Model Boxer Engine

This is a cool little project that lets you know the basics of how an engine works in a simple format.

Step 1: Get Your Materials

I have made a list of some materials that you will need.

• dowel rods
• ping bong balls
• a paper towel role or two toilet paper rolls
• a washer
• wire
• a flat piece of wood
• two smaller pieces of wood that are roughly the same size
• Lots of hot glue

Step 2: Drilling the Supports

Take a drill and put a hole through the two upper sides of the smaller pieces of the wood. Make sure that the hole is a straight shot through both pieces of wood. I found a way that helps is if you stick the dowel rod that you are using through the hole.

Step 3: Glueing the Wood

I would suggest take a ruler and mark out before hand where you are going to put the pieces of wood. Make sure that the holes line up, your pieces of wood could be oddly shaped or even different sizes, but as long as they are parallel and your dowel makes a straight shot and is flat, you're in the clear.

Step 4: Drill the Dowel Rods

I could go on, but it is pretty simple what you have to do. Just dill a hole through one end of the dowel rod. You will need to do this twice.

Step 5: Drill a Hole in the Ping Pong Balls

Dill a hole through the ping pong ball just big enough to fit the dowel rod through. Just make sure to not drill through the other side.

Step 6: Making the Piston

Apply a generous amount of hot glue to both the dowel rod and the inside of the ping pong ball. Stick the dowel rod into the ping pong ball. Afterwards just apply a little more hot glue around the opening for added rigidity.

Step 7: Making the Crankshaft

Slide the wire into the rod hole that you made. Put the washer next and then after that put the other piston on. Next bend the crankshaft into the position on the picture above.

Step 8: Installing the Crankshaft

Slide the crankshaft in has in the picture above. You will need to bend it out of place to fit it in. Just bend it back after you are done.

Step 9: Cylinder Construction

Cut squares of cardboard squares about 2 inches in each direction. Stack these on top of each other so that you make the paper towel roll perfectly aligned with the piston when it is at top dead center.

Step 10: Glue the Cylinders.

Now that you have the height you want, now it's time to find a good position and glue it onto the baseplate. When aligning the cylinder have it so the piston rod doesn't hit anything, but not so far away that you don't have it popping out.

Step 11: Add in Structural Supports

This step isn't necessary, but if you want to have your engine rev higher without falling apart then I suggest you do.

Step 12: You Are Done!!!!!!!!

Congratulations!!!!! You have finished this tutorial. Thank you for being apart of this journey.

Step 13: Bonus Round One

You can make it move by putting your mouth to one of the cylinders. If you put a drill on the crankshaft you can rev the engine a lot faster and have more fun.