Learning Blender: Model Stirling Engine

Decided to model a real world object to teach myself 3D modelling in Blender. It's a model of a Stirling engine put together by my Dad (so yes, a model of a model).
Still not happy with the look of the brass parts (too plasticky), there are a couple of rendering glitches caused by my n00bish geometry, and I couldn't figure out how to rig everything for skeletal animation... but I did get somewhat used to Blender's slightly psychotic interface, and I achieved a lot more than I thought I would. Hurrah!