Welcome to Model Engineer

Model Engineer is the premier UK model engineering magazine. It has been published for over 100 years. Content includes constructional articles, interesting articles on engineering related topics and many other varied subjects about models and model engineering.

Model Engineers' Workshop is a relative newcomer, first published in 1990. It is much more concerned with machines, both manual and CNC, tools, methods and processes. Historically, it does not include articles on the construction of models. It usually contains drawings for the construction of a machine, a tool or a machine accessory.

Deputy Editor required for Model Engineer & Model Engineers' Workshop

A Deputy Editor and Web Editor is required for Model Engineer and Model Engineers’ Workshop. Kelvin Barber, who has been with Model Engineer for over 10 years, will be moving on to another magazine. This means we need to find a computer literate model engineer to help edit both magazines. Do not worry unduly about the web aspect as training can be given where required.

This is a full-time employed position and is to be office based so the successful applicant should live within commuting distance of Orpington, Kent. However, arrangements could be made if homeworking was a necessity. With three magazines going to press every four weeks, it is a very busy schedule. A car is necessary (a petrol allowance will be paid) and the position will involve some weekend working for which time off will be given during the week.

The successful applicant will also be required to attend the Model Engineer Exhibition from Thursday to Sunday when held (normally in December), plus the Harrogate show and various other exhibitions and open days throughout the year as may be requested.

Please email your details to: lorna.killick@myhobbystore.com

MEX 2010 Entry Form & Rules

An entry form and a full set of competition rules for this year's Model Engineer Exhibition (10 - 12 December at Sandown Park Racecourse) can be downloaded here. Don't delay, get your entries in today!

MEX 2010 Entry Form

MEX 2010 Notes & Rules

High Speed Screwcutting

Model Engineers' Workshop issue 168, on sale 3 September, has a very interesting article on adapting a Myford Lathe for high speed screwcutting. This particular attachment looks very easy to build and will make screwcutting a lot easier. Apart from three small tapped mounting holes, it does not entail modifying the Myford.
In the same issue is another interesting article about between centres boring where the tool adjustment is by means of a boring head.

Darjeeling Reference Photos

The Editor visited the Leighton Buzzard Light Railway about 3-years ago to see the Darjeeling Himalayan railway locomotive that was on loan from a private estate railway in Oxfordshire. He took many photos and, as a similar locomotive is being serialised in Model Engineer, it has been decided to put the photos on display to help prospective builders. Follow links below for the complete collection:

Great Bucks Steam & Country Fair

The Deputy Editor has been meaning to visit this event for many years now, and this year finally made it! Now in its 26th year the Fair is held every August at the picturesque and quaintly named Bucks village Shabbington. He was pleasantly surprised by the amount of attractions on offer, both model and full-size, and all tastes were catered for - shire horses, rural crafts and pets included for those of a non-steam disposition. Throw into the mix some classic cars and bikes, a large market and a beer tent, and you have the ideal recipe for a great show, which this certainly is!

More pics will be added to the album for this show so check back regularly...

Maxitrak on TV

Make a note in your diaries for 22 September as this is when the Discovery Channel will be showing at 8.30pm a short documentary on building a Maxitrak 'Jack' locomotive, an episode in their "How it is made" series. The producers actually visited the Maxitrak factory and covered the production of a ready-to-run 'Jack' locomotive from raw materials to finished engine running (on Andy Probyn's garden line). Kits do not feature as such as the documentary only runs to around 10-minutes. The series also features the manufacturing process for other items, such as paintbrushes and bulldozers.

Website: Maxitrak

Myford Autumn Show

The Myford 2010 Autumn Show is being held at Wilmot Lane, Beeston, Nottingham (SatNav NG9 4AE) on Thursday 23 September, Friday 24 September and Saturday 25 September.

This will be the biggest Myford show yet and they will have some really interesting people in attendance. Many things will change but many will, reassuringly, remain the same. This is your chance to talk to Myford people and see how, where and why they continue to produce some of the best small metalworking lathes in the world.

Their 'Factory Rebuilds' programme continues apace and they will have many more on show awaiting new owners. There will also be deals to be done if you are thinking of changing or trading in. Top of the range models will be on hand for you to handle and inspect.

Exhibits this year are starting to look interesting and there will be some surprises too. Trade stands have increased and Myford's pre-owned accessories and tool stocks have more than replenished since the Spring show. Once again, there's no entrance ticket to buy or car park to pay for. Just come along and meet lots of like-minded model engineers.

Myford will publish a guide to what’s happening on each day, who’s definitely coming and what will be on show, closer to the date.

Machining in Your Workshop

Machining in Your Workshop - A Guide for Model Engineers is a comprehensive

guide to using a lathe and a milling machine. Be

inspired by our Vee twin oscillating engine

project. We also include design and construction

details for a useful tool grinding rest.

Price: £4.99 (plus postage)

On sale: 14 October

Limited Edition: Order early to avoid disappointment

You can pre order your copy here Machining in Your Workshop

Take the digital editions of Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop for a trial run!

The digital archive of Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop magazines are available exclusively to subscribers and let you:

Turn the pages of your favourite magazine online
Access back issues
Search for favourite articles
Access the latest issue as soon as it is published

Take Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop magazines for a trial run here.

Grasshopper Beam Engine plans link

Model Engineer (4375) has the concluding part of a series about building a Grasshopper beam engine.

Here is a link to the grasshopper engine plans for you to build your own version.

Tony Martin has made a superb job of this beam engine that was originally designed by Sydney Owen back in the early 1960s.

Albums

View some of the latest gallery images

My Album by Kevin Norman

Swing by xtoph

photos by John Olsen

drill chucks 2 by Richard Parsons

View all latest photos

Latest Forum Postings

Tesa "Digit Cal" caliper ( type 05.30032 ) lithium battery replacement
02/09/2010 23:19:51
How to drill a square hole?
02/09/2010 22:24:13
Steam Winding Engine and HeadGear Help
02/09/2010 20:57:42
Deputy Editor
02/09/2010 18:47:02
Elliott 8-20 Surface Grinder
02/09/2010 18:37:40
lathes
02/09/2010 17:43:31
Digital inexing
02/09/2010 17:04:32
Phase Converter Which Type?
02/09/2010 15:46:40
Marking out fluid
02/09/2010 12:23:33
Lathe lub oil
02/09/2010 09:03:43

Contact the Model Engineer Team

You can find contact details for Model Engineer and Model Engineers' Workshop magazines and MyHobbyStore Ltd on our Contact page.

Latest Model Engineer

The latest issue of Model Engineer in the shops is issue 4385. (On sale 27 August - 9 September)

The contents of this issue are:

Building a Darjeeling Himalayan

Class B 0-4-0 Locomotive.

Northumbrian - the series concludes

with the remaining boiler fittings.

Building a 'Preston' type tramcar.

Prince Philip's Bennington Carriage.

Making a grasshopper escapement.

Keith Wilson returns to his 7¼in. gauge

locomotive Lillian after a long break.

Charlie - making the sandboxes and

smokebox for this 3½in. gauge Q1.

Plans for Tich, a locomotive by LBSC.

How to machine the Stuart 10V and

10H steam engines.

Win Morris metal cutting lubricants.

Latest Model Engineers' Workshop

The next issue of Model Engineers' Workshop in the shops will be issue 168, on sale 3 September.

The contents of the latest issue are:

Small boring tools and others.

Chemical blacking of metal.

Micrometer down feed for the

Hobbymat mill/drill quill.

Adding a capstan attachment

to the Chipmaster.

High speed screwcutting attachment.

A Boxford saddle stop with readout.

Electrical discharge machining.

Faced with a boring problem.

Improvements to a 12in.

Taiwanese cross slide.

Model Engineer Exhibition 2010 - Sandown Park

The 2010 Model Engineer Exhibition will be held at Sandown Racecourse on the 10, 11 and 12 December 2010. Details of forthcoming attractions to follow.

Harrogate Show

This year's National Model Engineering & Modelling Exhibition, the 17th in the series, was blessed with good weather and was deemed a success by the organisers. M.E. and M.E.W. staff had an enjoyable time meeting up with contributors and advertisers alike and the weekend flew by in a blur! Highlights from the show can be viewed in Harrogate album

One particular highlight at the show, seen above, was Ray McMahon's Darjeeling Himalayan Class B 0-4-0 saddle tank locomotive. Asides being much admired the model was also a deserved award winner. A construction series for this locomotive commenced in M.E. 4378, 21 May 2010. Also, see the forum's Darjeeling thread

Another highlight, seen below, was Dougie Swan's beautiful WW1 Rail Gun which won the Barry Jordan Trophy for 'Best in Show'.