[mpeastend]

Back to the original question...I had one growing up (a long time ago!) and recently gave it away. It needed very little assembly. I had several of the machines that the engine could power through a metal flex belt...one was a press-type machine that could punch holes in paper. Do yourself a favor: only use distilled water, I was a kid and didn't heed that advice. The sight glass on the boiler clouded up fairly quickly. I guess when you run out of the fuel pellets, a good alternative to the expensive German stuff will be hexamine camping fuel pellets. Good luck with the engine. I have fond memories of using it.