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 January 14, 2026, 08:50:57 pm
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Hand sanitizer....I'll check some out and read the ingredients.
I'm picky about what I burn in the house. No stinkies!
I just checked the shipping status and it left there for...I'd like
to think directly here. Maybe this time next week?
I've been looking at the photos, especially regarding the firebox.
I see the two knurled knobs that hold the base of the firebox up.
Do you just undo the nuts, it drops down, and you slide it out?
There may be better solutions.
Regarding the 'after run' duties. Does the boiler have two drain
plugs? Looks like it does. Maybe one of those could be used to
pump water into while it runs. Seems like a no-brainer.
Don't even have it and I'm thinking of how to add features.
Sunny and frigid,
Wayne
G'day Wayne,
You back off the two thumbscrews and the firebox (with a slight twist) drops down.
Mine didn't have enough clearance to pull out though and I've just uploaded a video showing the small mod I did to raise the boiler 3mm.
Yes, you could use one of the plugs to pump water into the boiler which would be great for running on gas. The only problem I can see with that is that there is no blow down on the glass sight gauge and like all glass sight gauges that don't have that feature you can get a bubble (or two) in the sight glass column that doesn't allow you to know the true extent of how much water is left in the boiler.
This isn't a problem with spirits (or now I know hand sanitizer gel) as the amount of fuel in the firebox is matched to the amount of water in the boiler leaving enough that it won't run dry. But pumping water in and bubbles in the sight glass, could prove an issue. You would have to be on the ball to keep water in there and not trust the sight glass as it is.
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Hand sanitizer....I'll check some out and read the ingredients.
I'm picky about what I burn in the house. No stinkies!
I just checked the shipping status and it left there for...I'd like
to think directly here. Maybe this time next week?
I've been looking at the photos, especially regarding the firebox.
I see the two knurled knobs that hold the base of the firebox up.
Do you just undo the nuts, it drops down, and you slide it out?
There may be better solutions.
Regarding the 'after run' duties. Does the boiler have two drain
plugs? Looks like it does. Maybe one of those could be used to
pump water into while it runs. Seems like a no-brainer.
Don't even have it and I'm thinking of how to add features.
Sunny and frigid,
Wayne
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Screen. Hmmm. Stainless steel screening (from a pan anti-spatter screen)
is what I've used to cover several wicks, such as in the pm solar.
I think I might need the wicking material to soak up the alcohol and get it to
the rolled screen. Maybe a rolled-up screen would wick it up from the reservoir
but I'll have to test that. Either way, I won't have to quick-step to save the
wick from burning down in an inconvenient way.
Wayne
Wayne hand sanitizer is a whole lot simpler than using spirits and the SE-03's burner works perfectly for it -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arsYTfAu140
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Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
All use charcoal now.
Very sad that!!!
Knife forging is a growing hobby down here, there's a professional (full timer) that has a business and runs classes not far from the boy's plumbing premises. He makes high quality cutlery all by hand.
Talking to him he went on and on about the benefits of charcoal forging over coal and charcoal being far superior my eyes started to glaze over when he got onto welding and purities etc.
He's a nice guy, but bloody intense.
Seems likely that he'd be a good bloke to talk to about the best kind of charcoal to be using then!?!?
I make my own charcoal.
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Screen. Hmmm. Stainless steel screening (from a pan anti-spatter screen)
is what I've used to cover several wicks, such as in the pm solar.
I think I might need the wicking material to soak up the alcohol and get it to
the rolled screen. Maybe a rolled-up screen would wick it up from the reservoir
but I'll have to test that. Either way, I won't have to quick-step to save the
wick from burning down in an inconvenient way.
Wayne
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You Know Wayne, you can just roll up wire mesh screen and use that as the wick, as it does wick up alcohol out of a tank and allow it to burn just as does an organic fiber wick. That way, you don't have any organic wick material to get charred or completely burned as the fuel runs low.
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Regarding charcoal...
I think the bags of skinny split wood pieces that were turned into charcoal
look right. I'll have to find a bag and read the contents.
The question is....does all charcoal give off carbon monoxide when burned?
Seems like I've heard of this happening - and that folks died because of it.
They burned it in a brazier.
Also..,.
I'm considering the aged 'twigs' I can use to fire it up. I think nice pieces
of ruderalis might fit the bill.
Besides that, I'm considering a way to mount an alcohol burner in the firebox
with the vent tube coming thru the door. I'll fill it thru the tube and use
screen covered wicks to burn it. The screen will keep the wicks from burning,
something I discourage if at all possible.
Chilly in Brooklyn,
Wayne
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Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
All use charcoal now.
Very sad that!!!
Knife forging is a growing hobby down here, there's a professional (full timer) that has a business and runs classes not far from the boy's plumbing premises. He makes high quality cutlery all by hand.
Talking to him he went on and on about the benefits of charcoal forging over coal and charcoal being far superior my eyes started to glaze over when he got onto welding and purities etc.
He's a nice guy, but bloody intense.
Seems likely that he'd be a good bloke to talk to about the best kind of charcoal to be using then!?!?
-
Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
All use charcoal now.
Very sad that!!!
Knife forging is a growing hobby down here, there's a professional (full timer) that has a business and runs classes not far from the boy's plumbing premises. He makes high quality cutlery all by hand.
Talking to him he went on and on about the benefits of charcoal forging over coal and charcoal being far superior my eyes started to glaze over when he got onto welding and purities etc.
He's a nice guy, but bloody intense.
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Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
All use charcoal now.
Very sad that!!!
-
Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
All use charcoal now.
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Any hobby blacksmiths or knife forgers about then?
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LOL there's no way I'd burn coal in the house! Jenny loves me and lets me get away with a lot, but there's a limit!
The farriers around here (I have two mates that are farriers) all use propane gas fired forges now.
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G'day Wayne, I've only ever seen the BBQ briquets for sale I've never used them before. Doesn't sound from what you wrote they would make meat taste all that good.
Simple plain charcoal briquets are not a problem and have no bad odors nor harmful ingredients. There is a type that are sold as "self lighting" that have some sort of petro-chemical volatiles, likely as waxes, in them that I also would not recommend, but the plain ones should offer no issues and barbeque stuff without harming flavors!
On another thought, natural coal often has many inclusions that could be considered contaminants, Sulphur especially, that could stink up your steaming room, so perhaps best to run outdoors when using coal. Sources easiest to access are usually Farriers (horseshoers) or Blacksmith supplies sources, but it typically comes in about 50 pound bags or the like. Maybe you could go online and find your nearest Ferrier or Blacksmith and buy a few pounds from them?
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G'day Wayne, I've only ever seen the BBQ briquets for sale I've never used them before. Doesn't sound from what you wrote they would make meat taste all that good.
The best runs I've had with the SE-03 is from 75% ethanol based hand sanitizer, the burner tray on the SE-03 is perfect for it.
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Well, I went a bit off the deep end and....ordered one of these SE-03 steam
plants. I was already on the edge but this video of the wood-fired run pushed me
"Over the edge". Ought to be here in several weeks.
Regarding charcoal briquettes. Many have additives, some of which may not
fit your health needs. Maybe even stink. The only liquid I use to steam up
is ethanol, usually watered (distilled) down just a bit. No smell, no residue,
God's gift to us - if we use it in moderation.
Breathless with anticipation,
Wayne
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Now that's the Pioneering spirit!
Love wood fired steam engines .... & coal fired too!!!
A fun day yesterday with this Daniel.
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Now that's the Pioneering spirit!
Love wood fired steam engines .... & coal fired too!!!
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Nice video, great idea. The future goes to the bold.
I always wanted a wood-fired boiler/engine combo but everything I saw
said "Too big and too expensive". Now, after seeing your video, I may
need to buy this model steamplant. I loved it the first time I saw it
a few weeks ago and now I may need to buy this steamplant... And sell
some others.
So, how are you cleaning the firebox after use? Forceps or waiting for
all the coals to cool and then a vacuum? How long did it take to steam
up, and how much water did you put in the boiler to start?
Finally, if you ran it on your kitchen stove would the hood serve well
enough to keep the smoke from invading your house? It didn't look like
it was making much smoke at all.
Congratulations,
Wayne
G'day Wayne, there was a bit of wood smoke coming out of the stack (the camera didn't catch it very well) I think a stove top exhaust fan would handle it easily as long as its one that vents outside and not just relies on filters.
I squirted a little water on the coals with a syringe when the water level dropped down.
Theres two thumbwheels that you undo and the firebox just drops down and comes out. I just used a small wet & dry vacuum.
I did this vid and the gas fired vid because for some reason (I don't know why because I have no problem firing the SE-03 on spirits) people are having a lot of problems. All folks have to do is fill the burner up, bring the boiler to boil and the metho should be used by now. Refill with metho, light and enjoy a good 20 minute run without any fear for the boiler running dry.
Not sure what people are doing wrong.
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Bonjour Jim,
To my opinion, a wood or coal-fired boiler is a "must", unfortunately, it is quite difficult to manage in a RC model boat.
I like indeed this little plant, thanks for sharing it with us.
Raphael, I'm going to have to get some of those BBQ briquettes to try out by smashing them into smaller pieces soon as I can't get any coal (even though Australia has one of the world's largest coal reserves).
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Nice video, great idea. The future goes to the bold.
I always wanted a wood-fired boiler/engine combo but everything I saw
said "Too big and too expensive". Now, after seeing your video, I may
need to buy this model steamplant. I loved it the first time I saw it
a few weeks ago and now I may need to buy this steamplant... And sell
some others.
So, how are you cleaning the firebox after use? Forceps or waiting for
all the coals to cool and then a vacuum? How long did it take to steam
up, and how much water did you put in the boiler to start?
Finally, if you ran it on your kitchen stove would the hood serve well
enough to keep the smoke from invading your house? It didn't look like
it was making much smoke at all.
Congratulations,
Wayne
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Bonjour Jim,
To my opinion, a wood or coal-fired boiler is a "must", unfortunately, it is quite difficult to manage in a RC model boat.
I like indeed this little plant, thanks for sharing it with us.
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I cut some small well seasoned Aussie eucalyptus hardwood into the correct size to get into the firebox and a small amount of spirits to get the wood alight. The smell out of the chimney was delightful.
After it all burnt down to ash, I was able to suck it out with a small car vacuum cleaner......all in all, it worked quite well!
https://youtu.be/kDhQtNsuHM0