Hey guys, it’s your old buddy, back with another project. Today, I want to share my experience building a mini hit and miss engine. You won’t believe how this tiny thing works!
So, I started with the idea. I’ve always been fascinated by these old-school engines, you know, the kind you’d see on farms back in the day. They’re called “hit and miss” engines because of how they regulate their speed. When the engine’s going too fast, the governor cuts off the ignition – that’s the “miss” part. Then, when it slows down, the ignition comes back on – that’s the “hit”. Pretty neat, right?
I found some information online, mostly about how these engines worked in the old days. They were used for all sorts of things, like pumping water and running machinery. It seemed like a pretty cool thing to try and build, even if it was just a small version.
First, I gathered some materials. I used scrap metal I had lying around, some old bolts, and a few pieces I ordered online. You don’t need anything fancy for this project, really. Just some basic tools like a drill, a saw, and some files.
The hardest part was probably making the piston and cylinder. I spent hours filing and sanding to get them to fit just right. It’s important that the piston moves smoothly inside the cylinder, otherwise the engine won’t run properly.
- I made the piston first, using a piece of round steel stock.
- Then I crafted the cylinder from a hollow metal tube.
- Lots of trial and error here, folks!
Next, I worked on the flywheel. This is the heavy wheel that keeps the engine running smoothly. I made mine out of a thick piece of steel. It took a while to shape it into a circle, but it was worth it. I attached it to a small crankshaft I made from some sturdy metal, it’s pretty rudimentary stuff.
After that, I started putting together the governor mechanism. This is what controls the engine’s speed. It’s a simple setup with a couple of weights that spin around. When the engine speeds up, the weights fly outwards and push a lever that cuts off the ignition. I had to adjust it several times until I had it working right, and it was pretty messy, but I got it to work.
Then came the ignition system. I used a simple spark plug and a small coil. I wired it up to a battery and a switch. It’s a basic setup, but it works!
Finally, I put everything together. It was a bit of a puzzle, but I managed to get all the parts to fit. I added a small fuel tank I made from a tin can, and filled it up with some gasoline.
The Moment of Truth
I flipped the switch, gave the flywheel a spin, and held my breath. The engine sputtered for a second, then caught. It started running, making that distinctive “hit and miss” sound. I couldn’t believe it! It actually worked! It took a few tries, and a whole lot of tweaking, but I got it to run pretty good.
It was a lot of work, but it was totally worth it. Building this mini hit and miss engine was a fun and rewarding experience. And the best part is, it’s a great conversation starter. People are always amazed when they see it running. It’s not perfect, and it shakes a bit when it’s running, but hey, it’s a tiny engine I built in my garage. I made a working engine!
So, if you’re looking for a challenging and fun project, I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s a great way to learn about how engines work, and you’ll end up with a cool little machine that you can show off to your friends. And hey, if I can do it, you can too! This was super fun, and I think everyone should try building something like this at least once.