PS; On Steam Engine Re:Anyone using a solar heatin

Now if you just want to build a Model steam turbine for fun that one thing, but for use they just take to much steam for a collector panel to use. To have a steam engine for a practial use I would build a Triple expansion engine with a full vacum condensing unit.
with a stroke equal to the bore. No less than 2 in S&B
I built a Stuart & Turner 5A casting kit with out condensor, that run a 110 volt DC Gen (permenent magnet motor). At about 125 psi this would run a 1.5 HP motor. I also run this engine with a parabolic collector with a clock works sun follower. For anything more than charging batteries it just wasnt practicial. A quite large boiler would have had to been used for any continious use.
The 5A is a good one to start with

For a easy build turbine try a Tesla, plans available in a early Pop Mech mag about 1964 check at library, these can be built any size.

• Specs on 5A steam engine