@@lmmI got the beam engine model and was impressed by the working governor. But thought this one a little pricey . Wouldn't turn one down if offered one tho , looks good for a mostly prebuilt yoke tho.😊
Me to. Dad had one he got back in the 1950s and I always loved playing with it [they used meths in those days] and my brother had a traction engine he got for Xmas one year. I've always wanted one of my own and this might just be the answer to my dreams.
Spoiler! Build it, add fuel/water, touch the flywheel 3x, and it runs. 14:33 Also highlight reel. Lawrie, was 'to start, open drains and later close' in the instructions, because if not it probably would not have started as easily. That in itself is a huge feature! Excellent review, I hope they come back with more.
Even without running it , it is a great looking engine. I agree about how good simply watching the engine working is. Those excentrics and the expansion link are terrific.
@@lmmit’s great just fiddly enough to keep it interesting and I’ve ordered this one now. Many thanks I’m glad you can be trusted not to just recommend rubbish.
What a super engine, so well made, so you can tell that it's going to be worth the money. I have had a brief nostalgic moment seeing your little Mamod Minor 1 engine. I bought one with some money I got for Christmas when I was 11 years old (that would be 1965!). It cost me the princely sum of £1. 10s (£1.50) and I really wanted one of the better spec'd versions, but knew at my level of pocket money that I would never have the money. I still have it and I am pretty sure it works, though I haven't had it out for a bit. I need a new washer for the safety valve. As you have said, it roars rather than chuffs, but at one stage, I built a sort of chassis for it so it could move under its own steam. Such fun...!
My old Mamod is buried in the shed somewhere. The last I saw, the filler/safety valve was missing. I have gotten a couple of hot air engines from Temu and they are beautiful bits of kit. One came assebled and the other a kit. Both run flawlessly. I enjoyed your video. Thanks for having us along! Cheers Terry
I think this is the first of these that I genuinely want... it reminds me of the one I used to see at Wigan Peir as a kid for a start, and just looks amazing to run
Is a great adventure watching the little steam builds!!! Thank you for the great content and awesome care!! Plus we all know if the power ever goes out your house will be buzzing away with little steamers making light😁😁 keep up the great work
Thanks for this. Ive always wanted one of these mini steam engines. But they all see to run at the speed if my tiny brushless motors on my drone (25k rpm). Ill probably never set aside time and money for such a me time project. So for now ill only keep enjoying your lovely videos
That's normally my issue with one of these little engines, they roar away and you can't control it. This is brilliant. It's so nice having it just tick over
Injectors require about 50psi and over to operate. This is engines boiler is likely to have less than 12psi before the safety valve operates. This means an injector is not possible on these types of engines.
I just want one of these for the whistle, it's the biggest I've seen on a little stationary engine in terms of size in proportion to the boiler and I wanna see if the boiler can supply enough steam to sound it consistently while running the engine
Looks like a nice kit, would prefer flat head screws as the Allen bolts look a bit out of place on a steam engine, but that could be because I’m used to the old fittings on my engines 😊
@ This is true, I do also like how it’s able to run slowly, a model with a regulator is handy. Check out D.R.Mercer traction engine kits (if there still going) as they have allot of features that are nice 👍
It would be pretty neat if there was a small t-valve under the safety that you could use to add water while it's running. That way you can keep it running for longer.
It would be super fun to use the whistle more! The issue with refilling water is that the water system is pressurized when running, and the 'incoming' water has to be at higher pressure to 'get in.' Look up 'model steam feedwater pump.' With that you get a little hand driven pump. If you leave off 'model' you get industrial size electric motor driven systems.
@@jimbarchuk Yeah, I know that you need injectors and all that. So maybe have a shut-off on the feed like, and a large syringe for the water. Hook up the syringe, open the valve, apply pressure to the syringe to inject the water, shut off the feed line. I would think that should work.
@@THEJake829 If you use a check valve (one-way valve) for the feed line, you don't need to open and close it manually. Of course, the next step is to also run a line from the same place to a water tank, with a check valve going the other way so that it opens to let the syringe pull in water but closes to prevent it from getting pushed back out, so that you don't need to ever disconnect the syringe. At which point you've reinvented the feedwater pump!
Look up "Goodall valve" 16mm model steam locos user them. You just get a spray bottle with a hose and the pressure of pumping opens the valve and the water goes into the boiler. @@THEJake829
It looks really good. Setting the stroke to be equal in the bore may require some knowledge in view of it being adjustable ? The wire gauze burner is not new, I've seen steel cable used. A pressure gauge would be nice and match Wilesco s offering.
Nice video, thank you. I think I would have checked the balance of the flywheel, and vastly more important I would certainly have hydraulicly tested the boiler..
Here's a thought..... could the stationary steam engine's dynamo generate enough current to power a model railways locomotive on a circle of track. Possibly an old 1960's Playcraft (Jouef) 708 0-4-0T loco, as these will run (slowly) on even a pair of AAA batteries. Maybe even a DS48 model.
I've watched the video with the other Retrol engine, and I thought that was a very interesting, this also was very amazing, just powering up the light was also a unique sight, but I'm still more curious, despite their size, can these engines be used for anything else, anything big?
Lawrie didn't dwell on how the engine performed under load, which is a bit surprising -- you can just hear the engine slow down when the light is turned on (and then Lawrie adjusts the regulator). You certainly could use it for driving something else, but whether it could perform useful work is questionable. For example, if you somehow connected the engine to an external sanding disk or polishing mop, how much pressure could you apply on the workpiece before the engine stalled? Would be fun to try! How about it Lawrie? ( @lmm ) A video of you trying to make your engine do real work would be rather good!
Not really, they are just models after all. There are verious tools too can run off them, but they're mostly for demonstration. It would be good to do an experiment and see what it could run!
This is more a copy of the Jensen 75, since I don't think Wilesco has any engines with reversing gear like that. I think the two biggest things I dislike about these Chinese engines is the boiler is much smaller than what you'd get with a Wilesco or Jensen, and their beam steam engine model is only single-acting.
So, I'd be tempted to get one of these. But I know I'd make a mess with it so instead im thinking of investing in either an N guage mini railway or a T guage. Not sure which yet.
@@lmm 100% would get it, If not for the fear of getting steam / oil / mess everywhere! But thanks for the heads up of N! I'll have to find a Ruston to put on it!
@@lmm Not a bad shout! A lil off topic, But I was wondering, have you ever been to the Black country living museum in the west midlands? They have a Newcomen steam engine there and the place might be right up your alley!
Superb engine; only problem with the name 'Retrol', when you try to search for it on any website it takes a while to convince each one that, no, you DON'T mean 'retro'😊
So I have been watching your channel for a while now. And I just want to say as an American Railroader or railfan. I enjoy watching your content however I wish and some of your videos you would show more whistle clips. That being said when you're doing steam trains and you're showing Steam Train characters and explaining how they run and operate and you're showing us how to operate one I wish to do a little more steam whistles. However I do want to say nothing brings a smile on my face when I watch LMM Productions.
@@lmm I know I don't comment a lot on your videos but I do want to say you do a great job at teaching others like me a lot about steam engines and I'm into the American diesels not much into steam so having somebody that knows a lot about what they do really helps me out a lot
A related thing that I would find interesting is a short video about when British railroads whistle (or blow the horn, on diesels) and what whistle signals they use. I hear a lot of British railfans expressing surprise at how often American railroads blow the horns/whistles, because on this side of the Atlantic the expectation is to blow four blasts at every grade crossing, and I understand that that's not the case on your side of the Atlantic at all.
The manufacturer must have found a copy of the mythical regulations, that no one else can find, that states model steam boilers must have a level gauge. Now you won't be arrested and thrown in jail for running the model. You are right saying that you should run out of fuel before you run out of water
@@lmm Aye. My guess on the fuel/water ratio is you were bleeding steam off out the whistle faster than the engine would consume it. If you just ran the engine it may be fine
@@JSmith19858 I ran it a few times, and the burner was always still alight at the time of pulling out the fire. I think it's just fill the burner to just 3/4 full. Apart from that, actually a really nice little model.
Chinese factories _can_ make quality products, like this mini stem engine, but their customers (the wholesalers and retailers) just want low costs most of the time.
If it ran out of water nothing is going to happen other than you might desolder parts of the boiler, but at that point you would be back to no pressure.
@@lmmthe piston was fine on mine, I didn’t have to adjust that. The eccentrics seem to be built wrong on mine as no matter how many adjustments I do to the timing I can’t get her to go properly
It's a nice looking model but looks tiny to me A inch diameter boiler about 3 inches long? A Wilesco is much bigger than that and sure to be more powerful
@@lmm OK Thanks. I have a Wilesco and that can run slow for around 45 mins on one boiler fill. It is electrically heated. The piston like this is double acting but uses slip eccentrics to reverse it. This looks a lot better in that way. I may look at getting one
@cedarcam my Traction engine is similar. But then, they've both got bigger boilers. I suppose this is the only issue, smaller boiler, so running sessions are short!
You are not adjusting the length of the stroke as that is fixed, that is used to set the valve timing in relationship to the sliding valve gear and I suggest you read the manual.
Changing the valve timing would be on the valve spindle, not the piston. Changing the length of the connecting rod would have the effect on a longer stroke.
@@lmm Changing the piston location in the bore also affects the valve timing while the stoke is fixed and is determined by the stroke of the crankshaft that is fixed when it is machined. The stroke cannot be changed by lengthening or shorting the rog length. That just changes the position of the piston in the bore. I would also expect the length of the rod adjustment should have been set once the piston is installed before the head is installed. It is called deck height.
I received a Retrol Beam Engine for Christmas. I really am chuffed about it. Such a nice kit. Their engineers did a wonderful job.
Idk why I just love when little model engines power a little model street lamp
It's really twee. I like it
It's just satisfying seeing it run and generate usable power
You may enjoy it because it is impressive, wonderful, and fun.
It's the same for petrol stationry engines.
@@lmmI got the beam engine model and was impressed by the working governor. But thought this one a little pricey . Wouldn't turn one down if offered one tho , looks good for a mostly prebuilt yoke tho.😊
I’ve not watched to the end yet… but I think I want one of these engines…
It's actually really good
@@lmmI watched the rest…, yeah, I really do want one!
Me to. Dad had one he got back in the 1950s and I always loved playing with it [they used meths in those days] and my brother had a traction engine he got for Xmas one year. I've always wanted one of my own and this might just be the answer to my dreams.
Spoiler! Build it, add fuel/water, touch the flywheel 3x, and it runs. 14:33 Also highlight reel.
Lawrie, was 'to start, open drains and later close' in the instructions, because if not it probably would not have started as easily. That in itself is a huge feature!
Excellent review, I hope they come back with more.
Even without running it , it is a great looking engine.
I agree about how good simply watching the engine working is.
Those excentrics and the expansion link are terrific.
I got the flamelicker on your recommendation and now my wife is giving me funny looks while you round up this videos. Oh heck! Thanks.
How are you finding the flame licker?
I run mine from time to time and rather enjoy it.
This thing is super fun.
@@lmmit’s great just fiddly enough to keep it interesting and I’ve ordered this one now. Many thanks I’m glad you can be trusted not to just recommend rubbish.
What a super engine, so well made, so you can tell that it's going to be worth the money. I have had a brief nostalgic moment seeing your little Mamod Minor 1 engine. I bought one with some money I got for Christmas when I was 11 years old (that would be 1965!). It cost me the princely sum of £1. 10s (£1.50) and I really wanted one of the better spec'd versions, but knew at my level of pocket money that I would never have the money. I still have it and I am pretty sure it works, though I haven't had it out for a bit. I need a new washer for the safety valve. As you have said, it roars rather than chuffs, but at one stage, I built a sort of chassis for it so it could move under its own steam. Such fun...!
Mamod were super, having a base you could bolt mechcano to was genius.
I love the little minor, it's a twee little thing
This is the first video I've seen of yours and as someone who likes engineering, miniature steam engines look like good fun
My old Mamod is buried in the shed somewhere. The last I saw, the filler/safety valve was missing. I have gotten a couple of hot air engines from Temu and they are beautiful bits of kit. One came assebled and the other a kit.
Both run flawlessly.
I enjoyed your video. Thanks for having us along!
Cheers
Terry
I think this is the first of these that I genuinely want... it reminds me of the one I used to see at Wigan Peir as a kid for a start, and just looks amazing to run
Wow! 😃
This is definitely one of the best steam engine kits you've covered, Lawrie.
It looks and sounds amazing 👍.
It's really good! I really enjoyed building it and have run it several times since
Whether it's better or not does not matter, it looks great and it's very Interactive.
Wow, that was an amazing kit.
I love ecentric valve gear and that just looked epic. 😍
Is a great adventure watching the little steam builds!!! Thank you for the great content and awesome care!! Plus we all know if the power ever goes out your house will be buzzing away with little steamers making light😁😁 keep up the great work
The light is actually quite nice in a dark room too!
Great video as always Lawrie
Glad you enjoyed it
Did I miss the oiling the engine? Love it notching up what is not to love?
It has a safety valve! And a jinjustor handle! This may be the best kit yet!!!
Really like your enthousiasm! Very good engine indeed.
Absolutely stunning, i want one now.
Use the link in the video description, and have fun!
Thanks for this. Ive always wanted one of these mini steam engines. But they all see to run at the speed if my tiny brushless motors on my drone (25k rpm). Ill probably never set aside time and money for such a me time project. So for now ill only keep enjoying your lovely videos
That's normally my issue with one of these little engines, they roar away and you can't control it.
This is brilliant. It's so nice having it just tick over
Its just the physics of small things. The resonance tends to make them run very fast. One of the reasons this little engine is quite impressive.
One thought do you need to fine tune the piston position a fraction of a turn it may help with the forward/reverse inbalance
Oh that could be it! I'll investigate
Wow…! I’d like to have this one - and possibly add a water pump, or get totally silly and make an injector…? 😊
A water pump would be really useful!
Injectors require about 50psi and over to operate. This is engines boiler is likely to have less than 12psi before the safety valve operates. This means an injector is not possible on these types of engines.
I just want one of these for the whistle, it's the biggest I've seen on a little stationary engine in terms of size in proportion to the boiler and I wanna see if the boiler can supply enough steam to sound it consistently while running the engine
Looks like a nice kit, would prefer flat head screws as the Allen bolts look a bit out of place on a steam engine, but that could be because I’m used to the old fittings on my engines 😊
It is easier to bolt together though!
@ This is true, I do also like how it’s able to run slowly, a model with a regulator is handy. Check out D.R.Mercer traction engine kits (if there still going) as they have allot of features that are nice 👍
Make this is brilliant I'm going to have to get one
great video Lawrie, actually tempted to get one of these to begin a functional steam discovery
I'd recommend it!
Lot of fun you can have with it, and all works well!
Once you start you will find collecting them addictive. Especially when vintage engines are great value for money at the moment.
Slightly disappointed that the lantern does not turn red when you apply the reverser.
Oh that would have been great 😂
It would be 10/10if it did that
Hah! And that wouldn't be too hard to do, if that's a DC generator.
Wonder how much power could get out of it. Could it be used to run a OO or G train
Lawrie what really nice little steam engine !
That is a great model. Although would you recommend oiling or grease all of the bearings and motion prior to running.
Oh defo wants some light oil. But it doesn't mention it in the instructions
It would be pretty neat if there was a small t-valve under the safety that you could use to add water while it's running. That way you can keep it running for longer.
It would be super fun to use the whistle more! The issue with refilling water is that the water system is pressurized when running, and the 'incoming' water has to be at higher pressure to 'get in.' Look up 'model steam feedwater pump.' With that you get a little hand driven pump. If you leave off 'model' you get industrial size electric motor driven systems.
@@jimbarchuk
Yeah, I know that you need injectors and all that. So maybe have a shut-off on the feed like, and a large syringe for the water.
Hook up the syringe, open the valve, apply pressure to the syringe to inject the water, shut off the feed line. I would think that should work.
Adding a hand pump would be a good way to lengthen the running time!
@@THEJake829 If you use a check valve (one-way valve) for the feed line, you don't need to open and close it manually.
Of course, the next step is to also run a line from the same place to a water tank, with a check valve going the other way so that it opens to let the syringe pull in water but closes to prevent it from getting pushed back out, so that you don't need to ever disconnect the syringe. At which point you've reinvented the feedwater pump!
Look up "Goodall valve" 16mm model steam locos user them. You just get a spray bottle with a hose and the pressure of pumping opens the valve and the water goes into the boiler. @@THEJake829
It looks really good. Setting the stroke to be equal in the bore may require some knowledge in view of it being adjustable ? The wire gauze burner is not new, I've seen steel cable used. A pressure gauge would be nice and match Wilesco s offering.
I didn't think the comparative one with a generator had a pressure guage to be honest
Thank You Lawrie Kool steam engine
That looks really nice
Nice video, thank you. I think I would have checked the balance of the flywheel, and vastly more important I would certainly have hydraulicly tested the boiler..
Would love to know what voltage / current it can create. Would be fun if it could charge something.
It's only an LED, but has a bit or torque to it, so could probably take more load
A nice little kit
Here's a thought..... could the stationary steam engine's dynamo generate enough current to power a model railways locomotive on a circle of track. Possibly an old 1960's Playcraft (Jouef) 708 0-4-0T loco, as these will run (slowly) on even a pair of AAA batteries. Maybe even a DS48 model.
I'll investigate!
Checking the output voltage would be the first step. Be interesting to the power output (steam punk phone charger?)…
Superb! And very annoyingly too late, took delivery of a new Wilsco D405 2 weeks ago 🙁
Now, how to justify buying a second engine?! 🤪
To compare! For science!
The Traction engine is a lovely thing.
15:15 the audio here is a few seconds ahead. The piston movement doesnt match the audio really well.
Yeah, I found that. I don't know what had happened, as it thought that's how the clip was.
I've watched the video with the other Retrol engine, and I thought that was a very interesting, this also was very amazing, just powering up the light was also a unique sight, but I'm still more curious, despite their size, can these engines be used for anything else, anything big?
Lawrie didn't dwell on how the engine performed under load, which is a bit surprising -- you can just hear the engine slow down when the light is turned on (and then Lawrie adjusts the regulator).
You certainly could use it for driving something else, but whether it could perform useful work is questionable. For example, if you somehow connected the engine to an external sanding disk or polishing mop, how much pressure could you apply on the workpiece before the engine stalled? Would be fun to try!
How about it Lawrie? ( @lmm ) A video of you trying to make your engine do real work would be rather good!
Not really, they are just models after all.
There are verious tools too can run off them, but they're mostly for demonstration.
It would be good to do an experiment and see what it could run!
This is more a copy of the Jensen 75, since I don't think Wilesco has any engines with reversing gear like that. I think the two biggest things I dislike about these Chinese engines is the boiler is much smaller than what you'd get with a Wilesco or Jensen, and their beam steam engine model is only single-acting.
that is an impressive kit not gunna lie
It is! Genuinely fun and satisfying to build
This does look great, I have never seen an internal combustion equivalent though, I wonder if they actually exist.
One of the reviews I've got to do is of a model internal combustion engine!
@lmm oh excellent, I can't wait to see that
There are people on You Tube who build miniature V8's. That work..
Looks really good proper model steam engine lot nicer than a Wilesco in my opinion
It's a very nice little engine.
So, I'd be tempted to get one of these. But I know I'd make a mess with it so instead im thinking of investing in either an N guage mini railway or a T guage. Not sure which yet.
Lot that can be done with N, lots of variety too.
I'd recommend this though, it's really good fun and runs really well.
@@lmm 100% would get it, If not for the fear of getting steam / oil / mess everywhere! But thanks for the heads up of N! I'll have to find a Ruston to put on it!
@@twowheelfrenzy I often put them on a plastic tray
@@lmm Not a bad shout! A lil off topic, But I was wondering, have you ever been to the Black country living museum in the west midlands? They have a Newcomen steam engine there and the place might be right up your alley!
Superb engine; only problem with the name 'Retrol', when you try to search for it on any website it takes a while to convince each one that, no, you DON'T mean 'retro'😊
That can make it tricky
Looks like these guys should produce an 0 guage locomotive next... I wonder if they are planning one?
I've got an HO live steam engine to test!
@lmm looking forward to that Lawrie !!
It actually said "Steam whistie" ;-). which also kinda works
So I have been watching your channel for a while now. And I just want to say as an American Railroader or railfan. I enjoy watching your content however I wish and some of your videos you would show more whistle clips. That being said when you're doing steam trains and you're showing Steam Train characters and explaining how they run and operate and you're showing us how to operate one I wish to do a little more steam whistles. However I do want to say nothing brings a smile on my face when I watch LMM Productions.
I'll do my best!
@@lmm I know I don't comment a lot on your videos but I do want to say you do a great job at teaching others like me a lot about steam engines and I'm into the American diesels not much into steam so having somebody that knows a lot about what they do really helps me out a lot
I'm just glad you're enjoying the content!
@lmm yes sir I do can't wait for more steam engines videos
A related thing that I would find interesting is a short video about when British railroads whistle (or blow the horn, on diesels) and what whistle signals they use. I hear a lot of British railfans expressing surprise at how often American railroads blow the horns/whistles, because on this side of the Atlantic the expectation is to blow four blasts at every grade crossing, and I understand that that's not the case on your side of the Atlantic at all.
The manufacturer must have found a copy of the mythical regulations, that no one else can find, that states model steam boilers must have a level gauge. Now you won't be arrested and thrown in jail for running the model. You are right saying that you should run out of fuel before you run out of water
Thankfully not. Else I wouldn't be able to bring you more models
@@lmm Aye. My guess on the fuel/water ratio is you were bleeding steam off out the whistle faster than the engine would consume it. If you just ran the engine it may be fine
@@JSmith19858 I ran it a few times, and the burner was always still alight at the time of pulling out the fire.
I think it's just fill the burner to just 3/4 full.
Apart from that, actually a really nice little model.
@ fair enough. Maybe a drilled hole in the side at the correct level might help
@@JSmith19858 that's actually not a bad idea. I was wondering if putting some material in the bottom of the burner
This looks super cool but are the opinions your own or were you paid
My own - if you look through the other model engines that I've been sent, they don't always get a glowing review
Roundhouse engineering of Doncaster, produce excellent loco kits if you get a chance
Yeah, they're super things!
What is the Lego excavator on you're desk?
Chinese factories _can_ make quality products, like this mini stem engine, but their customers (the wholesalers and retailers) just want low costs most of the time.
It shows for the quality you have to pay - as this is similar to a Wilesco
@@lmm yep, get what you pay for generally...
Need a better steam oil bottle so as to get more oil inside then outside. 😂
Nice video, do you have any clue when LMMfest will be?
Hopefully next month to announce LMMfest2
It's just a monster edit
@lmm ye I can guess it will be
Hmm intresting
🤔
It's actually really good
@@lmm Yes it certily looks it from what ive watched, im waiting for a moment to watch the rest
If it ran out of water nothing is going to happen other than you might desolder parts of the boiler, but at that point you would be back to no pressure.
It looks like it's all tapped and screwed together, so no real risk there
Hi Lawrie. Got a great one there. caroline.
I'm glad you enjoyed it
I got sent one by EngineDIY but I can’t get it to go, keeps having valve issues
Same issue as mine?
@@lmmthe piston was fine on mine, I didn’t have to adjust that. The eccentrics seem to be built wrong on mine as no matter how many adjustments I do to the timing I can’t get her to go properly
Time for my obligitory over the top comment for a LMM model engine review. WOW, IT'S VERY ENGINEY!!!!!
Clearly an expert in the field - it is very enginey!
@lmm I got my degree at the hardware store.
I saw that ye had the Jupiter Fireman Sam convertible.
Now.. take all your kits and make Frankenstein machine..
One mighty machine!
@@lmm A mechanical marvel, if you will.
The concentrics are mesmorising, seen them on 1:1 scale and stood there for .. well until the other half hit me.
It's a nice looking model but looks tiny to me A inch diameter boiler about 3 inches long? A Wilesco is much bigger than that and sure to be more powerful
It's a very small boiler.
The piston I think is bigger, as the Wilesco runs significantly longer.
@@lmm OK Thanks. I have a Wilesco and that can run slow for around 45 mins on one boiler fill. It is electrically heated. The piston like this is double acting but uses slip eccentrics to reverse it. This looks a lot better in that way. I may look at getting one
@cedarcam my Traction engine is similar.
But then, they've both got bigger boilers.
I suppose this is the only issue, smaller boiler, so running sessions are short!
You are not adjusting the length of the stroke as that is fixed, that is used to set the valve timing in relationship to the sliding valve gear and I suggest you read the manual.
Changing the valve timing would be on the valve spindle, not the piston.
Changing the length of the connecting rod would have the effect on a longer stroke.
@@lmm Changing the piston location in the bore also affects the valve timing while the stoke is fixed and is determined by the stroke of the crankshaft that is fixed when it is machined. The stroke cannot be changed by lengthening or shorting the rog length. That just changes the position of the piston in the bore. I would also expect the length of the rod adjustment should have been set once the piston is installed before the head is installed. It is called deck height.
🤔 You know China being the last country to actually used steam power, they might actually have an advantage with experience in this area...
Steamy dreams....
It's a good little machine
Looks like you can hook up a condenser for even more power
NO!