The Bucket Foundry

[tjbw]

Gyrocopter design has come a long way since then.

I recall that he made wooden rotor blades.
Engine was a Triumph twin.

[tjbw]

Yes, the McCandless brothers (Rex & Cromie) did a lot of sterling work for Norton, they also built a spaceframe trials car,(which I can remember) and I believe that Rex also designed a small full time 4 wheel drive chain driven vehicle (for the rough stuff) the front wheels were slightly lower geared and freewheeled when the rears had grip but when they started to spin, the front wheels took over to help out - innovative for the early fifties.

They had a head start with this sort of stuff, because they worked at Short & Harland's aircraft factory in Belfast ( now owned by Bombardier) and having access to a lot of good materials (tubing etc) and all the state of the art equipment of the time.

I believe the Gyrocopter was developed into a successful machine.

He also worked with Harry Ferguson for a while.

[Yow Ling]

Hello Neil

Is there somewhere on the web with pictures and words about the engine ?
What size airscrew and rpm and power?
I am aero two stroke enthusiast even more than for bikes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5DyPUqr4-CU

[WilDun]

He also worked with Harry Ferguson for a while.

Lots of people worked for him (even Henry Ford!) - Harry (I'm told) was a great organiser and salesman!

[WilDun]

Gyrocopter design has come a long way since then.

Yes, those were early days and the pioneers did take a few risks I guess, probably McCandless was quite lucky!

What next? - guess you'll be concentrating on getting the engine perfected and into production - lots more metal casting?
Looking good, keep going and keep us posted.

[Flettner]

Yes, those were early days and the pioneers did take a few risks I guess, probably McCandless was quite lucky!

What next? - guess you'll be concentrating on getting the engine perfected and into production - lots more metal casting?
Looking good, keep going and keep us posted.

Interesting question, what next? Production? How many? Market research? How many Rotax sold?

All very business like but I don't have the resources to back it up. Each engine will cost up front to make, although we do have the machinery and fixtures, just not the exhaust press tools yet.
I guess I'll just make a few (2) and find flying homes for them but they can not be sold as they may still need development. Give away free engines, that's a good way to make money
Take deposits and start building many engines, a bit risky at this stage I think.
Find a sugar mummy (I'd prefer a mummy over a dady) and let them fund it, perhaps.
Yes indeed, what next?
For a start just keep this one flying.

[WilDun]

Interesting question, what next? Production? How many? Market research? How many Rotax sold?

All very business like but I don't have the resources to back it up.
Yes indeed, what next?
For a start just keep this one flying.

Would be very sad to see all the work come to nothing, still must be satisfying to see your own creation working.
Guess a lot of the bike boys would like to have it on the road, but .......... not really a realistic idea!
John Key might help? - maybe not these days - so involved the pressures from the big business of the world, bun fights up north etc. he probably won't even notice!

[Flettner]

Would be very sad to see all the work come to nothing, still must be satisfying to see your own creation working.
Guess a lot of the bike boys would like to have it on the road, but .......... not really a realistic idea!
John Key might help? - maybe not these days - so involved the pressures from the big business of the world, bun fights up north etc. he probably won't even notice!

O yes the TPPA that will save us.
I have a bike version on the drawing board (some patterns made) with a six speed gearbox, once again I will need the resources to back it up.
At the end of the day, who cares I guess, I have my own twostroke Gyro engine now so if no one else wants one, I don't mind. Same with the bike engine, I have two in mind to build, one, a twin for Blackwood yamaha and one for me, so if that's where it ends so what, I enjoy building these things. I'll be building mine as a 1050cc tripple 210HP +, something no one will be brave enough to ride, including me.
Don't get me wrong, I would like to build production gyro engines but unfortunatly reality bites.

[speedpro]

3 big fat pipes to find a home, you'll need valium

[WilDun]

O yes the TPPA that will save us.
I have a bike version on the drawing board (some patterns made) with a six speed gearbox, once again I will need the resources to back it up.
I'll be building mine as a 1050cc tripple 210HP +, something no one will be brave enough to ride, including me.

Hopefully in a milder state of tune (50% maybe, as compared to a racer) long pipes as opposed to the fat ones!

[ken seeber]

STOP PRESS!!!
Western Australia checking in with a sliding cylinder update:
Water jackets exh passages in plus a recess to clear the boss on the actual cylinder when the cylinder is at max height (= the power setting 71 hp).
The two black dots represent where an M6 push/pull rod will pass to raise and lower the cylinder externally.
Next step is to do the assembly machining of the pair for the holes in both for the rod.
This being done, the cylinder will be good to go to the plater.
Time is always the issue at the moment with work and karting committee happenings being major distractions.

[WilDun]

M6 push/pull rod will pass to raise and lower the cylinder externally.

Stepper driving the screw?

[F5 Dave]

Would be very sad to see al

work come to nothing, still me satisfying to see your own creation working.
Guess a lot of the bike boys would like to have it on the road, but .......... not really a realistic idea!
John Key might help? - maybe not these days - so involved the pressures from the big business of the world, bun fights up north etc. he probably won't even notice!

Come to nothing?!? Looks like it has already borne fruit.

Plenty of people has ruined thier hobby by trying to make it into a business.

[Frits Overmars]

The two black dots represent where an M6 push/pull rod will pass to raise and lower the cylinder externally.

M6 sounds a bit feeble to me. But more importantly: surely you are not going to use normal M-thread? Low-friction trapezium thread was invented for jobs like this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezoidal_thread_forms

[WilDun]

M6 sounds a bit feeble to me. But more importantly: surely you are not going to use normal M-thread? Low-friction trapezium thread was invented for jobs like this.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trapezoidal_thread_forms

With no backlash allowable,(using an adjustable double nut) - how about ballscrews?
Hang on a minute, this is all beginning to sound positively sadistic - that was unintentional by the way!