I'm planning on building a jet engine at some point. The most interesting in my opinion is a gas turbine. I've done a lot of research into it that basicly boils down to the following..
You need a turbo charger from a car (this is the compressor that is driven by the exhaust), you need a combustion chamber (possibly made out of the bottom half of a fire extinguisher?), the high pressure/high temp piping/tubing and fixings, and a fuel supply (bottled gas is a favourite as it naturally vapourises), and a leaf blower to get it going. Obviously lots more to it than that in reality, also helps if you can weld.
These things look brilliant! Check out youtueb etc for vids.
I'm doing aerospace eng at uni next year, so does anyone know if this can be incorporated in some way into coursework? Maybe I could just use the workshops? Anything really.
Apparently the most interesting bit is fine tuning it to optimise the thrust. etc. I think the moment of triumph would be when it actually starts to run under its own power. Can't wait to get my project going.
By the way, if there's anyone in a Manchester/Trafford area thats looking to do it as a joint project, PM me.
Dave