I must agree. I very rarely look at "which one" or "did I do ok buying this" threads.

I am still of the opinion that there should be sticky posts that lay out the "what to look for", "Imperial v Metric" & "Chinese v Others" that new members can browse through and get some ideas before starting a post for advise. If they do ask a question they can be directed to that post before members have to go into a long drawn out post giving the same advise they gave to 2 others last week.

regards

I suppose that is one of the things with this site covering Model Engineer as well as Model Engineer's workshop as it covers a much more diverse subject matter.

One could probably say similar things about MECH as it is almost exclusively loco related, just look at the stationary engine topic – no posts since July last year and little road steam activity so not much content there if you are not into locos or get pleasure from restoring machines and making tooling.

Then there are sites like HMEM and MEM which are mostly stationary steam and IC related.

Maybe this is where a like button would come in handy, the people that do post their builds can often be left thinking they are talking to themselves if there is no or very little response, at least a few clicks of a like or similar button would encourage them to carry on.

Yes ME content is still dominated by loco builds and related articles.

Seeing this thread from a position of a total novice entering the forum to gain advice and direction. It’s blatantly obvious that the experience you guys bring to the table is invaluable and I totally get the ‘here we go again” attitude towards what may appear mundane questions. Having taken on several apprentice Carpenters over the years some who have gone on to be very successful in there field, it has struck me after reading this thread that I must have repeated advice, teaching and direction many many times but hopefully had the desired effect. Surely the fact that most of the mundane posts are within the beginners section must ease the ‘not again’ questions. There is a danger of losing new members also if there is a perspective that only die hard engineers who would rather not be bothered by such whipper snappers questions becomes a relevant ideal. This is in no way an attack and the forum is one of the most well run and informative I have seen but come on guys keep answering the simple stuff where you can and are able to help us young 59 year old ME apprentice wannabes.

Hi Bill

quote: 'Do articles on loco builds appear in the present M E just out of interest ?'

I would say that the current ME has a good mix of subjects to keep the reader engaged including a number of locomotive builds.

I think that as Jason said, this forum covers both magazines and thus the content is more varied, I grant you that it does seem to lack in the loco build side of the hobby. The MECH forum is the complete opposite and has always been more on the locomotive side than other areas of the ME hobby. although they do appear.

regards

Pete

No. And that's where the confusion can creep in. This forum is called Model Engineer but covers both magazines. As it works out, much of the forum content relates to the "Engineers Workshop" part rather than the "Model" part. That is why there are many threads on machine tools, both the choice and restoration thereof, and workshop practices in general. There are plenty of prolific model builders on here but also plenty of restorers of old cars, bikes, trains, steam engines, ships and the like along with tinkerers in general.

People have different attitudes and relationships with forums. Very few of my fellow club members look at this or other forums every month. Several of my threads specifically about club activities have had little response showing that probably most (ie 90%) of UK clubs do not have a single person posting on this forum. Perhaps also reflecting that only a handful of people in each club subscribe to the magazines. With no magazine or internet interest they live happily in a communication dead zone.

Over say the past year a couple of people have shown what I think is an odd attitude. One posted a question needing at least a reasonable amount of expertise to answer and about two hours later they hadn't had a reply so petulantly posted saying nobody was interestied in helping as if everyone just sits there looking at the forum all day long.
Then another time someone put up a picture of something they had made, tool or model don't remember, but after only few replies over a couple of days they made a grumpy response as if the only reason they posted was to get a stream of 'oh what a clever boy you are' replies.

Most of the regulars are just a bunch of 'friends' who happen to meet on line rather than the pub and with a couple of exceptions make such slow progress on multiple projects there isn't much to put on display.

Bear in mind that this Forum has thousands of readers and posters across the world. And they are all different in their reasons for being on here. There is a vast range of interests. Not all will interest everyone.

Some posts will probably frighten / bore other readers.

Wouldbe Newbies, seeking advice on what machine to buy.

Ditto asking what would be suiutable to achieve their dream outcome.

Newbies seeking advice on machining.

Experienced Loco Builkders

Experienced Road Engine builders

Experienced Steam Engine Builders.

Experienced IC Engine builders

Horologists (Clock and Watch )

Tool makers and repairers

Machine refurbishers / repairers.

I am not skilled or patient enough to be a maker of models, clocks or IC engines. Which is why MEW is my choice rather than ME. The repairs and refurbishment of machines, sometimes astonish me.. I admire the skill and courage involved, and the patience.

Some posts ARE just annoying / needlessly rude. We can do without them. Hopefully, the Moderators either take them to task or just exile them.

We are all different, and it is a fact of life that you can't satisfy ALL the people ALL the time.

Pass on the items that don't appeal, (If you read them, strangely, you may learn something! ) enjoy the ones that do, and live and let live.

Machine rather than moan!

Howard  (Predictive spelling strikes again! )

Edited By Howard Lewis on 20/02/2021 10:42:17