Questions before making engines

[minh-thanh]

Questions before making engines internal combustion engine and flame eater !
anyone help me :
1/ The minimum diameter cylinder of flame eater for the engine can run ? and easy processing ?
2/ The first motor, I made with piston aluminium and cylinder brass of 2 types of engines (I know it's not good for the cylinder and piston, but it's easy to find buy in Viet Nam and is easy to work--I homemade all machinery :lathe, milling..., difficult to find buy Cast iron in Viet Nam . My first engine I just need it to run without durable , 2nd motor I'll do better) . Opinions of people about that ??
The end: I apologize to everyone for my english not good !

 

[Cogsy]

A small flame eater is the Poppin which can be found on this page - http://www.john-tom.com/html/SteamPlans3.html - plenty of them have been built and successfully run. Have a search on YouTube for "poppin engine" and you should be able to find some examples.

I don't see why you couldn't use brass as a cylinder with an aluminium piston and maybe orings as piston rings (for an I.C. engine). Brass cylinders running with orings are used extensively in steam engines and many internal combustion engines have been built with brass cylinders using cast iron liners so I don't see a problem with a straight brass cylinder. Plus it will look nice as well!

I'd be interested in seeing pictures of your machines and workspace and I'm sure many others would too. And your English is fine and easily understandable, nothing to apologise for.

 

[minh-thanh]

Thank for your Opinions , Cogsy !
And this is my lathe machines and workspace ...It is too small and rudimentary ..I don't have money so I must be to make everything ! And my drill-milling machine is not good I must be unfix to repair again , so picture I will upload after

 

[Cogsy]

I know I already posted a response but it's gone .

If you made that lathe yourself then that's quite an achievement and you should be proud! It does look like you could use a bit more space and I have no idea how you can work on the floor like that - my back is hurting just thinking about it! While bigger and better machines are nice to have, there is many wonderful things you can make on your equipment, as you're already proving. Keep up the good work and I look forward to following your progress on your engine builds.

 

[minh-thanh]

Thank Cogsy !
Thank you for the encouragement and sincere advice, that's what I needed at this time! I promise with you : I WILL DO WELL !

 

[Wizard69]

Thank for your Opinions , Cogsy !
And this is my lathe machines and workspace ...It is too small and rudimentary ..I don't have money so I must be to make everything ! And my drill-milling machine is not good I must be unfix to repair again , so picture I will upload after

Nice machinery!!!

It isn't uncommon at all to see homemade machinery in the various home shops around here. A lathe is a big challenge though and it looks like you built up a very nice machine.

One guy created a series of books a few years ago on how to build a machine shop from scrap. The guy was Dave Gingery. He has books, rather short ones at that on how to make a lathe, a mill, a shaper and a few other tools. Im not sure how you would get those books in Viet Nam though.

Of course today we have the internet, where you can find lots of examples of home made machinery of all sorts!

Building machines does take focus off building engines though. Frankly a lot can be done with just a lathe. Hope to see more posts as you build things.

 

[minh-thanh]

Thank Wizard69 !!
I don't have book of Dave Gingery , but I've watched many, many videos on youtube about "homemade lathes" . I think if there is knowledge, study and patience ,.one by one , step by step ...can do everything !
And this is link
http://www.stirlingengineforum.com/viewforum.php?f=1 about stirling engine I have learned ! (nickname : thanh-cuibap)

 

[tornitore45]

You have admire a guy so dedicated and resourceful to build his own lathe on a shoestring budged.
You are an inspiration!

 

[minh-thanh]

Thank tornitore45 !! I still have to learn a lot !!