Kids build stirling!?

[Divided he ad]

Found this in eblag.... Thought it might be good for some of you with kids/grandkids who want to have a go at engines but are a little too small to play in the workshop.

The kind of thing that can be built with a little "help" from dad/grandad eh? (obvious parental supervision rules apply!)

[ Invalid YouTube link ]


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Walking-beam-Stirling-engine-working-model-kit-make-your-engine-from-cardboard-/290694104316?pt=UK_ToysGames_ModelKits_ModelKits_JN&hash=item43aeb804fc



Thought I'd share 




Ralph.

[Stilldrillin]

Runs very nicely!   

Thanks for showing, Ralph.

David D

[andyf]

Ralph, I was almost tempted, until I remembered that every time I pick up a Stanley knife, I end up wiping blood off the job...

Andy

[raynerd]

Wow - I wonder if it could be done with 30 kids at once!!?? I am tempted....

[Divided he ad]

30 kids at once!!    Alarm bells ring!!!
You might have to design and build a cutting press for the shapes first Chris! 30 stanley wielding kids!!

I refer you to Andy's reply! 


However... He does show it made from ply.... Enter small hand drills and fret saws.... 
I'd much prefer that with 30 kids 


I thought it ran well too David. I was pleasantly surprised by the videos. Hence my "Ooo, this is cool I'll share it with the guys" thought 

I just really liked the simplicity... 10 notes for the kits inc postage and then whatever the materials cost that you build it from... I'm going to have a go I think... Got at least 2 weeks left out of work.  This shouldn't take more than a few afternoons (I'm on full relaxing mode at the mo  )






Ralph.




 

[raynerd]

I expect it would also take a while to premake the other parts, although if I purchased a kit, I expect I could see how they bent the wire.

I also appreciate it is tough card, but do you not think they would get through it with scissors? We have glue guns and such... it would be a fab diversion from the norm!

Chris

[Divided he ad]

You'd struggle with the precision cuts for the uprights...

4mm ply would be easy surely? you don't even need to cut out the detail in the uprights!

Looks to me like he pre-makes and bends some of the parts from the "here's what you get in the kit" pic.



I think it could be a case of suck it and see!!



Ralph.

[Divided he ad]

Got my kit on Friday... I haven't built it yet though.

Can't decide weather to build it from some 3mm aluminium sheet I have or to wait till my nephew comes round and build it from card with him?


Decisions, decisions... 


Kit comes with all the bent bits and everything already assembled like in the start of the video 

I'll post it up when I get it made whichever way I go with it 






Ralph.

[raynerd]

What size in the biggest part (I presume it`ll be a side frame), in terms of width and length. I`m interested if I could turn it into a CNC project if it within my cutting size!

Chris

[Divided he ad]

It's out in the workshop Chris, But all the parts are printed within an A4 sheet.

So length would be ~280 mm and width 120mm I would think. As said... just off the top of me 'ed!

Oh and... CNC is cheating   




Ralph.

[raynerd]

Cheating, yes, because you just think of it happening and the machine starts cutting!!!      

...and besides, don`t fancy doing 30 sets by hand!! 

Cheers Ralph, I canny quite get an A4 under my machine but just short. Let me know if you do find any exact sizes.