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?Chinese? Stirling Beam Engine

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klank:
Thank you gentlemen all for the kind welcomes and advice.

Nick - your advice is excellent - I shall have to get the bucket of water out and test as you say, then try to find/eliminate friction progressively. I am pretty sure I have air in the right place at the right time, but possibly not enough of it.
I built the meths burner (wick and collar supplied in the kit) and tried that, also in exasperation tried my gas torch (gently) - cannot get the beast to turn over more than two or three revs no matter how hot (or warm) the tube.

At least I got a bit more experience in lathe/bench work in the build - I learned that
1. when machining the finned items with a blade type parting tool, paraffin should be used copiously - even then the swarf can cut into the side of the slot being formed - I ended up with one free spinning ring of ally on the finned heat sink because of this - used wooden tooth picks/epoxy to "stick" it back in place.
2. almost impossible to put a "Z" bend accurately in a short length of 3mm brass rod (needed on both connecting rods).
3. when using white heat transfer goo (the type used in electrical components/heat sinks) - one drop escaping notice ends up on every conceivable surface - including walls/ceiling and eyebrows. Possibly the same characteristic when using engineer's blue?
4. you can turn a piece of round bar (Ally) to a cube in the 4 jaw chuck (thanks Circlip). Most satisfying to see it appear.

Respects and best wishes to all.

NickG:
Peter,

I had exactly the same problem with mine. I had the hot cap glowing red with a butane torch and it still wouln't go. The first time I got it to run, I had ice cubes on the cold end of the displacer cylinder and it was running very slowly, but as soon as I did the water trick it revealed a massive leak around the hot cap interface (thread on mine).

Sounds like it was a good learning experience and you'll improve on your next project. But I still hold high hopes for this one, I'm convinced it'll run with a bit TLC. Then you really will be hooked, I can't think of anything much more satisfying than seeing your first engine run.

Good luck.

Nick

Bernd:
Peter,

A quick welcome from the other side of the pond. We try our best to have fun here, so join in. And as Bogs says, it doesn't all have to be model engineering as long as it's interesting and legal.  :).

Somewere along the line I'm sure you'll catch  :proj:. Also there is one requirement and that is  :worthless: We like pictures because it gets a bit tiresome reading 1000 words. :lol:

So welcome to the collective.  :borg: You have been assimulated.  :ddb:  :nrocks:

Regards,
Bernd

rleete:

--- Quote from: Bernd on May 12, 2009, 06:24:56 PM ---We like pictures because it gets a bit tiresome reading 1000 words.
--- End quote ---

It wouldn't be so tiring if you didn't have to move your lips as you read along...    :D



Welcome aboard, Peter.  Nice first project; I'm sure you'll get it running soon.

SPiN Racing:
Very cool engine!!!

And Another Sterling!!!  I am seriously going to have go get my rear out and do some research on them.. I want to make one some day.. but not yet. Too many other things in the fire!
 :proj:

Looks to be a really sweet engine! Im sure tracking down all the little details on the fine tuning will resolve into a awesome runner.

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