Tyro engineer saying hello.

This topic has 11 replies, 8 voices, and was last updated 23 October 2013 at 19:40 by Sub Mandrel.

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21 October 2013 at 21:56 #6920
James Newberry
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@jamesnewberry
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21 October 2013 at 21:56 #133309
James Newberry
Participant
@jamesnewberry
Hello everyone.

I've just signed up and thought I would introduce myself. My name is Jim Newberry, I've been an aeromodeller all my life and I'm dipping my toe into this 'ere model engineering lark. It's like this – I live near the Warwickshire Exhibition Centre and as my girlfriend and daughter were away at the weekend, I popped along to the model engineering show there yesterday. Being an aeromodeller, I'm always interested in anything that involves a bit of tinkering and I appreciate anything that requires a bit of fine, creative skill, be it building a scale flying model or a steam engine. I went through a boat building phase years ago and built a Midwest model and accompanying single cylinder engine (which still works – I've just tried it on compressed air). Anyway, yesterday I bought a Unit Steam Engine from Forest Classics, put it together and ran it from my air compressor. I like it. A lot. In fact I think I could get hooked.

So – can I come in please? I'm going to have a lot of dumb questions to ask – at the moment I wouldn't know a flange from a fish hook and I wouldn't know a 34 thou. split muff coupling from a pound of cheese. I have a beautifully equipped workshop – for aeromodelling. It's packed to the rafters with several grades of balsa wood, scalpel blades, cyanoacrylate and servo wire, none of which, I'm sure, will be much use for model engineering. I do have a pillar drill though – and a blow torch. And this very afternoon I cobbled together a widget thingummyjobba to connect my USE to my air compressor without blowing myself up.

Jim.
22 October 2013 at 07:40 #133327
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Welcome aboard, Jim.

MichaelG.
22 October 2013 at 08:02 #133331
Gary Wooding
Participant
@garywooding25363
Hi Jim,

Since you live close to the WEC you might be interested in the club that ran the "Free Rides" steam train and manned the workshop running the mill and lathe. It's called CMES (Coventry Model Engineering Society). We're quite friendly and civilised, and have a pretty decent 5" and 3.5" raised track at Ryton Pools country park (nr Bubbenhall). Come along this Saturday afternoon (26th) where you will be made very welcome. The following Saturday afternoon (2nd), being the first Saturday of the month, is deemed "no work day", when members run their own, or the club's, locos and have fun. You are very welcome to "pop in" and try it out.

You can't miss us at Ryton Pools.

Gary

Edited By Gary Wooding on 22/10/2013 08:04:50

Edited By Gary Wooding on 22/10/2013 08:05:20
22 October 2013 at 08:06 #133332
John Coates
Participant
@johncoates48577
Welcome Jim

It doesn't matter how you get here, the ride will be fun

My route was needing to make adaptive spacers and brackets for my motorbikes

Four years later I'm several £1000's spent on tools and tooling but I have a hobby I can do rain, shine or snow that we will see me out until the end of my days

John
22 October 2013 at 09:52 #133345
James Newberry
Participant
@jamesnewberry
Thanks for the welcome everyone. I know Ryton Pools Gary, I sometimes take my daughter there for a run around so I'll try and get along. Unfortunately I have to go to a kids' birthday party on Saturday but if I can slope off early I'll try and call in. I also work most weekends (I only got to the show on Sunday because I saw a sign for it on my way home from work) but I'll call in next time I can if I can't get there this weekend.

I'm trying to get my hands on a small lathe to start making stuff so I'm sure I'll bore you all with pictures of widgets that will look like they have been made by a small child soon!

Jim.
22 October 2013 at 11:06 #133356
Ian S C
Participant
@iansc
Jim, you are the type we need(we need al types), you don't have to give model aircraft, you can build your own engines, glow, diesel, or steam has been flown as has Stirling hot air engines, all made by model engineers, some of whom you will meet here. Not everything model engineers build is made of metal, plastic and wood are OK, A DH Mosquito is engineering, plenty of Spruce and Balsa there. Best wishes, don't be scared to ask questions.

Ian S C
22 October 2013 at 12:48 #133364
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
Welcome to the hobby, Jim.

Neil
22 October 2013 at 13:44 #133376
Gary Wooding
Participant
@garywooding25363
Hi Jim,

Like most clubs, CMES has a good mixture of experts and novices, so you certainly wouldn't feel out of place if you decide to come along. Unlike some clubs, I'm told, there are no cliques, certainly none that I'm aware of, An ME club is easily the best way of getting advice on machines you're contemplating buying, together with help on many aspects of the hobby.

I hope you decide to come along to see if it appeals; we're at The Pools every Saturday afternoon between about 1:30 and 5:00.

Gary
23 October 2013 at 07:28 #133432
John McNamara
Participant
@johnmcnamara74883
Greetings and welcome…… Jim

Regards
John Mac
23 October 2013 at 09:01 #133438
Russell Eberhardt
Participant
@russelleberhardt48058
I'm trying to get my hands on a small lathe to start making stuff so I'm sure I'll bore you all with pictures of widgets that will look like they have been made by a small child soon!

Bienvenue Jim,

You'll get loads of good advice here as to which lathe to get, such as "Don't get a Chinese lathe get a second hand Mychester or Colford" and "Buy a new XYZ Chinese import rather than a second hand lathe of unknown history".

I think the best advice is just go for it without spending too much. You will soon learn to improve it and make suitable tooling. Only when you have played with it for a year or two will you know what you really need for what you wish to do. You can then trade it in.

Enjoy the journey!

Russell.
23 October 2013 at 19:40 #133486
Sub Mandrel
Participant
@submandrel
I bought a returned mini-lathe cheap from Machine Mart in 1999. By now I would have expected to move on to a much bigger machine, but to be honest in 14 years the only two frustrations I've had were (1) realising I can't skim a disc brake on it and (2) most of Anthony Mount's engine designs use 8" flywheels. I couldn't do muchy about (1), but I met Anthony and told him to design engines with 7 1/2" flywheel instead! He is a very nice man so he didn't get cross…

But in short, as Russel says, buy what you can comfortably afford as you WILL need a lot of bits and pieces. Buld up your tools as you need them and if your interest veers towards the larger or specialised, you can get some of your investment back, even selling a second hand mini lathe.

Neil
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