Lego Steam Engines

Lego turbine generator lighting an LED

Here is an electricity generating turbine that (except for the LED) is 100% LEGO, just like the rest of my engines! (more…)

Two-cylinder lego engine runs on vacuum

Here you can see the action! Running on a vacuum, this engine probably
does about 400 rpm. There are some gif animations and audio files that
you can view!  The engine can start from any position of the crankshaft. (more…)

The double-acting 4×4 single cylinder steam engine

Here’s a complete construction sequence for a LEGO
engine. This is a real smooth runner, and being double acting, it can
start from almost any degree of the crankshaft’s rotation. I wish I had
the LEGO rpm sensor to test it for sure, but from the sound it makes,
my guess is that it reaches 700 rpm under full (and I do mean full)
‘steam.’ (more…)

Single acting one cylinder

Building a working model of a steam engine out of Lego wasn’t easy. I
built my first engine when I was 15, (that’s been quite a few years
ago) and still learning this! Building a solid structure, keeping
friction down, and keeping things balanced are important in the design.
I found that the engine’s rpm improves with a design that allows air to
escape during the exhaust stroke. (more…)

The all new mini one-lung engine

It’s been a lot of fun over the years building better and better
engines. It seems the main challenge in building these engines is
keeping the friction down. (more…)