How to make a Solenoid Engine

In this video I show how to make a solenoid engine from scratch. I had seen a couple of different solenoid engine versions online and decided to give my take on it.
These are the videos that inspired me to make one:
• Making a Solenoid Engine
• V12 Solenoid Engine
For more projects, build plans and other stuff:
www.thepracticalengineer.com
Check out the gear I use and recommend here: kit.co/ThePracticalEngineer
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[@cnvw974]

Love how you show the fails, allows watchers to learn.

[@danafrye3266]

I really like how you show initial trials when things don't work out, rather than editing them out to make it look like everything works perfect on the first go. All engineers know this is where the learning happens!!

[@leatijoe5107]

true..

[@Scott_G]

I'm a new subscriber and I love your channel. I really appreciate that you leave in the times you mess up. Those bumps in the road are what keep people from doing these kinds of projects, and you showing us that they don't always work right on the first attempt is really nice. Thanks for the upload!

[@swiftroph]

Man, you're so passionate about your stuff that we can feel it too. When you made it worked, I was as excited as you I think. Great work, you've gained a subscriber.

[@atial8708]

I tried to make this in my dads workshop, and it didn't work, but then i realized that i didn't connect some pieces together (rookie mistake) and my dad helped me to fix it and now it works! Thanks

[@eddy4890]

Just found this channel and this man deserves more subs

[@nickldominator]

Very cool video :) Only recommendation I would give would be to add a diode across your solenoid to prevent destruction of your switching transistor. The fly-back on large inductors like those can quickly kill transistors as the high-voltage spike after the magnetic field collapse has to be absorbed. Adding an external diode across the solenoid will clamp down on this preventing the eventual failure that can occur with transistors in these types of loads. Besides the small nit-pick, very cool video. I look forward to seeing more of your content.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks for the advise Nick! I did actually add a flyback diode as you described it. I forgot to show it in the video

[@michaelmeenaghan8559]

A good build and well explained. I will be checking out other projects of yours. Thank you for the presentation.

[@arturobadia4383]

I don't know how you don't have 2 Million subscribers Good vid bro

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Working on that! Thanks

[@wizzlanderhh2522]

at least 4 or 5

[@evielknievel4972]

Because Kim Kardashian garbage aint here.

[@katsumiskytower8714]

@@Thepracticalengineer you'll get there one day! keep at it! SUBBED! :>

[@jeffbeck6501]

@@evielknievel4972 Kim Kardashian is a man.

[@UMSLdragon]

My favorite parts of your videos are you showing your screw ups and problem solving. It didn't work correctly the first time you powered the solenoid engine but instead of editing out the content you added it. Kudos! Also I found it really cool that you could cause acceleration by applying slightly more pressure on the adjustable copper wire.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks! Yeah! Screwing up is part of the process. A lot of people are afraid of failing and I want to change that

[@s4nt497]

Boy this is amazing. You're great in what you do, and I really like this kind of content. Keep up ;)

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thank you! that is great to hear!

[@bobgarr6246]

Outstanding!!! I really like your work and shop practices, top notch. I'd work with you anytime. If I may offer a suggestion, I have quite a bit of experience making and winding coil springs and have used drills, motors, hand wound and lathes to do so. I have found that in all cases running your wire stock sandwiched between a firmly anchored clamp and piece of wood (mounted to in this case the bed of the lathe) will make your windings on your solenoid tighter, neater, more evenly spaced and give a truly professional appearance. I understand that the coil is not a spring, but the principal and practice are the same. All the best, and look forward to more videos.

[@jcr723]

Love the enthusiasm. Sweet video, my friend.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thank you! It's nice when things work

[@donf3739]

That is so cool! Not what I was originally looking for, but very fascinating!

[@seanosorio3138]

You bring up a really good learning show. Thank you.

[@PBStriker101]

omg this is amazing, i was searching somewhere to learn about this topic. now i understnd a bit. thank you man, you are a legend :D

[@SciSky]

Wow this channel is awesome! I love your projects, keep it up!

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks a lot!

[@francissmith9013]

Thanks for posting ! Very educating

[@johnoktavec]

man thats a small shop but i gotta say,you've done some nice building in there.good job comrad!

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks! Haha yeah it's not big indeed 😯

[@terryisaac8195]

Start small and expand as required; otherwise your're always chasing too far for the parts that you need. Keep it simple.

[@waynescott8935]

Nice,fun little project! Well done.

[@renxula]

Beautiful work!

[@cleverfairy2065]

It's great that you finshed!!

[@FredMcIntyre]

Awesome stuff! really cool Emiel! 😃👍🏻👊🏻

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks Fred!

[@xsaxia2008]

Amazing video, you're absolutely one of the most intelligent people I've ever seen. You're quite impressive, keep up the great content! The only change I would suggest is explaining why things work. I've never studied engineering, so I have no idea why or how covering a bobbin with copper wire and leaving a little at one end pulls a rod through the bobbin when a current is added. Great video though, but now I have to go do more research! Peace ✌🏻🤙🏻

[@japhetmnyeta1076]

Understood the alternating current cause dynamically shift ,very good tutorial

[@eemacedo]

Congratulations. Great work and brilliant ideas. You won one more subscribed from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Awesome thanks!

[@kzand6953]

Great channel! Just starting mechanical engineering as a hobby. Ik ben een fan!

[@Alley00Cat]

Wow, I didn’t even know you could make an electric motor this way. Really awesome.

[@DaveGDesigns]

Emiel you’re so good I love your vids keep em coming. 👌🏻

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks Dave! I will

[@wizzlanderhh2522]

he actually did😀

[@ibshrestha6640]

Love your video...we can learn from you mistakes ❤️... Your workshop is 🔥🔥

[@garagemonkeysan]

Great video and project. Super interesting. Mahalo for sharing! : )

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rando007]

This is super cool!

[@SulaimanMohammedSaifALRisi]

Many thanks dear.....can we use alternating current ??? Thanks

[@miskinmisk4261]

Wao great Work and Thx for the education it will help me.

[@GENERALWA5TE]

I have watched your 4 cylinder one as well, awesome videos. You should try 3d print a Nitro engine but create a solenoid around the piston. You could then re-use most of the Nitro gear, flywheel, maybe the throttle somehow?

[@LhajBELAAIDWorkshop]

Amazing project bro 👌👌🙏🙏

[@girisworkshop2131]

Bro I like all ur mechanical stuff 👌👌👌

[@ssnoc]

That was amazing - 👍

[@naveenkr5992]

Hey man can you please tell me why you used those copper springs? And how does the plunger come out to make the following strokes ?

[@yaserk55]

positive man ,,,I am sure that you have amazing soul,,,Good job

[@oscarandresruedaospina7366]

Son geniales sus videos amigo.. Lo admiro

[@mridulvij4528]

Sir please tell me the copper wire is magnetic or good in quality what type of wire you use sir to make a winding

[@mattinchley8561]

BLOODY AWESOME BUDDY, I REMEMBER MAKING SIMILAR IN THE MID 80's, BUT I SEMI CHEATED USING A FEW PARTS from FISHERTECHNIK byetheway YOU DO HAVE A REALLY NICE SMILE, eg "I LOVE IT" towards the end, SMILE MORE!!!

[@Eivraiiih]

Cool I'm gonna make one myself a tiny version XD

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Sweet! its an awesome project

[@izzychen7537]

Awesome. Subscribed.

[@j.p.4991]

Vamooooss, un nuevo videoooo

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Jeee

[@graysonschiller3288]

Hi, wondering how you decide how much power (voltage) is needed for a solenoid? awesome video btw

[@wadib3eed7]

How did you calculate the number of turns and the voltage required applying to the coil ? Do you have any equation for making a coil like you did ?

[@tawficyakubu5116]

Excellent work, please sir what is the difference between armature and plunger?

[@stromboli2131]

I would love to try to make this. Have you ever thought about putting your plans online or selling them?

[@kalhoon]

got any use for a big a magnet for magnetic seal/lock door?

[@schuur10]

My thumbs up to to the first one who dare to let you see on youtube where and when it goes wrong!

[@ravindrakarnad8437]

Very nice !

[@dand1486]

thats amazing!

[@dannyk1072]

Great work Emiel, what a brilliant piece of engineering... But would it be viable to power a drive train?

[@Everythings_Adjustable]

Excellent, so cool 👍 😊

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks Sparky!

[@mariabecerra273]

Great job can you show how you made ceribro, please

[@antoniodelev7627]

you are just great. like there is soo much pre project things you gotta do for this shit not only all the electrical and mechanical knowledge. the amount testing and thought process, its incredible. btw can you do a project on 20 m trees thing.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thank you!

[@nikhil_06_]

Great work and craftsmanship!!But the thing is I can't make one by myself after watching this video so add more content on how it really works

[@bricechartrand3808]

I agree, the electronics/wiring part on it too.

[@paulanthonybridge5741]

Great motor. Torque ?

[@PP.EKOTECH]

Good job ! :)

[@xiiza6268]

Brilliant!

[@TheDistur]

Neat project!

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks!

[@giulianocerrato3082]

Molto interessante e complimenti per come lo descrivi.

[@DIlic-iz9tx]

*_BRAVO PRIJATELJU._*

[@karlschwab6437]

Great job on your design and engine! I have made similar solenoid engines, but the switching has always been a problem. I think that a hall effect transistor switch would be the way to go. Thanks for a great video!

[@raykent3211]

Hi, yes dc in-air contacts for switching even modest current of less than half an amp are a pain. I agree that electronic switching is far better. But if you're a weirdly stubborn purist like me it can be done without semiconductors. I took the contacts out of the thermostat of a scrapped fan heater, rated for 240V at nearly 8 amps. Overkill? My little "electric Newcomen beam engine" runs on 6V at about 300mA. I gave myself a pat on the back!

[@orlandoneirapinrda9420]

Yo he construido algunos motores de solenoide y si efectivamente para energizar la bobina el switch es un problema. Para corregir el problema hice una bobina con alambre delgado sobre una jeringa que me diera como 15 ohmios y lo que use de pistón fueron dos imanes de neodimio . Para la carrera del piston no usar más de la mitad del recorrido dentro de la bobina . Para cerrar el circuito utilizar dos alambres que hagan contacto en el eje . Si desea le envío un vídeo

[@orlandoneirapinrda9420]

Creo que fui un poco inprudente , no se si esto se puede hacer ? siento que no es ético disculpas a practical engineer

[@SuperNarcissius]

Very impressive imagination combined with knowledge and

[@prpplague]

nice build!

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thank you David!

[@gig777]

Very cool.....had to subscribe after seeing this video.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks Gig! wise choice :)

[@udintheexsperiment7037]

Good job bro

[@MACROPARTICLE]

Excellent video. What was the voltage across the coil and the gauge of copper wire used?

[@Thepracticalengineer]

This one runs at 24 volts I believe I used wire with a 0.36 mm diameter here

[@santoshsundar1186]

Love this.. Very nice video.. If you have a circuit diagram with specs it would be really great.. I would love to build it for my son and make a moving train or car for him to play.. Cheers.

[@hamte1080]

Woaa new sub!!!!! Very good vid

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Whooohoo thank you!

[@ablaauw70]

Leuk gemaakt heb ervan genoten hoe je het hebt gemaakt en het comentaar super en het beste je hebt er wat blooper tussen gelaten super het gaat gewoon niet altijd alles in een keer goed en maar goed dat andere dit ook kunnen zien.

[@primodernious]

you would be able to get better current transfer by using a linear switch and a cam. just use cam distance of 1 mm. the switch need a spring but can use flat surface contact by increased surface area to prevent current loss in input.

[@brenwyattm0rij909]

Fab video !!!

[@donnawhitehead4090]

Are you selling these or would you know somewhere that does sell them. Very interested in purchasing one thanks Donna

[@ahmedhasan2104]

Very Good job 👌👍 I am from Bahrain

[@peetre]

you need to make the contact adjustable in a rotational plane. It needs to adjust for timing mainly. Thanks for the nice job.

[@AndyCPugh]

Excellent!!

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks Andy!

[@angiejimenez7528]

Im come for (un poco de todo ) you are amazing ❤️

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks!

[@gorillaau]

Add a second cylinder and it could become self starting. Might need a micro to allow for a longer pulse at the beginning.

[@Thepracticalengineer]

I might be working on a second version..

[@emmanueldeiller3709]

Awesome !

[@sjaakk4883]

Wow nice video! Maybe I gonna try to build my own, But what material is the plunget made of?

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Awesome! The plunger is made from plain steel

[@erickmonsalve5930]

Espectacular todo lo que haces

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks!

[@verygoodvibes]

very nice!

[@pdselectronics]

Nice bro 👍

[@brysonjacobs2868]

If you drive the flywheel with a prime mover and replace the plunger with a magnet, could it be a generator? Would be neat to have your motor in series with its twin generator to get (some of) your electricity back.

[@manishachaudhary8621]

I have a slight confusion on how you managed the piston in the solenoid to go backwards Does the golden colour bushing conduct electricity

[@charlesbucholz8079]

Awsome man

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Thanks!

[@gabrielvieira6529]

Nice engine!

[@my2centz196]

Figure I'll watch this one seeing how I liked the 4 cylinder one like it. Pretty cool. With I had a lathe lol.

[@DK-sg3oe]

Come to kerala and make it ur second vacation home... With ur mechanical engineering projects here boss love to have u here

[@timo9355]

Neat idea to make a desk fan

[@edmundandrada]

you are really amazing!!!

[@panacea488]

Nicee project

[@simongiordano5194]

I love your videos

[@graemelliott3942]

Great video. 👍 now I want to make one too but what is a solenoid engine used for?

[@Thepracticalengineer]

Solenoid engines are only made for display or other fun uses as far as I know

[@thelazydoctor7010]

How many turns did you put there? If someone knows how many turns should I do at least , please tell me. And is there any Physik low that could measure the power of the coil beside the power of the magnetic field in the coil? I mean is there any low how much weight it could carry if you use that for Lifting things?

[@lt3633]

Could a spring replace the fly wheel?