What do you recommend for beginners?

[Shelton]

I've had a new member suggest that it would be really neat to have some beginner builds to suggest. Something that is an accomplishment, but not too many steps.
Something to get a new person hooked on building the small engines.

What would you suggest? If there is a thread here, even an old one, can you post the link for our new members to read?

Thanks.

 

[wespete66]

Interesting but this older thread popped up on my screen. A quick read on a similar vein, along with some links at the bottom. Maybe will be helpful..
Selecting a first engine to build.

 

[timo_gross]

Here is a thread to this engine, I thought it was a good beginners project.

Manageable number of parts, Youtube built instructions to follow along step by step.

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/the-myfordboy-steam-engine.32678/
Greetings Timo

 

[AndrewW]

Making a simple oscillating/wobbler engine got me really hooked. There is a playlist on my channel:

This resulted in me making a Stuart S50, Stuart V10, Stuart Half Beam, Jerry Howell Farm Boy, Philip Duclos Odd n Ends, Hoglet v-twin. All these are documented on my YouTube channel.
Have fun!
Cheers
Andrew

 

[Sprocket]

Potentially even simpler.... the Finger Motor

Plans are around, may not be needed.
Doug

 

[minh-thanh]

My suggestion - It's completely different from what I started with :
For newbies - very little machining experience : oscillating engine
For people with a lot of machining experience : webster engine

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/introducing-the-steel-webster.31993/
Why do I say completely different ?
Because my first engine was a stirling engine, it had a power cylinder diameter of 8 and 10 mm and it took me about 2 years just to get it running and I learned a lot from that engine.
So, make the engine and make it run and make it run better, nicer - that's what I've been doing.
Sometimes "patience" is the key to the problem.