A little something about the category: All Other Engines
Engines in this Collection:
(click hyperlink to jump to that engine type)
Approx. Dates Manufacturer and Model Origin
1970's...........................Sutcliffe Oil Cans England
late '70s...(mod '07).....Wilesco # D36 "Old Smoky" Roller (Modified) GermanyThe Stirling and Vacuum Engine Concept
1980's??.......................PM Research "Flame Eater" Engine USA
2012..............................CarlAero Stirling Engine Germany
Machinist Built Engines
2008..............................Liney Four Cylinder Aircraft Engine USA
2008..............................Wolfgang Engineering Turbine USA
2011..............................Tripod Steam Plant USA
2012..............................Wolfgang Engineering Turbo-Fan USA
OK...I know oil cans probably don't belong in "All Other Engines"...but I didn't know where else to put them!
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.
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 HERE for an instant video
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.
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.
CLICK HERE for an instant video
I've admired this type of Stirling engine for ages and finally broke down and bought a German made CarlAero Stirling in kit form. Kit came in record time, assembly was not so easy.
I broke one part in the assembly process and CarlAero were very helpful, shipping me another part at no cost. I do recommend their finished product, quality is first class in every way.
Let me caution anyone interested in buying this engine in kit form...don't...buy it assembled for just $40 more shipped! Those 12 little Philips head screws seen on top and 12 more on the bottom were a bear to thread into the 12 unthreaded brass tubing supports. The rest of the assembly process was pretty straightforward, but getting all those screws in place took me almost 4 hours. BUY IT FINISHED!
Despite my struggling with the assembly, the completed engine is a thing of beauty, performs flawlessly and is whisper quite when running.
Sit it on top of a cup of boiling water and it soon takes off...powered by just the difference in heat between the bottom and top stainless steel panels. If you keep the cup of water sitting on a mug warmer, this little jewel will run all day with no tending whatsoever!
This type of Stirling engine is truly magical to watch operate. Get one, it's good for the soul !
CLICK HERE for an instant videoAnother creation from the shop of Wolfgang Engineering. The TF-10 as the maker named it has the appearance of a turbo-fan engine off a jet airplane...very cool to look at and even cooler to spin it up to speed.
Here is the technical background in the maker's own words:
"This could be my most ambitious project to date. It is the TF-10, a mini Turbo-Fan model based off of the AM-10 turbine design.
I placed a 1.5", 18 blade turbine fan in the front, machined from solid Brass. The fan cover and cone are machined from solid 6061-6T polished Aluminum which gives it a nice contrast. This is NOT a static model.
The fan blade actually rotates when air pressure is entered through the back. It turns the same 0.860 micro turbine blade the AM-10 has and brings the turbo-fan to approximately 35,000 rpm with about 45 psi.
The total height of the model stands 3.5" tall and is placed on a 2" by 3.5" solid Aluminum base. You can also see all of the small detailed parts that go into the project.
There are many pieces that have to go together just right in order for everything to work out properly, and each model is hand assembled to make sure everything works.
I will not be building too many of these. They are very difficult and time consuming to put together especially, when working with such small pieces, some only 1/8" across".
More pictures just because I'm very taken with this engine...what a cool addition to the Temple!
Below...a look inside the main part of the engine...(maker's photo)
My present air supply is very limited and doesn't do this engine justice. I will add a video with sound as soon as I can find a friend with a high PSI air compressor.