Is Model Engineering in Decline

[ANDY CAWLEYParticipant @andycawley24921]

Can anybody tell me the date for the 2020 Doncaster show?

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Wandering around the Exhibition yesterday looking at the various models and tools etc I noticed several tools that had all been given second prize, reading the owners ticket I found the owner was ten years old and the quality of finisish was perfect, this caused me to look at all of the name plates and I found at least one other fifteen years old with tool on display. The youngsters are still out there and if my Daughter will allow my seven month old Grandson will one day join their ranks.

Martin P

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by martin perman on 20/10/2019 08:14:12:

Wandering around the Exhibition yesterday looking at the various models and tools etc I noticed several tools that had all been given second prize, reading the owners ticket I found the owner was ten years old and the quality of finisish was perfect, this caused me to look at all of the name plates and I found at least one other fifteen years old with tool on display. The youngsters are still out there and if my Daughter will allow my seven month old Grandson will one day join their ranks.

Martin P

.

That’s great to know, Martin

May I suggest that if anyone has photos of the above-mentioned exhibits, they post them here.

… Recognition by this community would seem appropriate.

MichaelG.

[JourneymanParticipant @journeyman]

There were a few exhibits on the competition stand by Luke Mason made, according to the labels, at various ages. This is one, a nice little oscillating engine and boiler:-

Here's hoping he maintains the interest and goes on to great things.

John

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

Posted by Journeyman on 20/10/2019 08:59:23:

There were a few exhibits on the competition stand by Luke Mason made, according to the labels, at various ages. This is one, a nice little oscillating engine and boiler:-

Here's hoping he maintains the interest and goes on to great things.

John

Thats the lad, other tickets said he was 10 years old.

Martin P

[DMBParticipant @dmb]

I am a Brighton club member, a thriving club. We have a member so young (11 or 12) that a condition of his membership is to be accompanied by a parent. There are a further 7 of various ages below 18. On the other hand, one member keeps reminding everyone that he will be 90 next year.

Worthing club, of which I am also a long standing member, has no under 18s that I am aware of. This being inspite of running council sponsored model making courses for the school ages during the summer hols. Hopefully, the memory will stick and some will take up the hobby in later years, perhaps when the hormones recede!

If the above is typical the most other clubs will either have no youngsters or several, but it's a start. This sort of discussion has been going on for years and will no doubt continue.

[BC ProfParticipant @bcprof]

Andy

Doncaster Show dates for 2020 are given as 8th to 10th of May

Brian

[IanTParticipant @iant]

We had a very pleasant day out at the Fosse yesterday – at least I did. My wife disappeared with her friend and enjoyed a very good lunch out and ended up at a Garden Centre apparently. They then got lost on the way back but eventually found me waiting (patiently) in the car park.

I decided to upgrade from my usual Bacon Bun to the Full English (very good value) before going for a wander. I had interesting chats with lots of people about all sorts of things from ornamental (Engine) turning, to 1/24th wooden wheel construction (Model Wheelwrights – Thank you Brian) and the challenges of machining cylinder castings for designs they were probably never really intended for (N25GA – nice to see you again John).

And of course Coffee & Cake (and a sit down) with Ted and Roy on the Gauge 3 Society stand – which featured two highly detailed vintage Southern Railway units (part of a set of six – so a 6 PUL?) reputedly built by SR apprentices in 1932. The member who owns them says they have four 24v DC motors and that the third-rail pick up is functional – he is going to try and fit batteries to power them.

I managed to resist buying any new tooling but did 'invest' in various lengths of brass hex & SS rod I seem to have run out of (I was actually organised enough to have done a quick 'stock' inventory this year – before going!) and I also found two 6" lumps of p/bronze (that I could actually afford) for that new regulator I've been meaning to make….

So a good day out for both of us – and the traffic was busy but kept moving and we treated ourselves to a take out when we got home. Is ME in decline? I don't know. There were lots of cars streaming into the Fosse yesterday morning and most of the drivers were 'of a certain age' (just like me).

I can't say I'm too worried. Yesterday was an enjoyable day out but most (99%) of my 'Hobby' is conducted in the solitary confinement of my workshop with just the radio for company. Periodically, nature calls and it's time for Tea and maybe a biscuit (or two) with the wife. It's good to get out and meet people of a similar mind but I will enjoy getting back on with something in the workshop this afternoon.

Regards,

IanT

[RMAParticipant @rma]

Getting back to the original topic, I don't think model engineering is dying out. Our club has more members now than a few years ago, with new recruits mainly over the age of 50. Youngsters can't afford this hobby, they have other demands on their money as I did when I was young, and their interests are vastly different to those when we were that age.

I don't think it's down to clubs to educate youngsters, that's the responsibility of the education system, and that should be revised to include engineering and manufacturing back into the curriculum. I'm afraid that died out during the Thatcher years and I remember going to my boy's school and asking their teacher why he didn't show them how to use all the machines which remained permanently under covers, only to be told that he had too much paperwork to do! I did try to encourage them in my workshop to no avail, but just recently one of them is showing some interest and he's now 42.

What we can do is inspire them on show days etc. but modern laws makes having kids under a certain age on club premises very difficult and parents don't always want to be present.

Edited By RMA on 20/10/2019 13:03:03

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Posted by steamdave on 19/10/2019 16:31:19:

When I visited GEARS over in Portland OR, the ladies of the exhibitors were not left out on a limb looking disinterestedly at the engines while hubby was rapt: they had their own display (in the same building) of their crafts, mostly quilting and needlework sort of things. It was very noticeable how many of the men went and viewed them.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

Francis was quietly making lace at the Midlands show, on the Thursday – don’t know if she persisted for all days.

That was one way to pass the time…. She was actually getting quite a lot of attention while we were in that area of the show. Lacemaking is ‘basically’ a simple operation. Lacers only use four sticks at any one time and there are only two stitches – a full (cloth)- and half- stitch. If you could manage the first, the second is easier! Most of the rest is ‘crosses’ and ‘twists’ – with a few other manipulations thrown in when required. The real skill is making it all look neat and appealing – as well as designing patterns, choosing appropriate threads, etc….

[MeunierParticipant @meunier]

^^ Thanks for the report NDIY but surely "Frances was" , etc ???
it's almost hypnotic to watch a lacer and some of the bobbins are works of art in themselves.

DaveD

Edited By Meunier on 20/10/2019 20:34:10

Edited By Meunier on 20/10/2019 20:35:14

[not done it yetParticipant @notdoneityet]

Dave,

You are right – ‘e’ for ‘er and ‘i’ for ‘im! My bad. Wasn’t thinking.

Some of the bobbins are quite valuable, too. Particularly the ‘hanging’ bobbins. I hate to guess how many bobbins are around our house (pillows as well).

[Kiwi BlokeParticipant @kiwibloke62605]

I don't know about model engineering being in decline, but this model engineer has been for years…

[Former MemberParticipant @formermember19781]

[This posting has been removed]

[HollowpointParticipant @hollowpoint]

I think Neil has it spot on.

Model engineering isn't dying but it is changing. Today's youth aren't interested in building steam engines because they have no relevance to their modern lives. They are building things like drones, rc cars, film props and robots because to them, they are more exciting. Most of this kinda stuff is built at home in a bedroom on a 3D printer. Machinery isn't cheap for your average youngster and modern living (small properties with no gardens/sheds) is not conducive to having a fully kitted out workshop.

I wouldn't worry about model engineering completely dying though. I dabble in machine tool sales (buy, fix, sell) and its obvious that for most people space is at a premium. Sales of small machinery is booming.

[Steve NeighbourParticipant @steveneighbour43428]

I would suggest Model Engineering is like so many other hobbies or 'pastimes' go through decline, then become more fashionable, then decline and so on, so as Neil said, it is 'changing' or more accurately 'evolving' . .

My wife is a prolific knitter, how many young girls (or boys to tick the 'pc' box) take up such crafts, although having said that she is trying to teach one of our granddaughters to knit and crochet . . hopefully when she is older she may take this up, only time will tell.

I started model engineering way back in the '60's . . . being taught to use a lathe by my late Grandfather when I had to stand on a step up to reach the controls, my own late Father showed no interest, and nor have I until since I made my own way in the world, raising a family and following a career.

I have always had interests in model and full size steam, and ironically when I was a small lad of about 8,9 or 10, those that made, owned or operated model steam engines and trains all seemed to be in their 'senior years' . . . and having visited the MIdlands Show this weekend, they are still of the same age !!

I 'played with' RC aircraft, helicopters, PC games, and even recently a quad-copter (primarily for aerial photography) but like all technology the novelty can quickly wain.

Time has passed quicker than I would like, I am now very much in my 60's and busy building my 'man cave' to house a lathe, milling machine etc such that I can follow my dream and passion for model engineering.

Edited By Steve Neighbour on 21/10/2019 11:11:49

[HopperParticipant @hopper]

People just don't have as much time to pass with pastimes these days. Too much TV, internet, etc etc. Combined with more entertainment and easy travel available outside the home. Most people are not looking for things to do to pass the time. They are looking for more time just to do the basics in today's busy world. Retirees of course have more time to spend, hence the ageing demographic of MEs.

You look at some of the ME "greats" such as Bradshaw, Bray, Sparey, Thomas, LBSC and company and they were lifelong enthusiasts, spending thousands of hours in the workshop after work and on weekends for decades. Who has that kind of spare time today?

Edited By Hopper on 21/10/2019 12:27:44

[ANDY CAWLEYParticipant @andycawley24921]

Posted by brian curd on 20/10/2019 09:21:19:

Andy

Doncaster Show dates for 2020 are given as 8th to 10th of May

Brian

Thank you very much. I'll be able to go this year, hooray.

I only live 10 miles down the road and have managed to miss it due to being on holiday since it started in Doncaster.

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Surely model engineers, like police constables, seem to look younger every year…?

[Author]

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