the additional benifit of saving me having to buy a bigger lathe Spokes are not flat anyway.

I've just had a flick through the mags and could definately all be fabricated, there are only two castings in the kit anyway, one is the flywheel which could be machined from solid or done with the sandwich method I used on the E&A. The flared base casting could be cut from a billet or iron or steel and the 4 lugs fitted in a number of different ways.

J

[Jo]

Could not only save time but a lot of money if I did not use the 12" R&B flywheel but instead used a 9" R&B flywheel which would have the additional benifit of saving me having to buy a bigger lathe Spokes are not flat anyway.

  Both additional R&B flywheels are the same price and as for the capability of your tools I am sure you are satisfied 

The single view of the original engine did not show what profile the spokes are I have yet to see an original engine where the spoke are square section like AM made

Jo

[Chipmaster]

During its initial runs as I experimented with the timing, the engine's diaphragm or flap valve made characteristic quacking/farting type noises that caused a lot of amusement. The inverted engine exhausts into the cavity of the base which had to be positioned to allow an exit route for the exhaust. So before painting I fitted a vertical exhaust pipe which quietened the engine considerably and the base of the engine now sits on a flat surface. The black paint is Halfords engine enamel and the cylinder was sprayed with Thermacure Mojave Red High Temperature Stove Spray Paint which withstands 650 degrees. Both paints have been excellent.



[url=https://flic.kr/p/v5ambo]

Here's a video of the finished engine running.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs13yEkIYzc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs13yEkIYzc</a>

and a video of it in slow motion,
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikHut-czuek" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikHut-czuek</a>

plus a string of videos taken as I experimented with the timing, flame position and flap valve spring strength, you'll hear the quacking/farting type noises at various stages!
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS0OZdqT8Lk" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS0OZdqT8Lk</a>

Finally here's a video of my friends Plank flame gulper that inspired me.
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NSGp6_BNs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6NSGp6_BNs</a>

Andy

[Jasonb]

That runs rather well

On the first video will it start straight away like that from cold or do you have to flick it over a few times to bring the engine upto temperature?

J

[Chipmaster]

Yes it usually takes a few attempts to get it running from cold, sometimes it will just oscillate backwards and forwards if you're lucky. However this afternoon it started first time, must be helped by the heat wave.

Andy

[b.lindsey]

Great videos Andy. Nicely finished too. Thanks so much for sharing the log, pics, and vids!!

Bill

[Jo]

  Nice

I was going to ask if the paint needed to be high temperature but you beat me to it.

Jo

[Chipmaster]

Here is a video of my friends Carette flame gulper which I include because it demonstrates the function of the diaphragm or flap valve at the end of the cylinder.

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSWo9RM4ilA" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSWo9RM4ilA</a>

Andy

[Alyn Foundry]

Dear Jo.

Chipmaster brought your website to my attention some weeks ago, it's a great shame the Internet was in it's infancy when I was trading.

I felt I must join and take minor issue with a couple of your comments.

The first being about the drawings. Why would you feel the need to fully dimension a perfectly shaped casting? I prided myself on the scale models I produced. They were spot on, no lumps of iron that had to be given shape and form. One customer remarked about the Gardner, " you could send it anywhere in the world and it would still look like a Gardner !! "

In this wonderful computer age it's easy to " knock out " a drawing, but back then they cost a small fortune. I had them done as cheaply as possible to be able to pass on those savings to my customers.

Your other comment made me smile, " Alyn didn't make many casting sets. " Over 800 kits sold to all major continents. Or did you mean the Chuk model range ?

There are so many myths floating about Alyn Foundry it's time to put the record straight. Feel free to ask.

With the closure of the last local traditional " Green sand moulding " Iron foundry and my own health in tatters I decided to close after 25 years trading. I still get to talk to old customers and the helpline is still open. I have even helped modellers building " rival" stuff !!

Andy has made a fine job of his Inverted Chuk. He brought it over for me to see a few weeks back !!

This is the very first Chuk prototype I built some years ago now, running on a large Cigarette lighter.

 <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S13wymzV0po" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S13wymzV0po</a>

Cheers Graham.

[Jasonb]

Hello Graham, good to see you here.

I wonder if you could clear up a query for me, I was talking to a chap who has built most of your engines at the Guildford show and he showed me details of an Allman engine which he said was from you. However this was not like the IF Allman with its twin A frame but more like the one offered by Debolt (which I have a casting set on its way to me) with a round base and cylinder bolted half way up the side of a cast crank support. So did you do two Allman engines or just the IF Allman and he is getting confused.

Have to agree with you very few engines that I have made have the castings dimensioned, its just the machined surfaces and where to put the holes. Bit of a pain for those like me who like to scratch build to other scales but not needed with a good casting.

Thanks, Jason

[Jo]

Hi Graham,

The first being about the drawings. Why would you feel the need to fully dimension a perfectly shaped casting? I prided myself on the scale models I produced.

Because when the castings are no longer available then all those missing dimensions need to be reinvented if the engine design is to live on.

The friend of mine Jason is referring to is Ron Hankins who you no doubt remember as his son redrew the other Allman engine.

As for numbers only 5 of the engine Andy made would be considered to be a very small batch by most foundry runs (the same number we are planning for the 1/4 scale Otto Langens amongst friends )  and 29 sets of the Retlas is not many either. Other engines like the Gardner, Robinson and the Chippy engine are much more numerous and regularly turn up on Fleabay. 

The real question is: do the patterns still exist and the drawings?

Jo

P.S. Did I mention how much I enjoy engines that go quack ? The kids love them