Office of Steam Forum for Model & Toy Steam Gas & Hot Air Engines
The Regular Stuff: Chat, Buy, Sell, Off Topic, etc. => General Discussion - Model & Toy Steam Engines – Stirling Cycle – Flame Lickers – Small Antique Originals => Topic started by: Jim on December 05, 2024, 05:26:52 pm
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Yes.
I’m married to a French woman, so I have an insider’s perspective, so to speak.
The French government is a mess right now, but I won’t delve into politics as there are more suitable forums for that elsewhere.
The French are on strike all the time, seems like. My wife will say, “You can’t do that, so and so is on strike today.” We’ve even had to cancel holiday plans because striking farmers were blocking the highways. But living here is still worth it.
Sorry to get off topic here.
I need to go steam up an engine!
Cheers
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Thanks Tim.....its worth what ever effort it takes for your son to send you Geoff's chuff pot, what a wonderful collectors item these are now (in fact everything that Geoff hand crafted).
Its great to have you back on the forum as well Tim, enjoying your posts mate!
Interesting reading about what's going on presently in France, the news here is making quite a big deal about it.
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OK, Jim.
So, you’re “Blue Heeler.” I’ve been looking at your uTube channel for quite a while. Some very nice videos!
I have a chuff pot that I got from Jeff or Geoff (Oz Steam Demon) a few years ago that is still sitting at my son’s house in the U.S. I’ve asked him to send it over to me here in France. He also is caretaking three electrically heated Jensens for me … an early 20, and early 5 and a 35 that’s mounted on a board with an Arrow windmill model.
I would like to get those machines over here, too, but it is expensive to do so, unless your crafty about it. I actually brought a Jensen 25 over in a piece of checked baggage. I bought a cheap used bag from a Goodwill (second hand) store for $10, wrapped the steam engine in my dirty clothes and checked it through at JFK. Worked like a charm.
Cheers!
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I’ll have to look into the comments thing. Thanks
Fixed Tim - Just left a comment.
That beam engine sound awesome running.
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Frank I just searched on Amazon and its under yet another Chinese seller -
https://www.amazon.com.au/Helixsun-Generator-Accessories-Experiment-Education/dp/B0DBQ5SH8N?crid=2ABI4YUGULV5T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BZk9NAcaw-2c_lEvsj42G0-IIY-E1xdJq7X2r066M9TkteAQdSe3fOmGlh9ryrC4SkFOQzI_p4XYILgy_nXCHmdYLuK10Q4e_k9U3LbnESigsKmfI_tZ_1ioMnn91ns-MHc3xGC0-Eq7UJWBCSPO5RQZ-JYzZ_ARZH9NB9PpBkDZSsq0Q016w8FotPOVCFTAGHe6a3nsBeTglmm_hlaAUc6uspRPQmMx0UsSHzqkQRuEbq1ins0Om5w-jtypy5V-SD1fMgJJX3EK-4C6RfNiD5pSd4XODT9Mg3WkRhi5BZI.a9Kn31V2WAl5tYFPR1vwpd4t1mCKtVQc61HmGksS6so&dib_tag=se&keywords=retrol&qid=1733613626&sprefix=retro%2Caps%2C387&sr=8-5
I've just ordered one of the above through Amazon for my Grandon, I was very impressed with the genny that came with the Se-02
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Timely thread guys, these popped up on Amazon a couple days ago and got my curiosity up. :)
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I’ll have to look into the comments thing. Thanks
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Thanks Tim.
I was really interested to see that this steam chest had the valves so that it eliminated any chance of water lockup happening and being able to drain it. A pretty nice addition.
Also Tim....I've subscribed, but do you know that comments are turned off on your YouTube channel?
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The beam engine only has one in that location. I haven’t fiddled much with it to be honest. The beam engine also has a working governor that seems to make it tick over at a fairly constant rate no matter how much extra steam is applied. It does, however, run at very slow speeds, but the governor keeps it from over-reving. Does that make sense?
It appears the similarities between the two models ends with the boiler as the configurations of the moving parts are quite different.
I love running mine. It ticks along at a very constant rate, almost like a clock.
Here is a link to the review I did of the beam engine.
https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion/retrol-beam-steam-engine/ (https://www.officeofsteamforum.com/general-discussion/retrol-beam-steam-engine/)
Cheers mate !
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I think the biggest drawback to these Retrol engines is the small size of the boilers. I do like the sound the beam-style one that I have produces. But, it would be much more fun with a bigger boiler. And I agree with you on that silicone tube … it’s gotta go. Post some pics if you go with the copper supply line.
Tim, does the Retrol Beam engine have these two (2) needle valves in the steam chest as well?
[attachimg=1]
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Thanks Bruce, 15 minutes sound ok to me.
My Grandson is away at camp and should be able to come around tomorrow for the first steam up.
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G'day Tim, I haven't steamed this yet as it was 40°C here yesterday and we had the A/C's on and I didn't want to stink the house up.
It will be interesting to see how many mils of water the boiler takes and how long a boiler full of water runs for.
I have a logbook and write all this information down for each of my engines.
From what I've read Jim, you'll get a safe 15 minute run out of it, not bad really.
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G'day Tim, I haven't steamed this yet as it was 40°C here yesterday and we had the A/C's on and I didn't want to stink the house up.
It will be interesting to see how many mils of water the boiler takes and how long a boiler full of water runs for.
I have a logbook and write all this information down for each of my engines.
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I think the biggest drawback to these Retrol engines is the small size of the boilers. I do like the sound the beam-style one that I have produces. But, it would be much more fun with a bigger boiler. And I agree with you on that silicone tube … it’s gotta go. Post some pics if you go with the copper supply line.
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EngineDIYShop RETROL SE- 02 Steam Engine Plant Kit
A very nice DIY build kit. Very clever the glass screw on boiler front with the built in water sight. It took me longer than I thought putting it all together + the time on my knees looking for a nut and a bolt!!!
Most definitely needs some modifications, it has a very unique industrial sound to it this engine, quite pleasing to the ear. The only shortfall in the whole design is the silicone tubing coming from the boiler to the steam chest. I've sat now for quite awhile considering how to modify that with a copper pipe run.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifEYlvAKEsk&t=364s