Model Engineer in Norfolk/Suffolk Wanted

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

I’m looking for an experienced model engineer in Norfolk/Suffolk capable of making parts for my Stuart Models engines on a commercial basis.

 

I’ve been building models for a couple of years but am unable to machine component parts myself.

 

I therefore need someone who has the time, skill and experience to make some parts for me, some from castings and some from scratch.

 

I’ve worked in engineering environments so can read drawings and can happily talk to, and understand, engineers.

 

Specifically, I’m now needing some parts for a Stuart Triple Expansion engine. I’ve got the drawings, identified what parts I’ve got and what parts need making, some of which are not to drawing (unfortunately!).

I don’t need these parts in a hurry but that equally doesn’t mean waiting for months and months and months!

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Jeremy,

I hate to say this but I do not think you will find a ME willing to take on a part built project as you have described as most of us have similar lying on a shelf awaiting work.

Could I sugest 2 avenues you could try

a) Join the local ME club get to know people and ask questions.

b) Do as above but also purchase a small lathe and a slightly less adventurious project.

 

I have to say that by your posting it sounds like you wish to sell these on a commercial basis therefore this posting should be in the commercial section .

 

A triple expansion engine is not for the faint hearted if you look at fleabay the prices asked reflect this.

 

Anyway good luck and have a good christmas and new year

 

Bob

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

Hi Bob,

 

Many thanks for your comments.

 

I don’t want a ME to take on the whole project, just to make a few parts for me to fit and complete the project.

 

When I said “commercial basis” I meant that I would pay for making the parts. I am definitely not selling any of my models and it’s therefore not really for the commercial section.

 

I will consider making them myself but this is not my preferred option.

 

Jeremy

[Ian S CParticipant @iansc]

Jeremy, you’d be OK in my workshop, but I fear that its a bit of a hike to get here, I’m not so much a modeler as a home workshop person, I end up making or reparing parts for old machinery for a number of friends (and others), usually for about the cost of doing the job, sometimes not. Sorry can’t help. Ian S C

[Bill StarlingParticipant @billstarling10428]

Dear Jeremy,

I’m afraid I can’t help you with your enquiry but I am always interested in contact with other model engineers in this area.

I co-ordinate the ‘Model Engineers’ Day Out’ at the Forncett Industrial Steam Museum and am just about to send out one of my very occasional newsletters. If you would like to be added to my mailing list, just let me have your e-mail address.

If you don’t find someone to help you, it might be worth circulating your enquiry round my contacts. They may not all follow the ME Forum.

Best wishes,

Bill.

[RICHARD GREEN 2Participant @richardgreen2]

Hello Jeremy,

Please e-mail me at [email protected] I’m in Buckinghamshire if thats any help.

 

Thanks,

 

Richard.

[Ramon WilsonParticipant @ramonwilson3]

Hi Jeremy,

As someone who lives right on the Norfolk /Suffolk border I feel a little guilty in not responding to your original plea.

 

I’m afraid I can’t help you myself and do not know anyone who could but I’m sure it will be for the same reason as many others.

 

Time itself is a very precious comodity and to use it working for others simply precludes any time you have for yourself. For me personally payment does not come into the factor but the loss of time working on ones own project whilst doing the same thing for another is not something I and possibly many others can now consider. That’s not down to an unwillingness to help nor to selfishness with ones own skills, equipment, facilities etc but purely one of making the most out of the time one has to oneself.

 

I’m sure however there will be someone who is only too willing to make parts in return for payment. May I suggest then that you contact all the club secretaries in the area and put your request through them to local people. I would say it’s certainly worth a try.

 

I wish you well in your endeavours but as Bob has inferred tackling a triple is far from a small challenge, I hope you succeed.

 

Kind Regards – Ramon

 

 

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

To Ian, Bill, Richard and Ramon,

 

Many thanks for all your comments and suggestions. I appreciate them.

 

Although I consider myself a beginner, I have completed the 10V, D10, 10H and Victoria and am about 95% through completing a Major Beam on the above basis, that is, I can take machined parts, make them fit and assemble them into a working machine.. Unfortunately I just can’t make the parts.

 

As far as the triple is concerned, I bought it as a part completed project and it’s about 75% finished, just a few parts to go…

 

Jeremy

[RICHARD GREEN 2Participant @richardgreen2]

Jeremy,

Please e-mail me I’m sure I can help you. [email protected]

I’ve got 40 years experience, and a well equipped workshop, I too have made a Stuart Major Beam engine a few years ago, also a 10 H and a 7a, also a clock, petrol engines, etc, at the moment I’m building a 6″ scale Burrell traction engine.

 

Richard.

[SpringbokParticipant @springbok]

Hi Jeremy

Purchase yourself a small lathe experiment do not rely on others to make the bits for you that is takeing all the fun out of it you might as well purchase a meccano set and ask someone to put it together for you, where is the fun in that…..anyway I think that you should be in the commercial section as you are offering to pay for work done. When you say you have completed the other items was this just complete bits and bolt and screwed the item together.

You cannot say as they sit on the shelf I made these from scratch but only I had a screwdriver and a few spanners.

 

I would love to have a slap up christmas dinner for every model that I have built and am in 70s so go for it start building something. This is a forum for ME engineers and we all enjoy swapping mistakes, success, and all other knowledge.

If you do go down the path I sudjest bu It regret to think that you are only just a collector

so

 

Have a good christmas

 

Bob

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

Hi Bob,

 

Many thanks for your comments but I get enormous pleasure from assembling the parts because, as you’ll appreciate, parts don’t always fit together due to inaccurate machining.

 

Also, the original ME’s of the projects that I’ve bought haven’t always stuck to the drawings!! So, I’ve had to “modify” numerous parts to make them fit. – and work.

 

So, for me, it’s not at all like Meccano.

 

Anyway, have a good Christmas as well.

 

Jeremy

[AndyBParticipant @andyb47186]

Hi Jeremy,

 

I am in the area along with Ramon and Bill. Just to say that I don’t have the time either.

 

Sorry. Thought I would let you know so you can cross me off Bill’s list.

 

Did Richard/Robert Green (?) cover your requirements?

 

I would add my recommendation to visit the model engineer’s day at Forncett to Bill’s. Lots of work going on at the moment, refurbishing boilers and condensers so there will be masses to see as well as the models which are superb. I might even get my Rider Ericsson hot air engine done by then if I can get a serious nerve problem sorted out in my neck!

 

Andy

[NJHParticipant @njh]

Jeremy
Nothing wrong with fettling and assembling – if it gives you pleasure go with it. If you are able to expand your horizons then I recommend it – it is a fascinating and absorbing hobby. I guess we all have our own limits on the depth of our commitment and I hope that you may find the assistance that you seek to progress your interests.

Best Wishes

Norman

[Jeremy GarciaParticipant @jeremygarcia40355]

Norman,

 

Many thanks for your encouragement.

 

Best wishes to everyone.

 

Jeremy

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