Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
Office of Steam ~GLOBAL POWER-UP~ virtual engine show => ENGINEERS HALL at Our 2021 GLOBAL POWER-UP -- Our Second Annual Virtual Engine Show...!!! => Topic started by: Stoker on February 26, 2021, 01:28:04 am
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What fitting engines to wrap up your table Daniel, a most superb ending to unusual pairings , a joy to share in , thank you.
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Some great additions at the end...
Am equally intrigued by the KJ Miller "Junior Engineer" engines, both in terms of their variated setup, as well as their unique heating system.
Have a couple of the KJ Miller compressors here as well...or 3 in fact.
Started by purchasing a 110V version, just because they were from the same manufacturer as the Junior Engineer.
Upon its arrival, i noticed that the compressor itself, could be removed and used as a standalone accessory, to be driven by a steam engine, so had to import another for that.
Just a few months later, i discovered that KJ Miller in fact exported these to Europe as well back in the day, so my OCD naturally forced me to bag one with a 220V motor too, just have the collection "completed".
As far as Saito engines goes, i find that the brand generally is in a league of their own, and that the V4 demonstrates that more than most of them.
They´re just exquisite pieces of mechanical machinery, and the Tribute replica shown here as well is definitely no less in that regard.
Thanks for bringing these treats to your table as well Daniel :)
Thank you for your kind words Jan, astute observations and seminal additions as well.
While I am very impressed by the Miller SE-100 engines seriously unconventional approach to the entire concept of a model steam engine, it is also true that they really are not what I would call, great model steam engines, and are in fact a little "clunky" and not terribly good runners, needing lots of tweaking and TLC to get the best out of them. That being said, I still like them very much for their obviously unique features. The engineering forethought that went into their design is most impressive! I am also impressed with the Miller 1000 piston style air compressor, as being a very good and reasonably powerful air source for smaller painting operations. It seems fully the equal of my Binks diaphragm style compressor, which was considered state of the art for model airbrush work in the long ago when I bought it, but it is still far younger than the Miller compressor, though not really far better. Seems a good solid unit that I'll likely put to the use it was intended for someday.
Saito sits at the other end of the spectrum for me. They are of a quality that belies their typically smaller size. After WWII, and all through the 1950's I clearly recall the term "Made in Japan" was nothing less than a joke, but by the 1960's and since, that had turned around to the point where the joke is on us.
Since the late 1960's I have collected imported model brass trains (in HO scale), and the craftsmanship and artistry exhibited in those has clearly exemplified the exceptionally high standards of Japanese manufacturing capabilities, even though only done at a cottage industry level. Then, of course, my years in Metrology and other engineering related fields, has shown me the great strides the Japanese took in providing quality tooling and instrumentation in those fields, which is almost mind boggling! Mitutoyo, and many others, comes to mind here!!!
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Daniel:
You presented a great table for GPU 2021.
Thank you,
Charlie
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Some great additions at the end...
Am equally intrigued by the KJ Miller "Junior Engineer" engines, both in terms of their variated setup, as well as their unique heating system.
Have a couple of the KJ Miller compressors here as well...or 3 in fact.
Started by purchasing a 110V version, just because they were from the same manufacturer as the Junior Engineer.
Upon its arrival, i noticed that the compressor itself, could be removed and used as a standalone accessory, to be driven by a steam engine, so had to import another for that.
Just a few months later, i discovered that KJ Miller in fact exported these to Europe as well back in the day, so my OCD naturally forced me to bag one with a 220V motor too, just have the collection "completed".
As far as Saito engines goes, i find that the brand generally is in a league of their own, and that the V4 demonstrates that more than most of them.
They´re just exquisite pieces of mechanical machinery, and the Tribute replica shown here as well is definitely no less in that regard.
Thanks for bringing these treats to your table as well Daniel :)
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Enjoyed the video of the two Jensen 30.
When I bought my 30 in 1992 from a hobby store
I did not know much about Jensen steam engines
so I a rearer Jensen.
Do you remember the Hobby Store you bought it from?
Is it still in business?
It was Tecumseh, Michigan and I do not think it is business.
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Thanks for all the kind words from all who came to visit and comment!
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Once again, the camera lies, and you are best served judging speed by the sound these engines are making.
That sound 😍 😍
and that trick of the camera is actually kinda fun to watch 8)
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What a great table you put on for us all Daniel.
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Now, for my GRAND FINALE, late though it may be, let me present what I consider to be the finest JEWELS of my collection.
These little GEMS are decidedly rare, as they are almost never seen for sale, and though I have no idea how many of either were ever produced, I can assure you that it could not have been many, either in the original production in Japan, nor in the authorized copies later made in the UK by friends David (vpro) & Miles (logoman). I'm fairly certain that it was Miles that obtained the authorization to allow a copy to be produced, but David did all the superb tiny and intricate machining work to such high standards, that the copy is arguably much better than the original, which itself is truly superb.
These tiny treasures are four cylinder single acting engines with power way beyond their size or appearance, yet are very conservative of steam throughout their incredibly wide rpm range.
Clearly someday, I need to make actual use of one of these miniature machines that truly compliments its own qualities. But until that day they live a very sequester but certainly honored existence, as true "EYE CANDY'!!!
Here then, the Saito V4PR & TRIBUTE V4PR:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5fBU9wFwB4
Once again, the camera lies, and you are best served judging speed by the sound these engines are making.
Clearly the Tribute engine revs significantly higher in the video, but I suspect there are two reasons for that. One is that the Saito engine is used, though not very, but likely has some old stiff steam oil lingering in its bearings and cylinders, while the Tribute engine has nothing but the lightest oil throughout. Also, the Saito engine's steam inlet is just slightly smaller diameter, thus pinching down the tubing just a bit more than it does on the Tribute engine.
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You have made a great presentation, Daniel.
It's also really nice that you took the time to give us some great reading material.
Thank you!
Gil
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Good ones do come up occasionally, but they truly are rather rare. More common are the ones with missing parts, cracked boilers and bent frame members .... don't bother asking me how I know this to be true!?!?
Plan on replacing the main seals on the boiler, but that's not hard so don't let that concern you.
Again, in my opinion, it is not that they are especially rare, though they are uncommon ....... but the main thing for me is that they are soooooooo incredibly unique!!!
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Love these engines Daniel and they’re very rare to me as I haven’t managed to add one to the collection... Was going to wait for a good one, but there’s always something else out there keeping me from buying one...
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I'll follow that up with a K. J. Miller SE-100 Junior Engineer shown in the third configuration, that of a simple horizontal, but to make it more interesting I'll pair it with a small airbrush compressor to supply the air to power it.
The thing that makes this interesting is that the air compressor shown here is a K. J. Miller model 1000, which isn't really rare either, but is certainly not often seen, and is made by the same company as the steam engine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bkM8RCQ1Eo
It is very interesting and often seen, that rotational objects are not seen at the speed they are really going, and frequently are even seen to be turning in the opposite direction of their actual rotation, as is the case with the compressor's flywheel in this video.
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Going to put at least one more entree on my table as there is some more time to fill.
These engines are not really rare at all, but they are still rather uncommon, and exceptionally unique. They have a boiler made of plastic, the water in the boiler functions as the heating element, and the engine is re-configurable into three different engine types.
I'm speaking of the K. J. Miller SE-100 Junior Engineer of course .... and here are a semi "Rare Pair" of these unusual engine in the Beam and Marine configurations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJxYlD4oXGg
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Thank you for all the informations - and the very impressive Sipp engines
Great the video with "Lung Power" - also the canadian hot air's absolutely
interesting and new for me, Thanks Arnold
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Seeing that this is still going, I just figured out that it ends tonight at midnight EST, while I thought for some reason that it ended last night at midnight.
So perhaps I'll see what else I can dig out to put on my table here, while there's most of a whole day left to work with now.
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Pretty impressive that a relatively large engine like that will run on a breath of air...
Have really enjoyed your table here Daniel, thanks for sharing :)
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A neat way to close out your table Daniel.
Converting a Steam Powered Emgine to Human Power. 🤠
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Impressive Lung Power video! Liked the end ;D
How impressive was that huh!
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Impressive Lung Power video! Liked the end ;D
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I really like your Eco motors Daniel , & like Charlie has stated, I've bid on several & captured none, it seems you have the big Sipp running reasonably well despite all its shortcomings , thanks for the entertainment.
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Thought maybe I'd provide an encore performance for any of the Sipp Lusters out there. So here is a brief run of the 1/4 hp on nothing but a single breath worth of lung power, just to get your engines runnin' one more time!
Enjoy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qM6YetGou8
Actually, I usually do quite a bit better than this, as I didn't catch that good of a breath going into it. I should point out however that my lung capacity is significantly greater than most folks, even with the slightly compromised lungs that I now have.
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Excellent Rare Pair Daniel.
I am sure you will get the big one sorted out.
Hopefully you can devise a way to run them on steam some day.
Good luck with the shoot.
I really enjoyed your table this year. 🤠
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I am definitely adding a Sipp here 8)
So cool to have the two running together there, thanks for sharing Daniel!
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Lovely sipp engines, and the Canadian hot air engines are a treat to see them running.
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Neat way to run the pair 8) You’re definitely not helping with my desire to add a Sipp to the collection
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Well, I suppose it is time to post up another "Rare Pair" video, as I'll be gone again in the morning for another shoot, PCLARS this time which is more likely to actually occur, as it is mostly attended by locals and takes a lot less time to accomplish while wind is less of a factor because the distances are far less.
This is the last video that I had planned to put on my table this year, but it is of some recent significance to me because of a bit of a battle I've been fighting of late. After the video I'll explain a bit and leave links to other threads on the General and Restoration Boards here on the Forum to give a more fulsome explanation.
While this pair of engines really are not truly rare, they are uncommon enough to get most peoples attention, and are not seen together in one video very often at all.
So here we go:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-WUutmAwMU
These are of course both Grant Sipp horizontal engines in 1/4 & 1/2 horsepower sizes, and are both some 90 to 140 years old. The smaller one I've had for quite a while and have done absolutely nothing to it. It seems to be untouched, fully original and appears to have led a significant working life. In the video, I simply have the airline to this engine plugged into the exhaust of its big brother, so it is probably operating on about half the air pressure driving the larger engine. This little jewel will actually operate up to a fair speed on nothing more than my lung power, in spite of its slightly shabby appearance and significant age.
Meanwhile the larger engine is a very recent acquisition that has more problems than you can shake a stick at, was almost certainly built by a rank amateur from a set of partially machined castings, and could not have ever served as a working engine. I have been once through it now, and corrected a couple of the easier and more egregious problems, so that it now runs almost kind of well. However, there is a whole slew of serious problems that still need to be properly addressed before it could reasonably be considered a decent engine. Some of those problems will be quite difficult to rectify due to the bad work that had been put into it in the original build.
It's a short video because my little portable compressor has a very small tank and an obnoxiously loud motor/pump that can't keep up with this engines need for air anyway. I started at just under 50 psi and ended at about 15. I really should have just let it run on out as the engine will keep running down a little below 10 psi, though it won't start much below 20. But if I'd done that, the video would only have been a couple of seconds longer anyway.
Here is the thread where I'm still going through this engine (I'm about a week behind in posting), and shows much but not all of what I've been finding wrong:
https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/restorations/bargain-12-hp-g-sipp-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/
Then here is the "horror story" of my originally getting the engine:
https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion/12-hp-g-sipp-in-the-bag/
Even after all of the above ... I'm glad I got the engine, and also glad I've been able to get it back to at least this level of operation. It is hoped that I can eventually make a decent engine out of it, but it will take more, and much more difficult work to accomplish, than the original build could possibly have required!
Thanks to all who have visited my table, and especially to those who have taken the time and effort to comment here!!!
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I worked part time at a Hobby Shop during my college years, in the late 1960' & early 70's (truly a life ruining experience it now seems ;c), but we never stocked nor sold any steam engines back then ... possibly a good thing, or this "disease" might well have taken me much sooner, back when I could least afford it!?!?
That's what started it all Daniel :)
Well Jim ... it didn't start my steam engine addiction, but it fully ruined me in other ways that I still suffer from to this very day. R/C boats, tanks and airplanes, but most especially model trains have been a lifelong eater of wallet lettuce and waster of my life's time ..... to my greater enjoyment, I think?!?!?!?
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I worked part time at a Hobby Shop during my college years, in the late 1960' & early 70's (truly a life ruining experience it now seems ;c), but we never stocked nor sold any steam engines back then ... possibly a good thing, or this "disease" might well have taken me much sooner, back when I could least afford it!?!?
That's what started it all Daniel :)
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I worked part time at a Hobby Shop during my college years, in the late 1960' & early 70's (truly a life ruining experience it now seems ;c), but we never stocked nor sold any steam engines back then ... possibly a good thing, or this "disease" might well have taken me much sooner, back when I could least afford it!?!?
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Enjoyed the video of the two Jensen 30.
When I bought my 30 in 1992 from a hobby store
I did not know much about Jensen steam engines
so I a rearer Jensen.
What a great life experience being able to go to a hobby store that sold toy steam engines!!
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Enjoyed the video of the two Jensen 30.
When I bought my 30 in 1992 from a hobby store
I did not know much about Jensen steam engines
so I a rearer Jensen.
Do you remember the Hobby Store you bought it from?
Is it still in business?
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Enjoyed the video of the two Jensen 30.
When I bought my 30 in 1992 from a hobby store
I did not know much about Jensen steam engines
so I a rearer Jensen.
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Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette (BPCRS)?
Correct Charlie ... we are one of only four or five sanctioned ranges in the State of Kaliphoney, and we get folks here for this shoot from hundreds of miles away, over on the coast and out into West Central Nevada. Today however, only three locals showed up, and with temps in the 20's and 30+mph winds out of the North (slated to get worse as the day progressed), it didn't take long for the three of us to vote to save our ammo for next month, instead of wasting it trying to hit targets at half a kilometer in these conditions!
So I'm back .... ;c)
I have been to the NRA Range in Raton, NM. Did some long distance shooting with my custom FNL .308 Sniper Rifle and a .338 Lapua. Lots of fun.
Always wanted to try a BPCRS Shoot.
Sorry your shoot got canceled Daniel. But, more time for GPU 2021. 🤠
Not too sorry myself, with prevailing conditions it couldn't have been enjoyable. We would have done it if any of the "Trailer Trash" (read as folks from out of town) had shown up, but they had more sense than to come around here today. First shoot of the year, and often a wash due to winter weather, but we have matches each month now until November, so we'll get some shootin' in yet. Tomorrow is a PCLARS match, but it doesn't take near as long, so I'll only be gone all morning on that one.
And as you say .... it gives me more time to "cruise the tables" here at the 2021 GPU ... and keep an eye on CPAC too!
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Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette (BPCRS)?
Correct Charlie ... we are one of only four or five sanctioned ranges in the State of Kaliphoney, and we get folks here for this shoot from hundreds of miles away, over on the coast and out into West Central Nevada. Today however, only three locals showed up, and with temps in the 20's and 30+mph winds out of the North (slated to get worse as the day progressed), it didn't take long for the three of us to vote to save our ammo for next month, instead of wasting it trying to hit targets at half a kilometer in these conditions!
So I'm back .... ;c)
I have been to the NRA Range in Raton, NM. Did some long distance shooting with my custom FNL .308 Sniper Rifle and a .338 Lapua. Lots of fun.
Always wanted to try a BPCRS Shoot.
Sorry your shoot got canceled Daniel. But, more time for GPU 2021. 🤠
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Great table so far enjoying the vids :)
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Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette (BPCRS)?
Correct Charlie ... we are one of only four or five sanctioned ranges in the State of Kaliphoney, and we get folks here for this shoot from hundreds of miles away, over on the coast and out into West Central Nevada. Today however, only three locals showed up, and with temps in the 20's and 30+mph winds out of the North (slated to get worse as the day progressed), it didn't take long for the three of us to vote to save our ammo for next month, instead of wasting it trying to hit targets at half a kilometer in these conditions!
So I'm back .... ;c)
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Enjoying your videos, the Eco horizontal has almost the same linkage as one
of my hot air engines which were posted on my table today.
thanks Trevor.
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Been looking forward to a proper Jensen injection, and this one certainly hit the spot.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful duo of duos Daniel :)
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Now that’s an AWESOME Jensen video 8) They look great together 8)
Would have loved to have gotten a dual barb chuff pot for my 55’s...
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Another great pair Daniel, and thank you for the details about your collaboration with Geoff.
Good luck with your match today.
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Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette (BPCRS)?
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Good Morning Gentlemen
As promised, before I head off to my BPCRS match for the day, I'll leave you with another "Rare Pair" for your viewing pleasure.
While this pair may not actually quite qualify as truly "RARE", they are most certainly quite uncommon, even though they are generally quite well known by a certain segment of the hobby, that being Jensen aficionados.
Speaking here of the Jensen 30 & Jensen 40, both with the unique vertical boiler that was not well favored by Tom Sr. and so not heavily produced. To add a bit more to the rarity of one of these engines, the wood based Jensen 30 came to me from our good friend Indiana Rog and his famous Temple of Steam, so there is that added spice to the rarity.
Then to top this entree off I will call your attention to the Demon Industries chuff pot as being a super "Rare Pair" all by itself, in that even though this is likely the most common version first generation chuff pot from Geoff, it is the very first one made at my special request, with dual inlet barbs, specifically for running Jensen 55's and other twin cylinder engines, or as is the case here, two engines at once. I don't know how many he made like this, but I do know that this is the very first one, and the first time Geoff and I collaborated on a special project, though not the last.
So, here then is a fairly rare Double-Double entree of "Rare Pairs":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQp6Lf7yitM
Note, I did not include the two Jensen 100's as being rare, because they certainly are not, but I did feel including them in this brief run was most apropos!
Also, apologies for the wind noise on the camera mic, as it was nearly calm while setting up, but as soon as I plugged in and started heating up the boilers, a fluky wind came up to mar the production. Murphy truly is my Lord & Master, as an hour after I had packed this whole set-up back away, the wind died down again!
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Was hoping that we´d get the chance to see the ECOs running on your table Daniel...
Thanks for sharing a rare opportunity to see both types in action, and that even side by side here :)
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Daniel really enjoyed the first vid "the rare pair" so far....wow that Solar Engines beam engine is fantastic!
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Charlie, Tommy, Nick ..... your kind comments are greatly appreciated!
I'll be moving on to some steam engines next .... possibly later this evening, or first thing in the morning, hopefully before I head off to the shoot.
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Bizarre linkage is right 8) Without your posts, I wouldn’t even know of this maker. While I’m trying to stick to mostly steam, it is great that you give me the opportunity to enjoy watching these run. :) Love the colors and those heavy flywheels 8)
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There's four great engines to start off the weekend. That orange rider looks familiar,
I think it was on line, no wait, in my dreams. Yeah that's where I saw it.
Great table, great start, Daniel.
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Two lovely rare engine pairs Daniel.
A great theme for GPU 2021.
I have bid on every ECO engine which has come up on eBay the last three years (which is not many) and I have never been the winning bidder.
These do have a certain "charm" to them.
Charlie
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Well okay now .... I'm back again for a bit. Been out in the shop doing some serious loading for the matches I have both days this weekend. Still have some to do, but I'm mostly ready now, and will get back to finishing it all up shortly.
But first I want to leave you with my next offering here on my Table of Rare Pairs. Another pair of Stirling Cycle engines from a really obscure Canadian maker. These two engines seem to be all they ever offered, and seemingly not for very long, back in the mid-1970's, and while sort of clunky and chunky, they do have a certain "charm" to go along with their rarity.
Here then are the Ericsson vertical and a hefty horizontal with what has to be one of the most bizarre linkages that I've ever seen ........ from the ECO Motor company in Guelph, Ontario, Canada:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE0Vnnm0m9A
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Both are new to this newbie. Beautiful to watch and listen to!
I really enjoy seeing the nice balance in the background. My father was a chemistry professor when I was a child, and the sight of that old balance in the glass and wood case brought back a lot of memories. Even the aroma of that old lab comes wafting back. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words!
Glad to provide a bit of nostalgia for you, with my background material. I do have a fair number of Analytical Balances, a couple of which I actually used in certain jobs through my varied careers, and many other scales as well, which are all part of my antique science and engineering apparatus collections. The balance you are seeing there, came from the Canadian National Arsenal, and was likely used in load experimentation and development, but certainly not used in regular production, unless for just QC spot checking. Most of these "housed" balances still offer lingering smells when opening up their cases. I'm also rather fond of the nice Fairbanks commercial counter top scale partially seen just to the right.
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nice pair you have there mate
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Both are new to this newbie. Beautiful to watch and listen to!
I really enjoy seeing the nice balance in the background. My father was a chemistry professor when I was a child, and the sight of that old balance in the glass and wood case brought back a lot of memories. Even the aroma of that old lab comes wafting back. Thank you!
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Thank you for the kind words Daniel :)
What a fine pair of rarities that I don’t remember ever seeing 8) Can’t wait to see what else you dig out for us 8)
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Great stuff, Daniel. Both are real nice but that Phoenix Solar Beam Stirling is a really great and rare piece of hardware!
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A very nice start Daniel , I always like to see your offerings
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Nice opener here Daniel :)
These 2 definitely fit your header perfectly. Quite rare to see any of them come up for sale.
Very nice engines the both of them, and so different in appearence, that it´s hard to believe they both come from the same manufacturer.
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Being totally booked otherwise this weekend, thought I might get a quick start out of the blocks ... but I see that ol' Nick has well and truly beaten me right from the git-go. And what a start he has made ... so definitely go check that table out as you don't see Buckman engines very often, and he's showing a whole slew of them right off the bat ... WOW.
Oh yeah ... back to my own table.
Had quite a bit of trouble making my videos, as wind and weather were not cooperating very well with me. Was hoping to do all my filming outside as it has been quite nice for winter weather, but even the slightest of breezes will kill an alcohol flame under a Stirling Cycle engine, and I had quite a bit more than slight breezes as you will hear in a couple of the videos, so I had to end up running some inside in rather poor lighting.
Be that as it may ... let's start out with a couple of rare old favorites that I've had for quite a long time now.
A pair of very uncommon Stirling Cycle engines from the Solar Engines of Phoenix Arizona company of the late 1970's through the mid-90's, when they were bought out and most of their product line was taken over by PM Research. PMR has chosen not to re-produced the Beam Engine however, and their version of the Ericsson vertical has a pumping feature and cooling reservoir, which the older Solar Engine's model lacks.
Without further ado, here is my first "Rare Pair":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXcHooOWGrM