VROOOOOOOM

May 26, 2005 10:04 PM

Wood burning jet engine Lots more fun from the folks at Nye Thermodynamics
posted by warbaby (13 comments total)

If it's real, that's incredibly fucking awesome.
posted by notsnot at 11:21 PM on May 26, 2005

MetaFilter: This thing really honks!


/obligatory
posted by anarcation at 11:23 PM on May 26, 2005

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.
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 11:29 PM on May 26, 2005

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.
posted by NewBornHippy at 11:32 PM on May 26, 2005

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.
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 11:39 PM on May 26, 2005

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."
posted by carsonb at 1:04 AM on May 27, 2005

"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.
posted by thedevildancedlightly at 2:03 AM on May 27, 2005

Wacky Mississaugans.
posted by pracowity at 2:34 AM on May 27, 2005

[this is freakin' awsome]
posted by bonehead at 6:22 AM on May 27, 2005

Bill's younger brother Mark struggles to make a name for himself.
posted by cog_nate at 6:33 AM on May 27, 2005

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.
posted by Mitheral at 8:23 AM on May 27, 2005

Occasionally, there is the minor mishap.

There's a whole subculture of DIY jet engines, not all of which are turbines.
posted by warbaby at 8:24 AM on May 27, 2005

Mid-air refueling is very difficult.
posted by donovan at 4:43 PM on May 27, 2005