Build a Functioning Stirling Engine Construction Kit for Ages 12 & Up
Build a Functioning Stirling Engine Construction Kit for Ages 12 & Up
£ 24.95
/
Pickup available at 112 West Princes Street
Usually ready in 4 hours
Your payment information is processed securely. We do not store credit card details nor have access to your credit card information.
Find out how a Stirling Engine works! The Stirling Engine kit is a great gift for engineers!
With this beautiful Stirling engine construction kit from Astromedia, you can build your very own cardboard Stirling Engine model - Just place the engine on a cup with hot water (tea/coffee) and it will run quietly for up to an hour! This kit is perfect for people who are interested in engineering and want to learn how engines work!
The Astromedia Stirling engine can also be used to power the Astromedia Ferris Wheel!
The revolutionary concept of this engine was devised by the Scottish priest and engineer Robert Stirling. The enthusiastic fusspot lived during the most vibrant time of the industrial revolution, whose hunger for energy was fed by the steam engines invented by James Watt in 1776. His compassion for victims of boiler explosions led him to envision an engine that would work without the high pressure of ordinary steam engines.
It works by externally heating the engine externally causing the gases inside to heat and expand. This gas then moves to a different part of the engine and a piston takes heat energy from the gas which can then be converted to mechanical power.
How it works:
A sealed cylinder is heated at one end and cooled at the other. A piston moves the enclosed air back and forth between the ends. Each time the air expands and contracts, the resulting pressure change is transmitted to a working piston that turns a crank shaft. The engine can use any any energy source that produces a temperature difference between the two ends of the cylinder: open fire, solar energy, otherwise unused heat or cold, etc.
Tip:
Instead of putting the engine on top of a cup of tea, place it on a frozen cold pack and start the flywheel the other way round.
Curious Minds Did You Know: The Stirling engine was initially intended to rival the steam engine but was instead primarily used for low power domestic uses!
The kit comes complete with all necessary parts such as laser-cut aluminium plates, low-friction PVC bearings, steel crank, and vinyl seal. The instruction booklet also contains information about the historical background and tuning tips for longer running time.
Construction time: 20-30 hours
Size: 12.6 x 12.6 x 16.5 cm
Suitable for ages 12 and up.
Shipping Costs
We ship almost anywhere in the world (subject to government restrictions) via Royal Mail and our couriers. Expected delivery times given are based on Royal Mail's guidance for service delivery times.
Free Shipping When You Spend Over £40
All orders placed before 12 pm and over £40.00 in value will have the option for free 48 hour delivery. Offer applies to UK mainland only.
UK Mainland Shipping Rates
Within the UK, we offer the following delivery services:
Standard Delivery, 2-3 days - £2.95
First Class Delivery, 1-2 days - £3.95
Please note: once we have handed your order over to Royal Mail we have no further control over the delivery times. Please order in plenty of time to ensure your order arrives in good time for your needs.
Express Courier Delivery, 24 hours - £8.99 (please note: Orders placed after 12:00 noon on Thursday may not reach you until Monday as couriers don't deliver to all areas on a Saturday or Sunday) (excludes Highlands & Irelands)
Saturday Courier Delivery - £16.99
Islands, Highlands & Northern Ireland Shipping Rates
Standard Delivery, 3-4 days - £3.95
First Class Delivery, 2-3 days - £4.95
Rest Of The World Shipping Rates
If you would like goods shipping outside the UK, Highlands Islands & N. Ireland, simply type your address into the check out and the shipping costs will be added to your order automatically. Our overseas orders are all sent with a Signature Required service, which means there must be someone at the delivery address to receive the goods.
What To Do If Your Shipping Destination Is Not Recognised At The Checkout
If you would like goods delivering outside of the UK and our website does not offer you a delivery option at the checkout, please use the contact form below to obtain a shipping cost. You will need to provide us with your full postal address and a list of the items you would like to purchase.
if you would prefer to talk to one of our team, please telephone us at +44-(0)-1436-670-806
If you are unavailable when our delivery partner tries to deliver your order, they will usually try to deliver again the next working day or they will drop a card in to offer you a collection from a local collection point. Instructions for packages sent by courier to be left on the premises or with a neighbour when you are not a home are left at your own risk and no liability rests with either Curious Minds or the Delivery Partner. If you should refuse delivery of goods, or are not available to accept the delivery on both delivery attempts, you will be required to cover any extra costs incurred.
Our Address
Curious Minds Science Ltd (Grasshopper Toys)
112 West Princes Street
Helensburgh
Argyll & Bute
G84 8XD
United Kingdom
Phone
+44(0)1436 670806