I make Stirling engines, primarily because I do not have the facilty to make steam ones. I generally make the engines with hand tools and soft solder all the joints.

My latest one is a horizontal comfiguration that runs at about 200 RPM but has no power to speak of and will not run even a small generator or pump, to try and increase the power I added a fire box and additional burners with the intention of changing the displacer to a regenerator and increasing the size of the piston.

The first part went ok with the additional heat, but then the solder on the stuffing gland on the hot cap of the displacer cylinder promptly melted.

I intend to replace the soldered joint with a mechanical fixing – ie a brass bolt drilled through the center to take the 1/8" piston rod. I have made several attempts to drill down the center ofthe bolt and failed every time to make a success of it. My pillar drill is not very ridgid and appears to have a mind of its own. (it cost £18 from deepest China) .

I am down to my last two bolts and have been unsuccesfully trying to gain access to a lathe or someone that has a lathe and is prepared to drill two holes for me.

So I am hoping that someone in ths forum would be prepared to help.

Thanks for reading this so far.