Hi folks, I’m Tim. I’ve been involved in engineering all my life (now 72 years).

I enjoy all aspects of mechanical engineering and recently been downsizing which is proving hard especially the workshop area. Being quite competent within the CAD and Parametric design, (In fact I teach at the local college part time). Being a staff member offers me the privilege of having use of their workshops. Nice having sold my big lathes, milling machines, sheet metal facilities, etc. I have got into 3D printing as an outlet for my design ideas and prototypes. Both Resin and FDM, on an engineering prototype basis than the more popular fantasy modeling.

I have just acquired a 2009 Chester mini lathe. I am thinking about customization, (improvements) as I’m planning the refurbishment. This is a table top tool, but big enough to match the capacity of my printers.

The question of the moment is “the specification of the spindle nose”. Once I  strip the headstock I will be able to take it to college and use shadow graph and other inspection equipment, but I’m impatient and wanting to start tracking down multi jaw chucks, collet holders and faceplates, etc.

If anyone out there can give me the heads up, I would be pleased to hear from them.

Tim.