What is on your bench right now?

Thanks Kim!, I appreciate that. I am sure Guy (my buddy) would be pleased.

My Dad gave me one of those steam engines a couple of Christmases when I was a kid. I never used it for anything, just watched them run. Been interested in engines of all sorts ever since.

whew, after 3 1/2 weeks, my pt-19 kit has arrived. unbeleivable. well, all the parts are machined niceley, except for the left wing tip, which was too wide. the wing is already assembled and i'm working on the stabilizer at the moment.
the wings and the stabs won't be glued, until they're painted, as well as the fuselage.
about steam models, i've got one of my own, it's the big wilesco d141 workshop.it features the engine-on-top-of-boiler-configuration with four working miniature power tools:
http://www.worldtoyimports.com/images/images_big/Wilesco-D141.jpg
if you look closely, you can see it stowed away in my golden bee vid

PV Pilot wrote:
Well, not exactly a cox engine but it is on the workbench as I just finished it up. That's a 1976 Mamod Minor 2 steamer fired by Sterno fuel, with a Wilesco dynamo lighting a up a streetlamp when it runs. Stained a piece of birch craft plywood and twisted rope trim with some minwax red mahogany and then mounted up both pieces. My grade school/high school buddy's engine. He was killed right after we graduated in 85 and the engine was given to me at the funeral. Finally got the pieces and the nerve to clean it up and make it live again..

Engine base and fire box was coated in VHT ceramic header paint, then 4 step oven cured. Brass pieces were polished with Heavy Metal polish.

Wow that is an amazingly heart warming story.

Thanks NA. I did run it here a few weekends ago and it ran just fine. Kinda cool watching it puff steam and rotate the flywheel and spin up the dynamo. Kinda forgot how interesting it was to see it run.

I have a AA powered train set for under the christmas tree and was thinking of building or buying a train station and set up the street lamp next to that, just for the kids to see that morning when they wake up.

PV Pilot wrote:Thanks NA. I did run it here a few weekends ago and it ran just fine. Kinda cool watching it puff steam and rotate the flywheel and spin up the dynamo. Kinda forgot how interesting it was to see it run.

I have a AA powered train set for under the christmas tree and was thinking of building or buying a train station and set up the street lamp next to that, just for the kids to see that morning when they wake up.

That would be a lovely Chrismassy touch I'm sure even if it took Whole life time they'd really appreciate it that you did that for them.

I just drill an 1/8" hole through the neck and drive in a roll pin.

Do you have any clear dope? I used to use that on the threads like thread locker. It works and breaks away when you want to take it apart. Just dab it on top of the valve body where the venturi touches and finish tightening. Then, if that doesn't work, start using it on the threads. It keeps things put and your able to flake it off or use dope thinner to do the trick. NO PLASTIC in the dope thinner!

I hope I'm remembering right or if there was any drawbacks. I'm trying to think back if the dope attacks the intake body plastic or not.

It was in the teen years when thread locker wasn't found in the garage or hobby isle.

On my workbench is a RC Skymaster waiting to be covered... I still need some minor things like hinges and landing gear fasteners, so I hope to finish it before the end of the year


Something else, not really related to Cox engines (if it hasn't its place here, just tell me ), is the restoration of this guy: a 1986 Citroen 2CV


As you see, I've got a lot of work to do... The body is corroded at some vital points, but the frame is still good... As for the engine, it runs perfect, I even had the possibility to drive it a bit
It'll maybe take me a few years, but I hope that experience will teach me a lot

Nice convertible have fun restoring her!!!!
You going to keep the colours?

If you like 1/2a stuff, I think theres something here for everybody..I like to start a project then start another, then maybe another. I think you could almost do a "Where's Waldo" thing here, trying to spot particular items!

One of my many hobbies is collecting 'basket case' plastic RTF's and restore them.

Mark

RknRusty wrote:What's on my workbench right now? Good question, it's my "new" Tee Dee .049. No need for a picture as you've all seen one. I'd just like to say, NOW I know why all you pussies use chicken sticks! It took me a blood blister and a few minor cuts from the sharp edge of a Topflight 5.25x4 before I started thinking about it. Me, Mr "I ain't afraid of no stinking prop" finally got that little monster to turn over the first time. Uh, that ain't no Babe Bee! I had to resist diving under the table to hide. I swear I've never stood so close to anything turning that fast. Sure I've seen it on YouTube, but it ain't the same thing. You can see the prop wildly flexing back and forth as it changes speed(haven't got it properly tuned yet). But i know this; I'll never put a questionable old prop on it and say, It'll do.
The proximity of the business end to the NV will take some getting used to to. Maybe some kevlar gloves for Christmas and a new first aid kit for the flight box.

Unfortunately I'm entertaining this weekend so it'll probably be next week before I get it all figured out and running right. I will definitely mount it on my overweight Stuntman23 which as y'all know I've been trying to resuscitate since I over painted it after repairs. It flies like the Spruce Goose with a BW now. This little TD will undoubtedly wake it up like a double expresso with a teaspoon of meth in it.

On the technical side, I think I've lost the NV spring. Bob, fit90, sent me this engine carefully packed, and secured the NV etc. with tape. I'm pretty sure I must have not unfolded it all the way. How many times has that happened on Christmas morning. I can improvise in the mean time, but I have a question. Did that leaf spring also act as a washer to hold the venturi snugly. Mine keeps working loose and I'm afraid of cracking the carb body if I tighten it too much. How tightly do you guys screw yours down?

Well now I'm being called upon to entertain guests so I'll wrap it up.

To be continued...

I used to use a chicken stick, but stopped because it felt clumsy and didn't turn it over as quick as my finger. I flick it close to the center.

You can sand the edges of your prop down to make it blunt - my friend told me this because he'd seen people at events run their fingers down props and cut their fingers.

No Indra, I'm going to repaint it all in red

ideeman1994 wrote:No Indra, I'm going to repaint it all in red

Cool I'd like to see some pics when it's done.

Sure, I'll make a restoration post in the "Off Topic" section

RknRusty wrote:What's on my workbench right now? Good question, it's my "new" Tee Dee .049. No need for a picture as you've all seen one. I'd just like to say, NOW I know why all you pussies use chicken sticks! It took me a blood blister and a few minor cuts from the sharp edge of a Topflight 5.25x4 before I started thinking about it. Me, Mr "I ain't afraid of no stinking prop" finally got that little monster to turn over the first time. Uh, that ain't no Babe Bee! I had to resist diving under the table to hide. I swear I've never stood so close to anything turning that fast. Sure I've seen it on YouTube, but it ain't the same thing. You can see the prop wildly flexing back and forth as it changes speed(haven't got it properly tuned yet). But i know this; I'll never put a questionable old prop on it and say, It'll do.
The proximity of the business end to the NV will take some getting used to to. Maybe some kevlar gloves for Christmas and a new first aid kit for the flight box.

Unfortunately I'm entertaining this weekend so it'll probably be next week before I get it all figured out and running right. I will definitely mount it on my overweight Stuntman23 which as y'all know I've been trying to resuscitate since I over painted it after repairs. It flies like the Spruce Goose with a BW now. This little TD will undoubtedly wake it up like a double expresso with a teaspoon of meth in it.

On the technical side, I think I've lost the NV spring. Bob, fit90, sent me this engine carefully packed, and secured the NV etc. with tape. I'm pretty sure I must have not unfolded it all the way. How many times has that happened on Christmas morning. I can improvise in the mean time, but I have a question. Did that leaf spring also act as a washer to hold the venturi snugly. Mine keeps working loose and I'm afraid of cracking the carb body if I tighten it too much. How tightly do you guys screw yours down?

Well now I'm being called upon to entertain guests so I'll wrap it up.

To be continued...

I only used a chicken stick once to get more leverage on a stuborn engine but honestly it makes things harder to start and easier to damage.
On YouTube the same kid who uses a full size e starter on a pee wee also uses a chicken stick and big glove when starting a .010

RknRusty wrote: Uh, that ain't no Babe Bee! I had to resist diving under the table to hide. I swear I've never stood so close to anything turning that fast. ...

HaHaHaHa!,,duck and cover!!, it'"s possessed!!. Thanks Rusty, I needed that after last nights work shift.

I hand proped over my dad's cessna 170 and kinda felt the same way. It lit off and I took two big steps back and stood there ridgid and mezmorized at that fast spinning prop just inches from my body .

I have a recently aquired used TD .051 with a nice snug cylinder, cant wait to give it a whirl, with a electric starter. I noticed my needle was a bit loose. I might have to add a piece of mini fuel tubing on there to seal up better and add some resistance to the threads.

I have to many projects going at once.

PV Pilot wrote:

RknRusty wrote: Uh, that ain't no Babe Bee! I had to resist diving under the table to hide. I swear I've never stood so close to anything turning that fast. ...

HaHaHaHa!,,duck and cover!!, it'"s possessed!!. Thanks Rusty, I needed that after last nights work shift.

I hand proped over my dad's cessna 170 and kinda felt the same way. It lit off and I took two big steps back and stood there ridgid and mezmorized at that fast spinning prop just inches from my body .

I have a recently aquired used TD .051 with a nice snug cylinder, cant wait to give it a whirl, with a electric starter. I noticed my needle was a bit loose. I might have to add a piece of mini fuel tubing on there to seal up better and add some resistance to the threads.

I have to many projects going at once.

Hitting a tight tee dee with an electric starter?
Is that a good idea as if it seizes you will probably take the crankpin off.
your going to hit a tight tee dee with an electric starter?
Is that a good idea?
I mean if it seizes you cold take off the crankpin clean.

I always preheat those snug ones or any unknown motor.

Lets say I feel good cylinder pinch as it turns over cold in my hands. It feels like it was broken in properly.

PV Pilot wrote:I always preheat those snug ones or any unknown motor.

Lets say I feel good cylinder pinch as it turns over cold in my hands. It feels like it was broken in properly.

OK then i just don't like to hear of damaged cox engines or else i have to set the cox mafia on people who damage there engines:)

nitroairplane wrote:

PV Pilot wrote:I always preheat those snug ones or any unknown motor.

Lets say I feel good cylinder pinch as it turns over cold in my hands. It feels like it was broken in properly.

OK then i just don't like to hear of damaged cox engines or else i have to set the cox mafia on people who damage there engines:)

LOL!,,ok. Thank you for your concern. Only had 1 issue with a electric starter in my 36+ years of messing with this stuff, and it taught me a very valuable espensive lesson that one soon will not forget. (Bent custom titanium conn rod)

PV Pilot wrote:

nitroairplane wrote:

PV Pilot wrote:I always preheat those snug ones or any unknown motor.

Lets say I feel good cylinder pinch as it turns over cold in my hands. It feels like it was broken in properly.

OK then i just don't like to hear of damaged cox engines or else i have to set the cox mafia on people who damage there engines:)

LOL!,,ok. Thank you for your concern. Only had 1 issue with a electric starter in my 36+ years of messing with this stuff, and it taught me a very valuable espensive lesson that one soon will not forget. (Bent custom titanium conn rod)

OOH you must have been rather upset
Live chat?

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