Jerry's Original "Beamer" Stirling Cycle Beam Engine

"Beamer represents a large victorian style beam engine that could have existed in the mid to late 1800's. It is a unique design and nothing like it has ever been done before. A belt driven cooling fan allows the engine to operate continously at a temperature only slightly above ambient! All shafts are fitted with ball bearings for a smooth running and maintenance free engine. An operating flyball governor which is driven by the fan belt adds much interest to the engine, but it doesn't regulate the engine speed. The engine runs at a nice leisurely pace from a 1/4" dia. x 5/16" tall flame of an alcohol lamp, or one of my mini propane burners as shown." - Jerry

Jerry's Original "Howell V-Twin" (V2)

"This is a V-Twin engine that is machined entirely from bar stock. It has no prototype as it is entirely my own design. Being a single crank pin 90 degree engine, it is extremely smooth and vibration free. V type engines other than 90 degree can not be balanced except with special balancer shafts, etc. that you wouldn't want! Witness the vibrating 45 degree motorcycle engines...... The engine is a long stroke, moderate speed design which provides plenty of torque. A robust cooling system allows the engine to run indefinitly with a load and never overheat." - Jerry Howell

Revisions to the plans are posted at:
http://www.jerry-howell.com/V2-Revisions.html

Jerry's Original "Bill"

"Advertised by the Downing Engine Works of Des Plains, Illinois in 1906 for $125.00, the 3 horsepower 'Bill' engine is somewhat of an enigma. A patent was issued to William A. Downing for the design but it is not known how many were actually produced, if any. The very simple and attractive engine was probably intended for light duty work such as pumping water, powering a grinding wheel or a small dynamo, etc. A listing for the 'Bill' can be found on page 141 of American Gasoline Engines Since 1872 by C.H. Wendel.

This is an approximate 1/3 scale model of the 1906 'Bill' engine. It runs on propane gas. On liquid fuel, due to the remoteness from the engine, the mixer soon gets cold from liquid fuel vaporization and after that the fuel doesn't vaporize very well which results in ragged operation. A propane demand valve was made for it and running on propane solves that problem. I have to presume that the prototype engine encountered the same problems (it may have ran on illuminating gas), but there was no propane to the rescue back in those days! " - Jerry Howell

Jerry's Original "Powerhouse"

"The 'PowerHouse' engine is a long stroke design for medium to low speed operation. By having a long stroke, it is capable driving a load such as a generator or pump at a leisurely pace. It is made from bar stock and was designed to be as easy to build as possible while retaining good looks. The frame and base plate is from aluminum alloy plate. The cylinder, piston and head are of cast iron bar stock; and the flywheel is of mild steel. The engine is air cooled by fan (belt driven or electric), although it will also operate without one. Spark advance/retard is adjustable while the engine is running. The carburetor is an easy to build type with adjustable speed control and an air cleaner. The engine will run an hour or so on 2 ounces of fuel." - Jerry Howell

Jerry's Original "Duplex" Stirling Cycle Engine

"This engine is not a 'vacuum' engine, it is a 'beta' type stirling engine. Beta means that the power piston and the displacer are both working in the same cylinder. This arrangement gives greater power output than the typical two cylinder engine. The reason for this is that the compression ratio can be higher due to less "dead" space inside the engine.

The Duplex Vacuum Company of Chicago, Illinois made this type of engine about 100 years ago. They were widely used in popcorn wagons and to operate dental drills among other applications due to their silent operation and reliability.

A unique feature of the Duplex engines is the oscillating shaft and linkage which produces an interesting motion in operating the displacer." - Jerry

Jerry's Original "Super Fan" (SUPERFAN)

"This fan was designed to be a real workhorse.  Every effort was made to reduce friction to an absolute minimum while at the same time making the unit extremely reliable, maintenance free, quiet and very long lived.  My fan has many hundreds of running hours on it while at shows and in my office during summer months with no maintenance, service or repairs of any kind done, or needed." - Jerry Howell

Jerry's Western Electric Telegraph Key & Sounder

The telegraph was the only long distance instant communication device until radio and other means came along. Railroads were always the largest users of the telegraph and utilized them for more than a century. The railroads would have had a very hard time operating safely and efficiently without them.

The full size plans will allow you to make an exact replica of the key and sounder. The photo above is the "real thing" antique originals. The originals were made in a time when quality was of prime importance and aesthetics ran a close second! These instruments were made of brass and steel, as were all manner of other types of instruments. You will want to make yours of these materials as well.

You can make an operating set, or as non-operating shelf models. Either way, you can make them full size or reduce the size for really neat items to put in your curio cabinet or as a unique desk ornament set.