Engineering A Minature 32 Cylinder Engine That Will Balance Pennies While Running, Is A True Work Of Modern Art

A perfectly balanced engine that pennies will not roll off of

To get something done fast, easy and cheap seems to be the modern approach to just about anything under the sun. Sadly, this lazy approach has become cancerous in so many areas, that finding anyone really putting a lot of care and effort into their work can be a daunting task. 

This is where a man by the name of José Manuel Hermo Barreiro walks into the picture and lets his work speak volumes. His work is a masters class in precision, patience and engineering and I can sit here for hours and watch this come to life over and over again. 

Miniature Knucklehead Engine Built For Show And Go

One of the best things that a father or any parent for that matter can pass down, is knowledge. I got lucky and have a great dad, who can work on anything under the sun and make it perform better. One of the cool things to learn from, was seeing mechanical items being torn apart and fixed. It might be a lawn mower one weekend or a motorcycle the next, but something was always on the work bench in a state of repair. 

Do yourself a favor and pass along as much knowledge and know how as you can. It is the gift that keeps on giving. This model below is something that I could definitely see as a great father and kid project.

Check out original post on About.com

"Former Wisconsin power company worker Jerry Kieffer didn't exactly take it easy when he retired. Instead, he dedicated himself to building perfect recreations of mechanical objects, in very small scale.

What started as a 1/6th scale Harley-Davidson engine (which actually runs) evolved into a yet-smaller 1/8th scale rendition of an entire Harley-Davidson Knucklehead bike, which is currently in the process of being built. When it's done, Kieffer intends every aspect of the motorcycle model to work, from the kick start mechanism to the gearbox and the speedometer."

Miniature Knucklehead model built by Jerry Kieffer

Miniature working model of a 1947 Knucklehead motor

Using a quarter for scale reference check out the transmission shifting gears pulled out next to the frame.

Miniature springer front end

Knucklehead miniature build based on the original 1947 model

Inside of the miniature primary on the knucklehead model

Using a quarter for scale reference next to the miniature primary gears.

Original Knucklehead spark plug next to the miniature custom knucklehead and spark plugs

Machining The World's Smallest V-12 Engine

Hobbyists come in many forms, but ones that we have some of the utmost respect for are those mad machinists that produce small scale working engines. Its one thing to go and buy a model RC monster truck or car and assemble it. Then its another beast for those of ya that actually machine all your own working parts and make it run. Yes, we can easily call that level of patience a zen machine master. 

We hope to get an interview with one of these select individuals at some point and to see just how they create their amazing pieces in person. The devil is in the details and after watching this eight minute jem, we know that you will have more appreciation as well.