HK1 Tin Can Stirling Engine Plans, DIY Science Projects

Somebody built this and sent it in. They used the Tin Can Stirling Engine Plans from http://comptune.com/tincan.php These plans were among the first available on the internet for tin can Stirling engines. Now of course there are others. Still, this is a proven design that has been used to win several science fairs.

These plans offer more than just the design and diagrams. They explain the technique I use for making these small projects out of metal.

Stirling engines are easy to build. These plans can be put together in just a few hours using simple hand tools. It took me a lot longer to write the plans and draw all the sketches than it did to build it. As a kid, I once thought "Sterling" was the correct spelling but I later learned that these engines are named after Robert Sterling, a clever clergyman in the 1800's, who added a "regenerator" to a regular heat engine to improve efficiency. Today, with modern materials, Stirling engines are getting another look because of their ability to use any heat / cold source for power! I have run a model like this one on liquid nitrogen as well as ice.

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[haworthluke]

hahahaha your selling the plans and you even sound surprised that its working at the start "hey its running again. do you see it"

[themanyone]

@haworthluke That's not me. That's somebody I never met who made it and sent me the video from across the country. Amazing technology we have...

[helliviknow]

thumbs down because you charge for these plans.. its a simple tin can motor with a bullet for power cylinder. nothing special. why the fee?

[themanyone]

@helliviknow It's a legal requirement to pay child support. As soon as that is paid off we'll give away the plans. How's that?

[trossachs2003]

I feel perfectly fine thank you.

The answer to your first question can be found in Ricardo's Law of Comparitive Advantage. The answer to the second would be found by listening to me sing (though if people were willing to pay $14 to listen to me then I would start singing pronto).

But that notwithstanding, you are never gonna be the renaissance man you aspire to be when you resort to shabby snitty little insults at the first hint of criticism.

[themanyone]

Ok, I'll give away my secret for free. The answer, of course is that they are paying for my time, from somebody who has actually built the engine. Although you can get the plans from a library, the chances of the librarian building one is rather low. Appreciate the comments!

[HOPPERFZR]

some dude makes a cool thing and you go and say something trailer trash ,grab a brain

[themanyone]

Why do people buy food when they could just grow it? Why do people buy music when they can make their own? I'm not sure. You are free to get your information wherever you want or make your own. Try making some videos. You'll feel better.

[dzdice]

Now make it spin at a certain frequency and we'll have music xD (nice job..! :))

[MrTokelosh]

if ralph harris had an engine it would sound like this

[JoeyBelgier]

My homemade dubmachine goes wubwub wubwub wubwub

[carlgrigg]

@intheshitter I was singing Ging Gang Gully but see what you mean :)

[specallez]

It's a nice engine. I suppose all the people complaining about you charging for the plans will be happy to work for me, for free ;)

[muddymuddymuddmann]

I MADE ONE LIKE THAT 3 YEARS AGO WITH THE PISTON VERTICAL. THE CAN WAS THE SAME THOUGH. IT MADE THE SAME SOUND WHEN IT RAN. LOTS OF FUN.

MUDDy