John Stevenson

[AndyAParticipant @andya]

RIP John, rest in peace.

[MetalhackerParticipant @metalhacker]

Sad Day. He will be much missed for his sensible advice and practical solutions. RIP

[Eddy CurrParticipant @eddycurr38053]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 23/10/2017 15:04:18:

John wondering if this vertical lathe might be a bit on the small side:

And in his younger days (he's the one with his bum dragging on the road):

{In the voice I imagined Mr Stevenson spoke with when I read his posts:}

"If he'd stuck with the sport, he wouldn't have needed to lean out so far in his later years."

** ========== **

I've had an unsettled night. The news here this morning perhaps explains why.

Here at the fringes of Mr Stevenson's galaxy, I count myself very fortunate to have been able to enjoy a small bit of the illumination that radiates from him.

My condolences to his wife, who clearly made him happy again after a difficult time; to his family, of whom he wrote about infrequently but so proudly; to his friends and acquaintances surrounding him in real life; to the business colleagues who provided a rewarding outlet for Mr Stevenson's enormous ingenuity and creativity; and the customers who presented him with the challenging projects on which he thrived and shared with us from time-to-time here in the on-line community.

Although Mr Stevenson has moved on, he leaves a treasure trove of knowledge and wit for those wise enough to go back to it.

I miss him.

When I come up against an insurmountable obstacle that has me stumped, I know the inspirational thought that will come to mind :

WWJD

That's

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Sad news but I'm sure he has done a good welded repair to the pearly gates on his way to the big bodging shop in the sky.

J

[Gray62Participant @gray62]

I count myself fortunate to have met with JS, crossed swords with him on the forum and received kindly assistance and advice from him. I am deeply saddened by this news and my thoughts and prayers go out to Debs and his family, the engineering world has lost another great and this forum will not be the same without his abrasive sarcastic dry humour.

R.I.P Sir John Earl Of Blidgeport MBE (Motor Bike Engineer)

[Ade VickersParticipant @adevickers73816]

I don't think there's much I can add to anything anyone's said. Graeme's post (just above mine, if I'm quick enough) sums it up perfectly.

Except for one thing… If there is an afterlife, I really can't imagine John resting peacefully in it. Not with his sense of humour and desire to see a job done properly (or at least bodged properly if applicable).

We'll all miss you John.

[Peter KroghParticipant @peterkrogh76576]

A great man has moved on to the next level. My condolences to Debs and the rest of his family. His life here deserves a celebration. He'd like that…..

Pete

[Ian Skeldon 2Participant @ianskeldon2]

Extremely sad to hear this awful news, I hope his family will find some comfort in knowing that John was so very well thought of. A great loss to everyone involved in engineering.

[alan-lloydParticipant @alan-lloyd]

R.I.P. John and condolences to your family

[richardandtracyParticipant @richardandtracy]

I was first pointed in John's direction in 2003 maybe, by Marv Klotz in California. Was hugely impressed by John's helpfulness and willingness to express himself, whether happy or otherwise.

He will be sorely missed.

Regards

Richard.

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

R.I.P John.

Michael W

[Dennis WAParticipant @denniswa]

R.I.P. Sir John

My sincere condolences to his family.

Dennis

[norman valentineParticipant @normanvalentine78682]

I met him twice, the first time I was in awe of his reputation but was surprised to find a genuinely nice and helpful chap. thanks John.

[Ex contributorParticipant @mgnbuk]

Sorry to hear of John's passing.

My condolences to his wife & family.

Nigel B

[Martin 100Participant @martin100]

When you see a thread with a persons name you know its almost certainly not going to be good news. I've still got archived uk.rec.models.engineering posts moved across from multiple computers dating from 2005 from John S, and first met him in person on the arceuro stand at Harrogate Show a few years later when he was demonstrating an X3 cutting gears. His input there, more recently at Doncaster regrinding the cutters last year, plus many times here and elsewhere online over the years will be sadly missed. RIP John and condolences to the rest of his family.

[Robin GrahamParticipant @robingraham42208]

Just one more voice in the chorus of lament at Sir J's passing. I first met the guy in person 2 or 3 years ago when I asked him to help me shift a new lathe into my workshop. Which job he bodged with characteristic finesse, leaving me with a machine properly levelled and set up. Since then he helped me with many things – just drop by, ten minute job, of course it wasn't because he'd explain everything, make me a cup of his foul coffee and show me how to do stuff. He was very generous with his time and knowledge.

Condolences to Deborah and family,

Rob

[David ColwillParticipant @davidcolwill19261]

I bought a load of 2 and 3 morse taper drills off him a couple of years ago. So I will continue to remember him each time I use one.

RIP John.

[Anonymous]

Gone, but very definitely not forgotten, I'll remember him every time I use my dividing head – RIP.

Andrew

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Luckily last Friday we put MEW 261 'to bed' because I didn't feel much like working today. I ended up going in the workshop as that seemed to 'fit'. Getting to know my new lathe properly I made a lot of cockups, but in the end I made a good job of a replacement crankshaft for a steam engine I'm making, as the old oneisn't good enough.

It has loads of different diameters and needed five shake-free fits. I managed to get all five OK, and the flywheel and crank are 'twist fits' – I had to work to better than 0.01mm to get that.

But I dedicate this day's work to John and I'll remember him whenever I look at it.

Why? Long before I got this job I was a forum member, and John did me a favour by putting two flywheel blanks into one of his laser cutting jobs. He tidied up my files and let me have them at cost, which as I recall was next to bugger-all. I also used a super small running centre that he gave me to support the end of the long thin shaft.

So every time I look at this, with John's flywheel, I will remember how he was ready to help anyone who needed it. I bet he was laughing at my stupid mistakes and pleased when I got it right – and I was damn well going to get this one right.

Job's a good un' John, thanks.

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 23/10/2017 21:57:29

[Jens Eirik Skogstad 1Participant @jenseirikskogstad1]

Sad John has passed away. Condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace.

[Dennis RParticipant @dennisr]

Very sad news.

RIP John.

Condolences to his family

Dennis

[Simon Williams 3Participant @simonwilliams3]

My condolences to Debs and family. I met John just once, he replied to a thread I started asking for info on a collet chuck by offering to sell me one of two hiding under his work bench. And refused to take the full value of the one I bought off him over a cup of THAT coffee. But I had many interchanges with him over this forum, mostly about Myford change gears, and the enthusiasm and expertise he brought to my questions were limitless. What a gent!

The Bodger's departed the Lodge,

His illness was too much to dodge.

With a toolbox or two, and a cup for a brew,

He's teaching the angels –

that they've been making it far too complicated and there's a much simpler and more effective way…

Rest in Peace the Good Earl of Blidgeport.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 23/10/2017 21:56:31:

… I dedicate this day's work to John and I'll remember him whenever I look at it.

[ … ]

Job's a good un' John, thanks.

.

Nice tribute, Neil

MichaelG.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I can only agree with what has been said and add my sincere condolences to all his family and friends. I've only met John at the shows, but like most people have learned a lot and alternative ways of doing things, from his posts on this forum. He is one of those that I take my hat off too. RIP John Stevenson.

Sincere Regards Nick.

[FarmboyParticipant @farmboy]

As an outsider who never met or corresponded with John I hesitated to contribute to this thread. But remembering the amazing number of times over the years that his name has cropped up alongside articles or forum posts that have taught me something new or how to do something better, I just had to express my appreciation and respect.

To judge from past and present remarks of those who knew him he was clearly someone who made the world a better place. Deepest sympathy to all who were close to him.

Mike.

[Author]

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