A Load of Hot Air!

As I've been back at university, I've not actually had time to make anything (I'm doing an engineering degree after all!) but I've still been bargain hunting. I recently picked up these two hot air engines online for the very reasonable price of £20 each...

An American PM Research 'Solar 1' 

And a Chinese Maidstone Engineering Stirling Engine

They both run brilliantly, but the quality of the two engines is a world apart. The Chinese engine is out of square and wobbles about the place when running, the American engine is quiet and smooth. Both engines are still readily available with the PM Research from Forest Classics at £115 and the other from Maidstone Engineering at £95. For the money - I know what I'd have!

I'll try get a video of them in operation in the next few days - lot's of coursework on at the moment though!

The Engineer.

Roll Out the Barrel!

So the barrel bar saga continues, the back is now cut out and bands secured. The castors are now fitted to the base, and after briefly re-enacting that scene from the Hobbit on dry land, the securing plate to hold the top together is now glued in place.

Next is all the cosmetic work, I've checked the pump in place, and if I do say so myself, it looks suitably awesome.

The Carpenter.