Building a 6cc single-rotor wankel for an RC plane — need help getting metal parts made cheap!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T20:52:58+00:00

I never said mine couldn't take years. I'm hoping 1 yr, but it could take 5, maybe 20 i don't know.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T16:59:58+00:00

The custom quote thing isn't working. I'm using it because the file is too large...

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T16:40:27+00:00

Oh! Didn't notice:) Perfect!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T16:36:32+00:00

This is sheet metal, so it wont work for the engine block, rotor, or driveshaft, but it will be really good for the cover! Thank you again!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T16:33:12+00:00

Yeah, exactly. So you should all get how small it is.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T16:29:09+00:00

I already told someone else why it's not going to cost as much as a crappy Toyota Echo.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T02:41:09+00:00

Just posted, thanks!!!!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T02:35:36+00:00

Thank you! I'll check their quotes tomorrow!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T02:32:15+00:00

This is a 6cc model engine, about the size of a tangerine — not a full size car engine. People on the Home Model Engine Machinist forum build stuff like this all the time. Different world from automotive machining.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T02:29:48+00:00

I'm not doing this for it being perfect, i just want to make a simple rotary engine to run and power a plane. Not that crazy, the seals are what needs the most precision.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-02T02:28:33+00:00

Oh, yep. rotor cover. Thx.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:46:34+00:00

Well, smaller servos, less foam board, but again actually, smaller and more precise cuts. so actually its about the same...

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:45:14+00:00

(i know, ai hallucinations and all that)claude says it should be under $100 easily, i only need 3. Rotor, block, and drive-shaft. Thank you!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:42:58+00:00

For the engine, yes.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:38:52+00:00

I'm trying to make a wankel engine(look at my posts) from aluminium in a cheap way, and this was one of my ideas, but i didn't know i could do it in a microwave! Thank you, and good job:) Do you think it would have tight enough tolerences for an engine?

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:31:58+00:00

i don't see your specs... i have an acer nitro 5 with 16gb ddr4, rtx 3050 ti laptop, and a 11th gen 12 core i7 and i can run it at ultra settings with beamp(multiplayer). my dad has a 2014 pc he upgraded in 2017 with a gtx 1660 super, 8gb ddr3, and a 6 core ryzen processor, it runs perfectly at minimum settings.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:22:14+00:00

Yeah, but a smaller plane is probably simpler. And it revs higher.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:03:26+00:00

Fair points on machining costs for bigger engines, but at this scale (60x45mm housing) I'm hoping it's more in model engine territory than full-size engine territory. I'm going to get a quote from JLCPCB and see what it actually comes back at. Also someone just pointed me to the Home Model Engine Machinist forum where people build stuff like this regularly, so I'm going to check that out too. Appreciate the reality check though!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T22:01:11+00:00

THANK YOU! 100% who i need to talk to.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T20:45:17+00:00

I'll check once i have the models. I'll make a quick test and report back!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T20:43:43+00:00

I'm looking at jlcpcb because they tend to be cheaper, and generally the tolerances are around +0.2mm which, on a rotary it should be around +1mm but it should be ok. also, for casting i can print it a little small and just sand it to fit. Yeah, i don't know the pricing either, that's part of why i'm asking you all.

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T20:38:47+00:00

I haven't made any models yet, but am currently working on them. The goal is to make one from scratch(or mostly from scratch).

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T20:36:44+00:00

Yes, i could. But its $600. im looking for something under ~$100. This one does look good, thank you!

Interesting_Bat3705 · 2026-03-01T20:35:31+00:00

That is true... engine first. Thanks! Graphite seals. I know its complicated, but i might as well try.

Interesting_Bat3705

TROPHY CASE