Steam vs Robot

I was a bit late back from the tip yesterday. I went up town and bought a steam engine. As you do. The model shop in the middle of town was having a 10% off sale, and I couldn’t resist getting a little Mamod steamroller. As it happens, number one son was at home for the weekend, and I’d put him on to building a .NET Micro Framework powered robot that I’d had sent to me. Long story.

Anyhoo, when we get them both working we are going to see which is more powerful, the age of steam or the age of robots…

Place your bets..

The Micro Framework robot is great, although we had (or at least number one son) had to assemble the tracks a link at a time. I think at the end of the day it will all come down to traction, so my money is on the robot at the moment.

Comments

[Kris Weavill]

Getting the engine up to a decent steam pressure, and keeping it there is a very fun trick. The trick for my little steam engine is a dash methylated spirits in the firebox and a few blocks of hex fuel, they are fantastic when you get them up to speed, but do it outside, or in a very well ventilated area (Particularly because when the steam condenses on your ceiling you can get some lovely damp patches).