IndianaRog and the Temple of Steam
Toy and model steam engines and turbines by Jensen, Karsten, Mamod, Stuart, Empire, LiNEy & others plus engine videos with sound & helpful restoration tips
All Other Engines
A little something about all my other engines: Click Here
Engines in this Collection:
(click hyperlink to jump to that engine type)
Approx. Dates Manufacturer and Model Origin
1918-early '20's.........Bing Stationaire Lokomobile Overtype Germany
1926-1936...................Bowman Model E101 England
1930......
.....Bowman Model 234 Loco & 250 Tender England
1937-1941....................Mersey Models 53R Engine England
1961..............................Fleischmann Model 122/3 (Home tab) Germany
1970's...........................Sutcliffe Oil Cans England
1980's..(mod '07).......Wilesco # D36 "Old Smoky" Roller (Modified) Germany
1990-2004....................Wilesco # D45 Vertical/Upright Boiler Germany
2005..............................HOG Mikro-Stirling Engine Germany
2005..............................Wiggers Stirling Engine Germany
2008..............................Maier Mechanic Butane Engine Germany
When you begin to collect anything, be it coins, stamps, baseball cards or something as off the wall as toy steam engines...you don't have much direction and sort of try this and that 'til some pattern of interest emerges from the fog.
I'm no different than most toy steam collectors in this regard, but after almost 6 years of active scrounging on eBay primarily, I've "narrowed" my interests to select engines from Jensen, Karsten Gintschel, Empire, Stuart, LiNEy and Mamod's mobile line. These are makers of engines where I have 4 or more examples and thus they are represented by their own section (tab) on this website.
This is the "All Other Engines" section (tab) of the website. A place where just 1 or 2 examples from multiple makers have found a home arranged from oldest to newest . Some maker's names you will recognize, others not likely. Each of these engines is a survivor, an engine that did NOT make a return trip to eBay after running, scrutinizing and/or staring at it on the shelves. Something about each enamored them to me and they are keepers.
My Stuart and LiNEy engines "graduated" from this category when I had reached 4 examples of each...my Bowman 101 is now a solo engine in this category where it was once a foursome...so my collection is dynamic if nothing else!
Though listed in the index above, my Fleischmann 122/3 is not displayed in this section, instead it has a place of honor on the Home page right up front. My Fleischmann was my first steam engine and it still looks and runs like it did when I got it new in 1961.
To my doll collector wife, it seems I still have too many loose ends to my collecting and little real direction. To other toy steam collectors, I "think" you will see a pattern overall and agree that given the many, many makers, countries of origin and more than 100 years of offerings to choose from, I have indeed created at least some focus.
That's my story and I'm sticking with it !!
Bing Werke Steam Engines
As compared to typical stationary engines with the engine separate from the boiler/firebox, I "think" an overtype is perhaps more efficient at keeping steam lines short and hence more energy going into the operation of the engine and less into global warming.
I decided I wanted just ONE good example of an engine that originated from Nuremberg, Germany, when and where the toy steam art form was at it's peak. This piece has nicely satisfied that need.
I have had difficulty with an exact identification of this engine and timeframe for it's manufacture. One key source felt it was a "Stationaire Lokomobile" model #130/605, possibly made between 1918 and the early 1920's. The small silver logo on the side of the firebox has "BW Germany" stamped on it.
Per John O'Rear's excellent website, detailing Nuremberg engines, the company was renamed from Gerbruder (Brothers) Bing, to Bing Werke in 1918 upon the death of Ignatz Bing, one of the founding brothers. Thus, this engine bearing a BW logo would logically be a 1918 or later engine. The BW Germany designation is a unique twist vs. BW Bavaria which was more the norm, John has surmised it was possibly intended for a U.S. market more familiar with the country of Germany than Bavaria.
Recently (Aug. 2007) I met via a steam forum, a very knowledgeable collector by the name of Mirko from Hamburg, Germany. Mirko provided a copy of this page from a Bing
catalog:
This page would identify my Bing as being a model #130/612 with two minor discrepancies...firebox in pic on this page shows 7 vertical slots (mine has 6) and shows a diamond shaped logo on firebox while mine is square...details, details!!!
So...is it a #130/605 or #130/612...I don't know for sure, but I think we're close and 1918-early 1920's time frame seems right.
The construction of this engine seems heavier than the norm. The green engine frame is a heavy brass casting and there are proper brass bearings on the crankshaft that exceed what I have seen on a number of other Bing and Doll overtypes.
If truth be told, this is a perfect example of a pretty face that swayed me. I bought it off eBay in Dec. 2005, direct from Germany and via an auction written in German (thank you Babel Fish translator)! I was smitten the first time I saw it, though fully aware it had undergone a complete restoration. Being a restorer myself, I was quite impressed with the quality of the work by whomever undertook it. Restoration of the paint, pinstriping and lithograph base was well done, but it came with a heavy custom turned brass chimney that was completely wrong for this engine. I made up the chimney seen here to the proper tube dimensions and capped it with a brass Mamod stack piece which fit perfectly. 
The chimney is obviously NOT correct in this configuration, but until I find the proper finial for the top or better still an original chimney, it will do nicely and is a whole lot closer to the original than what came with the engine.
The sketch in the Bing page shown above gives a good idea of what the original chimney would have looked like. I believe the basket part at the top was done by "metal spinning"...an almost lost art. I shall have to keep looking!!!
When I compare this engine to my 1961 Fleischmann, it is interesting to see the genetic link in a little thing like the outer metal sight glass protector, they are virtually identical yet made about 40 years apart.
Fast forward from Dec. '05 to Oct. '06 and I have finally fired up this shelf queen for the first time since getting it. She took some tweeking of leaky gaskets and the slide valve needed adjustment, but it soon burst to life and ran exceptionally well.
Under the chimney was an originally installed condensate drain tube with a little hook on the end. I envisioned a small bucket hanging on that hook that got lost along the way much as chimneys have a habit of doing.
My wife being a doll collector offered up a little metal bucket that seemed to be custom made for it. The engine now looks whole again and the bucket will hold about 5 minutes worth of chimney condensate before needing a quick emptying. 
I've enjoyed watching this engine run for repeated firings now and I can see how a guy could get hooked on collecting Nuremberg engines. They are a departure from the "tank like" toy steam pieces I usually gravitate to, showing I have a touch of right brain admiration for art...well, mechanical "art" at least.
Fortunately this pretty face is also built well and without question now holds down the spot for both most attractive engine and oldest engine in my collection. A grand old dame indeed.
Although fully restored, I think the brothers Bing would approve of their offering being given a new lease on life and would probably be amazed to think their creations live on nearly a century later. Thanks guys, nice piece of work!
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Bowman Models E101 Stationary Steam Engine
The following is a 1920's example of a Bowman Models E101 stationary steam engine obtained from Paper 'N Steam Galore,
a reputable online and store front dealer in the UK.
Despite the condition being "OK" as received, I re-did the engine from top to bottom. I'm more than happy with how it turned out. Some might claim Bowman's M122 twin cylinder model to be their biggest/strongest...but in my eyes it's this one hands down.
The photo to the left is a closeup of the 1 pound brass flywheel and gear assembly of the E101 after restoration. I love a brassy engine and they don't get much more brassy than this !
The large brass burner tank is visible just behind the flywheel at left. The heavy red engine frame must be 1/8" thick steel. No corners were cut in making this baby.
I really, really like how this turned out following restoration. Under steam it is not a race horse, but more of a solid work horse. It has exceptional torque and capacity and can run any accessory. The steam realistically vents to the chimney where I made a couple of minor improvements over Mr. Bowman's design.
I linked the exhaust tubes from engine and chimney with a bit of shrink tubing to prevent drippage and put a rubber stopper in the base of the chimney to keep condensed water from leaking out the bottom during operation. Both were minor mods but make for a much drier engine under steam.
I also installed fireproof insulation in the floor of the firebox to prevent scorching of the wood base which had occured previously. The 101 is just completely "right" in the operational department, sounding much like a machine gun when operating full tilt. With all that brass it is also a stunner in the looks dept.
Win-win on all fronts!
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Bowman Model 234 Locomotive and Model 250 Tender
I purchased an English made, "O" gauge, Bowman model 234 loco and model 250 tender off eBay in solid mechanical shape and likely made around 1930 as the fluted con rod design seen on this one was first shown in Bowman's 1930 catalog.
Below is how they looked upon receipt off eBay in Nov. 2009:
Manufacture was in Dereham-Norfolk, England and this old gal is now 80 or so years old!! The original engine was painted in maroon L M S 13000 livery (London Midland Scottish railway, one of four major railways in England in the 1920's, but no longer in existence).
Unfortunately years of flame heat had deteriorated the loco's paint especially, the tender had undergone a few coats of after market varnish and more than one swan dive had taken their toll. This grand old dame was crying out for a Temple of Steam style, off the chassis, full blown restoration. I was happy to comply.
Advance apologies to Bowman purists who probably wouldn't restore such a piece to start with, let alone change the look completely.
I'm a nit picking perfectionist and usually restore to equal or better condition than an engine left the factory, including closely matched paint...but in this case the factory color paints just don't last. I opted instead for quality, VHT (Very High Temp) paint protection that should ensure this loco and tender are around for another 80 years.
Here's the refinished loco with tender in it's new T.O.S. livery!
If Harry Potter can have a "Hogwarts Express", surely I can have a
Temple of steam express
I chose a VHT black and red combination paint scheme with faux brass boiler bands and left the stack, steam dome and cylinders in their natural brass state for contrast. Red and gold pinstriping was kept simple and new Bowman Models decals for both sides of the loco cab and the rear of the tender were made.
A few more pictures (proud papa syndrome)
The alcohol fuel tank and burner assembly seen below right hangs under the rear of the loco with the 6 upright burner tips extending between the wheel axles to span the length of the boiler. It will hold about 90 ml of alcohol, plenty for runs in excess of 30 minutes.
As others have found, 6 burners can produce too much heat without a substantial load of cars and can cause the loco and tender to careen out of control and derail. This engine was no different, it ran exceptionally fast if I lit all 6 burner tips.
To counter the over eager nature of the burner design, I blanked off three of the six burner tips using spent .22 caliber brass casings with a screw soldered on for easy removal. The casings compress INSIDE the burners perfectly and don't let vapors escape and ignite.
Three active burners make more than enough steam even with a load of 1.5 pounds of weight in the tender to help keep speed under control. This is evident in the videos at the bottom of this section.
Choice of alcohol for fuel is a bit more complicated than it would seem at first. I found burning my usual SLX brand of commercial denatured alcohol (stuff you get at the paint store) produced a lot of nasty combustion by-products that bother the nose and eyes while this thing was flaming away.
I usually run my stationary engines that require denatured alcohol, inside my exhaust fan equipped paint hood...but that isn't an option with a locomotive and a 7 x 9 foot layout.
I tried a new "fuel" pictured to the left...
Everclear 190 proof/95% grain alcohol
...obtained from a local liquor store. My Bowman loves it and although you can still smell some combustion byproducts when running, the smell is far more tolerable than the alternative SLX brand denatured alcohol I was using.
While it's a bit more expensive to burn 95% grain alcohol than the stuff I was using, a steamer does what a steamer must do, give the lady what she likes!!!
Restoration Process...
After complete dis-assembly, I used chemical stripper, a Dremel rotary sander and steel wool to remove 95% of the original paint and all rust that had attacked the bare steel frame where paint had been scorched off. The simple and robust design genius of Jeffrey Bowman is evident when you really study this piece.
The 234 loco disassembled, stripped, sanded and ready for paint:
The 250 tender disassembled, stripped, sanded and ready for paint:
Building an easily removable "O" gauge layout...
Unlike steaming any other engine, you have to do some preparation to run a locomotive. I decided early on I was not going to dedicate a permanent layout for this, as it simply takes up too much room. My goal was to simply provide a "space" for some track...space that could be made into a secure layout quickly and just as quickly removed.
I settled on using my horseshoe shaped workshop which is about 10 feet on each of three sides with a five foot entry that would have to be bridged. Here is the final layout which ended up being a 7 foot wide x 9 foot long oval of Lionel O gauge track:
Note the derailment "fences" on both sides of the bridge and a protective "fence" that wraps around two sides of the Jensen 51 replica to the left. Should the Bowman go orbital, I want to prevent collateral damage to a valuable stationary engine as well as minimize any damage to the loco and tender.
Here's a closeup of the "bridge" I built across the entry...this can be quickly removed by pulling 3 pins and lifting straight up. Track is permanently mounted on the bridge section only and track is cut where it meets the benchtop...cut track ends line up perfectly (they have to or you will have a wreck!). 
The SS fastener set shown below is the trick to rapid track placement and removal. Track pieces are first joined from beneath in 4-6 piece segments using small cable ties to keep the joints tight...these multi-piece segments remain together on or off the bench.
The multi-piece segments are laid down over the SS fasteners which are permanently set flush into the bench top.
The large SS bolt is passed thru a designated, drilled "tie" in each multi-piece segment and serves to keep the overall track stable after the bolt is tightened down. There are just 7 of these fasteners in use on my layout and when track is removed, they are hardly noticeable. I found them at ACE Hardware by the way!
The SS bolt can be quickly put in or removed with a power screwdriver and Allen key bit. Track setup including inserting the "bridge" takes no more than 10 minutes, even less to remove and stow it away. I highly recommend this approach to anyone wanting to conserve space.
Bowman Advertising...
In it's heyday, Bowman heavily advertised the model 234, selling it in several configurations. Amongst their offerings:
The 234 loco and 250 tender could be purchased as a standalone set or separately:
OR
A complete passenger set consisting of loco, tender and two cars could be had:
While the Bowman 234 was designed for "0" gauge track and runs fine on my Lionel track of that type...the overall physical dimensions of loco, tender and cars were more akin to "1" gauge in scale. Bowman explains this in their advertising:
"The new oversize gauge gives "1" gauge appearance on standard "0" gauge track"
While the loco and tender as a set come up fairly often on eBay, I'm told it's easier to find a unicorn than a pair of original Bowman passenger coaches as seen in the advertisement above. I probably won't be able to find or afford original model 551 oversized Bowman coaches that go with the 234, but I have found a reasonable alternative you can see in the second of the following two videos.
Videos...
The first video was taken while sitting in a swiveling chair in the middle of the layout...fun keeping up with the action, but dizzying! Just the loco and tender alone this time.
The second video was taken from outside the loop but with the addition of three, period correct 0 gauge passenger cars.
Mersey Model 53R Steam Engine
I restored this engine in May 2006 after a year or more in "bucket purgatory" (a pre-restored but disassembled stage) which most of my engines must endure while I get my act together. The picture beneath it to the lower right is the condition as received off eBay and before disassembly.
As received (right), it was in rough shape with a
badly rusted firebox, delaminated plywood base, pressure valve missing, whistle handle gone and burner tank plug missing. A bit of scrounging and a kind offer to machine a new valve from Ellis C. and the rest was very doable. A top to bottom restoration was done to return the engine to like new form and function.
The finished result was very rewarding, when a lovely engine emerged that utilizes ample brass (which automatically endears it to this steamer).
On the British toy steam front names like Bowman, Stuart Turner, Mamod, SEL, Burnac and others abound, but one rarely hears much about the Mersey Models line of toy steam engines.
This state of affairs may be due to having their Liverpool, England facilities bombed out of production in 1941 or thereabouts. I'm not sure if they ever started up again and most folks consider 1937 - 1941 as the years that made all the Mersey Models we have left today. Mersey used some novel approaches to reversing mechanisms such as seen on this engine combined with gearing, and incorporated lineshafts as seen in some models.
This engine is the model 53R, where "R" stands for reversing. On some models like mine, they also utilized a unique arrangement where upright burners were fitted from beneath the wooden base (see last pic). Mine has protective heat shields that prevent scorching of the wood, but some didn't have this feature and are seen with badly charred wood from on the undersides. Wouldn't the Health & Safety types have a field day with such a childs toy today !!
Upon finishing up the restoration of this engine, I took some additional pictures outdoors for a change vs. my normal, indoor blue shop apron as a backdrop. So this engine gets a few more cameos than most just because I think it is such a little beauty.
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Sutcliffe Oil Cans
Though I have had these two cans for several years now and they've graced my steam shelves all this time, I'm only just now getting around to creating a virtual place for them on this website.
I came by these two in very different ways.
About the time I was searching for one on eBay to accompany my British engines particularly...steam friend Steven of the UK sent me the red one as a gift. Almost at the same time, I won an eBay auction for a stripped of paint example that I like to pose with my Stuart Beam which is also sans paint. The red one sits with 3 of my other Stuarts just because it looks especially good with them!
I don't actually oil with them, preferring a needle oiler for control, but I love to simply look at them and envision a much larger version in use on the full sized steam engines that inspire our toys and models.
I shall have to post some additional info on the Sutcliffe company and how they came to make oil cans for small steam engines like ours, but I will leave that for another day.
Wilesco Steam Engines and Models
Every collector of toy steam engines has at one time or another owned a Wilesco or wished he had. Mind you, they are NOT one of my favorite manufacturers, but they put out a good product overall and I have two of them in my collection for which I have a warm spot.
Wilesco's are of German manufacture. The name is based on the initials of one of the founders, Wilhelm E. Schroeder who with partner Ernst Wortmann, took over the Fleischmann line of toy steam in the 1960's, probably soon after I got my Fleischmann in 1961. Wilesco is the last genetic link to the golden Nuremberg era of steam, so it's nice to see them alive and well to carry on the tradition of German toy steam. Check out the Wilesco website, they offer a huge number of engines and accessories to match suitable for all pocketbooks.
It's funny, but Wilesco's use of pretty thin tin and a few bits of plastic is probably the biggest turnoff I have with them, but then they incorporate a nice feature like in-line lubricators on both the following pieces, a really nice touch not seen on a lot of engines in the toy steam lines.
Wilesco D36 "Old Smoky" Steam Roller
This piece will bring the kid out in anyone, maybe because it looks like a toy we might have had as a kid. Mine was 15-20 years old when I got it, and unfired til Oct. 2006. It ran well, will go forward and backward just by reversing the flywheel rotation, exhausts steam out the green stack and will run at idle when the left rear wheel gear is disengaged.
Despite liking my Old Smoky, in Nov. 2007 I decided to modify it to look more like a D.R. Mercer roller...a much more expensive piece I would truly love to have...someday.
Left below is a pic of my original "stock" Old Smoky.
Right below is a pic of an actual D.R. Mercer roller model.
Front and center is my finished roller after a number of modifications.
Like Elvis...Old Smoky has left the building:
Among the mods incorporated are the following:
- eliminated the canopy, supports and original stack
- inserted nicer Mamod wheels within original roller & rear wheels
- converted from Esbit to a brass alcohol tank under the scuttle
- added a pulley to the flywheel to enable direct drive band attachment to the left rear wheel while engine gears are disengaged...option for 2X speed of normal
- added brass nuts & bolts in place of all rivets
- added extra metal heat shields inside the firebox to protect against warping
- added protective rubber to roller & rear tires from Forest Classics
- added several brass bits from CJW Steam including stack, belly bands, faux belly tank and removable hubcap/axle sets
- lowered steering mechanism to accomodate belly tank, sculpted the body work a bit on the scuttle & added a brass wrapped "coal pile" atop the scuttle
- wood maintenance board was added to the boiler's right, faux brass drain fitting to the boiler's left, closed in the back side of the open headstock and topped it off with a knurled brass fitting
- body was painted in satin Hunter Green, wheels done in Jensen red
A "few" more pics...can you tell I am delighted with how this turned out?
To the right is the custom alcohol tank and burner designed to slide in under the coal scuttle...it fits and works beautifully.
I made the tank from brass plate bent into a box plus brass tube and a couple of ammo casings for upright burners.
Burner
slides in and is retained by a couple of pieces of picture hanger
hardware soldered to the bottom of the scuttle. Squared off brass
knob is the filler plug vent and also helps to keep tank aligned in
place. Pic below shows tank in place with screws/filler cap slid into the retaining hangers.
I
highly recommend that if the spirit moves you, this sort of modified
engine is well within the scope of what most folks can do and won't
ruin a rare or exceptionally valuable piece. Old Smoky models in
good shape can
often be found on eBay for about $150 USD...plenty have been
made. The Wilesco traction engine is almost the same platform and
would work as well with adjustments.
Results of such modding are the look and function of a much more expensive engine. The fun in getting there?...Priceless!
Here are a couple of videos to wrap things up.
First video shows the engine running with it's designed in gear system...a nice scale pace with the characteristic gear clatter Old Smoky's are known for.
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Second video
shows the engine running about 2X normal speed using direct
belt drive from pulley to left rear wheel while gearing is set to
neutral.
With this set of mods, one can enjoy either of TWO speeds or stationary running in place. It's not a Mercer by a long shot, but it will tide me over til I can get one!!
Wilesco D45 Vertical/Upright Boiler
Flue gases rise thru the center of the boiler and exit the top of the stack, sort of novel in that the stack actually functions as a stack and even helps heats the boiler in the process. The whistle is a bit different design than any others I have, but it sure chirps well!
This one isn't old really, kind of in between the duration of Wilesco making this model. It has darker blue paint on base than more modern examples, but still older examples have gray bases. I'm told they were made like this one from about 1990-2004 ("Made in Germany" imprint on bottom).
About 2005 Wilesco really did something stupid in my eyes, they removed the metal from the whistle and steam valves of their engines, and replaced it with a nylon-plastic composite.
I had a new, virtually identical D455 (2005) version of this engine, but traded it shortly after buying because I despise such parts in contact with steam. In fact when I received that engine new from Germany, the steam valve's plastic inerds were already snapped off and lying in the bottom of the box! Easily replaced...but why jeopardize such a critical part with something so fragile. I could see a blast of steam in a child's face if one of those broke under pressure...not good.
My current example here does NOT have the plastic valve parts which is exactly why I bought it when I realized the difference...instead these key parts are nickeled plated brass, proven over a hundred years to work well, not break and look good.
I have fired this engine countless times using a Forest Classics aftermarket vaporizing alcohol burner set into the Esbit tray...it works well but burns only about 6 minutes due to it's small size.
This model has been around for a long time, testament to it's popularity and solidness of the design. I love it!
The following video is of my former D455 running at breakneck speed using a denatured alcohol (meths) burner borrowed from a Bowman M135...this might be 2X normal rpms...it was going so fast I had to temporarily screw it down to a piece of plywood or it would dance off the table top...never did that on Esbit tablets alone.
The mythbusters would say "don't do this at home, we are professionals"...I say, do whatever floats your boat...just use some common sense (I had on safety glasses and a fire extinguisher about 2 feet away).
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Stirling Engines
These Stirling engines are modern offerings readily available from eBay or other online sources. While not historically collectible these engines demonstrate principals discovered over 100 years ago.
They operate by heating a fixed volume of air that increases in pressure as it get warmer. The warmed air acts on the underside of the piston pushing it to the top of its stroke, the air is then cooled. The cooled air has reduced pressure and allows atmospheric pressure to push the piston back down.
Stirlings have two pistons, the power piston which drives the crankshaft and the displacer piston which moves the gas between hot and cold parts of the engine. This process is repeated rapidly over and over resulting in the motion you see.
HOG Stirling Engine
Although I have watched this engine operate dozens of times, the principal just seems to evade my understanding. 
You heat this glass tube with another glass tube inside, and in about 5 seconds the inner tube begins to move, which sets the whole thing in motion.
Many inventive folks have tried to harnass such motion on a larger scale, but nothing commercially successful seems to have ever come forth.
It's primarily a novelty, but a pleasant one for those of us who collect toy/model steam engines and occasionally like something a bit different.
The HOG will operate a good 12 minutes on a filling of alcohol and operates almost silently in a blur of moving parts.
This engine is also a favorite with visitors who will hold it in a hand and marvel that all that motion is driven by a tiny flame.
Wiggers Stirling Engine
I just seem to have a soft spot for delicate, almost jewel-like engines! This modern Stirling engine is built by Wiggers Stirling Modellbau of Germany and represents their simplest version of a wide variety of very nice Stirling pieces.
Despite being an entry level piece in the Wiggers line, it is very nicely finished and like my HOG engine, it runs beautifully on a spit of denatured alcohol. Wiggers use a glass heating cylinder and displacer identical to that on the HOG engine...maybe they source that part from HOG (or vice versa).
The flywheel is touted as being of gilded cast iron vs. CNC machined and the bright bits are also gilded. The wood base is Abachi-wood which I believe comes from Brazil.
Wiggers packages this engine in a lovely custom fit outer beechwood box that could be considered a jewelry box given the beautifully dovetailed corners, fancy clasp and hinges.
BUT, we don't buy the box, it's what's inside that counts. I just love the looks of this engine running or sitting still (even in the box).
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Wolfgang Engineering Turbine
It's not often I stumble upon both a bargain and a top quality piece of machining at the same. Well, in Feb. 2009 I did just that. While cruising eBay I came upon this:
In the seller's words...here's his description:
"This is a special project I've been working on and was rightly named "The Noise Maker, version NM2.51". A brand new item from Wolfgang Engineering.
This is a Steam Turbine Engine capable of reaching speeds of 25,000 rpm's with as little as 35 psi. It will run on 5 psi if you wish. It is most commonly run off of compressed air, but can be run off steam if so desired.
It is mostly constructed from 6061-6 Aluminum and Brass and is brought to a high polish finish. The outside of the brass ring measures 2.5", the base is approximately 3.5" long by 2" wide.
The turbine was designed and built with simplicity in mind and as a conversational piece.
There are a number of pieces to this steam turbine that need to work perfectly in order for it to run well. I do machine some of the parts with CNC machines, such as the turbine blade itself, but most of it is hand built with manual machines.
Each turbine is hand assembled and tested by me. The entire unit is made in house, right here in the
I must add that the turbine is suspended in two ball bearing races, so there is very little friction. I initially gave it a test run using compressed air with about 20 PSI behind it resulting in a very impressive spooling up sound that endears me to any
turbine that sounds like a jet taking off on my benchtop. I kept wondering how high that whine would go, but my small air compresser could only deliver 20 PSI max and not for very long given the high volume this piece takes to sustain operation.
So I decided to give this one the acid test, I hooked it up to a table top dedicated boiler capable of sustained 30 PSI steam output.
Oh my, that brought a smile to my face and I could not resist laughing out loud as it absolutely screamed.
PLEASE...check out the YouTube video that follows just below to enjoy the sound of this baby spooling up. I am absolutely delighted with the aptly named "Noise Maker" turbine and will be watching Wolfgang Engineering for future offerings...this was a winner for sure.
Click below to see an instant video via YouTube:
Maier Mechanic Butane Engine
I obtained this Maier Butane Classic 1S model in Sept. '09, in a trade with good steam friend Clinton of Brisbane, Australia. It began life in Germany where it was made, sold by Forest Classics (a UK dealer) to Clinton of Australia in 2008 and now joins the Temple of Steam in Indiana, USA.
This is an engine that has done some serious traveling to get here!!
The Classic 1S engine operates on a charge of 100% butane (cig. lighter recharging gas) or 70/30% butane/propane (Coleman camp fuel). The small round silver container on the base is it's gas tank and I give it a charge of about 5 seconds to enable a 15 minute long run...it must be very fuel efficient!
The photo to the right shows the two fuels I have used and a BIX019 adapter for the Coleman container sold by Forest Classics in the UK.
I can report that while it runs great on 100% butane fuel, it runs even better on 70% butane/30% propane which is also cheaper per ounce. Maybe Propane burns a little hotter than butane...it must run 30-50% faster with the Coleman product (actually listed as an approved fuel in the Maier literature). I will be using the Coleman 70/30 mix fuel from now on !!!
The engine is built around a very substantial solid aluminum base which gives it good stability and a surprising heavy feel. With rubber feet on the bottom, it doesn't dance around when running or scratch the shelf I store it on.
Before starting, I oil it sparingly with Mobil 1 synthetic 5W-30 automotive oil on the moving parts including the single cylinder/piston at it's core, then wipe off any excess as it will fling it everywhere otherwise.
To start it, (after filling), you just slightly turn the valve on top of it's round gas container, spin the flywheel and off she goes. To speed it up you turn the valve just a little more after it's warmed up a bit. It will then really fly for the duration of the run.
A Piezo ignition creates the spark and a simple carburator on top meters the gas.
Blue flames can be seen exiting the chrome exhaust pipes on both sides if you run it in the dark...very cool and reminiscent of hot rods on Sunset Strip.
At a friend's recommendation, I cut the exhaust pipes down by about 50% to enable seeing those flames more easily and it definitely enhances the effect and makes it a bit louder !!!
I recommend running this where there is a good fresh air exchange...like outdoors. It stinks otherwise!!!
If shopping for one of these, go for at least the large flywheel Classic 1S like this one. That heavy flywheel really helps maintain momentum. Overall it sounds cool and looks great when running.
While I expect this engine would drive an accessory, I just like to run it either flat out or at a trot...both ways are a joy to behold.
It will run in either direction dependent on which way you spin the flywheel.
Construction is first class by a company called "Maier Mechanic" of Germany who make it in several versions including a really large one with four cylinders. You are limited only by your finances.
Clinton, I'm happy with my trade as I think you are...it was a good thing!!
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