Projects

=========================================================== In this blog post, we will be taking a closer look at an impressive model of a British Rail Class 09 shunter built by an engineer over the past decade. This project was undertaken in the engineer’s spare time and serves as a testament to their dedication and passion for engineering. The Project’s Journey: From Concept to Completion The journey of this model began when the engineer was just 11 years old. They started by developing CAD drawings, which they taught themselves how to create. However, as they scaled up the initial plans, they realized that the original designs lacked sufficient detail. To overcome this challenge, the engineer turned to detailed photographs and measurements taken from the full-size locomotive at the Bluebell Railway. ...

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been building something I’m really excited to finally share: a brand new, AI-powered system that lets anyone upload and publish blog posts to Beyond the Bench with zero faff. The idea was simple: make it as easy and fast as possible for engineers, makers, and adventurers to share what they’ve been up to—whether it’s a weekend side project, a full-blown expedition, or just a scrappy but satisfying fix in the garage. ...

We’ve been wanting a way to test mini moto engines outside of their usual home — something that lets us tweak performance, try out fuel mixes, and eventually repurpose these engines for other builds. So we decided to build our own DIY engine test stand. Here’s how it went. Step One: The Engine Hunt We started by digging through the infamous clear box of mini moto chaos — a treasure chest of half-assembled parts and oily bolts. Inside, we found a spare engine missing its spark plug and pull start. A quick rummage later and we had both, plus the carburettor and the bolts we needed to piece everything back together. ...

This project started as a way to control a sailboat by clicking on a map — and now, after a bit of hacking, simulating, and path-finding wizardry, it does exactly that. Basically, I’ve built a system that lets you click a point on a map of a lake, and the boat figures out how to get there and sails off on its own. It’s all running in simulation for now, but the plan is to eventually use it on real hardware. ...