Diesel RC

2012 Nuremberg Toy Fair Engine News

webmaster — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 18:11:00 +0000

Browsing some sites with photos from the Nuremberg Toy Fair this past weekend a few new engines popped up.

Browsing some sites with photos form the Nuremberg Toy Fair this past weekend a few new engines popped up. Weston UK was displaying a few new or prototype offerings from RCV Engines. There was a CD-260 twin and marine versions of the existing CD series. The old ED engines in the case were curious, I think Weston UK owns what was E.D.

Thunder Tiger displayed a Wankel 50CC gasoline engine. This is certainly interesting. The price will of course determine if it become common or not, but there will always be some market for unique engines.

And for the model engineering followers there were some interesting offering from Böhm of Germany. The stirling engine cars are intriguing. I didn’t know of this company until now, but they are well known. Click here for the Böhm website.

Just quick update.

webmaster — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:49:52 +0000

I’m working on several new pages to add to the projects page. I have not been idle, but progress has been slower than expected. There’s a high speed milling spindle, cnc lathe, a sad end to the cox project, and some other engine info. I hope to get the site refreshed in the next week or so.

CMEA Model Engine Show 2011

webmaster — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:16:21 +0000

This past weekend I made a stop over at the Chicago Model Engineers Association’s annual show. This is a small group and that makes it fun to visit because it’s not crowded and you can talk without being rushed. I did not forget the memory for the camera this year.

Updated FS-48 setup.

webmaster — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 01:49:58 +0000

Last year I posted a video of the FS-48 at the flying field. I have installed a Robart fueling valve and Cline fuel regulator. The fuel regulator improves consistency of mixture setting for the large 13 oz on-board tank. The valve allows starting and warm up with an auxiliary fuel tank containing standard model diesel fuel. When the valve is closed the engine draws from the on-board tank of fuel without ether. After final needle adjustments, it’s ready to fly. I also replaced the stock FS-48 needle with a different part number that fits but has a much finer taper for improved needling. The starting procedure is much improved and only needs a tank that will sit on the model without assistance. The video is here. I flew the model last week, at mostly high power settings, for 25 minutes an landed with 2/3rd’s of a tank. The run time is fantastic. Setting the engine is a little tricky with etherless fuel, but it’s and interesting experiment.

Books for Engine Fanatics

webmaster — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 03:40:17 +0000

I didn’t read many books in the past. I gathered most of my information about engines from magazines and internet sources. This was OK until I ran out of depth in the material. There is plenty to read, but pretty soon it’s all the same. Books go much deeper and I found that I enjoy reading about the men who created these machines. Aviation engines interest me the most, but I won’t skip any engine book. I have some technical books that are very in depth in engine theory and design. These are not very entertaining unless designing an engine. Recently, I’ve found a few biographies that caught my interest. The first was “Fedden – the life of Sir Roy Fedden“, about the man who designed the great piston engines of the Bristol Aeroplane Company. I’m now reading “The Ricardo Story” about Sir Harry Ricardo whose research brought major changes in engine design. I also have “Not Much of an Engineer” about Sir Stanley Hooker who had major roles at Rolls Royce and Bristol. An overview of piston aircraft engine designs “”Development of Piston Aero Engines” by Bill Gunston is an excellent reference with many photographs and drawings. On my list to get are “Memories and Machines: the Pattern of My Life” and “The High-Speed Internal Combustion Engine” by Sir Harry Ricardo. These are collectible, so they are quite expensive. These books give a wonderful history of engine development and the people behind the work.

IHobbyExpo 2010

webmaster — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 22:30:33 +0000

The IHobbyExpo show has certainly changed since I first attended 15 years ago. The economy and the internet have reduced the number of exhibitors and visitors. New products are often found on the internet before the show. Still, some manufacturers manage to keep a few things quiet. On to the good stuff.

OS Engines will be introducing a new fours stroke by the end of the year, the FS-95V. The head appears similar to the head used on the FR7-420 radial.

Horizon Hobby displayed the Saito line up included recent additions; FA-200R3 and FG-57T.

UMS Technologies LTD of India was present for the first time. UMS produces the Siedel Radials. New at the show was the smallest they produce, ST 7-35, A seven cylinder radial displacing 35cc. It’s rated at 2HP and 5200RPM maximum. UMS also had stirling engines on display. I neglected to ask about the 6 cylinder automotive type engine.

Authentic Scale is producing a line of engines. The first that will be available is the 9 cylinder, 90CC, 9-90M Radial. They are also going to offer a V-12 and double row 14 cylinder radial. These are Martin Ohrndorf designs.

Summer is Here.

webmaster — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 21:38:03 +0000

I see it’s been a long time since I’ve posted. I’ve been busy with a new baby boy and several projects on top of work. I did manage to attend the NAMES event this year. It was interesting as usual, but I didn’t get any photos this year. I visited with a friend and did get a chance to run his Schlosser 0.25CC diesel. Wow, was that nice engine. Being brand new it felt incredibly good and doesn’t seem like it will need much run time before reaching full potential. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a photo or video.

The FS-52 with spark ignition was written off in a crash that totaled the airplane. One of these days, it will be repaired. Read about what I learned in the teardown. A spark conversion of an FSa-81 is almost complete.

I added a page about a camshaft swap I’m doing in one of my diesel FS-48′s to improve consumption. The engine needs a few more items and will be test run soon.

I also uploaded a few manuals to the download page today.

Some Updates

webmaster — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:24:57 +0000

I’ve been adding some videos to the How To page. I hope to add more as time is available. A Saito rebuild is next on the list. A few new engine manuals have been uploaded to the Download page. I have more to scan and upload in the near future. I am considering offer several new diesel OS FS-30 conversions before the end of the year. Please contact me if interested.

A visit to Airventure

webmaster — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 15:58:24 +0000

I made a brief trip to Oshkosh, Wisconsin yesterday to the EAA Airventure event. I didn’t have much time and could have spent all week looking at aircraft and engines. I have flown electric model airplanes since 1997, and wanted to see the Yuneec E430 two place electric first hand. I also stopped in at the NASA display and had a look at some sUAV projects.

NAMES Expo and Other News

webmaster — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 22:42:18 +0000

I visited the NAMES Expo this weekend. I managed only a few photos. I was preoccupied with observing the various engine designs.

In other news, I’ve had a few inquiries about the bearing puller. I’ve been busy with work recently but will make up several for sale. Please contact me for more information.