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Here in the UK we use the term’ oddside’ moulding. The moulder would place the pattern onto the moulding board. The pattern would be dusted and then covered in a good layer of Virgin sand. Firmly packed and then backed out with backing sand. The box would then be fully rammed up and strickled...

Here’s a few pictures of our Retlas Dynamo being driven by a couple of vintage stationary engines. The armature is from the very popular Lucas dynamo from the 50/60’s. Now being readily available from China. The builder, Denis O’Connell has spent a lot of time embellishing the basic kit to his...

We started making patterns for a small replica of Diesel’s first experimental engine earlier this year. Several weeks ago I was hit by a stroke which initially paralysed my right side but now just affects my arm and hand. Hopefully as time progresses I will gain more use and be able to finish...

It’s a good job you’ve chosen electric ignition Tony😃 with a compression like that you’d spend forever trying to hand start it with hot tube…. Gardner’s solution for lack of flywheel mass was just to go large. Here’s an early number 2 size ‘ electric ‘ engine. Personally I like just the one, it...

There’s been over 200 kits sold since 1990 but as to how many have been finished is unknown Tony. Gardner were real innovators and embraced change rapidly. Mostly to reduce the time it took to build them. I think the model you are making is around the early teens of the last century. Cheers Graham.

Very nice Tony. There’s a cracking video on YouTube, released yesterday of one of ours. Some nice close ups of the governor. Running on LP Propane and gas ring heated, hot tube ignition. Cheers Graham. Feel free to join us at… Log into Facebook

The problem, as you’ve already noticed is that eccentrics need a huge travel to find the bit that works. Needless to say you’ve pretty much nailed it…. I’m looking forward to seeing her running…. The attached video opens with engine number 103 ( all Alyn Foundry engines start with this number...

That’s pretty damn close Tony…. If you advance the half time gear by one tooth only you should get the exhaust to open just before BDC and see the air valve fully closed by BDC on the induction stroke. Otherwise it’s near perfect. Cheers Graham.

Good morning Tony. All the Gardner engines had an eccentric half time gear adjustment. The pin extended through the bed casting and was locked by a nut on the inside where the crank runs. At scale I thought this might be problematic so opted for a stub and used the bottom main bearing hole...

Some nice fabrication work there Tony. Our kit was based upon a 1911 size 0 engine so yes the proportions are going to be totally wrong in every respect. It took a lot of initial head scratching to design the bed suitable for casting. It has 8 loose pieces in total. You mentioned the flywheel...

Good morning. I would like to thank Jason for his time and expertise of recent years with quite a few new and old kits coming back to the market. I passed on the business to my sons and daughter in law earlier this year. When I started Alyn Foundry over 40 years ago we did all the castings...

I personally think that both evolutionary processes are on a par with each other. You might like to consider reading up on George B Brayton? He’s been an almost forgotten pioneer in the area of internal combustion. Accredited with the invention of the liquid fuel injector and his Cycle is now in...

Aren’t you confusing Nicolaus August Otto with Rudolph Diesel?

Just to follow up on my last post. Here’s my 1/3rd scale model of the Robinson HA Oil engine of 1894. The model was completed last year. Still using compression ignition but via a hot tube with permanent lamp. The fuel oil is atomised by a patented “ rattling “ atmospheric valve which then...

Some 25 years ago I embarked upon the scaling of a friend’s Hornsby Akroyd oil engine. These engines were the first successful compression ignition oil engines available in the early 1890’s. Hot Bulb is another term used to describe the ignition process. They were designed to run on the cheap...

I know we’re digressing a little but here’s mine. A BEECo of Leek Staffordshire Circa late 1890/1990’s.

Here’s a link to Wikipedia on the Brayton cycle. There’s also a picture of the engine that I’m currently working on. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brayton_cycle George B Brayton was really quite ahead of the time, a highly talented engineer but now, almost forgotten. Cheers Graham.

Hi K2. I’m old enough to remember the the principle being featured on Tomorrow’s World, a science and technology television program, decade’s ago. Not being involved with the “ glow plug “ scene I didn’t really have any idea of how the Platinum was involved. Thankfully, now older and a little...

Thanks Jason. 👍 I think there’s probably several cunning plans that might need to be employed eventually but here’s the first. Obviously I’m still waiting for the remaining castings from the foundry to complete this model. Cheers Graham.

Hi. This engine is very different. The Brayton cycle is best known as the modern day Jet engine. However the pressure generated by the expanding, combusting gasses acts upon a piston within the cylinder. Effectively a two stroke/cycle engine. My model has the power and compressor piston common...