Hello from Tamworth, Australia

[Kaleb]

Hello everyone, I just thought I would introduce myself. My nave should be obvious. I'm 15 years old, and basically love anything mechanical. When I was young I used to absolutely love tractors. I would, and still go to the annual show at Manilla. My first working engine was a battered Meccano/Mamod MEC1 steam engine, purchased at a swap meet at the Manilla show in 2004. I now have a total of 7 working toy steam or donkey engines, another one waiting for a boiler and various bits and pieces. I have also got 3 model stirling engines. I used to be an exclusive steam buff, but I now also like IC engines, particularly the big, low revving open crank types like Ruston & Hornsby's. Since I haven't found anything like that, I tinker with salvaged lawnmowers and whipper snippers. I currently have an old mower with a Briggs & Stratton engine, don't know the date or the model, though, and two whipper snippers, a Ryobi Lawn Hornet Mk3, and a Kawasaki. Out of my IC collection, only the Ryobi runs at the moment. The Kawasaki has a carburettor problem, and I'm not sure what is wrong with the Briggs except for a buggered pull start. Last Christmas I was given a lathe, and have built a simple donkey engine, with a double acting piston valve stationary, and a garden railway loco in progress. I have a dream of building a 5" or 7 1/4" gauge loco, or large model traction engine someday. I also have a friend who has a cement mixer powered by a hopper cooled hit & miss engine of some kind, who will let me have it if he no longer needs it.

Here are some photos of some of my engines:

[eddie bedwell]

Hi Kaleb,
welcome to the BB. Good to see you younger lads getting into the hobby. You have a good range of engines to start off with and learn the basics from.
Lots of good people here willing to share info and help you with any queries.
Happy collecting and enjoy the hobby. I have been playing seriously since 1973 and are still keen.These days as I get older I have a go at making engines of my own designs to employ various combustion methods and valve types.
Cheers,
Eddie B.