Will this Plastic Steam Engine work? Cheap Chinese Tat!

Hello everyone,
Today Lawrie has been sent another steam engine from across the seas.
But, it appears to be made of plastic. Surely this won't work?
A video shot, featuring, and edited by Lawrie
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[@Pyrotrainthing]

I read "plastic steam engine" and my first thought was "Yup, this isn't gonna work".

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

“Cheap Chinese tat” should’ve also been a good indicator

[@chrisparsons949]

'Chocolate kettle' is more useful as you could eat it

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

It would work with the proper plastics.

[@Arkay315]

That boiler is just a tuna can with a steam outlet.

[@Ragnar8504]

Even tuna cans are more rigid than this. Paint tin maybe. Or even soft drink can.

[@MamLewis]

I like that Lawrie is slowly becoming the Ashens of steam engine tat.

[@nickegeson2753]

😊

[@gydo1942]

i love how the box says 'exploring kid'.. more like 'exploding kid' at this point lol

[@MatecaCorp]

Etailers need to be held accountable for distributing dangerous products, let alone simply scammy ones.

[@Ragnar8504]

I think this was posted to the UK straight from China, without involving any European distributors. UK customs are probably a bit too busy to check every single parcel arriving for items that violate trading standards or safety regulations.

[@timelsworth9717]

I notice that the box said "Science Museum approved" as though some bona fide museum had tried it out and approved it as an educational engine. I doubt one of those engines has been anywhere near a science museum!

[@mr.wheels6212]

It's probably a heat-resistant plastic

[@matt_acton-varian]

I am astonished it moved at all. You were brave to run it indoors!

[@leightonmoreland]

It’s broken Lawrie’s voice into another octave 😂

[@damonrobus-clarke533]

Yep, he’s almost gone into the whistle register! 😂

[@Hacksworth_Sidings]

One thing you probably could’ve tried is graphite, just drawn on all the friction surfaces with a soft pencil to lubricate!

[@lmm]

Yeah would have worked

[@AtreiusLux]

It's an educational product in how not to design a steam engine. Probably best to only run in on air pressure, the heat from the steam is likely affecting the plastic cylinders.

[@Ragnar8504]

I thought of tap water, it has the advantage of only causing a mild splash if anything should actually decide to rupture. On the other hand, at such a low pressure air isn't likely to cause much damage either.

[@traumgeist]

This is a steam engine using period correct technology that precisely meets the safety standards of Victorian times.

[@Sohave]

Inner monologue plays "Red sun in the sky" as Lawrie goes through this marvel of Chinese engineering.

[@bornach]

To get it to run better, pull out the red LED and replace it with a battery 😂

[@PeterJewell2]

Best comment!

[@Captain_Char]

Lawrie what you're looking at is the steam powered land mine, works in the dark even (to that tin can boiler) also if you ran it without the dynamo, it would have less drag so maybe it would work better

[@Captain_Char]

for reasons, this is a joke, lol

[@bentullett6068]

It's hard to believe these come from a part of the world where they were the last to get rid of steam locomotives (although they still use coal powered steam power to generate electricity for homes and cars)

[@ovalwingnut]

That kit 'could' be considered a crime against humanity... Thank you for the video. Cheers from So.Ca.USA 3rd House On the Left

[@zippy5131]

OH MY!!! As Mr. Trevithick looks on in astonishment and sighs.......

[@lloydpenfold486]

...and rotates at a higher speed in his grave.

[@M3HWW]

Twin single-action steam engines are usually set up with the piston stroke 180° out of phase with one another (rather than the 90° common on dual-action pistons). Looking at where it would stop each time, I suspect this is a large factor given the lack of flywheel. As they share a common crank, having the cylinders exactly opposite should work much better.

[@Ensign_Redshirt]

Lawrie risking his eyebrows so we don't have to!

[@BiggsHobbies]

I doubt theres any "sweet spots"... Plastic expands awfully when hot, making any kind of fine-tuning invalid as soon as the temperature changes a few degrees.

[@WISDOMDUCK69]

Hey I dident khow you watched LMM

[@flintytheraccbold]

I mean i guess a steam explosion can count as science, so a kid could be amazed by that

[@Sohave]

The boiler reminds me of the combined boiler and engine on a pop pop boat, Maybe it can be turned into a large pop pop boat? Here is a suggestion: Toss away the cylinders, fill the boiler with water and put a tube to both outlets and put them into water and figure out if it creates thrust. If that does not work and it is not too much bother, try shortening the boiler using solder, perhaps a smaller size will enable the rapid expansion that drives the pop pop boat.

[@Arkay315]

Oooh, a plastic melting tutorial.

[@laserhawk64]

I have to say, I think you might be actually a bit charitable in your conclusory summary. I was blown away to hear that that monstrosity was twenty quid -- it genuinely looks like something you'd find in my local Dollar Tree for a buck and a quarter... three dollars at most. (Dollar Tree, here in the States, now does the Poundland-style thing of tiers -- $1.25, $3, $5.) How to make it run better? Make a version out of metal that's actually got proper quality to it, and put that under-engineered bit of recycled soda-bottle on a shelf too high to reach but that you can at least occasionally glance at to remind you how much better everything else is. At least it's somehow too useless even to actually be able to hurt anyone.

[@nigelbilsby3826]

Lawrie, keep the boiler and use on your railway, the engine use as a wagon load, or paint it rust colour and put it in a scrap yard?

[@tgplaytime]

Cool

[@gherkinisgreat]

I wonder when this crosses into attempted murder of the purchaser with these things?

[@TenShine1productions]

"dumb ways to die" begins to play

[@MattRLR]

Very nice!

[@Austriantrainguy]

I think as yoou pushed that pipe back, some molten plastic cloggged up the connection thingy on the boiler. Crap is not a curseword, crap is a practical word to describe the state of sth.

[@duncanbhome]

Loved how high your voice went as you realised how bad it really was!

[@markjames1713]

one of those that if they had made it twice as expensive and twice as well made it would have actually worked out at least as a novelty item unfortunately it seems there is a minimum level for an engine type thing to actually work

[@peter_smyth]

It might have been tested according to the standards, but that doesn't mean it passed!

[@CaseyJonesNumber1]

"Utter, utter garbage." Is it even THAT good? 😄

[@JSmith19858]

It doesn't need a sight glass. Mamod even now sell boilers without sight glasses. There is nothing in the regs that state it needs a sight glass, and certainly not at that size. If it needed a sight glass then the Sage coffee machine sat on my kitchen worktop couldn't be sold, nor the combi boiler in my utility room. Please show me where in the boiler test code volume 2 and PSSR it states anything about sight glasses. I have had people quote some mythical European regulation, but they've never presented evidence when asked. That safety valve, while shonky, if it pops off at or just over the design pressure of the boiler then it's good to go. That's the point of them. You could stick a cork in there and as long as it pops out at the correct pressure every time it's tested, then it's good to go. Would I pass it if it were presented to me? No. Would someone else? Likely.

[@guidor.4161]

McGyver would be impressed...

[@Lemonthebird-jv4zl]

CONGRATS ON 100K!

[@huwdavies6650]

I love how it says 8+ ages on the instructions.!

[@Elvinley]

Madness mate!!

[@Arjay1127]

You ought to get together with the guys from How Ridiculous to have them drop an anvil on it.

[@chris1newbury]

from chinas "straight to landfill" range

[@RockyRailroadProductions_B0SS]

An engine of that sort of *size* would be nice, but, ooh, no, I think not this one.

[@lmm]

It's terrible 😂

[@jacksnorth4074]

A British bloke having a melt down over shoddily made illegal tat, now that's good television 😂❤

[@lmm]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@adamcrane1436]

Are you going to take part to Ipswich to Felixstowe in you fire engine tomorrow

[@lmm]

Yep!

[@Taggart00]

"This is what a boiler should look like" shows one full of holes...

[@lady_draguliana784]

when in doubt, lubricate and it likely doesn't maintain the needed pressure, only achieving it in bursts until all the steel is up to temp.

[@Dudeface167]

I'm so disappointed you didn't read the Chenglish description on the box

[@connorjohnson7834]

I can buy quite a nice airfix kit for that money, I'd do that instead

[@IndianaNorthWestern]

These companies really just send Lawrie a bix filled with garbage with a sticker on it that says "steam engine" and think he's going to say it's good.

[@dr_ned_flanders]

I guess it does teach you a bit about science. Science experiments typically don't work first time and they take a lot of effort and perseverance to get the correct result.

[@KerbalRocketry]

Hey they only say it was "tested by international standards" they didn't say if it passed them!

[@tomw86]

Integza crossover!!

[@oliverbrookes27]

An 'international standard' is the same as a 'worldwide patent'. Neither are a thing.

[@Titan604]

International standard is definitely a thing. Google "ISO"

[@saschakruschwitz8674]

This steam engine looks very cheap and dangerous. Stirling kit would have preferred to send you the Retrol beam engine, which is of better quality. I bought the kit. It was a lot of fun to put together Greetings from switzerland

[@Ragnar8504]

You could try connecting the generator to a power supply to see if that is able to turn the engine over. If it is, you could use it as some kind of display model.

[@lmm]

It's just not very pretty as a display model

[@Ragnar8504]

@@lmm True. It does show how a steam engine is supposed to work though. In a horribly plasticky way of course.

[@VictoryWorks]

I spent 150% of the price of that on a DCC fitted OO GWR 2721. I feel like I made a good choice

[@Chewligan1]

Thanks Lawrie. I now know what not to buy.

[@siraff4461]

Being plastic doesn't really worry me - if the material of choice can take the pressure and temperature then its just a case of how much wear it will take and how long you want it to last. Of course even if this was made from metal it would still be tat because the design and build are atrocious.

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

Question the accucraft ruby's don't come with a sight glass but they come with a boiler certificate are they not legal in the US

[@JSmith19858]

You specify a quantity of fuel to a quantity of water in the instructions. If everything needed a sight glass then Nespresso machines wouldn't be legal. This conversation has been had before

[@ziplocBagofRobloxia]

i wish my ruby had one, idk why but it runs out of water before fire every time i ran it so far

[@JSmith19858]

@@ziplocBagofRobloxia put less fuel in the burner

[@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695]

@@JSmith19858 easier said than done with butane in a copper pressure vessel

[@JSmith19858]

@@wesbrackmanthercenthusiast4695 pressure relief valve on the tank and set ambient temperature. At a set temperature and pressure in the fuel tank there will be a specific mass of butane

[@Ze-Germanzuk]

This would go great with my chocolate teapot 😂

[@lloydpenfold486]

It's as much use...

[@Madonsteamrailways]

At last you got it running nicely!! But is it running nicely?!!

[@captaindonut9075]

Watching Lawrei have a Mental break down is not what i expected when i clicked on this video.😅

[@BrooksMoses]

It seems to me that there is one clear way to make it function somewhat reliably, and that is to reconsider the part of the instructions that referred to the "generator" as a motor. I imagine that if you were to attach a battery to it, this would function passably well. It might even light the LED consistently if you do that.

[@josephbrandtner7713]

We at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum would like to put you on our mailing list!

[@PBRJOHN684]

File under B, B + plastic steam engine = BIN!

[@QUADRAXIS666]

lmao. Mr. Lawrie you've done a few reviews on these terrible contraptions now and they STILL send you more. I think they've decided you're their quality control guy.

[@barhamd1]

Didn't you know the GWR experimented with plastic boilers in 1921 and the safety valve bung with a string was patented by the LMS a year later? (Not). I guess that is the 'Chinese Export' CE mark not the real one.

[@dalecherne5377]

You could make your own sterling engine for under $10 bucks that would actually work

[@richardsweeney197]

$29.00 sounds like about $40.00 too much. Seems quite scary.

[@Rob1972Gem]

Am I the only one chatting at the TV? Follow the visual steps on the instructions the pictures?

[@kapegede]

You could test it with a bicycle pump.

[@lmm]

Would likely have more pressure

[@lloydpenfold486]

...or an air brush compressor.

[@and3583]

If only they'd made it to run off a can of compressed air it might have been a good idea 💡

[@lloydpenfold486]

If only they'd made it to run it might have been a good idea.

[@and3583]

@@lloydpenfold486 😄

[@H_chapman17]

What a machine. Have you ever brought one of those steam engines that fits on top of a cup of hot water?

[@johnshufflebottom7907]

I think you are talking about Sirling heat engines not steam engines,

[@davefrench3608]

I’m amazed it actually ran a bit. That’s just awful!

[@deltab9768]

Haha that safety valve will spout hot water when it pops off at about 5 bar and the water inside starts flash boiling. Edit: without barbed fittings and with soft overheated plastic I think it fell apart before it even made 1.

[@lmm]

It's useless

[@teescottageguyproductions]

Honestly I felt your pain when unboxing this engine 😂! I’m just trying to think what was going through the minds of the people who designed this engine…

[@lloydpenfold486]

Making money by selling rubbish?

[@devon896]

You should try a Hornby Live steam loco.

[@lmm]

I'd like to!

[@pepperthekobold]

Air compressor, spin it until it blows up, KZbin short material

[@Madonsteamrailways]

Even my friends at the Hoddesdon Model and Railway Club wouldn’t even look at a load of nonsense like that!!

[@paulhorn2665]

Well the steam engine I will never buy 🙂 Seeing this cr**p for years on ebay. The best way to improve this engine? Please Lawry, ask one of your friends with a steam roller and crush it there? That would be a fun steam engine video!

[@fritz46]

What an amazing piece of -trash- technology!

[@marklewis-hh2bc]

I would say file it under b for bin

[@nobodyhome8148]

Seems legit 🤣

[@mrtnsnp]

Maybe you should find a volunteer to put Chinese subtitles on the video, otherwise they may never understand your criticism.

[@Madonsteamrailways]

I’m sorry, but I can only say that this steam engine is pony and trap!!

[@QALibrary]

Lawrie insurance people are going to go apoplectic if they ever see this video - also I was expecting poor Lawrie being helped by the fire and ambulance people as his house smouldered in the background - maybe it is time to invest in some fire extinguishers?

[@qwertykeyboard5901]

Looks like there isnt enough pressure, and when it runs it drops to nothing.

[@datguymiller]

I want to make mass-produce and sell a proper metal steam engine with 2 cylinders driving a single wheel with proper valve gear so you can change the timing and everything

[@user-ig6dm7cq1g]

I dont think that plastic steam engine is worth it. I would never want that. I dont think its safe. What are your thoughts on that, if i may ask?❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@lmm]

I'm pretty clear 😂

[@TheObsesedAnimeFreaks]

this seems more like a steam generator then a steam engine. i don't see anyway this can be dangerous... outside of swapping all the silicon tubing with coper and braising it on... but as designed, it seems to be very very low pressure with no real danger outside of a silicone tube flying off. even the top of the tuna can seems like it's designed to give way before the steam pressure can do anything to the actual "pressure vessel." though all this seems incidental and not purposeful.

[@lloydpenfold486]

Explain brazing copper pipe to a plastic cylinder base?

[@TheObsesedAnimeFreaks]

@@lloydpenfold486 talking about brazing coper pipe to the pressure vessel mainly, lol. it's all bad at the end of the day. it might not be "dangerious" it's just bad.

[@maxasaurus3008]

Can’t they get in trouble for that “CE” lie they labeled on that box?

[@Nkp757railfan]

I had one and it didn't work and the fire melted through the boiler

[@solarusthelonghaulerrailfa3226]

It’s amazing how much scheey and dangerous products are out there

[@adamcrane4851]

Are you taken part to ipswich to felixstowe in your fire engine tomorrow

[@lmm]

Yes

[@adamcrane4851]

@@lmm yes

[@adamcrane4851]

@@lmm And you Dubing a youtube video Tomorrow

[@kentenbrown8660]

should not be make or ever not here

[@rorythomson8763]

replace all the neoprene "Gubbins" with copper pipe and get a proper boiler...

[@lloydpenfold486]

...and a metal cylinder / piston combo, metal flywheel,,,or just get a Mamod or Willesco engine!

[@rorythomson8763]

@@lloydpenfold486 Mamod straight!

[@tobycaunt9257]

You got hit with what is knowyas finest chinesium

[@DMCRailways]

Oh man that's, that was just... that was hard to watch up until it was confirmed less than a kettle... if it was actually capable of any presure that plug is firing straight into someone's eye and then they'll be blind when getting scalded. :/ why do they send you these, they must realise there bad? You need a cookie for being brave

[@jacksnorth4074]

It's a concraption!

[@lmm]

That's the nicest thing you could say about it

[@jacksnorth4074]

@@lmm death kettle?

[@CC-S6-01]

The more you look at it the worse it gets