So you're considering making an engine, or would like to know what is involved in the process of making an engine and have little or no experience in either engine building or working with metals. Five different things need to come together for an engine to be created; a strong desire, a source of knowledge, the equipment, the materials and some plans.
A Strong Desire
The chances are that you will make a number of mistakes during the construction of your first engine, which will prove frustrating and time consuming. However, if you have a strong desire for this magnificent art than setbacks such as these will mean nothing.
A Source of Knowledge
Starting from scratch will require a steep learning curve and in addition to this, some of the required knowledge in this field is quite obscure and some of techniques aren't used in industry anymore, so it really is necessary to have something or someone who can help you out. Fortunately, in this day and age we have access to a multitude of information in the form of the internet. YouTube, for example, can prove invaluable, as many people are kindly willing to post tutorials on just about anything. Having a few books on hand is a great idea; Using The Small Lathe by L.C. Mason, Workshop Technology Part One - An Introductory Course by W.A.J. Chapman are two books which I recommended. It is also particularly helpful to have someone who is experienced in the field to call when you're stuck. I am certainly willing to help where I can. Just send an email to the address at the bottom of the page.
The Equipment
If you have little or no equipment, be warned, as this hobby is not the least expensive to begin with. To give an idea of the equipment that will be used please have a browse of The Workshop section of this site. Perhaps the most difficult item to purchase as a novice, is the lathe. There is a lot of variation in the type and quality of a metal lathe and there are a number of things which need to be checked before you purchase a lathe, even if it is brand new. The slightest variation in trueness on certain components could render your project nearly impossible. Certainly, it is possible for a lathe, or any piece of machinery, to be corrected, but it is probably not something you want to have to deal with when setting out to make your first engine. Because of this, I highly recommended that you take someone experienced with you when considering a lathe. It would not hurt to have the help of another when selecting the rest of your equipment either.
The Materials
Do not underestimate the difficulty obtaining the materials for your project can pose. Sometimes it is impossible to find exactly what you want, and it becomes necessary to alter your plans. It is worth doing the research on the suppliers in your area by ringing around, checking online forums etc. I operate in Brisbane, Australia, so am able to provide links to some excellent suppliers in the area on the Links section of this site.
Some Plans
It is wise to have a set of plans at your disposal when making an engine, even if authored by you. By having the project mapped out you will avoid most unforeseen problems, which can be costly on you time. Having a set of plans will also increase the likelihood of your engine running, once complete. I recommended that before you attempt the construction of an internal combustion engine that you first built one or two successful steam engines. Steam engines are much more forgiving and require less specific materials than IC engines and thus make a better choice for the first couple of projects. Plans can be purchased from eBay at reasonable prices and there are most probably some plans floating around on the net which are free.
So do it! Make an engine if you really want to. It is a most rewarding and satisfying experience.
peake-engines@hotmail.com
