Machine tools make much of what we see and use in the world around us, enabling a skilled machinist to create almost anything out of basic blocks of metal. With today’s relatively low prices and high precision, you can find small home shops turning out incredible work from lathes and milling machines hidden away in basements and garages. This tiny V12 engine is a perfect example. Made from stainless steel, aluminum and bronze and over 1200 hours of work, a craftsman in Spain designed the engine and then created, each of the 261 pieces himself. The engine runs on compressed air because it will be run in exhibits and educational demonstrations where real fuels might be problematic.
During the build he kept a video record of the work in progress giving us a detailed look behind the scenes, making the final minutes of the video showing the engine running seem even more remarkable.
There are now many small engine builders creating almost every shape and configuration of engine imaginable, but we seldom see so many of the steps along the way showing exactly how the engine was built. If you’re at all interested in engines, machining or mechanics, you’ll definitely enjoy this video. You’ll also enjoy the great choice of music that fits the spirit of the work. Makes you want to go shopping for a little lathe or milling machine, doesn’t it?
via Make
Video below:
HoughMade says
Any woman who would wear those pistons as earrings would have my devotion forever,
Carolynne says
On you knees then houughmade, how long do I have to wear them for?
NextVoiceUHear says
Kneeslider never fails to please! Thank you!
This would be the ultimate Christmas Stocking Stuffer.
Since this is an “external combustion” engine (runs on compressed air), I bet he ground those little toothpick-cams into a 2-stroke configuration. I think the size of the cam drive gears show that.
For those of us who don’t have the time or the shop to build their own, here’s a pretty good substitute:
http://www.jensensteamengines.com/
Carolynne says
Thanks! that is perfect. Its a lot easier to understand how it works when you can see the parts and how they fit together, really really cool. I know what a certain 9 year old is getting for Christmas
rohorn says
If you like micro-engines, check out “Strictly I.C.” magazine.
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
My personal favorite place for small engines is The Internet Craftsmanship Museum. Lots of incredible stuff. Especially Clen Tomlinson! Plus now they have the Internal Combustion Engine Collection. Very, very impressive and fascinating.
Caution, if you haven’t been there before, you should get a cup of coffee first.
rohorn says
That site is owned by the man behind Sherline – great connection. His online book on starting a business is a great read for any “doer”.
It takes machines to make machines…
B50 Jim says
Those cams are driven at crankshaft speed, hence 2-stroke configuration so it will run on compressed air. Shows how well-thought-out the project is. I know my way around a machine shop (a bit out of practice these days but it’s like riding a bicycle), but I tip my hat to this builder. I don’t know if I’d have the skills to do a project like this. It’s a piece of jewelry that runs.
Hawk says
Enzo would have hired him ….
Alan says
Te valve train alone makes my jaw drop.
Bob says
How about a working scale model V-12… with a working car around it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeUMDY01uUA
http://mps-sportproto.com/fr/
Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider" says
Covered that over on HorsePowerSports a long time ago. Superb model.
kim says
Obviously it needs to run on regular gasoline, and find its way into a Norton Featherbed chassis.
Paulinator says
This is truely impressive. When’s the last time anyone even saw a vernier caliper? The man is an artizan. File marks and all. LOVE IT!!!
Thom says
I use a vernier caliper every day… But I suppose I’m a but odd… Lol.
Carolynne says
Paulintor I would have sent you a message to filling in on how I met your evil but charming twin but your messages are disabled. Nice to see you’ve done well anyway. I am not surprised at that at all
JOhndo says
Impressive indeed. Man I wish I had that knowledge and know-how…
Carolynne says
This really is amazing. It does make me wonder though why we don’t have more of these little engines around for educational purposes . I don’t think I have ever seen anything like this during the education of my kids. I know my 9 year old loves this stuff we watch inventions that shook the world and how machines work all the time together. Seems like something we should expose them to both earlier and more.
Yeti B. says
DON’T DO IT!! I clicked that link and next thing I knew 6 hours had passed. I’m now planning my vacation to go to the museum in person.
Steve says
Who wouldn’t like to have that on their mantel?
You might like this full-scale, working Henderson V8 built by the late Carl Vandre: http://www.hendersonkj.com/carl-vandre/vee8/index1.html
James McBride says
I can’t fathom the amount of work that went into that, let alone the precision. Great work.
akaaccount says
I want to see him installing the valves, springs, and retainers.
Plus, flathead screws? Masochist no doubt.
Dr Robert Harms says
If you are into things of this sort go to Cabin Fever in Jan in York PA. real running scale motors incl an Offy thnat sound like an Offy and a panhead which sounds correct and all kinds of really good stuff. I nevr miss it. Worth it
Thom says
Not a bad use of 1220 hours!