retirement aaargh!

[grimmeParticipant @grimme]

im 70, retired 6months ago due to not ill health just age from agri maintenance/fab/ engineering, bought up in farming so dont have union mindset to work and im struggling with retirement, i need to learn to play and make stuff that doesnt need making so thinking of small stationary steam or sterling engines? got student and bridgeport and basic workshop at home so its ideas and mindset help i need,im afraid that what i do/did  is how i justified my existance and i bet im not alone. so can anyone guide me a source of such plans

[Thor 🇳🇴Participant @thor]

Many places have model steam engine plans, here are a few:

https://www.modelengineeringwebsite.com/Models_to_build.html

https://www.machinistblog.com/bogstandards-paddleduck-engine-plans/

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/bob-js-no-21-steam-engine-drawings-and-stp-files-by-pat-j.34335/

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/two-cylinder-double-acting-steam-engine.30980/

https://npmccabe.tripod.com/steam.htm

 

Good luck.

Thor

[peter1972Participant @peter1972]

As you have good workshop facilities, consider volunteering with Remap:

https://remap.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/become-a-volunteer/

[Stuart Smith 5Participant @stuartsmith5]

I would suggest joining a model engineering club if there is one near you. There is always something to do either engineering or grounds maintenance etc. Also a way to meet people and keep active.

Stuart

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

As you start making things, you will find more things to make, if only to facilitate, making the original item.

You will soon find all sorts of interesting things to make / modify / improve / repair.

Been retired for 22 years, and still finding reasons to cut metal, so will be able to keep as busy as you want!

Howard

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Find your local Men in Sheds. They often appreciate metalworking skills to add to the more common woodwork.

Roughly where are you? Nearest town?

[john fletcher 1Participant @johnfletcher1]

I too was a member of REMAP, until the electrical part P came along, and as my wiring regs wasn’t up to date it was cheaper to pay  some one, some time later it folded as we couldn’t get enough helpers. I joined local ” Mates” giving tuition using a donated Super with PXF and vertical mill.  Join UP and be happy lots of nioce friends. John

[John PurdyParticipant @johnpurdy78347]

Elmer Verburg produced a book of plans for small steam and hot air engines, 52 in all, many of which he had written up in the American magazine “Modeltec”. While no longer in print it is available here as a PDF download https://www.myheap.com/metalworking/resources-downloads.html.

John

[john fletcher 1]

On john fletcher 1 Said:

I too was a member of REMAP, until the electrical part P came along . . .

REMAP does not get involved with mains wiring so I don’t understand why Part P affected your membership.

There are about 67 active branches and about 800 volunteers.

It is far more rewarding to design and make things that can make a big difference to the lives of people with disabilities than to follow drawings to make things that just sit on a shelf when finished.

[larry phelan 1Participant @larryphelan1]

Do as I do, make things that nobody wants, even myself, but it helps to put in the time !

You might be surprised, once you get started, you will find plenty to do.

You might consider starting a Scrap Box, but beware, it will take over your life and workshop [ask how I know ]

There are many things which need doing, just ask around .

DO NOT SIT AROUND IDLE !!!!!   Bad idea.

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

You could consider joining SMEE. An interesting talk every month, a really good journal bi-monthly, 2 small groups aimed at engine building and the use of electronics and digital techniques plus several organised trips to places of interest. All meetings on Zoom if you are not in striking distance of South London and use of the Workshop and Library if you are. All for less than the cost of a cup of coffee a week.

https://www.sm-ee.co.uk/

[Bob WorsleyParticipant @bobworsley31976]

As an alternative, try buying a part complete loco or engine, doesn’t really matter what, and complete. Also forget making an engine from scratch, make a Weit steam pump, Kennions, which quickly makes a working, interesting, model, needs a tiny boiler as well.

 

[IanTParticipant @iant]

“Do as I do, make things that nobody wants, even myself”

And I thought I was the only one Larry!  🙂

Regards,

 

IanT

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Difficult to replace a valuable fulfilling job.  Retirement creates a vacuum, and it’s shocking to move overnight from a position of happy value to being unwanted. apparently.  Quite common: two of my colleagues took to the bottle and didn’t last long – very sad, don’t do that!

Model Engineering has plenty to offer.  Don’t expect everything to appeal, but one or more of these heads are worth consideration:

• Learning:  although Grimme isn’t a learner, he might tackle something new to him.  Clocks, Boiler Making, CAD, Microcontrollers, CNC, 3D-printing, Design, and much more.  Engine-wise,  Stewart Hart’s PottyMill is a good starter. and Jan Ridding’s Coffee Cup Stirling is a notch harder. After that, many other engines designs available, many taking years to build!  How about a 1/3rd scale traction engine?
• Problem Solving: some model engineers enjoy making much the same thing over and over again, gradually improving finish, technique and performance.  Others relish novelty and challenges.  I’m thinking about making an air-liquefier, just for fun.  Previously, I used CAD to develop an Enigma cypher machine.
• Helping others:  this may be the answer!
  • Making things other can’t.  REMAP.  Clubs are sometimes short of doers.  Plenty turn up, pay their dues, and use the facilities, but don’t help much with maintenance, organisation, or improvements.  Occasionally forum posts ask for stuff to be made – many engines can be made on a small lathe, apart from the flywheel.  Easy on a Student / Bridgeport!   Such help is delivered ad-hoc, but it could be offered explicitly.   There’s a catch:  those unfamiliar with engineering assume making stuff is dirt cheap and it isn’t!   But if time and money aren’t a problem, then helping out with a making service might be it’s own satisfaction!
  • Providing advice here and on the other websites, maybe making YouTube videos, or writing articles for ME&W.
  • Work requiring up-to-date qualifications can be an obstacle.   Frustrating be told that one’s hard earned practical skills aren’t good enough.  For example, a competent electrician is not a competent person in the Health & Safety sense unless they’ve done the H&S training and ticked those boxes as well.  H&S is an additional competence!  Also required to show they’re up-to-date with the latest regs, which have changed over the years.
• Being Admired: Competition quality work, presented at exhibitions etc.
• Clubs: Valuable, but not for everyone, or available locally.   SMEE run Zoom meetings on the web and may be worth joining for the Engine Group.   Don’t turn up at a club expecting instant recognition:  usually necessary to turn up regularly several times and establish a presence. Avoid the two worst extremes: egotistical boasting and sulking in a corner!  And allow for existing members scared of newcomers – they come round eventually!

How about starting a thread here to document what you tried, what worked and what didn’t.   Plenty of interest in it, you will get plenty of suggestions, and others will benefit from your experience.   It’s not “hands on” though, so don’t do it if writing is a chore!

I’ve got the opposite problem. Silly me assumed retiring meant unlimited free time.   Nope, I have more to do than I can cope with!  I don’t understand how I had time for work!

Dave

 

 

 

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