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How to Make a Soda Can Stirling Engine

Electrical components and wiring inside a device.

Ever wonder how to make an engine out of soda cans? Not even sure if it's possible? These videos will show you how to build a working Stirling engine out of cans and other general materials. Here it is in action:

You'll need a few bits and pieces:

  • 1 x M6 x 15 Machine screw (not stainless)
  • 2 x M6 x 20 Washers
  • 1 x M6 nut
  • 1 x Balloon (I used a wedding balloon)
  • 1 x 300mm piece of 1mm wire (for the con rod)
  • 1 x 200mm piece of 1.6mm wire (for the cranks)
  • 1 x Roll of Steel wire wool
  • 1 x 200mm piece of 0.45mm fishing line
  • 5 x Electrical Screw blocks / terminal blocks/ choc blocks
  • 1 x Epoxy resin
  • 1 x Tuna tin
  • 2 x Drinks cans (Steel works better)

Now, onto the how-to. Here's the first part:

And the second:

There's a full step-by-step version of this tutorial with tons of photographs and the template on my website, Scrap To Power.

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