Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit

• Need help choosing a fully-machined engine kit
  Posted by crazydoug on 26 Jan, 2021 10:33
• 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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• #1 Reply
  Posted by komet163b on 26 Jan, 2021 10:59
• 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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• #2 Reply
  Posted by classixs on 26 Jan, 2021 15:47
• 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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• #3 Reply
  Posted by RedRyder on 27 Jan, 2021 05:56
• 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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• #4 Reply
  Posted by crazydoug on 27 Jan, 2021 07:25
• Quote from: classixs on 26 Jan, 2021 15:47

  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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• #5 Reply
  Posted by schipperke on 27 Jan, 2021 07:50
• 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.
  
  
  https://youtu.be/0qTQi3dpHK8
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• #6 Reply
  Posted by Nick on 27 Jan, 2021 07:51
• Nice build schipperke and Welcome to the forum 
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• #7 Reply
  Posted by komet163b on 27 Jan, 2021 12:47
•   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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• #8 Reply
  Posted by classixs on 27 Jan, 2021 14:41
• A fine choice Doug, looking forward to your report 
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• #9 Reply
  Posted by Jim on 27 Jan, 2021 17:30
• Doug for around $35 bucks delivered off eBay, this is my cheapest engine yet -
  
  https://youtu.be/B3OnwEBEoik
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• #10 Reply
  Posted by crazydoug on 29 Jan, 2021 09:45
• Quote from: Jim on 27 Jan, 2021 17:30

  Doug for around $35 bucks delivered off eBay, this is my cheapest engine yet -
  
  https://youtu.be/B3OnwEBEoik
  

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