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Good tips, thanks. I’ve printed several objects recently where exact sizing was important and printing only a few initial layers allowed testing to determine scaling for accurate printing. Harry

After starting to learn 3D CAD using FreeCAD this spring, I’ve become fairly comfortable with the basics. I’ve designed and printed a number of useful projects and slso some not so useful ones. Although I’m slowing down on this basement workshop stuff for the summer I plan on going full out...

I started this one but moved on after a while, it’s actually 2.5 hours long. I’m now at the point where I understand much more so maybe I’ll take another run at it.

Hey Craig, love what you’re doing! My journey started almost the same way with my wife giving me a Bob Shores Little Herc casting kit. With little experience on my Sherline equipment I started trying to gain enough experience to handle the Herc. I built several air engines and a stirling and am...

Thanks Gail, hadn’t thought about the effect of gas on plastics. And I guess a gasket would require a different venting option. Might be worth a look when my printer arrives and I complete a drawing of the frame. Harry

I think this stuff would melt with permanent contact to a cylinder. Harry

I’ve been toying with the idea of printing an engine frame for the Tiny. In looking at the various filaments available I ran into PAHT CF15, which would seem to have most of the qualities required of that purpose. It can handle 150C continuously, with a peak of 180C and is stiffer than most. I...

Well, I’ll see what the morning brings in terms of getting those plugs out. Makes sense to use the same material. Bob, my intention has always been to build a second version of this motor; this first one is all practice. Although there are a number of “oh crap”s on the frame they are all...

Thanks, really like this idea. I’ve put in aluminum plugs with loctite but hopefully I can drill them out tomorrow. Or can I pull the plugs out if I heat the aluminum; they extend above the aluminum flat For now. I used red loctite. The lessons continue…. On the threaded rod, should I make them...

Thanks, that would be an option and I’ll keep it in mind. Unfortunately, I don’t have any machine screws that size, only 4-40 and 2-56, and getting them locally would be difficult. Harry

Hello folks, As a relative newbie I’ve been working on the Tiny frame and was just putting the finishing touches on the crank retainer. The plans show a .086 diameter hole for the thread portion and .146 dia for the screw head relief. Unfortunately, I drilled the .086 hole all the way through...

Brian, I’ve got plans for all the smaller engines including the Kerzel and Webster. Unfortunately, I think both these engines are just too big for my Sherline equipment. I’ve ordered the metal for both the Tiny and the Little Angel from Ottawa but unfortunately it seems to be stuck somewhere in...

LOL, magnifying glasses and large hobby expenditures are part of my life now too. Nice to see that I’m not alone. Harry

Thanks for the latest comments folks! I’ll build the con rod out of 6061 since there is no way I’ll ever run the engine as much as Gail runs his. On another front, my metals order delivery has been delayed to next week by Purolator. If I didn’t have bad luck on this initiative, I’d have no luck...

Thanks Harvey, good to know. Gail, thanks for letting me know my materials should work. I’m just now starting to try distinguish between the various alloys and find these tips very useful. I doubt very much that I’ll put any significant hours on the engine if I do indeed get it running. I’ll...

My metals order shipped today so by early next week I should be the proud owner of a “Tiny” engine in the rough! There were a few items I couldn’t get but I should be able to get around most of the omissions. The 2024 aluminum for the connecting rod came in at $60Cdn for a 6” square piece so I...

Good idea, hadn’t considered that but will consider it as a future model build. Harry

Thanks Gail, that information is golden! I just ordered the ball bearings and will try to source the materials you suggested. I‘ve got all the K&S music wires left over from my RC and robotics days but unfortunately the smallest is .015”. If I can’t find any locally I may take you up on your...

Thanks for the encouragement and advice. Gail, it was through reading many of your posts on the “Tiny” that my interest in the engine was first stoked. The crankshaft doesn’t really scare me (although perhaps it should) and I’m anxious to try to build a couple including silver soldering one...

I’ve completed 4 steam engines and one stirling and feel I’m ready for my first IC engine. Perhaps ready is not the quite the right word, anxious might be a better one. I own the plans, and have carefully looked them all over, the Tiny I.C. Engine by Putputman, the Upshur vertical single, the...