Glass Steam Engine

[JK]

This is pretty incredible:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73txXT21aZU

[Big Pete]

Truly amazing.

BP

[Big Pete]

I shared the link to the Glass Steam engine with a Member of the Institute of Stationary Steam Engines, who reciprocated with the links below: -

1) Not a glass engine, but an engine in a glass box (I've seen it back in 1992):

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_clock
https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/ste ... -vancouver

2) 2 contenders for world's smallest (metal) steam engine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEdaOSVq3D4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ka3wmoI23C4

3) World's claimed smallest Stirling hot-air engine:
(wrongly billed as a 'steam engine' by idiot journalists:)
https://newatlas.com/smallest-stirling-engine/20861/
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/13/world ... index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16147965

[Merlyn]

Fascinating but what's lubing the crank bearings?
See it's got a bit of a runout on the crank?

[Big Pete]

Do you know anyone who could make a better engine in Glass?
As for lube, maybe he sprayed Teflon on the bearing surfaces while they were red hot or maybe just a drop of silicon oil on the moving parts before starting.
BP

[Merlyn]

Never had much to do with working with glass.
Nearest thing I had concerning glass was doing my time we had a huge circular inches thick piece of glass onto which the likes of flat valves which after machining would be lapped in.
Coarse, medium then fine.
Old fashioned way looking back and hard work but perfect flat faces achieved.
So I am no threat to a glass maker of fine engines.

[Merlyn]

However I am working on Stephensons type reverse link gear to make her run the other way.
Bunsen burner resurrect jobby.

[JollyJack]

I always had better uses for glass, there are all kinds of wonderful things in glasses!

[Merlyn]

Haste ye back inhibitor fluid?

[JollyJack]

Something like that!