Model engineering ideas

[CrankParticipant @crank]

[CrankParticipant @crank]

I am a retired Mechanical engineer in the Midlands UK. and my lifelong interest has been British motorcycles, and I have owned and restored and number of them over the years. Last year I broke my right leg and am only just getting back to normal and the motorcycle days are over. My thoughts now are model engineering, I have a small workshop with bench and vice, bench drill and an old lathe. I don't think I have the patience for building steam engines or locomotives and though I would ask if anyone can suggest types of model Engineering projects.

Regards John

[I.M. OUTAHEREParticipant @i-m-outahere]

Hi John,

It can be a little difficult for some one to recomend a type of model to make as they have no way of gauging your experience with your lathe .

If you have little experience on the machine i would recomend the Workshop Practice Series of books as they a lot of projects in them that you can make and learn to use the machine .

As for a model itself , maybe something fairly simple like an oscillating engine that will run on compressed air ?

Ian

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I hear ya. I have a shed (er, well two sheds really) full of old bikes and can't ride due to chronic illness. So I set up my Dad's old Drummond lathe and got back into model engineering after a few decades away from it. Spent most of my time setting up the workshop so far. Slow progress at an hour a day on a good day.

Yes, you probably dont want to start a 2,000 hour project like a 5-inch gauge loco for starters.

I have started off with messing about with Stirling hot air engines. They are simpler than steam engines in some ways, no valve gear, no boiler, but have some endearing quirks of their own. If something like that might interest you, or model internal combustion engines, take a look at Jan Ridders website. He will email you a couple of free plans on request. His website is http://heetgasmodelbouw.ridders.nu/index.htm

There are also a few good books on building Stirling engines available from Amazon, Book Depository, etc.

Once you get going, you might like to take on something like this:

[IMG]http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg220/ozhopper/KiefferHDframe.jpg[/IMG]

Or how about a half-size G50 engine?

There was about a quarter size Matchy twin engine featured on front page of Model Engineer in recent years. I am sure somebody somewhere must have done a Manx as well. If not, time somebody did!

Edit: Doh!!! I forgot this site runs on steam. You will have to copy and paste those links into your browser to see the pics and video of the tiny working model Harley engine and G50 Matchless engine.

Edited By Hopper on 07/06/2013 05:30:31

Edited By Hopper on 07/06/2013 05:32:02

[Stewart HartParticipant @stewarthart90345]

How about this simple Mill engine to get you going, I designed it so it could be built with limited kit just using a Lathe and a Drill. Stew

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

If you are not into steam or Locos then maybe IC (internal combustion) engines will be more to your liking. Either hit and miss or simple single cylinder.

It does depend on if you have any machining experiance as they may need a bit closer tollerances than a simple steam engine but there are a few designs out there not unlike old bike engines, I've almost finished this

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi John ,

Model motor cycles .

How about a BSA 250 complete with sidecar , radio control and scale oil leaks ???

When I worked in large factories many years ago the shifts arrived and left by numerous means of transport but very common then was the motorbike . I've seen what must have been 100+ of these going out of the several car parks on a Christmas eve – all disappearing after a hundred yards in a thick cloud of fug ! Lots of BSA's but many other types including some very ancient ones .

MikeW

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

Take a look at a couple of nice Brit bike engine models here

http://modelengineeringwebsite.com/JAP_Ariel.html

or search this site for Bill Connor engines. (Matchy twin etc)

[Chris HeapyParticipant @chrisheapy71135]

There are so many fine and absorbing projects waiting for you it can be very difficult to choose, particularly as each represents a significant investment in time and effort – so you want some reward at the end of it (and some guarantee of success). Another factor, if you're new there are a lot of techniques to learn, and it really helps on your first project if you have a step-by-step build sequence to follow. Once that first project is under your belt you can move on with your newly aquired knowledge.

For the reasons above I would suggest looking at various books on constructing specific models, many old favourites exist (Tich, Juliet, Rob Roy locos, Minnie traction engine, some stationary engines) which offer both worthwhile experience and produce a great model. The books would be worth buying just for the information they contain and perhaps reading them one will inspire you to make a decision on your project.

Chris

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

A hot air engine can be big or small, simple or complex, this one is small and simple, made entirely of scrap found around the workshop.Ian S C

[CrankParticipant @crank]

I think that my main problem will be trying to make things with just a basic workshop, which will mean either investing in more machinery or coming up with ingenious ways of making things. Thank you all for your imput looking at your suggestions has also lead onto other links so I have plenty to think about. I will let you know how I get on

[merlinParticipant @merlin98989]

Have you considered clockmaking or making just a model of the escapement?

They look complicated and to a high standard of tolerance. but a lot of it is handwork, the only fairly precise bit is making the gears to mesh with each other and even then aclock will run if there is enough slack.

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Hi John

I second Merlin's suggestion. If your background is mechanical engineering you should be comfortable with the processes involved and a lathe( however old) a drill, vice and hand tools will be OK for a clock. What is more there is something very satisfying about working in brass and the polish you can get on the parts adds to that satisfaction!. Of course, if you just want to tell the time, then a visit to your local pound store is better! On the other hand I guess most of us, whatever our interest and project., would be hard put to answer the question –

" But what is it FOR?"

I suggest that you have a browse here where you can obtain all the materials you will need and also construction books and drawings. I can recommend those by John Wilding ,especially the 8 day wall clock which is an interesting and straightforward project.. ( I've made all the bits for mine but we have moved to a modern house which has no place to house the clock!***!! – I hope to persuade my Son- in -Law to make a case then they can have it for their cottage – but that's another story!)

 

 

Here is an example of " a couple of bits I made earlier!" – there are a few more pics in my album " 8 day Wall Clock"

Regards

Norman

Edited By NJH on 08/06/2013 19:34:26

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

Hi Crank,

Have you considered a Silverwing or similar? Old bikers never die, they just ride scooters… big scooters.

Even the cheapest and smallest of new or second-hand lathes can be set up to porduce working models of all kinds, and can stand in for just about any other machine tool – though it may be slower or have limited capacity. Learning to cope with its limitations will teach you a lot.

Even with just a drill press, or even a hand drill, you might be amazed at what can be achieved.

If you just want to make something simple but useful or interesting to get into the swing of things, why not start by making a few useful accessories? There are some good books in the Workshop Practioce Series by Tubal Cain and Stan Bray that feature handy gadgets that only need hand tools.

Neil

[Ady1Participant @ady1]

How about a BSA 250 complete with sidecar , radio control and scale oil leaks ???

ooh that's cruel. We won the war you know !

You could make tooling. There are loads of mini toolmaking projects.

Relatively quick to complete, and they improve your workshops capability at the same time

The most useful thing I ever made was a steel vice, use it all the time

[CrankParticipant @crank]

No Neil a Silverwing is not for me I have been messing with motorbikes since I was 13 but have decided to pack it in now, but small accessories may be a good start. Thanks Norman for the suggestion, would never have thought of clocks.

John

[CrankParticipant @crank]

My son in law has just suggested a model gas turbine and I nearly fell of my chair laughing, but has anyone any knowledge or thoughts on this

John

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

If you fancy modelling British bikes or engines, start small and simple,

Do the oil leaks first.

[John Stevenson 1Participant @johnstevenson1]

Seriously if you are in the Midlands than take a trip down to Bristol in August for the ME show.

Unlike most of the ME shows that just has loads of choo choo's on display this show has THE best display of IC engines from simple to gobbsmacked and also a complete stand given over to model turbines.

Out of all the shows Bristol has the most diversity of models.

[Sub MandrelParticipant @submandrel]

The laugh's on you – Kurt Schreckling made a gas turbine using hand tools!

Neil

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

Hi Crank, Welcome to the forum. May I suggest that you have a look at the following post:My Scania T-Cab + crane project in 1/14 Scale
By rebekah anderson
Topic: Miscellaneous models I'm not suggest you make one . Its for lateral thinking. Good luck with whatever you do. Please keep us posted. Regards, Bear..

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

THe sturart 10V steam engine can be made with hand tools only. There was a detailed instruction series in ME, and I thinkit got repeated.

Another approach is to get something that needs repair – so most of the work has been done. If you do decide on a clock you could get an old mantle clock movement often available for a fiver, and rebuild it into a skeleton frame of your own design. This would sve you having to make the gears. (yes I know horologinsts don't call them gears).

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

I have a 1936 lathe, a secondhand drill press, a box of hand tools and a cheap vice. It's all you need to make steam engines, Stirling engines and motorbike parts. Been doing it for years.

I get by without a milling machine by using mill cutters in the lathe, or the old fashioned way with hacksaw and file. Models are not large, so the cutting and filing is not too arduous.

Sounds like your first job might be to sort your old lathe out, make a few attachments and accessories etc for it. Take a look at Harold Hall's website for some good ideas on workshop gadgets you can make with simple tools and a lathe. Harold Hall, LH Sparey, Tubal Cain and others have written easily available and cheap books on the same subject.

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Got a mate who's building a model of a Cat D11, can't remember the scale, but it's about 2ft long, and powered by two windscreen wiper motors. He might be able to plough his veggie garden with it, although watching it traverse the garage floor is like watching grass grow, which is about right for these big Cats. Ian S C

[MICHAEL WILLIAMSParticipant @michaelwilliams41215]

Hi John ,

Lots of model size gas turbines have been designed and built now . Generally in two varieties :

Models of real ones especially single shaft Whittle engine derivatives with c/f compressors . These can be made to self sustain but do not generally produce large thrusts .

Small real engines designed from first principles . Some very advanced designs now available producing large thrusts . Are easilly able to power model jet aircraft . A few people have added a power turbine stage and driven locomotives , boats and prop aircraft with them as well .

The two varieties are slowly merging together with the models getting more advanced and more complex and catching up with the purpose designed ones in performance .

There are some published designs and several discussion groups .

Regards ,

Michael Williams

[Author]

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