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This topic has 10 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 12 May 2014 at 00:52 by Ady1.

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10 May 2014 at 20:28 #152025
Andrew Kolundzic
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@andrewkolundzic85664
Hi,

I have toyed with the idea of model engineering for a long time now and would welcome any suggestions and comments good or bad from any members wishing to post on this thread.

I am 53 years old and a complete novice, as green as grass as the saying goes. I don't really know at this stage what I would like to make although I do like the steam engines and military models that I have seen. Although I don't consider myself stupid I don't own a lathe and have no idea how to operate one but funnily enough I nearly bought a Myford 7 recently.

I have a number of questions to ask but not all on this thread, one for example is if a chose a topic are there plans/drawings available and instructions even, another question would be what sort of tools/machines would I need?

Please can anyone suggest the best course of action as to how to get started, Thanks for your help.

Andy
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10 May 2014 at 20:28 #23299
Andrew Kolundzic
Participant
@andrewkolundzic85664
11 May 2014 at 11:00 #152074
nigel jones 5
Participant
@nigeljones5
been covered many times , start small and simple. You realy need to decide what you want to build before anything else
11 May 2014 at 11:40 #152085
Russell Eberhardt
Participant
@russelleberhardt48058
As you mention steam engines how about having a read of this book ? The engine in my avatar on the left was built following one of his books (a bit more advanced) and the instructions he gave are very clear and easy to follow.

Russell.
11 May 2014 at 11:42 #152086
Bazyle
Participant
@bazyle
Hello Andy. Where abouts are you roughly? We may be able to guide you towards a club or local exhibition where you can get more one to one interaction to discuss the possibilities. You should also get some copies of Model Engineer and Model engineers Workshop to see the adverts and get a flavour of the technical terms and language used.

When you have a specific question put up a thread with a concise title so people can zero in on the topic if they have something to say. You will also find a search facility on the front page tf this site that can get you a lot of information as most questions have been asked before.

There are also lots of websites to go through. For starters Harold's will keep you busy for a while.
11 May 2014 at 11:56 #152092
maurice bennie
Participant
@mauricebennie99556
Hi Andy I found to my cost that "You can turn little things on a big lathe, but not big things on a small one"

You must choose roughly what you wish to make ,and only you can do that . Between a watch makers and something like a Harrison 300 .For what its worth I have a Chester DB8VS which I am happy with.

Best wishes and good luck Maurice.
11 May 2014 at 12:16 #152097
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
Good luck

**LINK**

You can search this place through google with

chicken and egg situation site:http://www.model-engineer.co.uk

Change "chicken and egg situation" to "newbie" or "learner" "help" "starting out"or whatever you think of

Edited By Ady1 on 11/05/2014 12:28:38
11 May 2014 at 12:46 #152100
OH CHUFF!
Participant
@ohchuff
Or try this site **LINK**
11 May 2014 at 13:10 #152101
Clive Hartland
Participant
@clivehartland94829
Andy, you say that you are not quite sure what you want to do in modelling? You also doubt your dexterity in being able to operate a lathe etc. Perhaps you may want to start in a slightly different direction to improve your dexterity and interest. Have a look at 'Scalescenes' to see if your interest may lie there. Also look at 'Fiddlersgreen'. Both these sites offer paper card modelling for railside models and paper aeroplanes. Just a thought.

Clive
11 May 2014 at 21:14 #152156
GaryM
Participant
@garym
Hi Andrew,

I'm in my fifties and started in model engineering just over two years ago and haven't regretted one minute of it. If you decide it's for you then you'll wish you'd started years ago.

This site is quite good for ideas **LINK**

I'm not retired yet so don't get that much workshop time but I first made the little oscillating engine in my avatar and album. I'd almost finished my second project, a Stuart S50, when I broke my ankle so much frustration at the moment.

Best of luck.

Gary
12 May 2014 at 00:52 #152173
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
Yup. Binned my TV years ago because of this hobby.

But life is still too short for all the things you wanna do….
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