Author Topic: Hello from Portsmouth UK  (Read 3423 times)

Offline Jims45

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Hello from Portsmouth UK
« on: April 16, 2025, 08:43:23 AM »
I am a retired auto mechanic and self taught model engineer. Since retiring I have been buiding a small workshop and purchasing a lathe and milling machine with tooling.
My first project will be a small IC engine preferably from bar stock. Can any menbers reccomend a sutable model?

Offline Admiral_dk

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2025, 09:43:29 AM »
Welcome here.

There are plenty of designs floating around the Web.
If we are talking two-stroke Aero-Engines then 1.5-2.5cc size is optimum.
Don't use much material = not much waste if you have to scrap a part.
Not so small as to require extreme precision = Easier to get to run.

On top of my head : Boll-Aero 1.8cc. - but there are many more.

Best wishes

Per      :cheers:

Offline nj111

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2025, 11:50:01 AM »
Welcome!  This process will certainly sharpen your skills, there's plenty to learn here from those that have kindly shared their builds. Also, I hope no one will object to a mention of the late Ron Chernich's Model Engine News site, which provided so much valuable information for many years and is still available to peruse. I learnt a lot there.
Nick

Online redhouseluv

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2025, 08:29:49 PM »
Welcome from Essex UK, great to see you extending your working life into building an IC engine as a first project. Hope it goes well and enjoy the forum
Best regards

Sanjay

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2025, 08:52:27 PM »
Hi Jim, welcome to MEM!

Dave

Offline RReid

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #5 on: April 17, 2025, 02:50:22 AM »
Hello Jim and Welcome!

My first IC engine build was the Upshur Vertical Farm Engine. Unfortunately the plans no longer seem to available on their website, but the Red Farm Engine is very similar and the other engines listed are basically derivatives. The plans were good, complete and easy to follow, and the finished engine runs nicely.

Link to the Upshur Plans:https://rocketr.net/sellers/UpshurEngineWorks
Link to my build log:https://modelenginemaker.com/index.php?topic=10514.0

Regards,
Ron

Offline Minh Thanh

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #6 on: April 17, 2025, 05:56:35 AM »
Welcome !  :ThumbsUp:

Offline Jims45

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #7 on: April 17, 2025, 11:41:03 AM »
Thanks to all for the friendly welcome  :)

Offline AVTUR

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #8 on: April 17, 2025, 12:15:08 PM »
Jim, Welcome

I tried making an IC engine years ago from a readily available kit of castings. The aluminium castings were very nasty to machine, very sticky, so, I think, using bar stock is a wise choice for a beginner. Buy your stock from a good supplier, there are some rouges out there.

About 15 years ago a design, the Nemett, was published by Malcolm Stride that appeared to be popular and was well written-up. It is a single cylinder 15cc OHC air cooled engine. The engine has been discussed on this forum and there may even be a build blog.

What ever you decide to make, have fun and don't worry about scrapping parts. Making another part is almost free (if you are young) as long as it is not a casting.

AVTUR
There is no such thing as a stupid question.

Offline Vixen

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #9 on: April 17, 2025, 12:29:44 PM »
Hello Jim,

Welcome to the MEM forum. :hi: :hi:

I live just up the road from you in Fareham. I'm into i/c engines but cannot really advise which one to build first, other than use bar stock as opposed to over expensive casting. A two stroke with glow plug is much easier (and quicker to build) than a four stroke.

That's a good looking Austin Squeeeealy in your Avatar.

Cheers

Mike
« Last Edit: April 17, 2025, 07:34:17 PM by Vixen »
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Kim

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2025, 05:57:35 PM »
Hi Jim,
Welcome to the forum!  :cheers:
Kim

Offline uuu

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2025, 06:13:45 PM »
I've not made it yet, but I'm limbering up to build a "Hoglet", which is an open-crank v twin with a vague feel of a Harley engine.  I'm attracted because it's not tiny - all the bits are sensible sizes.

Wilf

Offline Roger B

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Re: Hello from Portsmouth UK
« Reply #12 on: April 18, 2025, 10:56:24 AM »
Welcome to the Forum  :ThumbsUp:  :ThumbsUp:
Best regards

Roger

 

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