BAEM received the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award

    The Joe Martin Foundation for Exceptional Craftsmanship has awarded the Bay Area Engine Modelers Club their lifetime achievement award for 2016.  This is the first award to a group rather than an individual.  Certificate shown below; link to award narrative at 2016 Award.

WHO ARE WE?

BAEM is a group of enthusiasts who make, discuss and share information on collecting and building miniature engines.

Mostly gasoline, ignition engines. Some internal combustion glow plug engines, and occasionally, a steam or a jet engine.

WHERE DO WE MEET?

Meetings are 3rd Saturday of the month alternating between sites.

Doors open at 9:00 and meetings start at 10:00 AM

Anyone with an interest in miniature engines.

Nothing. 

Each meeting is different and determined by member participation. Engines are shown, engines are run, "bits and pieces" are discussed by members bringing it. These might be new projects, tools, fixtures, and works in progress, old engines, or anything that might be of interest to the group. Often a member will give a short talk on his area of expertise.

No, they are informal and participation is invited. Our president guides the meeting. The interchange of ideas before and after the meeting is particularly useful and enjoyable.

Yes, our newsletter usually precedes the meeting by a week and includes photos of the engines displayed at the previous meeting along with information about making engines. Steve Jasik  is the editor of this publication, Carl Wilson is the secretary.

Our club puts on miniature engine displays at car shows, namely the Palo Alto concours, Hillsborough concours, and the Goodguy's west coast nationals. We also appear at national engine shows in Oregon and Michigan.

$25.00 a year which just covers the cost of the newsletter and club insurance. 

At the least: a lathe with a milling attachment, a drill press, and a grinder plus hand tools. English builders have done remarkable work with this minimum for decades. However, a milling machine is extremely helpful and a necessity for more advanced projects.

A single cylinder steam engine (which can be run on compressed air for convenience) is the simplest, and often the first engine project. internal combustion engines follow. Occasionally a beginner is successful with a first effort being a complex, multi-cylinder engine.

Yes. Kits usually include plans, rough castings that you will machine, and often some bar stock.

ARE THERE ANY MAGAZINES COVERING THE SUBJECT?

Model Engine Builder Magazine is the premier magazine of model engine builders. modelenginebuilder.com

Model Engine Builder Magazine

MODEL ENGINEER (ENGLISH) A lot of steam engine and railroad emphasis.

MODEL ENGINE WORLD (ENGLISH). Mostly 2-cycle engines.

MODELTEC (U.S.) STEAM AND INTERNAL COMBUSTION www.4w.com/modeltec/

Not at all. THE MODEL ENGINEER, An English journal, started in 1898 and is still published! It clearly documents active building not only in England, but in the United States over the last century. There was an active engine modeling club in Los Angeles in the 1920s!

Unfortunately, it isn't a simple matter to machine a functioning internal combustion engine. However, beginners have accomplished this many times. There is a wealth of knowledge available within our club to help the novice machinist. However, there has never been a "user friendly" kit with step-by-step instructions available to the public.

A web search for model engines will bring up links to a wide variety of related topics. Check out YouTube and EBay