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Post by Roger on Jan 3, 2019 10:49:51 GMT
Oh Dear, I don't really have any interest building models , so perhaps should be banned from this forum. My interest has always been in making things, taking things to bits, to see how they work and repairing things. So for me this forum is a huge hive of knowledge, so much information just for the asking. I admire tremendously the incredible skills that are shown in model making, and reading the threads there is so much to learn.So many beautiful models. For me my interest is in making things that can be useful to me in my house and garden, and the most satisfying of all was building a digger,so now holes and trenches in the ground are no problem, and equipment I made for my tractor makes moving things around no problem either. I built my house block by block 40 years ago, and one day I will go out of it feet first. In those days I was able to do all the electric work and pluming for the house, without some official breathing down my neck. those were the days! Am I the only one here who is not really a model engineer but an interloper. please don't chuck me out!! and a happy New Year to you all and thank you all who have helped me in the past years Jem Hi Jem, I can relate to that completely. I don't see anything special about Model Engineering, it's just Engineering with a twist. For me, the joy is in the Engineering, the use of available tools and creation of the infrastructure that enables me to make anything I feel like within reason. The fact that this project happens to be a locomotive is irrelevant, it could just as easily have been an Autogyro, Long Case Clock or a wooden steam launch. It's all the same to me. This is why I won't be making another locomotive, I couldn't be bothered to effectively repeat what I've just done, albeit in a different guise. Once the problems have been solved, I need to move on to the next challenge.
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Post by jon38r80 on Jan 3, 2019 13:49:24 GMT
"Oh Dear, I don't really have any interest building models , so perhaps should be banned from this forum. My interest has always been in making things, taking things to bits, to see how they work and repairing things. So for me this forum is a huge hive of knowledge, so much information just for the asking. I admire tremendously the incredible skills that are shown in model making, and reading the threads there is so much to learn."
David You are not alone, I am no model engineer though I dabbled with free flight airoplanes and then RC cars with glow plug engines a long time ago in my yoof. I found the forum when laid up with two dodgy discs and I was looking to find out how to use my small lathe better and ideas about which sort of milling machine to buy that could later be converted to CNC if I ever found oput enough about how to. Have since bought a bigger lathe to clean up and repair and a Warco Mill ( its like the Grizzly machine a chap called Hoss has converted to CNC which is one of the reasons I bought it) Its still not converted!
Like you I find this forum an inspiration and mine of helpfull ideas and information
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jem
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,064
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Post by jem on Jan 3, 2019 17:31:17 GMT
Its great to see that I am not alone, I take my hat off the the model engineers who have such patience in fine detail, but for me it has to be useful tools.
anyway everyone keep up the good work, I wonder how many more there are like minded as I am,
best wishes
Jem
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Jan 3, 2019 19:40:24 GMT
Hi guys, havent posted much as I don't really know anyone, this is as good an opportunity to start as any I suppose so here goes.
My motivation goes way back to being about 8 or 9 years of age. I had always built Airfix kits, planes, tanks, ships, anything (even a model of Richard The Lionheart if anyone else can rememberthe kit!), progressing on to balsa aircraft and ships of all sorts (I built all three models - Glider, Frigate and Yacht - from the plans in the Model World book by Peter Riding 1975 after seeing the program on TV - I still have the book and plans). All the time I was enjoying the building and painting but once done (and maybe flown) that was it, onto the next project. There was no real satisfaction in the finished model however, always something missing, unfulfilled somehow. I could not quite put my finger on it until my father took me to the Model Engineering Exhibition at the recently completed Wembley Conference Centre, not sure of the year around 1978/9 I should think. I remember the place being packed (or was I very small at the time??!!) but the myriad of models, large, small, some complete, some not was overwhelming to such a young pair of eyes! I think I came to the realisation that I had built so many kits with preformed parts that they were no longer a challenge, I needed something that I could make from the raw materials - real modelling!!. Well I came away from the show with two books, one about building model trams and the other an orange book entitled Simple Model Locomotive Building - Introducing Tich.
Well I read that book cover to cover in about a week and set to cutting out frames and buffer beams from whatever I could find in the garage (mostly cold rolled black scale steel used for plating an old Austin A40 my brother had). I did the best I could with the bits I had and saved up to buy some hornblock and wheel castings with my paper round money. A visit to Mr Spink in Chessy saw me furnished with a few castings and cold nights in our rather damp prefab garage coupled with a twice monthly night school course in model engineering I pestered my dad into saw me get a rolling chassis after about a year. I had use of a Black and Decker workmate (an original blue one!) and basic hand tools in the garage - no lathe then, very expensive!! I had a few visits to see Norman Spink - a really nice bloke - to buy axlebox material, they were a bugger to drill straight held in the workmate!
I still have the (mostly) complete chassis and have added to it over the years as time allowed, though my early inaccuracies have prevented it running on air (the wheels are coupled with cylinders and valve gear, and it does push along, kind of, but the frames are not straight and the buffers not quite square). I cannot bring myself to destroy all the work I did at that early age, knowing how long it took using blunt files and a hand drill (hand crank type that is!). Work, marriage and family life curtailed my activities for a number of years and it is only recently that I find myself with a bit more time (and equipment) to be in the workshop. So to get to the point, my motivation is that if I could get that far with next to no tools at that age, with the kit I have now the only excuse I have is idleness!!
Hope I have not bored you too much, this could be my first and last post!
Tim
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JonL
Elder Statesman
WWSME (Wiltshire)
Posts: 2,906
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Post by JonL on Jan 3, 2019 19:45:00 GMT
Tim, I found that interesting, and amazing to think what you achieved using those tool. To replace what you did wouldn't destroy it, you could retain it if you wanted, but it would be fantastic to get it running. What a story to tell in the steaming bays!
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mbrown
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,718
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Post by mbrown on Jan 3, 2019 21:16:43 GMT
I have very similar memories of struggling with masses of enthusiasm and inadequate tools! The only files I had were "borrowed" from my Dad's toolbox - I now realise they were blunt as hell, and I never had handles for them either. I remember trying to fettle up some hornblock castings with them - took ages.
How you got as far as you did without a lathe of any sort is amazing - a real tribute to perseverance.
My hunch is that, if you re-start work on the chassis, you'll gain ins kills o fast that you eventually go back and re-do the earliest work. Do keep us posted!
Malcolm
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 3, 2019 22:36:28 GMT
I think I came to the realisation that I had built so many kits with preformed parts that they were no longer a challenge, I needed something that I could make from the raw materials - real modelling!!. Well I came away from the show with two books, one about building model trams and the other an orange book entitled Simple Model Locomotive Building - Introducing Tich. Hi Tim, Thanks for contributing. I think a lot of people started off in this way. I know I did! Kudos to LBSC and his books (I still have ours on the shelf from 1970) If you are better resourced these days, we would all encourage you to have a go. You don't have to stay faithful to your original aspirations. You could make a nice stationary engine or some other design eg Juliet. Tich is a tiny machine and quite demanding of accuracy though many successful versions have been made. The only regret you can have is not trying!
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Post by doubletop on Jan 4, 2019 3:50:16 GMT
Hi guys, havent posted much as I don't really know anyone, this is as good an opportunity to start as any I suppose so here goes.
..... I still have the (mostly) complete chassis and have added to it over the years as time allowed, though my early inaccuracies have prevented it running on air (the wheels are coupled with cylinders and valve gear, and it does push along, kind of, but the frames are not straight and the buffers not quite square). I cannot bring myself to destroy all the work I did at that early age, knowing how long it took using blunt files and a hand drill (hand crank type that is!). Work, marriage and family life curtailed my activities for a number of years and it is only recently that I find myself with a bit more time (and equipment) to be in the workshop. So to get to the point, my motivation is that if I could get that far with next to no tools at that age, with the kit I have now the only excuse I have is idleness!! Hope I have not bored you too much, this could be my first and last post! Tim
Tim I'd be inclined to leave it 'as is' as a piece of your family history. The best you could do at the time with the resources you had available. At least you did something. Start something new and use your original project as a source of inspiration. Pete
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Post by David on Jan 4, 2019 5:39:49 GMT
Tim, awesome determination! I only know two members of the board in person and they only joined recently, so don't be backwards in posting.
If you want to get back into the hobby, why not make some other bits to get your hand in then go back and review what can be rectified? Axleboxes can be re-bored and given slightly thicker bushes etc. I'm sure a lot of it can be salvaged.
You've put in a big effort already so deserve a result if you're still interested. If you have a club nearby surely there would be a lot of help available too.
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Jan 4, 2019 8:53:05 GMT
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have rediscovered the hobby recently, I do not have a lot of time but older sons are no longer so demanding. I started a 3 1/2 Canterbury Lamb May 2018 and have a chassis running on air and a tender about half complete. I might post a photo or two if there is interest (and I can figure out how to do it). I thought I would try something out of the ordinary but reasonably simple. I have castings for Doris and Britannia with a view to progressing in required skill set. I will probably start Doris soon, assuming I can find some drawings (ad posted in the personals) whilst I tackle Invicta's boiler - I guess I will need to join a club to get the boiler certificate??!
Hopefully I can contribute to more threads in the future.
Tim
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 4, 2019 9:57:30 GMT
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have rediscovered the hobby recently, I do not have a lot of time but older sons are no longer so demanding. I started a 3 1/2 Canterbury Lamb May 2018 and have a chassis running on air and a tender about half complete. I might post a photo or two if there is interest (and I can figure out how to do it). I thought I would try something out of the ordinary but reasonably simple. I have castings for Doris and Britannia with a view to progressing in required skill set. I will probably start Doris soon, assuming I can find some drawings (ad posted in the personals) whilst I tackle Invicta's boiler - I guess I will need to join a club to get the boiler certificate??! Hopefully I can contribute to more threads in the future. Tim
Good!
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Post by doubletop on Jan 4, 2019 10:05:59 GMT
Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I have rediscovered the hobby recently, I do not have a lot of time but older sons are no longer so demanding. I started a 3 1/2 Canterbury Lamb May 2018 and have a chassis running on air and a tender about half complete. I might post a photo or two if there is interest (and I can figure out how to do it). I thought I would try something out of the ordinary but reasonably simple. I have castings for Doris and Britannia with a view to progressing in required skill set. I will probably start Doris soon, assuming I can find some drawings (ad posted in the personals) whilst I tackle Invicta's boiler - I guess I will need to join a club to get the boiler certificate??! Hopefully I can contribute to more threads in the future. Tim
Tim It sounds like you are well underway. Any build is interesting and it encourages others to have a go. Photo posting info here Posting Photos A bit convoluted but once you've got it set up its easy Pete
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uuu
Elder Statesman
your message here...
Posts: 2,807
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Post by uuu on Jan 4, 2019 10:15:51 GMT
Yes, joining a club is a good way to get a boiler certificate. Best to join before you start making it, so you can discuss your build with their expert and comply with any undocumented requirements they may have.
Wilf
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Post by delaplume on Jan 4, 2019 13:19:18 GMT
Hello everyone,
I use these with no problems to date}-----> ImgBB — Upload Image — Free Image Hosting
Are these the same as Imgur that's been mentioned ??
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timb
Statesman
Posts: 512
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Post by timb on Jan 4, 2019 14:30:30 GMT
I created an account with Imgur and used it to create a new thread - 3 1/5 Canterbury Lamb. It seems to work OK for me, perhaps others could confirm if they can see the images?
Tim
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dscott
Elder Statesman
Posts: 2,437
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Post by dscott on Jan 5, 2019 1:01:21 GMT
Getting to do a tidy today as the workshop is still warmer than the house, and found a buffer beam made by dad in the early 1970's I remember getting the frames and doing a marking out at home as an 11 year old from the book borrowed from the Library. Many years later these got marked out and drilled into Rear Buffer beams of the small Prairie Tank. It is lovely to keep some items of memory from the distant days of working with a young fit and enthusiastic DAD. Many of his tools are now used lovingly with thanks for getting me into making things and an interest in Working Models!
What do you have hanging up in your workshop that continues to INSPIRE? A TICH Bufferbeam where it all started!
Best regards. David and Lily.
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Post by delaplume on Jan 5, 2019 18:19:36 GMT
Getting to do a tidy today as the workshop is still warmer than the house, and found a buffer beam made by dad in the early 1970's I remember getting the frames and doing a marking out at home as an 11 year old from the book borrowed from the Library. Many years later these got marked out and drilled into Rear Buffer beams of the small Prairie Tank. It is lovely to keep some items of memory from the distant days of working with a young fit and enthusiastic DAD. Many of his tools are now used lovingly with thanks for getting me into making things and an interest in Working Models! What do you have hanging up in your workshop that continues to INSPIRE? A TICH Bufferbeam where it all started! Best regards. David and Lily. Alas mine can only be a memory........Final year at Stoneham School ( just before joining the Royal Navy and a Marine Engineering Apprenticeship) ...and the fresh, young Metalwork Teacher had started an ME evening class which I duly attended........From somewhere he produced an LBSC 2.5" gauge Purley Grange that was part built ( I suspect it was his own !!)..... There was about 6 or 7 of us and I was given the loco's de-glehn bogie to overhaul.........My first actual handling of a Swindon-based product...... All these years later and I have a 5" gauge Star bogie awaiting final assembly on my bench.......I think you saw that when you and Lily visited me David ??
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 6, 2019 8:45:36 GMT
[quote author=" dscott" source="/post/168019/thread" timestamp="1546650081" What do you have hanging up in your workshop that continues to INSPIRE? A TICH Bufferbeam where it all started! Best regards. David and Lily.[/quote] Excellent idea David! I started a new thread about "Relics and Memorabilia"
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Neale
Part of the e-furniture
5" Black 5 just started
Posts: 278
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Post by Neale on Jan 6, 2019 10:39:58 GMT
Bunch of different small factors all add up to where I am now. As a small boy, being told that I was too clumsy to be able to make anything - "Wait until your father gets home before you start that Airfix kit as you'll only spoil it." Girl friend's father suggesting that I go the Woodworking show at Wembley and finding that it was just one corner of a much more interesting ME show, hearing many times "Oh, that's a nice model. I'd never have the patience to make something like that" and thinking, "Only because you would never get off your backside to try". So I started chatting to people on club stands, and went away with a couple of books by Len Mason. That was about 45 years, 3 or 4 different lathes, and much help, advice, and encouragement by other model engineers ago. Spent almost all that time building tools and similar, but arrival of grandson made my wife suggest that I really needed a steam model that I could haul him with once big enough. And just about at that time, Reeves had a 20% off deal on DY's Black 5, which would have been the loco I would have chosen. And having the bits in the workshop and seeing the tender slowly coming together still gives me plenty of motivation to continue.
I wonder if some people lose momentum through choosing the wrong model to start? "Start off with something nice and simple to cut your teeth" - and you spend a few years working on something that you don't really want when it's finished. Be adventurous, be ambitious, and start something that you really want to build and own and run!
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Post by suctionhose on Jan 6, 2019 11:12:03 GMT
I wonder if some people lose momentum through choosing the wrong model to start? "Start off with something nice and simple to cut your teeth" - and you spend a few years working on something that you don't really want when it's finished. Be adventurous, be ambitious, and start something that you really want to build and own and run! There's a lot good sense in what you say here. I have made a lot of crap that I don't miss! That said, the gems that want to keep are products of that experience. The place to be is the right balance of ideal and achievable. Philosophical, yes. But all loco's have a boiler, cylinders, valve gear of some sort so it might well be something you like at the end!
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