Well, I've built and run the Inpro Solar low temperature Stirling engine now, and the results are about what I expected. It seems about okay for what it is, which is a mostly plastic (except for the displacement cylinder end caps and screws), low end model that likely sold in the $20-30 range. It has the equivalent of a CD for a flywheel that wobbles a bit, and the foam displacer is captured in such a way that it is hard to get it even and level. It runs at about 120 rpm or so over a fresh hot mug and perhaps double that if you add an ice cube on top. Doubt seriously that it will run from the heat off my hand unless it is a very cold day. It can probably be a bit improved over initial build, by opening it back up and improving the displacer position, or it could be made worse in so doing.
It works and was essentially a freebie, so I guess there's no point in complaining.
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