The Model Engineering Section
of the Internet Craftsmanship Museum
SECTION 1
INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES

Ron Colonna's 1/4 scale 270 Offenhauser 4-cylinder engine takes model engineering to the highest level because Ron has not only built the engine, he has also documented it in a book with plans so that others can benefit from his experience and built it too. This is the type of model engineering you will see in this section.

Building a running internal combustion engine in a small scale is one of the tougher projects you can take on in model engineering. As engines get smaller, tolerances must be tighter, and some things like the size of air and fuel molecules and electricity just don't scale. A certain amount of cleverness is required to get all these elements to work together. Some parts can be scaled exactly and some must be adapted to work at a small size. The trick is knowing which ones and how much.

If you would like to get involved in a group project to build an internal combustion engine, see our SEAL ENGINE PROJECT page. To see and hear an assortment of model engines being run, see our RUNNING ENGINES links.

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Craftsman (Click name to visit page on this craftsman)

Typical Project (Click for larger image)

Chuck Balmer

2018 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Retired electrical engineer builds live steam locomotives and robots

Cherry Hill

2017 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Highly detailed, award winning models of obscure steam road locomotives and other unusual vintage machines.

George Britnell

2016 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Gas and steam engines plus guns and more

Ron Colonna

2008 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Long-time engine builder's work includes an Offenhauser engine and a book on how to build it

Gary Conley

2012 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Manufacturer of the famous Conley V8 and more

Phillip Duclos

A man known to many through his magazine articles on how to build steam and gas engines.

Find Hansen

Unusual four-stroke hot bulb engines in miniature

Jerry Howell

This dedicated model builder now offers kits you can build too.

Alan Ingersoll

1998 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

and builder of a Curtiss V-12 airplane engine in 1/6 scale

Doug Kelley

Models of engines by lesser known manufacturers

Jerry Kieffer

1997 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

and master of scale detail down to the smallest fastener

George Luhrs

2001 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

and builder of the world's smallest running internal combustion engines

Jim Moyer

Builder of the "World's Smallest Running Chevrolet V-8" and other tiny engines

Maurice Nysether

A late start building small engines of his own design

Pierre Scerri

2007 Metalworking Craftsman of the Year

Avignon, France

A running 1/3 scale Ferrari that took 15 years to build

Clen Tomlinson

A miniature 18-cylinder masterpiece in progress made with CNC

B.A.E.M.—The Bay Area Engine Modelers club

CLICK HERE to learn more about model engineering clubs or to list your club.

Links to other model engineering sections:

Section 2: Steam, Stirling and other engines

Section 3: Other model engineering projects

Section 4: Model Engineering Masterpieces

If you are interested in the small model gas engines manufactured to power model airplanes, boats and cars, see the special section on Model Engine Manufacturers. These men were a special breed of model engineer who designed and built engines out of the love for their hobby.

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New Submissions Welcomed

If you have additional information on a project or builder shown on this site that your would like to contribute, please e-mail mecm@craftsmanshipmuseum.com. We also welcome new contributions. Please see our page at newsubmit.htm for a submission form and guidelines for submitting descriptive copy and photos for a new project.

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This section is sponsored by SHERLINE PRODUCTS INC., Vista, CA,
manufacturers of tabletop machine tools and accessories.

To learn how your company or organization can sponsor a section in the Craftsmanship Museum, please contact mecm@craftsmanshipmuseum.com.

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