Author Topic: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964  (Read 2174 times)

Offline TinkerJim

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My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« on: December 30, 2024, 09:51:24 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw</a>

Online Dave Otto

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #1 on: December 30, 2024, 11:44:23 PM »
Hi Jim, that is pretty cool! it is almost as old as me. :)

Dave

Offline Minh Thanh

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2024, 05:10:19 AM »
 :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp: :ThumbsUp:

Offline tvoght

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2024, 02:35:52 PM »
Hi Jim, thanks for showing "Good old number 1".  My first Stirling engine happened to be Tapper from your book Miniature Ringbom Engines. Admittedly, I had already  completed my second Stirling before I finally got Tapper to run. I attach a photo of my bedraggled looking (water cooled) Tapper for you examination. I have gotten a lot of good from several of your books.


Regards,
--Tim
« Last Edit: December 31, 2024, 02:42:48 PM by tvoght »

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2024, 06:01:16 PM »
Hi Jim, that is pretty cool! it is almost as old as me. :)

Dave
You're still young, Dave !  I am elderly now, but still thankful !!

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2024, 06:02:34 PM »

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2024, 06:11:37 PM »
Hi Jim, thanks for showing "Good old number 1".  My first Stirling engine happened to be Tapper from your book Miniature Ringbom Engines. Admittedly, I had already  completed my second Stirling before I finally got Tapper to run. I attach a photo of my bedraggled looking (water cooled) Tapper for you examination. I have gotten a lot of good from several of your books.


Regards,
--Tim
  Tim...I like your Tapper.  Water cooling is a good idea.  Mine needs more cooling - it gets pretty hot on top, but keeps on running anyway.   I specified larger fins on the drawing in the book, hoping that would help.  Your water hopper solves the problem.

Offline PaulR

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2024, 07:29:34 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw</a>
Thanks for showing your engine, I really enjoyed seeing it in action and I'm determined to make something similar one day!

I made this engine (without any plans) back in 2009 but I couldn't get it to work at all - frustrating when a hot air engine I cobbled together from tin cans, wire and a CD ran great!

In hindsight think the linkages were just too heavy. I think it's still knocking around somewhere so I might try slimming them down.

Offline Tin Falcon

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #8 on: January 01, 2025, 12:09:18 PM »
Tinker Jim :
Thank you for posting and continuing to bring passion and improvement to old things/ideas.
Time is a funny thing in1964 I was but a toddler and my Bridgeport mill would not be out of the factory for another 4 years,
I have yet to successfully complete a Stirling engine. But did have fun building a minikin that i display in a miniature vise, It was one of my early engines first displayed in 2003. It is really fun to see when the young kids are inspired by what you build.


Respectfully
Tin Falcon

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2025, 05:53:53 PM »
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WWRmOkYjw</a>
Thanks for showing your engine, I really enjoyed seeing it in action and I'm determined to make something similar one day!

I made this engine (without any plans) back in 2009 but I couldn't get it to work at all - frustrating when a hot air engine I cobbled together from tin cans, wire and a CD ran great!

In hindsight think the linkages were just too heavy. I think it's still knocking around somewhere so I might try slimming them down.

Wire & tin can engines are light and loose.  The linkage on your engine looks well made, but a bit on the heavy side.  Make sure there is not the slightest bind. Also, leakage is often the trouble with these engines --it is surprising how a very very tiny leak can prevent running. 
Best wishes...

Offline PaulR

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #10 on: January 02, 2025, 06:20:44 PM »
Wire & tin can engines are light and loose.  The linkage on your engine looks well made, but a bit on the heavy side.  Make sure there is not the slightest bind. Also, leakage is often the trouble with these engines --it is surprising how a very very tiny leak can prevent running. 
Thanks for the tips, sorry for hijacking your thread!

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #11 on: January 02, 2025, 07:02:13 PM »
Tinker Jim :
Thank you for posting and continuing to bring passion and improvement to old things/ideas.
Time is a funny thing in1964 I was but a toddler and my Bridgeport mill would not be out of the factory for another 4 years,
I have yet to successfully complete a Stirling engine. But did have fun building a minikin that i display in a miniature vise, It was one of my early engines first displayed in 2003. It is really fun to see when the young kids are inspired by what you build.


Respectfully
Tin Falcon

Ah...yes...Minikin...good to hear he is alive and well in Jersey !

You are fortunate to have a Bridgeport mill.  I made "1964" on an old 9" South Bend with a milling attachment.  I now have a Rockwell vertical mill and the 1928 SB lathe was rebuilt and ways rescraped about 5 years ago - she is a pleasure to work with now.

Best wishes...

Offline Tin Falcon

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #12 on: January 02, 2025, 07:40:40 PM »
The Bridgeport is very much a blessing to have. It is a somewhat rare m head 1/2 HP  2mT collets so can run it off 110 with a vfd. I love turning the handles on her.
I also have a 1937 south bend  48 In bed  iirc model c tool room lathe that came from the University of Pennsylvania via a local dealer. The old machines may not have massive horse power or the ability to take big cuts ,but they are a pleasure to work with.
I just wish I had more time , motivation and focus to build again. Life has been in the way the last couple of years. Eventually I should be able to settle again. And of course there are grandsons to teach..



Tin

Offline bent

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #13 on: January 03, 2025, 04:40:36 AM »
Your engine is the same age as me, pretty neat!

Offline TinkerJim

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Re: My Model Stirling Engine Made in 1964
« Reply #14 on: January 04, 2025, 07:08:37 PM »
Your engine is the same age as me, pretty neat!

Here's hoping you both keep running for a long long time !

 

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