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Author Topic: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit  (Read 722 times)

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Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« on: January 26, 2021, 10:33:57 am »
I am currently unable to be out in my shop, so rather than being out doing my own machine work, I am considering buying a machined engine kit.  I know many here have bought such kits, and would appreciate some input on which ones should be considered. 

I need one that requires NO machine work, although some minor hand-filing, sanding, and drilling would be possible.  It could be a steam engine, Stirling engine, or even a hit and miss engine, but many might be ruled out by my desire to keep the price under $500s US or 400 euros, if that is realistic!

Crazydoug
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #1 on: January 26, 2021, 10:59:42 am »
There are kits out there that fit your needs.  That said...

In a heartbeat.....get thee to PM Research.  They have 3
very nice machined engine kits.  I do not know of any
ready-to-build boiler kits.  A link is below. 

https://www.pmmodelengines.com/

Good Luck,
Wayne
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #2 on: January 26, 2021, 03:47:14 pm »
Agree, PMR has some cool stuff in kit form.

You should checkout Graham and Chiltern too, some pretty neat affordable kits with them as well.
https://grahamind.com/store/page1.html
https://www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home

...and should you feel loaded, now that health has kept you from your usual "playground" for a while, there´s always creme de la creme here:
https://www.stuartmodels.com/products/machined-kits
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Cheers
Jan
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #3 on: January 27, 2021, 05:56:07 am »
Hi Doug, My recommendation is this one: 

PM Research #7 Fully Machined Kit  
https://www.pmmodelengines.com/shop/steam/steam-engines/steam-engine-7/

Just select from the drop down.  $289 complete 

Gil
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2021, 07:25:12 am »
Quote from: classixs on January 26, 2021, 03:47:14 pm
Agree, PMR has some cool stuff in kit form.

You should checkout Graham and Chiltern too, some pretty neat affordable kits with them as well.
https://grahamind.com/store/page1.html
https://www.chilternmodelsteam.co.uk/index.php?route=common/home

...and should you feel loaded, now that health has kept you from your usual "playground" for a while, there´s always creme de la creme here:
https://www.stuartmodels.com/products/machined-kits

Thanks for the link to the Graham industries site! I think i will start with the VR1A.
The PMR engines would be a great choice, except that I have already built their entire line from unmachined kits.
The tiny VR1A will be a challenge with it's tiny parts, but youtube reviews are all very positive.
crazydoug
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #5 on: January 27, 2021, 07:50:27 am »
I have only built one, by PM Research.  It is a very nice kit and engine, required a bit of filing and lapping.
Mounted on wood, nothing painted it's how it came.   What is so realistic, it is dead quiet, you hear the exhaust. 
I made a little muffler for it, near no noise at all.


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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #6 on: January 27, 2021, 07:51:34 am »
Nice build schipperke and Welcome to the forum  :)
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Nick

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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #7 on: January 27, 2021, 12:47:18 pm »
  Ditto on the nice build.  It is quiet and smooth.
I've had the 'twin' kit since fathers day.  I'll
get to it in a while, when all my other problem
engines are running (or I give up on them).

  Schipperke....My wife and I almost adopted one years ago,
but a Jack Russel puppy charmed us.  Two years later we
had two new pups, Buster and Dixie, and we never looked back.

  My neighbor across the back yard brought home a Schipperke
last year.  A pretty dog, Mia has a really sweet and tiny bark.
They are very very cute dogs.  Almost irresistible.

Happy steaming,
Wayne
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #8 on: January 27, 2021, 02:41:49 pm »
A fine choice Doug, looking forward to your report  :)
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Jan
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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2021, 05:30:07 pm »
Doug for around $35 bucks delivered off eBay, this is my cheapest engine yet -

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Re: Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
« Reply #10 on: January 29, 2021, 09:45:37 am »
Quote from: Jim on January 27, 2021, 05:30:07 pm
Doug for around $35 bucks delivered off eBay, this is my cheapest engine yet -


Thanks,
I might add that one as well. Can't complain on the price!
Doug
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