Search found 10 matches

by Floydism
Thu May 05, 2022 12:04 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: How to make a piston for a cylinder
Replies: 7
Views: 8831

Re: How to make a piston for a cylinder

Ohh, that's a good one! maybe carving a positive conrod pocket out of wax, then just drop it in hot water after the epoxy has hardened to remove the wax, you could get pretty fancy with that technique if you really wanted to.
by Floydism
Fri Apr 29, 2022 3:06 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Re: Engine design sanity-check

Much headscratching tonight over how to accurately make the crankshaft webs, it's probably the single most important part to get right, and I only really wish to make them once! I've got the method sussed now and I'll get on with it just as soon as rmy 5mm silver steel (for journals and to make ream...
by Floydism
Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:29 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: How to make a piston for a cylinder
Replies: 7
Views: 8831

Re: How to make a piston for a cylinder

Another thought, it may be possible to make an aluminium lap from a piece of round stock that's close to the size you need, split this at 4 points then drive a screw down the center (a long woodscrew would work in a pinch) it may take some time, but you may then be able to lap it to the correct size...
by Floydism
Wed Apr 27, 2022 2:51 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Re: Engine design sanity-check

I have returned from the shed slightly dejectedly, as my 18mm collet is apparently, not very round, or square for that matter, and the 19mm I intended to use for the actual engine itself seems worse! I've somehow not had occasion to use those particular ones yet, and they're cheap imported jobbies, ...
by Floydism
Wed Apr 27, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Re: Engine design sanity-check

Ah, my mistake, at first glance it looked smaller! Those are lovely machines! Personally, My biggest machine is a little Warco 180 (basically, a polished-up chinese 7x14) and I've definitely pushed it well beyond what such a small (and bendy) machine should be capable of! it even works part-time as ...
by Floydism
Wed Apr 27, 2022 5:38 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Re: Engine design sanity-check

That's a nicely made unit, I'm quite familiar with the difficulties of making something that size on a little chinese lathe, especially stainless parts! I'd like to build a bigger engine next, capable of real work, but ONLY once I've got a better understanding of sirling engines with this one first!...
by Floydism
Tue Apr 26, 2022 7:51 am
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Re: Engine design sanity-check

While It could be pressurised, I'm not intending to run it under pressure, at least not initially. I've not put too much time into looking at the seals etc needed to make it work. But I've left the design of my gear-cover as a simple flat plate so if the need arises to seal a rotating shaft,It would...
by Floydism
Sun Apr 24, 2022 4:17 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: How to make a piston for a cylinder
Replies: 7
Views: 8831

Re: How to make a piston for a cylinder

Is the tube you intend to use actually as round as it needs to be? most round steel tube isn't very round, we're only talking a few 10ths of a mm but that'll make a big difference, the fits required for a good enough seal are in the order of 100ths of a mm (or ideally less) so you may run into probl...
by Floydism
Sun Apr 24, 2022 3:43 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: Engine design sanity-check
Replies: 10
Views: 5296

Engine design sanity-check

I'm new here (although I've lurked for quite some time!) and I'd love some input on my latest project. I've built a couple of engines before, a copy of the ubiquitous ebay coffee-cup LTD, and a horizontal gamma built from a kit. But I think it's time to build one to my own design (or how else can i ...
by Floydism
Sat Apr 23, 2022 4:24 pm
Forum: Stirling and "Hot Air" Engine Forum
Topic: New Members PLEASE read! - OR, having problems registering, being deactivated
Replies: 511
Views: 563514

Re: New Members PLEASE read! - OR, having problems registering, being deactivated

I'd best get my first post out of the way then. ahh, that feels better.