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!

  Air_Engine.pdf (1.1 MiB, 1,488 hits)
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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, 7,389 hits)
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Material: Steel or Aluminum
Units: (in)

This is pretty amazing. A Metal Gear Solid fan created a version of Solid Snake’s gun that shoots … Rubber Bands! I wish I could find plans for one of these! I’ve got the plans now! They aren’t exactly step-by-step, but they show details for the critical parts. It should be enough to get you started!

Here’s a video of the gun in action.

Here’s a video of the firing mechanism, and a bit of video showing how the gun was built.

And here are the plans, courtesy of James W. from the HSM forum. Thanks Jim! If anyone else has completed one of these, let me know – I’d love to post your project pictures. Also, if anyone has a more complete set of plans that includes 100% of the pieces, please let me know.

UPDATE: I found the site where this gun comes from, but it’s in Japanese. Here’s a few translated links to the construction process: Link1, Link2, as well as a link to some of the other guns they’ve done Here. The english translation is a bit shaky, but the links provide even more production information for anyone attempting to build one of these.

  Metal_Gear_Solid_Rubber_Band_Gun.pdf (1.1 MiB, 5,379 hits)
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