Hello all,
As I stated in my introduction I chose as my first build an LTD Stirling engine. As I was new to all of this I did not realize how accurate I needed to be and how sensitive the Stirling would be. So now begins the saga of the rebuild. As this thing may never be a runner I shall at least try to make this mildly entertaining.
I decided that there was too much slack in the displacer cylinder and began looking about for a suitable replacement. I found one in a local discount store. 2 bucks American, I think that is like 42 pence and a ha'penny for you lot across the pond.
Hrmmm, it is from a discount store... it's called "Blue Magic" and it is sort of a radioactive looking green color. Yes I have concerns. I instituted the Hazardous Materials Handling Protocols and cleaned the goop out of the container. What an odd smell and consistency, it's amazing what people will put into their hair.
After the radiation levels dropped back down to normal background levels I checked for symmetry of the container. (Yes that is a real geiger counter, it's amazing what I will buy if the price is low enough) It looks as if I may have a winner it is not very far out of round.
Marked up the piece for cutting using a pipe wrap (I am a welder of pipe and things metallic). Chopped it into bits with the handy Dremel, and gave the ends a bit of a sanding.
Seems that it still has a bit of a funny smell about it.... I shall simply refer to it as a luxury option. On with the build.
I chopped off a bit of balsa wood, drilled a 3/8 hole through the middle-ish bit of it and mounted it to a mandrel. I then proceeded to commit Blasphemy in the eyes of the God of Swarf.
After failing at my first bit of Blasphemy I succeeded in committing a successful bit of Blasphemy with a friction fit. It just needs a bit of sanding.
If I remember my Book of Swarf correctly I think it was Chapter seven verses eight through eleven... "If thou commitist the Blasphemous act of turning wood upon thine metal lathe thou has committed an abomination unto Swarf. As penance thou shall clean and oil thine lathe. Thou shalt then make an offering unto Swarf by turning some bit of dull useless metal in thine lathe. If thine offering be accepted by Swarf thou shall be rewarded with some useful bits of shiny metal".
Apparently my offering of turning, peck drilling, and parting was acceptable to Swarf. Now the bits in place with piston rod.
And now everything in place with a bit of RTV high temp silicone to seal.
That's it for now. More to follow as soon as time/work permits. Hope you enjoyed this installment.
