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       The Unofficial Mamod and Other Steam Forum Forum Index -> Meccano
Wallace

Meccano powered steam car

I decided to put the MEC1 to some use and build a car.

Nothing flash to look at, but was still fun to build.










It runs a little too quickly. Not sure if I am going to keep it, or do another project with the engine, but if I keep it I will gear it down some more.

These MEC1's are great little powerhouses. It just doesn't hesitate at all


A stationary vid of it.




And now running

Nick

That really looks nice!  
shaygetz

What a hoot that must have been...great stuff.
tmuir

Thats pretty cool, I like that but that one obviously begs for a Mark II to be made with steering and a RC servo so you can make it remote control.  
Wallace

Cheers for the comments.

Tony, I totally agree. It really is something that needs steering of some sort. Would be no need to slow it down then.

When I filmed it and saw my old RC car in the garage, it did make me think  
steamyman

I like that alot.  
johnreid

I like it that you even did some headlights, real good thinking there.
IndianaRog

Wallace, that car is outstanding...may run a bit fast, but just find a wide open place for it and let it rip.  Kids will love it.
Mamodman123

Great job mate    

You shiould have done the rock and roll thing and driven it into the swimming pool though

runs great!  
James

That looks grand Wallace!!  
mc_mc

If you can get it geared down you could probably go off road with it.
TRAPPERKEEPER

Great build, runs very nicely  
Kaleb

I have built something simliar with my restored MEC1. Look here: http://modelsteam.myfreeforum.org/about9676.html
Wallace

Nice work Kaleb  

Thanks for all the comments. Might be a keeper for a while, with some mods.

John I wish I could claim the idea of the headlights, but it was one thing I remembered from a ebay auction where they had something similar for sale.

I thought they were some sort of bottle tops. But fishing around in my Dads meccano I saw them, realising they are actually a meccano part.  
Minor1PJG

I absolutely love it - I think it looks great.

Keep that one as is, and buy another MEC1 for you next project.  Or sell all the pieces to me so I can build it
mogogear

Can you make it 4WD????

Great job Wallace
Minor1PJG

Look what Wallace has inspired me to build

Great fun

[img]

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[img]

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[/img]

I'll put some video on YouTube
Wallace

That's great mate    

I bet it really moves. I'm looking forward to the vid  

P.S. That MEC1 is in great condition. Can't beat meccano coupled with Steam  
Minor1PJG

First videos of the test run on the bench:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39LXaJ_isqM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBfZlnYDyFg

A road run later I think
johnreid

Real nice, I like it a lot.
Les Marsh

That looks great and I bet it will quite fast.
rangerssteamtoys

Nice car, If you want to slow it down some just add a few more gears. I like the look and feel ofthat design. It shows how everything works.
Les Marsh

You should build another one and have straightline races.
Minor1PJG

Now, there's a thought Les

Hope to do some road run tests tonight
Minor1PJG

Ranger,

The gearing at the moment is 7 revolutions of the flywheel to 1 of the roadwheel so it should be rather fast

Test run later
Minor1PJG

Here are two Road Test Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fK7mSCQ__c&feature=user

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdrCCS3Pdj8&feature=user

I hope you appreciate my running up and down.  It is fairly quick
Minor1PJG

The last video back in the garage, in need of some repair to damage sustained in a head on collision

Nobody was injured but the refitting of a front mudguard/ fender and headlamp is required:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VACr9xjjx5E&feature=user
Les Marsh

Brilliant, especially the collision with the gas bottle.
Running around after it will surely keep you fit.
Minor1PJG

Thanks Les.  

I left the collision on the film to keep it real   It is difficult to film and steam a non-steering car
Sandman

Magic vid and loads of fun.

Boy, can that motor.    
Wallace

That is great footage. Nice one  
Minor1PJG

Now my MEC1 Car has become a Dragster and has steering too

[img]

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Sandman

WOW. What a transformation.  

Excellent job.

That looks a treat. Really well thought out.
Wallace

Very nice  
Minor1PJG

Thanks guys.

I'll give her a test run this weekend
Manxman

That's it. I've had enough of this thread. My plan for June, buy a Mec engine, buy some more Meccano and build a Steam Car. This is a bit of childish fun I'm missing out on and it's just not fair.

Be warned mine will be the fastest, sleak-est, best-est, shinei-est looking playground car I can make.
Minor1PJG

Ha, ha - I can't wait to see it Manxman

Mine of course will still be the fastest, best handling, wackyest.......

Start your engines
Minor1PJG

My MEC1 Dragster is now a MEC1 Wide Dragster:















And a bit of video too.  Even though I now have steering I think this car is calling for a smooth straight Drag Strip  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp6NHGED_zI
Manxman

It's still looking ok. But be aware I'm getting ready to enter the race. I've just brought this off eBay.


Give it a few days to arrive. Then give me some build time and I'm planning to give you a run for your money. The only problem I have at present is that I did tell the rest of the family. Even the 14 year old was laughing at me. They seem to think it all a bit childish. What do they know.
Sandman

What a dragster. It even does a power drift.      
steamyjim

How about as many of us have a go at building a dragster out of a MEC1/SP3 and Meccano and we all have a race at STIA. We have almost a year to perfect our cars
Minor1PJG

Childish, Manxman??- they know nothing.  Go build, Sir.  That looks like a fine MEC1, the perfect start

The power slide is caused mainly by the lack of rear differential so the rear wants to go straight ahead but the steering is trying to do something else at the front

Great fun, that's for sure

A race/ challenge (of some sort) at STIA could be fun.  Do you think Wallace would come too??
Manxman

I don't know if Wallace would travel all that way just for a Meccano Car race, but, he may agree to send his car and have a stand in driver / steamer.

The Meccano Steam Car Races. It's a fine idea but how many cars could we come up with before the next STIA.
steamyjim

Manxman wrote:
I don't know if Wallace would travel all that way just for a Meccano Car race, but, he may agree to send his car and have a stand in driver / steamer.

The Meccano Steam Car Races. It's a fine idea but how many cars could we come up with before the next STIA.


Put me down for one
Les Marsh

steamyjim wrote:
How about as many of us have a go at building a dragster out of a MEC1/SP3 and Meccano and we all have a race at STIA. We have almost a year to perfect our cars


We could also build them for racing at Tilford next year as well.
Minor1PJG

Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.  

Here it is running today at GMES:

[img][/img]
Manxman

That's good but is it going to be good enough.

While we're thinking about this we could add other categories. Smartest Looking, Longest Running, Most Original Car and so on.

My engine should arrive next week and if all is fine I'll start building next weekend.
Les Marsh

Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.
johnreid

That thing just cries for Radio Control, too cool.
Les Marsh

johnreid wrote:
That thing just cries for Radio Control, too cool.


That's an idea John.
Manxman

Les Marsh wrote:
Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.


Go for it Les, you know it makes sense.
Kaleb

My MEC1 mobile is not built for speed, It trundles along slowly, but is good at climbing hills and pulling loads (up to about 2kg I think).
Minor1PJG

That sounds great Kaleb.

To put pictures on here you first have to load them onto a host sight like Photobucket.com.  Once it is on there you copy the image (img) code into your forum message and viola it's in your posting for us all to see.  I can't wait to see it
Les Marsh

Manxman wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.


Go for it Les, you know it makes sense.


Just got some Meccano of e-bay.  
Manxman

Les Marsh wrote:
Manxman wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.


Go for it Les, you know it makes sense.


Just got some Meccano of e-bay.  


Excellent. I've also just got mine. Do you have a steam engine yet?

I've also got some plans on a CD to try and help me. To be honest Meccano is not my thing but I'm going to give it a go.  
Les Marsh

Manxman wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
Manxman wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.


Go for it Les, you know it makes sense.


Just got some Meccano of e-bay.  


Excellent. I've also just got mine. Do you have a steam engine yet?

I've also got some plans on a CD to try and help me. To be honest Meccano is not my thing but I'm going to give it a go.  


I have two, one in very good condition and another which needs repainting as the former owner painted it all black, which for this adventure is fine.
Wallace

Vids and car are looking great Minor  
Manxman

Got my steam engine in the post today. Hopefully I'll start building my car at the weekend. Only problem is we also have an 18th Birthday party here Friday night. That will mean lots of drunk teenagers Friday night and a lot of cleaning on Saturday. But hopefully an evening and night for one young man to remember.
Minor1PJG

Should I be wishing you a Happy Birthday tomorrow Manxman??
johnreid

Dont drink too much Manx, you will get a hangover.
Manxman

Minor1PJG wrote:
Should I be wishing you a Happy Birthday tomorrow Manxman??


Ha ha, no one of my kids. The second youngest of five. I was 18 once, but I think it was a long, long time ago.
Manxman

johnreid wrote:
Dont drink too much Manx, you will get a hangover.


I going out for a late meal. Been told to be out of the house by 8.00 and I'm not welcome back until after 12.00, and then I have to be on my best behaviour.
Minor1PJG

Ha, ha

I've got another 9 years to go before an 18th birthday party and I'm sure I'll be given the same instructions

Good luck with the Meccano build over the weekend Manxman.
scorpion2nz





not the flashiest but it does go and it does steer
scorpion2nz

   
I do not have a video camera but tried to use the video function on our digital camera not very clear but you can get the jist of what is happening  and it is evening here so tried to film under lights
Minor1PJG

Wow, R/C steering too

Looking good.  Did you have a power cut
rangerssteamtoys

Cool R/C, might want to get some lights. I cant see anything besides a shadow and a blue flame.
Les Marsh

It's alive Dr. Frankenstein.
Les Marsh

Les Marsh wrote:
Manxman wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
Minor1PJG wrote:
Good thinking Les.  A Northern and Southern race.


That means I will have to buy some Meccano now.


Go for it Les, you know it makes sense.


Just got some Meccano of e-bay.  


The Meccano arrived today so now I can start planning the build.
Les Marsh

I think I should be able to build some sort of car with this lot.

rangerssteamtoys

I got something like a car that incorperates meccano  
You shall see once I get it all together and waterproofed
Les Marsh

rangerssteamtoys wrote:
I got something like a car that incorperates meccano  
You shall see once I get it all together and waterproofed


That wouldn't be a boat by any chance .  
rangerssteamtoys

Les Marsh wrote:
rangerssteamtoys wrote:
I got something like a car that incorperates meccano  
You shall see once I get it all together and waterproofed


That wouldn't be a boat by any chance .  


Not a boat but not a car

You'll see
Les Marsh

Since Meccano is full of holes it will take some waterproofing.  
scorpion2nz

Les Marsh wrote:
I think I should be able to build some sort of car with this lot.



T can see some nice looking wheels but only 2!!! (red/white) for the back any front wheels or just going to do wheels stands all the time or are you going to raise the bar and make a Motor Bike
Les Marsh

scorpion2nz wrote:
Les Marsh wrote:
I think I should be able to build some sort of car with this lot.



T can see some nice looking wheels but only 2!!! (red/white) for the back any front wheels or just going to do wheels stands all the time or are you going to raise the bar and make a Motor Bike


I think a motorbike with stabalisers might work or there again I was thinking of using the pulleys as wheels.
xlchainsaw

great work guys. ive enjoyed this thread. as you guys are building dragsters!!!! thought i might add this. i had 6 mec1 engines and each went at its own pace. that is different revs.???i had one a real racer. examination revealed that the copper pipe under the steam dome varied in length. the longest pipe was on a very slow rev engine. my fastest engine had very little pipe. also the flywheel weights were different. on the slowest engine i carefully lowered the copper pipe to the height of the fastest runner. now did it rev!! i concluded that the lenght of the copper tube under the steam dome governs the speed of the engine. without a correct measurement to go by (standard) i dont suggest lowering this pipe unless you have a second engine   remember i had six and all had different lenghts. this may be the a subject for a different thread. i no longer have any mec 1.(was offered a good price ) happy dragging.
Les Marsh

I have two, and one has a mazak flywheel and is a good runner, but the other has had its flywheel changed for a brass flywheel   by its previous owner and is the faster running of the two.
scorpion2nz

tried to video in daylight sounds like other half into town to buy new Digital video camera this week
xlchainsaw

i agree that the flywheel is important and the heaviest one i had increased the revs on my fastest. it came fitted on the slowest engine. when i fitted a flywheel from the fastest engine to the slow one the engine didnt run at all! hence my investigation.
Manxman

I'm still waiting for some of my Meccano to arrive. I've got a few bits but I had to buy more to help make a car. I've got this lot on it's way to me and as you can see I should have more than enough wheels.

Les, do you want another pair of road wheels? Just send me a pm if you do.

Minor1PJG

This is all VERY exciting
rangerssteamtoys

My project is getting close to being complete. I call it Project steam DUKW    
Manxman

Well I started my Dragster today. It's very much a 'work in progress' but this is how it looks so far. I can't go much further without more parts but hopefully these will arrive early next week.


rangerssteamtoys

Looks good, what else do you need for it.
Manxman

rangerssteamtoys wrote:
Looks good, what else do you need for it.


I need more of the green lengths. Theirs none on the back yet at all. Also a better set of head lamps. Maybe do something with the back. Oh and yes, need to connect the engine to the front wheels.  
Minor1PJG

Looking really good and a driver too
Manxman

Minor1PJG wrote:
Looking really good and a driver too


Yep, and he is Meccano, so I hope everyone agrees he can stay.  
Wallace

That looks Brilliant Manxman  

Never thought of having the boiler at the back. I like it  

The driver suits it perfectly  
Sandman

Did someone have a go at the driver with a shotgun Manx???    

All joking aside, I think that looks a treat mate.

The shape reminds me of an old car I saw in the Ford museum that was specially built to attempt the world speed record.

Great stuff.
Les Marsh

That looks great Thumbs up! , well done.
xlchainsaw

looks good manx. the running gear??? is it front wheel drive??
Manxman

xlchainsaw wrote:
looks good manx. the running gear??? is it front wheel drive??


I've not done it yet and it will have to be very simple. I think I have all the bits for a chain drive from the engine to the front axle. That should work. I just need to decide on how bit the gear wheel needs to be.  
Manxman

That's it, my car is finished. It's a very simple chain drive thing. Only runs in a straight line and is 'dragster' ish. NOw I'm ready for the Meccano Races.




Minor1PJG

That looks really great.  Bring on the races

Can you post a picture of your drive train (or chain   )

Great work.  That driver is such a good touch.
rangerssteamtoys

Cool car, whats with the handle in the front?  'Sposed to be a starter or something?
Sandman

Just love that driver and that starting handle.

Just adds that finishing touch.
MooseMan

That is totally wonderful.......knock any Mamod Roadster into a knocked hat......beautiful work! Thumbs up!  Thumbs up!
Steve_S

It looks very good!
Wallace

Yeah I really like that Manxman. Brilliant design  

Now if only I can find a way to get over there and join these races  
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