Comments on: VROOOOOOOM

VROOOOOOOM

warbaby — Thu, 26 May 2005 22:04:57 -0800

Wood burning jet engine Lots more fun from the folks at Nye Thermodynamics

By: notsnot

notsnot — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:21:31 -0800

If it's real, that's incredibly fucking awesome.

By: anarcation

anarcation — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:23:55 -0800

MetaFilter: This thing really honks! /obligatory

By: thedevildancedlightly

thedevildancedlightly — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:29:31 -0800

I second the very-cool toy motion. Not sure what usefulness it has (who needs a wood-fired jet engine?), but interesting expirmient if you happen to have a boiler, an old turbocharger, welding equipment, and a desire to make fire.

By: NewBornHippy

NewBornHippy — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:32:00 -0800

That looks like some serious heavy greasy stuff. I was obsessed by jet engines when I was a kid. These guys still are, I guess.

By: thedevildancedlightly

thedevildancedlightly — Thu, 26 May 2005 23:39:42 -0800

That said, I'm not sure that I want to be building my own toy that includes a high-pressure oil pump near very hot fire. It just seems like a disaster waiting to happen. High-pressure flammables and fire seem like a very bad mix. I guess those guys really trust their welding jobs.

By: carsonb

carsonb — Fri, 27 May 2005 01:04:08 -0800

it'd be fun to take the generator camping. instead of lighting a fire to keep you warm and cook your food, you load the wood into the jet engine and it keeps you warm, cooks your food, plays your radio, charges the trailer batteries, heats the shower water, brightens your lamps, runs the bug zapper, and makes as much noise as an airport runway. this Nye guy likes to go fast: "This is the type of helmet I expect we will need to communicate while driving Squirt 2."

By: thedevildancedlightly

thedevildancedlightly — Fri, 27 May 2005 02:03:16 -0800

"This is the type of helmet I expect we will need to communicate while driving Squirt 2." There's a video in there (I've since lost the page) of them trying the jet-powered boat out while wearing the helmets. The claim that it hit 75 mph. I'd guesstimate it lower than that, but it's still damn fast and it turns on a dime. The rooster-tail alone is worth the download.

By: pracowity

pracowity — Fri, 27 May 2005 02:34:03 -0800

Wacky Mississaugans.

By: bonehead

bonehead — Fri, 27 May 2005 06:22:06 -0800

[this is freakin' awsome]

By: cog_nate

cog_nate — Fri, 27 May 2005 06:33:03 -0800

Bill's younger brother Mark struggles to make a name for himself.

By: Mitheral

Mitheral — Fri, 27 May 2005 08:23:48 -0800

notsnot writes "If it's real, that's incredibly fucking awesome." Should be possible. He's got a wood gasifier running a jet instead of an ICE. In someways this is easier because he doesn't have to worry about cooling the output gases of the gasifier like you have to with a piston engine.

By: warbaby

warbaby — Fri, 27 May 2005 08:24:24 -0800

Occasionally, there is the minor mishap. There's a whole subculture of DIY jet engines, not all of which are turbines.

By: donovan

donovan — Fri, 27 May 2005 16:43:41 -0800

Mid-air refueling is very difficult.