Hit and Miss

[dnp101677]

I’d like to hear from people who have built a hit and miss engine. I’ve built a small oscillating engine (Elmer’s Tiny) and a Stirling Engine (seen here http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=9242.0). I am now considering building this engine (http://www.floridaame.org/GalleryPages/g1h0106.htm.)

I have all the tooling and equipment to build this engine; just not sure about the skills. My old man says “You’re not really learning unless you’re in a little bit over your head”. That in mind, I think this might be a good challenge. I just want to make sure that it’s not so challenging that it starts to not be fun. The stilring engine almost pushed me top that point once or twice, but overall it was a blast and I learned a lot!

I’d appreciate any words of advice and/or caution concerning the build of this hit and miss. Regardless of whether or not I build it, it sure is a pretty engine and if anyone else has built it (or one like it), I’d love to see it. Thank you in advance for your thoughts.

 

[krv3000]

HI I'm not in to hit and miss engines your old man is right the only way to learn sumthing new is by aving a go
we all have to start somewhere we all have broken taps and drills spent 4 days macking sumthing just to end up in the bin the best advice I can give is to brake the drawings dawn to manageable sechons and do a lil at a time regards bob

 

[cidrontmg]

hi dnp1'1677,
there´s a build right now, ongoing, about just that engine,
Brian Builds the Kerzel Hit and Miss I.C.
Click on that when Brian updates the thread, he´s doing that practically daily. He´s already done excellent computer 2D (3D?) models, and built quite a number of components.
Or do a search for that title. I have 3 Kerzel HnM engines also in various stages of build, waiting for materials to show up.
Remember that for a HnM engine, you will need ignition (coil, points, sparkplug, etc.), a carburetor, a fuel tank, so it´s not as smooth sailing as a steam engine ;D

 

[cfellows]

If you're building from detailled plans, the only difference with Hit n Miss engines is you have a lot more parts to make. Since you've built a working stirling engine, you clearly have the skills and tools necessary for a Hit n Miss.

Chuck

 

[rudydubya]

Hello dnp. Following <a href="http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=10831.0">Brian's build</a> should be a great help with the Kerzel, and it's a great looking engine. And <a href="http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=8824.0">bearcat1's build</a> will also give you an idea of what is involved. If you want to try something more basic you might consider an <a href="http://hamiltonupshur.tripod.com/">Upshur</a>. I built my Upshur almost entirely on a 7x12 lathe, and didn't even have a mill until I had almost finished it. It was my first machining project.

Good luck on whatever you decide. Keep us up-to-date on your progress.

Regards,
Rudy

 

[Blogwitch]

DNP,

You have built and got engines to run before, so that means you should have no problems with another one.

Some people who are learning have difficulty keeping to tight tolerances. But if you can overcome that, again you shouldn't have a problem.

There is a bit of a secret when making more complicated engines, the brain gets overwhelmed by it all when it sees an exploded diagram. To get around that, copy your plans, and separate them up into individual components. You only make one good part at a time, and you don't progress onto the next until you are completely happy with the one you are making.

Also, do the most difficult bits at the start, leaving easier bits to make as you start getting p***ed of with the build.

Doing it that way, and if the plans have been proven beforehand to be correct, it is just an assembly and tweak job at the end.

Bogs

 

[Brian Rupnow]

Hey Guy---Its just like eating an elephant.---One bite at a time!!! Come on over to my thread and have a look http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=10831.msg119555;topicseen#new I don't think they are any harder to build than a steam/air engine. Just more parts. Welcome.---Brian

 

[tel]

Its heartening to know there are a few of these on the go. I cast a lump of ali yesterday, from which I will carve the cylinder block/water tank as a first part. I am watching Brian's thread very closely indeed!

 

[dnp101677]

Thank you guys for the inspiring words. I hadn't considered many of the things said.

Brian - thank you for all the time you've spent posting the progress of your build. I hope I can return the favor one day.

Rudy - Which Upshur did you build?

I'll be sure and post some of my progress of whatever I decide to build next. Thanks again.

 

[rudydubya]

dnp, I built the air-cooled version, the one with the fins around the cylinder. That's it in my avatar. As Bogs said, with your experience and success with your other builds, you should have no problem with any hit-and-miss you decide on.

Regards,
Rudy