Steampunk

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by JA on 31/08/2016 22:42:08:

I am not sure about all this. Perhaps it is outside the scope of the forum.

JA

No (a) it's in the Tea Room and (b) steampunk is a creative movement where engineering meets art – see the 'mechanomorphic art' featured in ME some years ago.

Neil

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Geoff Theasby on 31/08/2016 22:34:23:

How's this for a project?

When are you starting it, Geoff?

[JAParticipant @ja]

I began to realize that Steampunk was a philosophy but, as Neil says, I did put it in the Tea Room. As for New Zealand, I recent read in a newspaper that a small town on the South Island has an annual steampunk festival so assumed it originated there.

JA

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 31/08/2016 23:15:08:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 31/08/2016 22:47:48.

Not exclusively … But surely that bike would fit into many a steampunk scenario.

Hmmm. I've kind of assumed that Steampunk involves an alternative history where the infernal combustion engine hasn't been invented…

Rod

.

Admittedly the bike is not Steam-powered, but surely your 'alternative history' could accommodate the possibility of innovation ... Or do you just see it as a moment frozen in time

MichaelG.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

I don't think steam-punk has got to have a steam connection. My (UK) jewellers tools etc catalogue includes collections of assorted watch and clock parts intended for those making stuff for the 'steam punk market'. And this goes back at least five years.

As to what is appropriate for this forum, be careful about setting rules. It won't be long before it is suggested that nothing which includes any part or substance made entirely by anyone else but the poster in person and on his own and without mechanical assistance should not be contemplated.

Cheers, Tim

PS doesn't Heath Robinson count as one of the Steam-punk pioneers?

Edited By Tim Stevens on 01/09/2016 09:40:58

[John OlsenParticipant @johnolsen79199]

Oamaru in the South Island does have a steampunk festival but they did not invent the idea. Actually Jules Verne probably started it all. The town is a good setting for it since it has quite a nice collection of Victorian stone buildings in the local stone. Stone buildings are of course a rarity in NZ, and are even rarer since the Christchurch earthquakes.

Some steam enthusiasts seem to be uncomfortable with the steam punk concept. The steam punk people tend to be artisticly inclined rather than practically inclined, whereas I think most steam enthusiasts prefer things that actually work rather than hypothetical steam powered ray guns. I think it is all good fun either way, provided the steam punk folks don't decide to start making boilers!

Here is a photo of some steam punk enthusiasts posing with my steam launch at a steam rally near Auckland a couple of years back.

John

[nigel jones 5Participant @nigeljones5]

Steam-punk is a way of life for some people, they even have their own dress code (I only know this as I used to work with someone who was into it).

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Neil,

I'm not sure I would live long enough! Look up studio-octavio for more examples.

I suggested to Cherry Hill that it would make a good model, but she isn't making any more.

Geoff

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Geoff Theasby on 01/09/2016 10:54:40:

Neil,

I'm not sure I would live long enough! Look up studio-octavio for more examples.

I suggested to Cherry Hill that it would make a good model, but she isn't making any more.

Geoff

What a shame. She showed me some fascinating drawings for a steam powered ice-car (I haven't got a better name!) I would have liked to see it complete.

Neil

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 01/09/2016 09:09:13:

Admittedly the bike is not Steam-powered, but surely your 'alternative history' could accommodate the possibility of innovation ...

I'm sure it could, though that might be the end of STEAMpunk Perhaps the i.c. engine could be invented by a baddie and the idea die with him after a suitably lively chase at the end of the novel. Blimey, are we writing a novel here Michael?

Cheers,

Rod

Edited By Roderick Jenkins on 01/09/2016 11:25:04

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Roderick Jenkins on 01/09/2016 11:24:37:

Posted by Michael Gilligan on 01/09/2016 09:09:13:

Admittedly the bike is not Steam-powered, but surely your 'alternative history' could accommodate the possibility of innovation ...

I'm sure it could, though that might be the end of STEAMpunk Perhaps the i.c. engine could be invented by a baddie and the idea die with him after a suitably lively chase at the end of the novel. Blimey, are we writing a novel here Michael?

.

True Confession time, Rod

… I don't even read novels

My wife reads enough of them for both of us.

I prefer reading about the history of the technology that our 'reality' has developed.

MichaelG.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Neil she has the "Nathaniel Grew Ice Locomotive" well beyond the drawing stage but not sure if she has anything planned after that.

[MuzzerParticipant @muzzer]

Nathaniel Grew Ice Locomotive / steam powered ice-car…

Sounds intriguing. Can anyone elucidate or is it going to be left hanging there? I'm in suspenders…

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

This looks to be a later one of theirs but will give you an idea. You could always buy her book

[Ed DuffnerParticipant @edduffner79357]

I think I'd rather not be standing on the foot-plate of a few tons of hot steam engine travelling across ice. I wonder what purpose the buffers on that ice locomtive would serve?

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Posted by Ed Duffner on 01/09/2016 12:46:46:

I wonder what purpose the buffers on that ice locomtive would serve?

Same as on a railway loco stops all the carrages/waggons bumping into each other when you slow down. I assume it was made for hauling of some sort though I suppose rigid drawbars could be used.

Just found an image of the one she has based her model on. Not sure what would happen if you went over any undulations as there is a serious risk of loosing traction!

 

Edited By JasonB on 01/09/2016 13:18:39

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

A message to anyone thinking of building a model ice locomotive (as illustrated) and using it on ice.

There seems to be no way to steer the device*, although it can be expected to maintain a straight course on ice as there is no diff between the studded wheels. But think what happens if it slows down. The inertia of whatever is being towed is likely to overcome any straight-on tendency, and a jack-knife will follow. If this does not tip the engine over I will be surprised, and the hot bits will rapidly sink through the ice …

* I base my remarks on the rear drive version we saw first. The latest centre drive picture seems even worse in some respects.

Cheers, Tim

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

The discussion I had with Cherry centred around her interpretation of the engine's complex and badly engraved steering arrangements!

The first engraving has a wheel to turn the 'sled' at the front, and the second has an 'Ackerman-like' arrangement operated by a handle to turn the front skids.

I make no judgements as to their practicality, but they seem to have been used:

Neil

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 01/09/2016 14:01:12

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I'll have another go at embedding a steampunk Stirling engine video. These are some of the best looking model stirling engines I've ever seen, IMHO. (Although technically they are Bohm Hot Air engines, but close enough. I suppose there is no steam in them either. Beautiful models either way)

Edited By Hopper on 01/09/2016 14:02:39

Edited By Hopper on 01/09/2016 14:03:06

Edited By Hopper on 01/09/2016 14:05:07

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

The skids on the first one don't look that steerable maybe the steering wheel acted on a 3 way valve sending more steam to one wheel than the other and wheels rotate on stubs rather than solid axle, sort of primative skid steer.

At least the Lombard haulers had the sense to fit a diff and front wheels for summer use.

Talking of Lombards and not trying to go off topic, this has got to be more fun than sitting behind a loco goping round and round, he also has some other videos of interesting logging subjects.

Edited By JasonB on 01/09/2016 14:16:20

Edited By JasonB on 01/09/2016 14:16:50

[WindyParticipant @windy30762]

Have a look at this might give ideas for a new project

**LINK**

He has many steam machines doing their thing.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I have the book of Engineering exhibits at the 1864 exhibition – one was an ice loco illustrated by an engraving + some description + use (maybe the same loco or very similar)- catch is no access to book until I return to UK on 2wks or so.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Posted by Hopper on 01/09/2016 14:01:05:

I'll have another go at embedding a steampunk Stirling engine video. These are some of the best looking model stirling engines I've ever seen, IMHO. (Although technically they are Bohm Hot Air engines, but close enough. I suppose there is no steam in them either. Beautiful models either way)

They are very nice, thanks for the link. Would they be Steampunk if they were made out of aluminium and steel?

Cheers,

Rod

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by JasonB on 01/09/2016 13:13:16:

Just found an image of the one she has based her model on.

.

Oh well …

There was me, hoping it was the fan-powered yacht from Barbarella.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by JasonB on 01/09/2016 14:08:03:

Talking of Lombards and not trying to go off topic, this has got to be more fun than sitting behind a loco goping round and round, he also has some other videos of interesting logging subjects.

Now THAT is great!

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