Wed, 28 Jan 2009

Stacking blocks

How far outboard can you stack blocks before they tip over? Answer, pretty far. In theory, you can get the top block as far from the bottom as you have patience to build your tower. In practice, to get a collection of 4 inch blocks over one foot will take a stack of 45 or so. To get it over a yard will take about 45,000 blocks.

23:19 - 28 Jan 2009 [/y9/ja] link

Mon, 19 Jan 2009

The Tuna Can Stirling engine...

They say physics owes more to the steam engine than the other way around, and perhaps this physics book owes more to the steam engine than the other way around, too.

11:42 - 19 Jan 2009 [/y9/ja] link

Mon, 24 Nov 2008

Dry-cleaning Bag Balloon

My hot-air balloon piloting career begins.

08:41 - 24 Nov 2008 [/y8/no] link

Tue, 18 Nov 2008

The Duct Tape Steam Ship

I made a steam boat out of duct tape, a little length of brass tubing and a tea candle yesterday. Here it is taking a little tour of the kitchen sink.

"I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and sky, and all I ask is for a tall ship and a star to steer her by." (John Masefield)

22:46 - 18 Nov 2008 [/y8/no] link

Mon, 17 Nov 2008

Center of Mass

The author aligning center of mass and center of effort.

12:45 - 17 Nov 2008 [/y8/no] link

Sat, 15 Nov 2008

Soda Bottle Rocket

It had to be there. From September:

11:39 - 15 Nov 2008 [/y8/no] link