Material: Aluminum, Steel, and Brass
Units: (in)

If you’re looking for a simple engine to build that runs on compressed air, here’s a nice set of plans for you. Here’s what Rob had to say about his plans:

“This was the semester long project we did in class for Machine Tool Technology at the University of Central Missouri . I would like to hook the engine up to something and do tests.

The base is made out of a 3/4 in thick aluminum and the body and cylinder is mild steel. The flywheel and crank is made out of brass. I used most tools that you would use with metals. Vertical mill, horizontal mill, metal lathe, drill press and grinding machine, thread tap. I even machined the threads on the wrist pin.”

- Rob K.

Here’s a video of the little engine in action:

Thanks for sharing your plans Rob!

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Material: Steel or Aluminum
Units: (in)

Here’s a set of plans for a nifty little two stroke engine submitted by Shane W., a sophomore studying Mechanical Engineering at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Here’s what Shane had to say about his project:

“This is a two stroke internal combustion engine that I designed for a design class. Though the design is unique and engineered by me, much inspiration was taken from an engine from the 50’s called “The Little Dragon.”

Engines are not exactly simple to make or design, but this one is designed to be as easy as possible to construct, using standard size stock to minimize machining. In fact I was able to build it and get it running with the experience from building a simple air engine and nothing else.

Most of the tolerances are a little tighter than necessary, particularly the bore of the cylinder. You can get away with it being a couple thousandths off.

It runs on 30% nitromethane fuel mixed with castor oil. The plans don’t exactly follow any standard, though they lean toward ansi. In the drawings for the cylinder, con-rod, and piston I used hidden lines to represent tool paths. I don’t have drawings for the needle valve, though many are easily obtainable online, or a pre-made one can be purchased.

- Shane”

Thanks for submitting your plans Shane! Be sure to visit Shane’s site to check out his other projects and to see a video of this little engine in action!

Would you like to have your project featured on this site? If so, do what Shane did and click the “Submit Your Plans” tab at the top of the page.

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Material: Steel and Brass
Units (mm)

Back in February I posted plans for a Coffee Cup Stirling Engine by Jan Ridders, which have proved quite popular with more than 500 downloads to date.

Since the first engine went over so well with everyone, I thought it was about time for another. These plans are for a “Flame Eater” engine (AKA a Flame Sucker or Vacuum Engine).

The working principal is nicely illustrated by the animation below, but you really need to visit Jan’s site for the whole story on how this engine works, and what makes Jan’s design so special.

Here’s a short video of Jan’s Flame Eater in action:

If you decide to tackle this little engine, be sure to visit Jans site for lots great information on the theory, design, and construction of this great little engine.

Thanks Jan for contributing your plans!

  1-Cyl_Flame-Eater_Internal_Valve_-_Jan_Ridders.pdf (3.7 MiB, 4,453 hits)
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