Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 22

Thread: Flame licker

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default Flame licker

    Looks like no one told this guy that flame licker engines must be built carefully to good tolerance to run at all

    https://youtu.be/IU2q9Cu1sbc



    Russ

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    Gippsland Victoria
    Posts
    733

    Default

    I find that video to be quite encouraging - given the gear that we have in our sheds compared to what that chap probably used to build the one in the video, we should all have a really good chance of getting a flamelicker to work quite well.

    Flamelicker has been added to "the list" ............. a few more baby steps with some more oscillators and then I will have a go.

    Are they usually particularly difficult to get started ?


    Bill

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    melbourne
    Posts
    473

    Default

    I hope not.. I have one in progress.
    I've read lots of advice about careful piston fits, low friction etc.



    Russ

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    177

    Default

    I've just finished one and no it doesn't run as well as that one, but it does run.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Having never made any engine and reading some guys having problems and even not running after spending all that time making one.
    I think that guy has done well considering what it's built out of and it seems lack of tools machinery to make it.

    I remember browsing a thread some years back on another forum, it had a little round candle one end and it went up and down the other end to dip a tea bag.Dont remember much details.

    It has been the only thing like that I have ever considered building after my grandfather who is now 96 went into a home.
    He would have loved it, several years before going in there because of my Nan he used to hang out in my shed watching me machine
    But after asking and searching for around a year I could never find it again.
    Using Tapatalk

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Tasmania
    Posts
    257

    Default

    I got mine to work pretty well with very little fettling. Fun little projects.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9Grr7EiFwE

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    South Coast of New South Wales Australia
    Posts
    296

    Default

    They can be frustrating, but they are fun engines.
    Cheers Jim
    My Youtube Channel -
    Blue Heeler's Model & Toy Steam Engine Room

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    NSW
    Posts
    177

    Default

    Nice work Hornet. I almost made the Poppin but ended up doing the Ridders internal valve job. I've still got the Poppin drawings and it might happen one day.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,649

    Default

    My flame licker didn't run but my home brew Stirling runs a treat.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oKuHXh8x7E

    I did a few mods to it to extend the run time.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCrhIvTnNfM

    I will have another go at the flame licker.

    This is where those guys with the monster lathes totally miss out.

    Cheers Rob
    The worst that can happen is you will fail.
    But at least you tried.



  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Mallacoota,VIC,Australia
    Age
    53
    Posts
    1,010

    Default

    I'm amazed that it runs, but credit to guy who made it. I like the look of the Poppin, I just found and downloaded some plans for it - a project when I have some time.
    All The Best steran50 Stewart

    The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at once.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nearnexus View Post

    This is where those guys with the monster lathes totally miss out.

    Cheers Rob
    Hi Rob, just to let you know......
    pretty much anything that can be done on a small lathe can be done on a large lathe, there is nothing that I could see in that little engine that couldn't be machined on a much larger lathe than you have.

    Or am I missing the point, what is a monster lathe?

    cheers, shed

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,649

    Default

    I suppose you could go shopping in a Mack truck. But would you want to ?

    Show me the proof and I might believe you.

    Cheers Rob
    The worst that can happen is you will fail.
    But at least you tried.



  13. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Age
    56
    Posts
    1,416

    Default

    Larger lathes just don't have the high rpm that smaller lathes do, I've looked at a few and that's what put me off. You could use HSS to get a better finish, though horses for courses as the saying goes.

    As for Mack trucks, my old man used to take mum to the drive-in in a prime mover, parked at the back with the best seat (not to mention bed), lol.
    Using Tapatalk

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Healesville
    Posts
    2,129

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by nearnexus View Post
    I suppose you could go shopping in a Mack truck. But would you want to ?

    Show me the proof and I might believe you.

    Cheers Rob
    You didn't answer 2 questions

    Firstly, what part on that little engine cannot be made on a larger lathe?

    Second Q, what is a monster lathe?

    One thing that you might not realize Rob is that pretty much everyone that has a very large lathe usually has 2 or 3 smaller lathes to cater for smaller jobs.

    cheers, shed

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
    Location
    SA
    Posts
    1,649

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Dave J View Post
    Larger lathes just don't have the high rpm that smaller lathes do, I've looked at a few and that's what put me off. You could use HSS to get a better finish, though horses for courses as the saying goes.

    As for Mack trucks, my old man used to take mum to the drive-in in a prime mover, parked at the back with the best seat (not to mention bed), lol.
    Ha Ha. I guess the sleeper cab came in handy

    The fact is that small lathes are made for small jobs and vice versa. My bro inlaw has a monster 14" swing McPherson that would have to be the most useless lathe ever made, unless you're into ship building or heavy machinery. It wont even grip anything less than 1/2" due to the chuck jaw clearance. I suppose you could attempt to fit a collet chuck, but the controls are so clunky and lack so much tactile feel it's horrible.

    But then again I guess all those toolmakers and watch makers lathes were made for the hell of it. Why bother ? Just wheel out the 12" by whatever and get on with it LOL

    If large lathes can do everything, why would you even need a second smaller lathe ? You just blew your original statement out of the water.

    Cheers Rob
    The worst that can happen is you will fail.
    But at least you tried.



Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Finished a Poppin Flame Eater Engine
    By Hornetb in forum METALWORK PROJECTS
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 24th Feb 2017, 05:59 PM
  2. LPG neutral flame
    By phelum in forum WELDING
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 22nd May 2012, 10:09 PM
  3. Setting OXY-LPG Flame?
    By Norm.Mareeba in forum METALWORK GENERAL
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 2nd Jul 2006, 09:19 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •