It has been long time since the last update.  That's how it goes sometimes.  I have found some willpower and began roughing together the machine.  This time at scale.  The materials are cheap and the methods may not be the smartest.  But perfection is the enemy of done.

Behold, the reactor.

Precariously balanced on an old scrap frame from another project and then again on a wagon.  This is the intended size, 4' diameter x 4' length.  The purpose of this component being mocked up at scale is to begin understanding how to construct the frame and drive system.

Of note, the Mantis compost tumbler seen to the right of the image is only four years old and has already begun to fail under the stresses of use.  Piece of junk and wildly overpriced.  An expensive lesson.