PM Research could update it’s business practice to include some detailed PDF instructions and especially some web based instructional videos. They seem lacking in that regard. Otherwise PM does have a well established group of steam and Stirling kits.
I have not worked with your PM #7 steam kit , but did wrestle with a prior built PM #13. I found a Dremel was too fast and cut the base casting flash too quickly for my novice skills, so I used a simple medium-to-fine hand file as the “flash” was relatively soft. Other parts seemed to surrender burrs and too-tight fits to my cheapie Great Neck Swedish Steel 6 Piece Needle File Set example —>
https://www.qcsupply.com/greatneck-6piece-needle-file-set.html and some 000 or 0000 steel wool.
If I built a new PM kit I would put on some magnifying glasses, knock off the major flashing and bigger boogers. Put it together and “feel” all the parts that run together with each other. IF even the slightest grabbing , binding , or not-quite-right fit be ready to take it apart and micro file , or fit, or polish the offending part(s). Be careful not to over-tighten any screws, carefully pay attention to any washers or spacers. IMHO those PM kits are not novice level “almost ready to run” but take a bit of semi-skilled slight adjustments and fitting. They do seem to be quality machines that will reward the builder with a pretty darn good finished product , but it may take a few extra steps from the owner to get them to run like a striped arsed ape.
Happy Fathers Day to you ! Please post pics of your build as PM Research users sure could use them.
