Model engineering ideas

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

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

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?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ceamgdHOur0&NR=1&feature=endscreen

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

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Do the oil leaks first.

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.

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

Neil

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..

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).