Making the World's Smallest Beam Stirling Engine

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.
Drawings for this project are now available on our Patreon page: / chronovaengineering
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/chro...

[@chronovaengineering]

If you fancy building one of these for yourself, the drawings/build instructions are available on our Patreon page: patreon.com/ChronovaEngineering

[@roadkill9141]

Instead of a nickel bonded blade, you would have better success using a resin bonded blade. It’s softer so it won’t break on you as quickly. The problem with that blades is the edge of the metal tends to melt instead of “cut”

[@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.

[@andysutton6436]

Hi, I am a 77 year old Agricultural Engineer. During my childhood and early career a number of these engines were employed to pump coal gas for lighting. These were about 6" or so in height. There was one used in a cowshed to drive a vacuum pump. This one was some 4ft tall and ran very well. Electricity only came to the area of Gloucestershire I grew up in around 1955, farms and outlying houses still relied on generators for electrical supply. There were many different engines and sizes of plant still in use into my late teens. Thank you for producing this marvel of engineering. Andy

[@horsejohnson7959]

Best comment, what was the heat source used?

[@mdmaruf0010]

Hey old dude how's going?

[@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.

[@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

[@willobendorf6356]

Am a recently retired mechanical engineer with only the most basic machining skills (theoretically can operate a Bridgeport and a lathe, but everything had to be pretty basic and crude), so I have always had a profound respect for skilled machinists. Have been fascinated by Stirling Engines since I took Thermodynamics in college, and have assembled a couple from kits (a little beam engine and one that operates on top of a coffee cup). Have only designed two investment-cast parts in my career but have always loved that process as well. To see all of this in one video, with this level of precision and miniaturization, and the tremendous knowledge of machining and materials required - as well as the forethought and patience!...I just loved watching this! Please continue with this type of video!

[@spuds3689]

This looks SO good... like the metal was meant to be this way and you just encouraged it's shape to come to center stage.

[@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

[@kennethschroeder2789]

Wonderful work! I have taught Thermodynamics at the college level for 30 years and would have loved to have shown this video in class. We had a small, working Stirling engine model but nothing on this miniature scale. Thanks for this effort.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@brysonfields2284]

If you ever get tired of working with tiny things and want to feel like a big shot, you can always join the ranks of the finger-and-thumb crowd.

[@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.

[@JohnSostrom]

Beautiful work. My grandfather, on my dad's side, was a self taught machines and Gun Smith. He made two sterling engines, of which my youngest sister got one and my cousin on mom's side. The two lathes he built as well as the one commercial lathe he rebuilt. For a man that had to drop out of school to work in the coal mines after his dad died in a mining accident, he made a point of reading every engineering book and other texts to the point where he had an equivalent of two engineering degrees. He was my hero and life model for me. I miss him tremendously.

[@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!

[@inyourfacetoday]

You are a true artist and a master of the lathe...

[@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.

[@timcookies]

It is so satisfying to look at you working on these little things! Thank you

[@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.

[@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 🫡

[@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

[@justs-28445]

I personally enjoyed watching that VERY MUCH!! NOTHING LIKE WATCHING PRECISION WORK BEING DONE!!❤

[@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!

[@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.

[@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😊

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@pandemiesepeter]

Das ist hervorragende exzellente Handarbeit und eine Handwerkskunst.

[@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.

[@modellingmark]

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

[@martinfoster5163]

I'm truly humbled by your craftsmanship. Particularly on tiny machines. I tend to break any drill bit smaller than a few milimeters. I'm pretty heavy handed.

[@CraigsWorkshop]

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

[@juddfranklin]

The mental and physical machinery of the people who made this video is somehow even more amazing than the tools used to make the engine and the incredible engine itself. The design, the knowledge of materials, and the delicate, confident handling of tiny objects is mind-boggling to consider.

[@inertproductionsalternate9114]

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

[@DackelDelay]

just marvelous. the fusion of basically ancient metal casting with modern high precicion machining... love it

[@ValhallaIronworks]

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

[@tcf70tyrannosapiensbonsai]

May I guess that You didn't built up a pile of false tries hiding in the trash box. It's just fantastic to watch and admire the table size logistics developing before our eyes. That it works at first try almost insults the amount of time, You've invested. Thank You for sharing!

[@babalooga12]

Absolutely beautiful. Great narration and machining.

[@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.

[@zoutewand]

You think it could be a good investment for the shop you work at? Just a small, highly precise jack of all trades. I think that depending on the size of products you deliver it could definitely be interesting to look at as a support machine. Definitely keep the apprentices and the brutes away from it 😂

[@Mint_drake]

@zoutewand no, we have an entire Swiss screw machine department for stuff like that. It's all computer controlled nowadays. Our machines could crank out 500 parts before a skilled machinist could make one on a manual machine.

[@WillieFiddler]

Amazing work filming parts that are this small!

[@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!

[@johngreatorex1234]

As a resident of Derby and the surrounding areas I have always had an interest in this line as a user, trainspotter and “student” of the industrial revolution I have found this series extremely interesting and well made. I am sorry it has come to an end. Thank you very much. 🙂

[@DanielGBenesScienceShows]

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

[@madcatmk213]

GORGEOUS WORK! absolutely no run out on the flywheel

[@Altarnik]

Великолепная работа, всё аккуратно сделано. Смотреть одно удовольствие, спасибо. С уважением)

[@FredStam]

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

[@gzeronine9484]

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

[@szm-fe1xc]

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

[@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.

[@bencheevers6693]

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

[@Kefoo_]

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

[@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.

[@zeratullotus2790]

My dude! You have the dexterity of a neurosurgery! Chronova splitting atoms in his workshop with a handsaw... 😂😂 Love it!

[@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.

[@RobertoTifi]

I'm awestruck by such craftsmanship. I can barely follow the lines with a cutter to make a cardboard stencil! My brother is just like you: when the "manual ability" genes were distributed, he took my part, too 😊... Big respect, big admiration!

[@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! 👍

[@satisfunflix]

Not only recreational but also creative, great job

[@AwareOCE]

"Wow that a lot of material to remove in one pass... oh wait this is the scale of a match never mind" Awesome video!

[@juanesteban8827]

I am truly in awe of your ingenuity and technical skills! I have big hands (my dad can pass a quarter through his wedding ring) and i struggle trying to machine parts on 4 & 6 cylinder Porsche engines! There's something comforting about mechanical & analog machines in a digital world

[@Scottishbox]

So basically I can't make it in my room with household itams

[@sgregg5429]

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

[@aleschudarek4672]

Why is this so good to watch drunk or high... Amazing.

[@cannalibrium4025]

Lmao 🤣

[@masondamoose7520]

What

[@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.

[@patrickhankin9903]

Absolutely mesmerising. Such finesse. Thank you

[@soulcanx]

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

[@lucasolivo2785]

Wow, Im gonna use this video to fall asleep to from now on, this is so soothing! Between your voice and the intricate work, it's all very soothing!

[@MARKE911]

This is extremely Impressive. This is the 1st time I've seen your channel and WOW. I am speechless.

[@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

[@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

[@scarabooshable]

Amazing work.

[@aXema311]

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

[@jamesfield5346]

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

[@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!

[@soapysoaperton]

Beauty, elegance, patience, care. So perfect. Thanks. Also, there is nothing boring about a rectangle. ❤😅

[@AaronOtillar]

I have so much respect for machinists.

[@normandothegreat]

Amazingly brilliant! I hope that you are employed by the ESA! 😊💛👍

[@_BangDroid_]

Amazing macro shots and the music choice was well matched. Only outclassed by the craftsmanship.

[@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!!!

[@mylimodriver3860]

It's got to be one of the best cameras in the world that you film this with

[@firesidesage3611]

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

[@Ed123]

Beautiful workmanship. Thank you for sharing.

[@sccjono]

There is nothing about this video that is not perfection. Thank you.

[@pionnm1]

beautiful

[@mikaelabowen5781]

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

[@Aabergm]

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

[@GeoCrass]

Perfect workmanship!!! Have never seen such delicate and detailed work on a lathe. Really scared of your fingers when entering the frame 🙂

[@schenkzahntechnik1086]

Unglaublich! Ich habe so eine Präzision, Hingabe und Arbeitsaufwand selten gesehen. Fantastisch! Was ich nicht verstehe, dass man nicht zuerst ein Loch bohrt und im zweiten Schritt einen Schlitz sägt. Und ein Tipp: beim Zahntechniker wäre der Gußvorgang leichter. Vielen Dank Matthias Schenk

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@OnnieKoski]

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

[@tismeagen684]

Brilliant video and brilliant craftsmanship to build such a lovely little engine. Well done.

[@YvonGuiborat]

Juste une petite phrase MAGNIFIQUE du bonheur pour les yeux et les connaisseurs. Bravo à vous quelle plaisir de vous voir faire cette magnifique pièce d arts

[@Ken-rq9xr]

Twenty five years in tool&die, always the setup, quality control guy. Watching your attention to detail brings back happy memories as prototype maker. Amassing work, hats off. 😊😊😊😊.😺🐦🤓