Axminster tools to discontinue their engineering courses.

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Noel is right. The law has decided that we can't sign away our rights in H&S terms, so the result is fewer chances to know how to work safely.

Cheers, Tim

[jon hill 3Participant @jonhill3]

This brings up an interesting issue on the relative dangers of wood and metal powertool usage. I am guessing that Axminsters decision is not based on H&S. In my mind the chances of an accident with woodworking powertools are greater than with metal pwertools, angle grinders excepted.

For example objects flying off a wood lathe or accidents with all types of circular saws.

[Tony Pratt 1Participant @tonypratt1]

I regard my circular saw [coincidentally purchased from Axminster[ with the greatest respect as I do all power tools but it's unsurpassed ability to remove digits should concentrate the mind!

Tony

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Judged by the newbies, quire rightly, and very wisely, seeking advice on this Forum, tuition would be welcomed by many.

But the insurance and H & S issues (and costs ) will, no doubt prevent this happening, as a commercial venture, by machine tool suppliers and many others.

Until Covid reaches the point where people and club members can meet in person again, the chances of face to face instruction / demonstration are non existent.

The need won't go away, but the ability to meet it is currently extremely difficult.

This Forum, by answering questions, and giving advice, therefore, fulfills a great need.

By helping newcomers, the hobby (and those who supply it ) can be sustained, to the benefit of all.

Howard

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

Re Circular saws the Americans, it seems, do not believe in guards on such and apparently these naked rotating blades do much damage – tho the use of unguarded saws in illegal in UK there are still American publication that demonstrate the dangerous use of unguarded saws on sale in WH Smiths

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Just like all the mills and lathes in UK publications that don't have guards yet it is a requirement on new machines and in industry

I can't see insurance being a reason Axi stopped as they still seem to be doing all the woodworking courses

[David RileyParticipant @davidriley61024]

Axminster appear to have stopped selling Sieg CNC machines as well.

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

I think they still do them on the educational side of the business just not to Joe public.

[Ian RolfeParticipant @ianrolfe39690]

All very disappointing. I did the lathe course a few years ago and was hoping to do the milling course once COVID restrictions ended. I do hope Bob Rolph does set up his own school as there really is nothing else. I don't learn very well from books I feel I need someone there to guide me. I did enroll on the SMEE Poly course some years ago. But did not go back after the first session as I realiesed it was not for me. I thought it would be hands on not just sitting watching lectures. Unfortunately their demonstrations with the lathe at ME exhibitions gives a false impression. I have asked at my ME club which has a very well equipped workshop. The response is if you need help with something bring it along and I'm sure someone will help. But when when you're a beginner you really need some basic tuition to even know what to ask.

The best resource I've found so far is the Blondihacks videos on youtube but I really yearn for somewhere I can get proper interactive tuition. It just doesn't seem to exist anymore.

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

If courses are not commercially available, it is important that incomers (Newbies ) are persuaded to join a model engineering club so that they can receive face to face advice, and demonstration, with the chance to handle a machine.

In this last week, I have shown my lathe to a potential lathe buyer, and let him use the machine for very light cuts.

He very rapidly learned how to feed steadily by hand, I am glad to have been able to help in this way, and it certainly seemed to further increase his enthusiasm.

Careful and sensible tuition can enthuse newcomers, as well teaching them safe and proper operation of a machine.

Once that has been accomplished, they will learn by doing small jobs, and gain confidence at the same time. Advice from, and conversations with, more experienced model engineers will always be a help to them, and minimise the risk of accidents to both machine and operator..

Howard

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