Steven Green's Super Fan

Got this email from Steven on July 1, 2021:

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Allen,

Several years ago I built a Stirling engine from (cheap) plans bought at a show.  The engine didn’t run very well so I began to search the internet to diagnose the problem.  That’s when I came across an article Jerry Howell Models had on-line explaining some of the reasons some engines don’t run very well.  A very good article.

I ordered the plans and materials kit for the Super Stirling Fan and it set on the shelf for more years than I care to admit.  Last Fall, after retiring, I decided to build the fan, but not just one fan, I built one for each of our children and one for us, 5 total.  All the fans run great and the kids love them.  I have ran mine at engine shows for as long as 6 hours at a time and it gets a lot of attention.  One gentleman, while watching the fan run was explaining to his friend that the engines will run for a short time then get too hot to continue running.  This gave me the opportunity to tell him my story of the first engine that I had built and that this fan had been running continuous for about 4 hours.  I gave him your website information.

Thanks for keeping the business going to provide us gearheads with very well designed “stuff” to build.

Steven Green  

My Wife let me decorate the mantle last Christmas.

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Steven,  I love hearing stories like this.  Thanks for the email!

Andrew Hopper's Farmboy

 

Sante Schilderman's Farmboy Class Project

 Sante Schildermans from Belgium and his Hit & Miss Engine school (Wico-Campus TIO) graduation project.  Ready for an ignition system.

Update June 25, 2021:

Hallo, 

We didn't finish the engine due to the corona measures at school.  But here's a picture of what we did get.  We will continue to work on it next school year.  Hopefully the engine will run.  If so, I'll be sure to let you know.

Bye, greetings Sante Schildermans

Jim Gasowski's Farmboy #003-X2 (twice as big!)

Jim built Farmboy #003 back in 2009 and has just completed a version that is twice as big.  Looks great Jim!  I hope to see it at one of the shows soon.

 

Farmboy valve guide lubrication

----------------- Question --------------------- 

Hi Allen

I am slowly building the Farmboy HnM engine and have a question about the valve guides.

Having gone to the trouble of making the valves a nice fit in the guides I wonder where the lubrication comes from, and if no lubrication won't the valve stem get sloppy in the valve guide?

Having lots of fun & learning lots as well.

Thank you for your time.

Regards

David Tredenick

------------------ Answer -----------------------

Hi Allen,

The valve guides need little lubrication. A drop or two on the valve stem every now and then is more than sufficient. With a little oil mixed in the fuel, the intake will also get lube. Also the exhaust valve which moves the most, may (?) get some lube from the unburned lube in the exhaust. After 11+ years I see no wear on mine.

Finally got around to making the sled for Farmboy x2. Should have a pic or two for you next week.

Take care

Jim G

Mark Smith's Farmboy #801

It's sitting on a lazy suzan for the video thus the reason for the vibration.  He says it ran from the very beginning.  Nice work.  Thanks for sharing!

 

Alan Butters' Miser

Alan Butters, from Australia, and his Miser inside a leather lined box.  Fantastic!