A little bit ago I posted on buying books on eBay and some of the problems. This is kinda a continuation of this post. And, while I'm thinking of it, don't copy this whole post if you're going to reply. It's likely to be a bit long, and you just don't need to post it all again. If you don't know how to snip, then learn.
The seller I feel is unethical in his subject listings had a couple of books I was interested in. The first, at first glance was about building model steam boats. Upon looking deeper into the description, I fially figured out the actual book title, which turned out to be Model Marine Steam. I've been interested in steam for way over 30 years, and thought it would be neat to see how these boats were made.
I got a copy of the book from one of the n-line booksellers, for about half what the eBay guy was asking for initial bid, my price included shipping. Turned out, the book had absolutely nothing about actually building boats. It did have about 3 pictures of some nice boats, and a sketch or two of boats, but nothing useful on building one. However, it did have a treasure of plans for making different types of steam engines, accessories, and even a reversing transmission. To me it's more than worth the cost I paid, even if it's just for entertainment value.
The second book supposedly was about making a working miniature steam roller. Again, finally sorted out the actual title, Steam & Stirling Engines You Can Build Book 2. Researched the contents as well as I could, was interested, so again bot a copy for about half, including postage, from an on-line seller, than what the eBay guy was asking for an opening bid.
This one does have some info on making flywheels out of wood, but even slicker, it has plans for a working "steam" engine, that is actually designed to run on air rather than steam. So, for the "too tight" people, there's your wood connection.
As for the model steam roller. Yes, it is in the book. But as far as actual plans for making one, forget it. It does have a "plan" for a steam engine that can be used in it - but it's not the one used in the original. There are several photos of the steam roller, and a pretty fair decription, but in no way a plan - if you want one, you've pretty much got to wing it.
However, the book impressed me enough that I orderd a copy of the first book, again from an on-line seller. Both of these used.
I'm very biased from the eBay seller, because I dealt with him once before. Supposedly he was set up to take PayPal. Well, it didn't work. Took me acouple of weeks to get payment out, and not by PayPal. Then the item I got wsn't "quite" what I'd been led to expect. Then he wouldn't reply to e-mails, then it was because of his assistant, and so on. I feel the person is very unethical, and refuse to deal with him again. I'd name him, but he could be reformed now - and pigs could learn to fly if you dropped enough of them. But the guy is still of some use, he does come up some stuff I'm interested in - once I figure out what the actual title is anyway - but at about twice the pric you can find it elsewhere.
If you're interested in model boats, you might want to track down a copy of Model Marine Steam - a new paperback copy should be about $20, post included. I own a copy, no other connection. It has zip on boats, but a load of stuff on model marine steam, including engine plans, reversing, making boilers, etc. One really neat thing about steam, you can scale an engine down, or up, without much problem. You can make one as simple, or as complex, as you want. Making a working internal combustion engine, even one cylinder, is very comple and requires some precise tools. You can make a simple working steam engine with just hand tools. Neat.
Definitely be cool to make my own boat, with a complete steam plant also made by me. None of this toy boat stuff, about 20' or so. Hopefully one day.
JOAT Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily.
- Johann Von Schiller