Making the World's Smallest Beam Stirling Engine

To try everything Brilliant has to offer-free-for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/ChronovaEngineer... . The first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant’s annual premium subscription.
In this video, Mike machines a tiny Stirling engine on a miniature lathe - to our knowledge, this is the smallest beam Stirling engine that has been published to date.
FTC disclaimer: This video was sponsored by Brilliant.
About Chronova Engineering Ltd:
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We're a small team of scientists and engineers who love making cool things! If you'd like to see what else we get up to, please subscribe to our channel and visit our other sites: linktr.ee/chronovaengineering

[@chronovaengineering]

To try everything Brilliant has to offer-free-for a full 30 days, visit brilliant.org/ChronovaEngineering/ . The first 200 of you will get 20% off Brilliant’s annual premium subscription.

[@artcraft2893]

You should powered eraser with it. Edit Motor powered pencil eraser.

[@Eduardo_Espinoza]

The Sapphire file is beautiful

[@billkillernic]

why brass though and not copper?

[@seemlyme]

8:16 🙂 Did you do that or how? Please explain

[@chloekaftan]

it must be said that you dont actually need a deadly silica powder to do investment casting, specially made dental investment plaster is far more capable of achieving cleaner and desired results and is much cheaper, that said the results may vary since dental investment is expected to be used with a 4,000 lb casting machine, not a homemade vacuum plate. we had a casting machine for our dental clinic and laboratory for years and did all kinds of things with it beyond just making porcelain fused to metal crowns/bridgework, from making jewelry to making replacement parts for precision instruments, but the huge investment in this equipment definitely shows its value. i must also say that the metal used in dental investment casting is not brass, but talladium/tilite, a complex alloy comprised of ceramic titanium alloy composite, titanium may have much higher melting point than brass and at such temperatures brass may literally evaporate and vaporize.

[@colinfurze]

When you see a finger come into shot you relize how small it is. Great work, going to check out some more of your videos now.

[@chronovaengineering]

Cheers Colin. Big fan of your work, thanks for checking us out!

[@robertmabry4172]

Maybe you can send him a broken kayak paddle Colin.

[@andreasfr1]

Holy crap, a Colin caught in the wild! Love your stuff! :D

[@GRDL.]

Wild Colin sighting!

[@kriseckhardt5148]

I love my watch making lathes! The best setup was like having a complete machine shop in a suitcase. In fact I drove the other members of my rockabilly band King Memphis crazy machining things on your with the band! Voltage inverter in the van powered my sewing machine motors.

[@ridermak4111]

I’m a retired machinist of the old school persuasion and I’ve pretty much seen it all, but I didn’t stop smiling through this whole video. 🤜🤛

[@silverbullet2008bb]

What kind of things to you make? I used to work for an engineering company in Sheffield and they had me using a traditional milling machine to make drill heads. I was only 17 at the time and quickly got bored of the repetitious nature of it and left to continue my studies. Now I'm older I have a renewed interest in going back into engineering, I just want to be sure it will be a stimulating profession. Any thoughts/advice?

[@ridermak4111]

@@silverbullet2008bb I wish I could help but I did say “seen it all”, not “done it all”. I was just a production machinist. I started in the 70’s, a high school grad on Davenport automatic screw machines. Very fast and intricate machines that were purely mechanical. No hydraulics or pneumatics involved. The last half of my career in a different plant started analog and morphed into total CNC by the time I retired. That was a challenge for an old schooler who took pride in grinding and setting all your own tooling. Those skills were suddenly not needed. By “seen it all” (an exaggeration by the way. I wish I had) I loved discovering the super talented custom machinists in super custom machine-shops. It seems like they perform magic.

[@silverbullet2008bb]

@@ridermak4111 Your experience sounds familiar. Our company didn't have CNC machines as they were quite new back then and we only had hand operated milling machines. The company owner was a masterful machinist, some of the things he made from a block of metal blew my mind. I've done boring, i.e. the boring of cylinders using a boring machine, and yes, it was very boring! I worked for GKN at one point making cylinders for Volvo engines but that was almost all automated. In the end they closed our foundry to move it to China! Apparently the Chinese would do a 12 hour shift for £3 whereas they were paying us £14 an hour.

[@johnhili8664]

The best job is to go on the dole my friend so that you can practice your hobby at the same time😄😄😄

[@amdidextrous]

Unfortunatly true, this country is on it's last legs now that being on the dole pays more than being a skilled engineer.@@johnhili8664

[@hoebare]

What strikes me most is how much patience you must have, not only to create this tiny machine, but to film, narrate and edit the process. Thank you for that!

[@billywhizz6483]

Every now and then, Google's random offerings bring up an absolute gem. What a fascinating build process, beautifully put together and narrated. Many thanks for sharing this with us!

[@Jeffrey314159]

This here posting is on YT

[@The88Cheat]

@@Jeffrey314159KZbin is owned by Google.

[@_BangDroid_]

My recommended is clearly just KZbin throwing shi at the wall and seeing what sticks. Maybe 1 out of 100 I actually watch or even pay attention. Compared to other platforms like tiktok's FYP, KZbin's algorithm is absolute garbage.

[@aam50]

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Clickspring really needs to watch his back! You are a seriously good machinist and it’s obvious you put a huge amount of effort into the videos as well.

[@ogi22]

Hahaha, i'm so glad i'm not the only one that thought how much this clip resembled Clickspring's videos :) Still a bit of way to go, but yes, the path looks clear. Sure Chris is happy that others share such passions.

[@larrybud]

Add narration to these and it would be right up there.

[@crabmansteve6844]

Stefan Gotteswinter does this in a production environment. He's my favorite machinist on the internet.

[@jcthe2nd]

Clickspring will kick this guys ass he good tho i will say that

[@martindavis8780]

​@@jcthe2nd 22:30

[@eli_steiner]

man it's crazy that you got it to run so smoothly! Having built two stirling engines myself, I know how sensitive they are to friction, especially the small ones. Amazing video

[@agiliteka]

Yes, I was truly amazed by the workmanship as larger Stirling Engines, despite being awesome, are easier to get running as they can power through minor hiccups they encounter.

[@jarniskat]

@@agiliteka ha ha ha you don´t know what you are talking about :D Stirling engines have zero power, cant even start it self

[@SenkJu]

​@@jarniskatLiterally any type of engine with only one piston has this problem.

[@jarniskat]

@@SenkJu ok literally kid! you don´t know much... there are and were many engines with only one piston, as an dirdbike, moped, outboard engine and and many more like on the old fishing boats that had a sound like "pop pop pop pop" because you were able to hear every stroke. Do your self and every one a favor and use your brain!

[@WayneTheSeine]

@@jarniskat Something tells me you have not as much as completed a decent 1st grade finger painting. :P

[@inertproductionsalternate9114]

"It doesnt look that small." Giant finger comes into frame. "Oh..."

[@mizjennifer]

This is so incredibly peaceful to watch. It is a concert for the eyes to witness such mastery at work. I found myself comparing it to trimming clay, but so perfect and beautiful.

[@travisolander4749]

That's just remarkable. There's something uniquely calming and satisfying about machining, especially minuscule things.

[@PJFrayne]

It's unintentional ASMR and I love it.

[@larrybud]

It's always so amazing how "rough" even detailed milling is when you zoom in close enough!

[@NINacide]

send it out for chrome plating, You'll gain 0.0003 inches on all surfaces so take that into your tolerances. But you'll get that mirror smooth finish.

[@CaptainPeterRMiller]

The fact that this extraordinary and minute machine has been built and it functions as it should is remarkable. I am even MORE impressed by the quality of the final video production. To achieve the visual clarity of the recording, it is remarkable. His use of microphotography to show his work is exquisite. I know that shooting these operations is exceedingly trying and difficult. Chronova Engineering has produced a remarkable document. Thank you.

[@Da_Thing_Should_Not_Be]

I've seen many of these engines made over the years. But never in my life did I expect to see this made on such an absolute miniscule scale. I am gobsmacked. Not just at the fact that it actually runs. But at the fine detail of each component. Well done sir. VERY well done indeed.

[@martintatak8851]

The camera makes it look big, but once you have something to compare the sizes your mind is blown by the smallness. Amazing job!

[@abglogas]

Unbelievable! Just awesome! I've been a machinist for 25 years and this is the most impressive thing I've ever seen. So glad I stumbled upon your page.

[@scotttoner9231]

More appreciated than I can share - many thanks. From the pure skill of the physical creation, to the patient explanations of the what and why of what you are doing, to the final realization of the beginning goal. Well done! Scott

[@kimkeam2094]

As many will already have stated, I am in awe of your engineering skills and the equipment you artfully utilised. My skill set is nowhere at your level, as I only make microlight aircraft for my personal use but to see this video is motivating to create the best I can do even more. Many thanks.

[@ThnkCmdyFeelTrgdy]

It is truly a joy to watch an artist at work. Seeing how you embrace modern techniques of using 3D printed elements to generate the mold for a cssting and then how your machinist skills cleaned up and brought forth the finished flywheel was my favorite part of the video. Seeing red painted cast spokes with machined surfaces always stoke my love of the steam era. (Equally green on brass) Such exquisite form that is also functional shows a true master craftsman.

[@viceskyre]

OMG it is such a happy little engine! I love how it is just happily purring at the end! Such a good little friend

[@damianfrancak6993]

I usually skip to the finished resoult, not on this video. Everything in this video is rich or fancy, the materials, the machines, the product, the details, the perfection, the presition, the music, even the voice.

[@aXema311]

This is by far and away the best machining/fabrication channel I've ever seen. Great work!

[@onurjp]

I want to thank you for sharing such an art. Designing, machining, filming, and editing are absolutely not easy tasks. Thanks for your time and effort.

[@samross7381]

Would love to see a video explaining your design process for projects like this! With so many clearances between tiny moving parts do you use CAD design as a starting point - and do you prototype any components/subassemblies before proceeding to the final build?

[@chronovaengineering]

Hi Sam, our design process varies a lot depending on the project. I'll be honest, this one I designed as rough technical drawing on paper and then built, making changes along the way, sometimes making parts multiple times. The engine you see in this video is actually V2, once I had it all figured out.

[@larrybud]

@@chronovaengineering Maybe add a 2nd channel for longer videos with your design process!?!

[@eli_steiner]

@@chronovaengineering could you also share some of the fails and thing you learned that wouldn't work? would be super interesting

[@lucaplum741]

Is it possible to geht your plan ? I would Love to build one by myself😊

[@ScottRedstone]

The best machining and building video I’ve yet seen. Calm voice, clear explanations, spectacular camera work. Enjoyed this immensely and am considering Brilliant. If they can teach this level of work then it’s back to school.

[@johnnieturbo8825]

I've just found your channel by chance and feel a binge watch coming on. What a brilliant project. So expertly done and beautifully filmed. As a hobby machinist I really appreciate your machining and hand tool skills. Kinda like Clickspring, with This Old Tony's manicurist! Loved it and have already subscribed.

[@FredStam]

This matches Clickspring level easely. What a nice video. Respect for your skills

[@modellingmark]

That's an incredible machine. A joy to watch your video and a treat to see it running!

[@soulcanx]

I really, seriously, utterly admire your patience and the precision of this tiny machinery. I'm ineffable! Thank you.

[@OnnieKoski]

Absolutely amazing how tight the tolerances are, and yet you do it perfectly. Fantastic!

[@headstocktailstock]

Excellent, Hot air engines are more difficult to make [well to get to run] than a steam engine [which is much more forgiving] as you will know, of which I've built both, but this small size is on another level altogether it's so small well done, love it.

[@chronovaengineering]

You are absolutely right. Both engines make for great projects and although hot air engines are certainly more finicky, there's something particularly satisfying about them! Thanks for watching.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

Stunning work. This inspires me to try some smaller work. Loved the whole thing, narration, lighting etc. Great video. Thanks

[@magnusjonsson6720]

An absolute work of art, not only does it work perfectly but it truly is beautiful as well. Great work and a pleasure to watch. Thank you so much for sharing. Magnus

[@tonyw8522]

We have 65" TV and I had to use a loupe to watch the video...all I saw was little spots!...wow!!! (real wow)...even my wife couldn't believe it ......thanks for the video...a real engineer! Well done that Man!

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

This was absolutely beautiful work! Your machining skills are top level!

[@ValhallaIronworks]

Only been subscribed for a few weeks now, but this is quickly becoming my absolute favourite channel. Incredible stuff.

[@Aabergm]

Its not very often you see this level of precision even on the internet. Amazing job.

[@TAllyn-qr3io]

The parts being crafted as well as the tools used, do not seem out of the ordinary, until your finger is in the shot. That really helps realize the miniature size of the engine you are making. When I was in the US Navy as a sonartech I was sent to school to qualify as a 2M technician. That is mini/micro-mini repair of electronic parts. Working with a microscope to repair inside an integrated circuit chip…it reminded me of it with this video. When looking at a part, it seems tiny but, under a microscope a pencil lead would look like a redwood tree. Great and awesome work 🫡

[@bencheevers6693]

First video I've found of yours, the macro photography is fantastic and the video as a whole is very impressive

[@machinist_matt]

I'm loving your channel and the work you do ! Both superb! I particularly enjoy seeing how you use your watchmakers lathe and the setup for each operation. I'm learning a lot from that element alone! 👍

[@justajo2]

Fascinated and amazed at the micro precision here. Couldn't take my eyes off the entire build. Kudos!

[@mcbuilding2807]

That's actually amazing. Content like this should be all over KZbin. Well done man.

[@babalooga12]

Absolutely beautiful. Great narration and machining.

[@saml7610]

Absolutely fabulous little piece of machinery. Stirling engines are extremely versatile, and actually in use all over. Submarines equipped with air independent propulsion (not counting nuclear submarines) are one of the cooler places you'll find stirling engines, and they're exceedingly large on the submarines, since they have to generate a good amount of power to turn the screw. They're very quiet when they run, and extremely good at converting heat into kinetic energy.

[@glenmchargue5461]

Just your clean painting of the flywheel was remarkable to me. What a great project. And a terrific video, very relaxing and engaging watch!

[@Mint_drake]

As a toolmakers apprentice I'm finding it fascinating all the specialized machinery you are using as a watchmaker. Things that I imagine would take multiple setups, going back and forth between the lathe and the mill, you do all in one setup on your watchmakers lathe.

[@shanemeyer9224]

As always to be expected of your content it’s just amazing, beautiful craftsmanship

[@Ed123]

Beautiful workmanship. Thank you for sharing.

[@firesidesage3611]

This has to be some of the most thoughtful and beautiful machining I have seen, maybe ever.

[@WillieFiddler]

Amazing work filming parts that are this small!

[@szm-fe1xc]

man your channel is amazing, your voice and music make it super relaksing, you've just earn a new subscriber

[@davidcole217]

I thoroughly enjoyed your project. I’ve always been fascinated with Stirling engines. Yours is a wonderful example, certainly the smallest I’ve ever seen. I’ve never done any machining that small, so I enjoyed the methods you presented. I especially liked those rolling file guides. I also like your commentary, plenty of explanation but not too chatty. Well done Sir.

[@howardlaunius7484]

The shear scale of this project is impressive. Well done !

[@TheEvertw]

Awesome work! I had to pick my jaw from the floor when you drilled that 0.4mm pin hole. And I won't even try to guess how thin the wall on the hot cap is.

[@halfbubbleout]

Beautiful work and beautifully filmed! I am not a machinist, but this was absolutely mesmerizing to watch. Well done.

[@giogio6664]

Probaby one of the most satisfying displays of a sterling engine. Absolutely beautiful and tiny!

[@Eremon1]

Top notch skills. Makes me wish I had gotten into machining when I was a lad. A bit late for me now that I have arthritis and less fine motor function. At least I can enjoy the process vicariously through folks like this. Cheers.

[@tharagz08]

I'm a woodworker, but not a machinist in any fashion. I still found the video incredibly satisfying to watch. The way you explained each of the steps had just enough detail to where I feel those with a similar background could learn, but those on the outside could still be entertained. Thank you!

[@lohikarhu734]

you guys! (in a non-gendered meaning ;-) ) I like that rollers/indexing setup... a nice substitute for milling smallish parts! For that cross-drilling in the 'silver steel', did you use a spotting drill, or have a flat on the side, or, just do it?? Ah.... Lorch collets... And, it runs!! I wonder how many µW it makes ;-)

[@chronovaengineering]

The rollers are great. Not quite as precise as a proper dividing head, but very useful nonetheless. When cross drilling, I almost always go in with a centre drill or spotting drill first. Now I'm wondering its power output too! I think I might have to measure it.

[@lohikarhu734]

@@chronovaengineering another "tiny" challenge! Beautiful work....

[@Svorty]

It's crazy to see engine this small run so smoothly, great job and thank you for the amazing video

[@John_Weiss]

Forgive the overused description, but I found this incredibly satisfying to watch. It was quite meditative to watch your machining. I know that, when doing fine-scale and/or repetitive work, it can become quite meditative to do. And I'm sure you experienced that when you were working on this. Well done!

[@tomrailton9201]

That was absolutely fantastic sir. I watch thousands of videos of restorations and building engineering projects. This has been one of if not the best I have ever seen. You are extremely skillful. Thank you. Take care and stay safe. Tom.

[@Jachym_77]

Thank you for these high efford videos, its so relaxing and satisfying to watch.

[@tolentarpay5464]

I love your workshop setup, & that machining lathe is amazing! Just goes to show what can be done with the right equipment; must've set you back a pretty penny....take real good care of it...

[@Arrowed_Sparrow]

Absolutely gorgeous. The precise and delicate craftsmanship blows my mind.

[@sgregg5429]

Watching this with the hubby...this is amazing work and these tiny components are a thing of beauty! Just wonderful!

[@gzeronine9484]

This is the best thing I have seen on KZbin in a long time. Thank you for this most pleasurable experience.

[@rexbrown1255]

Seems kinda strange but I get a feeling of relaxing peace watching this video. Nice soothing voice and not a lot of unnecessary talking. Also great use of nature sounds and easy background music. You help viewers to learn while having a complete positive experience. Thank you!

[@adamskinner5868]

Thanks, a very interesting and entertaining half-hour as I love watching skilled craftsmen doing their thing and you do it beautifully, as well as filming it at an incredibly high level

[@viixy364]

Relaxing tune, not one wasted word of dialog and the engineering sounds as they happen. Love these so much

[@Kefoo_]

-- *_Excellent cinematography, audio, content, and editing. Thank You!_*

[@patzen7041]

Beautiful. Great craftsmanship

[@toddkrueger1125]

That is one of the coolest motors I have ever seen! Thank you for creating it and thank you for sharing its creation with us.

[@kevinbacon737]

Absolutely incredible. The 0.4mm hole was my favorite part. First video I have watched, you have more than earned a subscription from this callsign. Thank you.

[@chrishull9983]

Absolutely beautiful - no other word to describe this. Your camera work and editing were first class. I was a little disappointed that the 3 connecting links or beams (?), 2 horizontal and one vertical, were not more pleasing to look at from a purely aesthetic engineering point of view but I can only assume there is a weight/inertia consideration here for the engine to function.

[@ZigamusRainbowWizard]

I didn't know they made drill bits and dies so small, awesome work Sir!

[@neortik7]

I love when youtube show you videos like this. I don't watch machining stuff but it's fascinating ! You are doing art.

[@hullinstruments]

I've been watching from the beginning knowing your channel would explode. So glad to see you have some videos with nearly a million views the past few months. You definitely deserve them

[@RJFPme]

The meticulous work it takes to make this machine operate is way aboveboard. You Sir deserves a HOORAH !

[@stephencech3696]

Wow was that was running beautifully! A lovely bit of machining and engineering there, thank you!

[@garyvance4172]

Whenever I watch a video like this I wish I would have taken machining.I can't speak for other novices but you guys are genius on an entirely different level.And the actual machining is just one part of your wizardry.Thank you for showing us just one part of your world.

[@FayazAhmad-yl6sp]

Fantastic work, as an engineering technologist i enjoyed your tools your skills and your engine.

[@roncouch]

Took me back to the time when I was part of a two-man team designing a three axis extensometer in the materials testing world. We used tiny bearings with a 1.0 mm bore as wheels for the cubic shaped housing housing for the knife edges (which contact the test specimen) to run on. Really liked the background music: pleasant and unobtrusive.

[@elgrandjefe4661]

Beautiful machine, and so expertly done.

[@johnolwenperkins3579]

Absolutely beautiful machine. Amazing work, thanks for sharing

[@rdh2059]

This was an incredible build! Very impressive machinist skills - YOU!

[@rossmorrow3013]

I am not a machinist, although my late Father was a Fitter and he did bring me up to appreciate fine workmanship when you see it, and my goodness have I just witnessed perfection. Thank you so much! Yours truly, ross

[@johnmckinley8447]

What an amazing video. I was spellbound from start to finish. Thank you

[@VikingRul3s]

Outstanding craftsmanship!!!

[@slimchans]

Amazing craftsmanship. I randomly came across this video. I love the tiny engine. Impressive work

[@davebutler3905]

Such a theraputic video! Superb skills, excellent tools, exquisite videography and methodical patience. Spending time on doing something as well as you arw able is transcendental. Nice one!!!

[@CrimsonHexx]

The precision in this piece is beautiful

[@user54389]

Love the content gang! You have taken over Clickspring's place on my playlist, and I cant wait to see your KickStarter funded!

[@gpatsias]

The quality of your work is incredible. Congratulations!

[@slamdunk6170]

Amazing craftsmanship.

[@teaaddict5957]

That ended up looking excellent. Great job.

[@jamesfield5346]

You have a brilliant mechanically inclined mind. I wish I had a fraction of your intellect. Thank you for these videos.

[@mavisdavis2187]

Amazing workmanship on so many levels.

[@mikaelabowen5781]

What a beautiful masterpiece! This is an absolutely stunning piece of work!

[@jonbutcher9805]

Always so impressed by the patience skill and knowledge of certain people.

[@pdwpackrat9246]

that was amazing. such detail.