Hello
This is my first post!! I stumbled onto Stirling Engines about 6 months ago and totally fell in love with them!!
Since then I have been reading & researching all different kinds and decided I would like to build a Lamina engine as my first one.
The thing is, finding parts is proving to be VERY difficult. I don't have a lathe or any way to machine parts, but I DO have drills and stuff. (Plus access to several hardware parts & hobby stores)
I've found test tubes and various plumbing parts that looks like they *should* work, but other parts like the piston, rod and fly wheel I'm totally lost about.
Anybody got avice for a first time builder?
Thanks!
New User/to Fourm/to Building/Lamina Engine Questions
Welcome to the forum,
Finding parts at reasonable cost and high quality is a challenge but I can point you in the right direction for what your looking for.
Look here for prefab flywheels; http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/home.php?cat=34
This place has graphite/glass cylinder sets that you can't beat for a Stirling: http://www.airpot.com/
You can find small copper, aluminum and brass rods and tubing at your local hobby shop and hardware stores. I recommend the hobby store for small bearings, ask for R/C car wheel bearings, a 4x8mm is common and cheap. I use them for the rod bearings. Take off the seals with a pin and wash the grease out with brake clean or solvent. Skateboard wheel bearings make good crank bearings, do the same with the seals.
Good luck.
Finding parts at reasonable cost and high quality is a challenge but I can point you in the right direction for what your looking for.
Look here for prefab flywheels; http://www.pmresearchinc.com/store/home.php?cat=34
This place has graphite/glass cylinder sets that you can't beat for a Stirling: http://www.airpot.com/
You can find small copper, aluminum and brass rods and tubing at your local hobby shop and hardware stores. I recommend the hobby store for small bearings, ask for R/C car wheel bearings, a 4x8mm is common and cheap. I use them for the rod bearings. Take off the seals with a pin and wash the grease out with brake clean or solvent. Skateboard wheel bearings make good crank bearings, do the same with the seals.
Good luck.
Thank you for the link to the flywheels!!! That has been a particular challange to find!
I did call the airpot people about their free samples, but they said they don't give samples of their piston/glass cylendar sets. I didn't know what else would work so I didn't get anything :(
What would you guys suggest?
I've been looking through the local hardware stores and cane to the same conclusion as you: With all the copper plumbing peices it should go a loooonnng way towards making something!
I did call the airpot people about their free samples, but they said they don't give samples of their piston/glass cylendar sets. I didn't know what else would work so I didn't get anything :(
What would you guys suggest?
I've been looking through the local hardware stores and cane to the same conclusion as you: With all the copper plumbing peices it should go a loooonnng way towards making something!