tools, materials & knowledge for model makers
Thought I would take you through bench running a small glow plug engine. This is quite easy to do, you just need to follow some simple steps and you will be ready to go. Bench running is a good way to get used to starting and tuning these small engines. Even model car engines can … Read more
For a while I have been looking around at model engine transistor ignition systems. Wondering what to buy or even just build from a circuit design. The I saw the kit that is available from jerry-howell.com (this is actually: model-engine-plans.com). The ignition systems and parts are actually on their sister site: model-engine-ignition.com. I bought a … Read more
I often work backwards, going from Sketches to Models to CAD. However, it works for me as it allows me to create something in the workshop. Sometimes I think this works really well and I think a good example is the five cylinder rotary engine. The only sketch I have of the engine before making … Read more
This week I spent some time simplifying the oscillating engine that I made some years. The goal being to make a more elegant design that I could produce in CAD. The oscillating engine started life as a project to build on my then new Warco WM240B lathe. It ran briefly as a simple oscillating engine … Read more
How Many Parts in an Engine? I was wondering and thinking about the oscillating steam engine plans that I have just produced in CAD. This is a very simple engine. There are 21 separate parts in this exploded assembly drawing, of which 19 parts need to be made from stock material. However, this drawing does … Read more
The propeller size should be chosen to match the engine and airframe. However, it may take some trial and error before you get the right propeller for your particular installation. However, the following table may be used as a guideline for two-stroke engines with four-stroke engines in the next table. Propeller Sizes for Two-Stroke Engines … Read more
by Mick Cherry This is the 1/6th scale Kinner Radial, there is one in 1/4 scale but my lathe is too small for that size. This engine is by Mr David Johnson and he did the design while he was an engineering student. You must excuse the cylinders being held in by sticky tape, it … Read more
Engine build and author: Dick Barnes Having now reached that moment of retirement and with a fully kitted out workshop, this Fizgig stirling engine looked like an ideal subject to commission the new lathe. Fizgig is a Gamma Stirling engine in which the power piston is not mounted coaxially to its displacer piston. The advantage … Read more
Ken-ichi Tsuzuki Model Engines took my breath away. I came across his website by chance and have spent ages going through his work. This page will hopefully introduce you to Ken’s work and be a starting point to explore more. I asked Ken why he makes model engines: There is no reason and when I found Bob … Read more
I thought it would be good to talk about oscillating engines. In particular the oscillating engine I made some time ago. A double acting oscillator with a geared flywheel. The valve on the oscillating engine is very simple. So simple that at first it is difficult to understand how enough steam enters the cylinder. However, … Read more