I want to build something. Suggestions for home engineering?
Discussion
Other than a Death Star, what can i build at home? I was thinking of maybe building my own engine or a generator, then thought about building a small wind turbine or something and trying to get a bit of power.
Anyway, suggest stuff like that, that i can make in my garage. I have a one car garage completely empty with nothing in it. I want to make/build something.
Obviously kit car is one option, but finances are quite short at the moment, so cant afford to spend £0000's at this time.
Anyway, suggest stuff like that, that i can make in my garage. I have a one car garage completely empty with nothing in it. I want to make/build something.
Obviously kit car is one option, but finances are quite short at the moment, so cant afford to spend £0000's at this time.
Edited by Acheron on Sunday 24th October 12:40
If you're talking about the level of engineering expertise necessary to build your own engine, why not do something kit-car style, but with a chassis etc. of your own design and construction? Probably wouldn't feel that expensive given the time over which you'd do it, and it'd make a rather good project to write up on here 
You could make a Locost type kitcar.
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locost
http://www.locostbuilders.co.uk/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locost
Hedders said:
I assume you are talking about putting something together out of pre made parts, rather than actually building something from raw materials?
Not interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
Pretty much yeah. I'd prefer something mechanical, but im not too good at electrics and cant weld. I was thinking some sort of power source, maybe a turbine or something similar, just probing for ideas really :SNot interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
I once built an electric bicycle out of odd bits bought from car boot sales.
There was a slight problem in that it didn't turn out street-legal - much too fast. Mine would do 25mph on the flat and had a 15 mile range - I believe it was technically a moped ('proper' ones must be limited to 15mph, amongst other things). Still enjoyed building it though.
ETA: How about some kind of radio controlled model? A glider seems pretty appealing - some of them are huge, and I'd imagine that flying it would keep you out of mischief for quite some time too.
There was a slight problem in that it didn't turn out street-legal - much too fast. Mine would do 25mph on the flat and had a 15 mile range - I believe it was technically a moped ('proper' ones must be limited to 15mph, amongst other things). Still enjoyed building it though.
ETA: How about some kind of radio controlled model? A glider seems pretty appealing - some of them are huge, and I'd imagine that flying it would keep you out of mischief for quite some time too.
Edited by Eggman on Sunday 24th October 13:09
Acheron said:
Hedders said:
I assume you are talking about putting something together out of pre made parts, rather than actually building something from raw materials?
Not interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
Pretty much yeah. I'd prefer something mechanical, but im not too good at electrics and cant weld. I was thinking some sort of power source, maybe a turbine or something similar, just probing for ideas really :SNot interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
How about a super fast mobility scooter, i fancy making one of these myself but don't have the space or knowledge (but mainly the motivation) to do it.
Hedders said:
Acheron said:
Hedders said:
I assume you are talking about putting something together out of pre made parts, rather than actually building something from raw materials?
Not interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
Pretty much yeah. I'd prefer something mechanical, but im not too good at electrics and cant weld. I was thinking some sort of power source, maybe a turbine or something similar, just probing for ideas really :SNot interested in building wooden furniture, for example?
How about a super fast mobility scooter, i fancy making one of these myself but don't have the space or knowledge (but mainly the motivation) to do it.
Recondition an old go kart.
Simple assembly, engine you can strip and rebuild, easy to get hold of spares and you can have a bit of fun in it.
Mate of mine did this. He works in aerospace and his weekend project now has lots of tasty carbon fibre parts! He goes to open karting practice sessions and has a great time, all done on the cheap
Simple assembly, engine you can strip and rebuild, easy to get hold of spares and you can have a bit of fun in it.
Mate of mine did this. He works in aerospace and his weekend project now has lots of tasty carbon fibre parts! He goes to open karting practice sessions and has a great time, all done on the cheap
Buy a registered kit car (one that has already been on the road at some point) that has been abandonned in a garage somewhere and rebuild it. All of the parts are already there, and you will not have to worry about an IVA (which can be expensive). You can pick up a real good project for about £500. All that will be needed is time and a few small bits like plugs, oil, filter- those kinds of things.
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