How to Build a Mini Stirling Engine

 **DIY Project: Build a Mini Stirling Engine**

Want to build your own working engine at home? A Stirling engine is a perfect beginner project that teaches thermodynamics, mechanical motion, and energy conversion.

### 🔧 What You’ll Need:

- Soda can or metal cylinder

- Paperclip and wire for crankshaft

- Balloon or flexible membrane

- Candle or heat source

- Epoxy or hot glue

### 🔍 How It Works:

The Stirling engine uses expanding and contracting air to move a piston and crankshaft. It converts **heat energy into motion** without combustion!

### 🛠 Steps Overview:

1. Make the piston from a balloon and cylinder

2. Build the crankshaft with wire and paperclip

3. Mount the crank on a base (wood/plastic)

4. Align the displacer and piston

5. Heat one side — and it runs!

### ⚠️ Coming soon: Full step-by-step tutorial with photos.

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– MakerMech