...From Ron's Model Engine News web site...You are not going to scratch-build a model engine with a hand-drill and some worn-out files, you need a lathe. The lathe has been called The King of Machine Tools due its ability to perform a wide variety of tasks. At the rock-bottom minimum, a lathe and some necessary accessories are all you need to build a simple model engine.
Looks awesome, well done. I am a high school student and I may be able to send a science/engineering experiment to the International Space Station. I was thinking about testing the effects of anti-gravity on fuel efficiency using a miniature homemade engine either standing alone or attached to some form of vehicle. This looks rather complicated, but we are capable of the effort and materials. Do you think this is outside the capability of high schoolers or do you think we should go for it?
Many model engines have been made by High School students. In fact the very first successful model airplane engine in the USA was designed and built by Bill Brown when he was in High School, 17 years old I think. It is known as "The High School Engine" Go For it !
Kody, I don't know the pounds of force of the valve springs, probably less than 1 pound I never measured them, just tried some springs until they fit. The flywheel is about 1.5 to 2 pounds I would estimate.
Model Engine Builder magazine website might be helpful. The magazine has run several articles on CAD designed miniature engines, including plans and drawings, pictures etc.
Ignition for this engine is supplied by a 3 volt model airplane coil. The coil is powered by two 1.5 volt "D" cell flashlight batteries. Contact breaker points from a 1977 GM V-8 engine are used to time the spark. The spark plug is an old Champion V from a model airplane engine.
I am afraid that this engine would be too small or not powerful enough for a bicycle. It is only 10 CC or about .60 cubic inches displacement. Thank you for your comment.
If you are interested in building miniature engines, I suggest looking at Sherline Lathe's website. www.sherline.com/ Also there are several good books on the subject. One is "Model Petrol Engines" by Edgar C. Westbury, it is available from TEE Publishing.
Lucas, the ignition is provided by a 3 volt model airplane coil and two "D" Cell dry batteries. The spark plug is an old Champion V type also from model airplane engines. The ignition breaker points are right from the auto parts store. The ones I used are from a 1977 GM V-8, but almost any standard non-electronic ignition points will work.
+MrArulraj7 It is designed to be built by an amateur in a home workshop. However you would most likely need a small lathe and some tools to build this engine. In the past many engines have been built by students by "borrowing time" on machines such as lathes and mills that are found in schools or commercial machine shops after hours.
First I highly recommend that you take a look at this web site: There is a lot of good info: Ron's model engine news dot org Especially look at the Kitting Up To Make Model IC Engines, section. Read and click through the pictures. Ron is very knowlegable! Lots of Good stuff. My best advise, buy or obtain the use of a good used lathe, find some drawings of a small engine (Popular Mechanics Magazine October & November 1946) Start cutting metal !
