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Post by Tel on Mar 24, 2008 18:55:27 GMT
Sad certainly AJ, but 'these days'? Society has always needed a bogey man to collectively hate. Witches, werewolves, reds-under-the-bed, currently paedophiles who, I suspect, are a lot thinner on the ground than the 'experts' would have us believe.
At least we're not burning them at the stake, that's something I guess.
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gugger
Active Member
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Post by gugger on Mar 24, 2008 19:37:11 GMT
"Well then, find me one that is suitable for a beginner. You do seem to forget that this is a very UK centric hobby." Maybe it is worthwhile to look once into the following forum: 27933.rapidforum.com/ However, to see the pictures you will have to register, which is not a problem. In that forum you will find simple engines built by beginners as well as top models built by top model engineers. There are also links to simple French or Dutch designs, ideal for the young ones. Myself, I was for about 25 years totally UK orientated. Walter
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Smifffy
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Post by Smifffy on Mar 24, 2008 20:33:05 GMT
I dunno Alan, I don't think society is really any different than it has ever been. The world has, did have and always will have, many weird, strange and dangerous people.
The difference between now and 50 years ago, is that there are many mechanisms in place to try and protect the young, vulnerable, etc.
Optimistic, me :-)
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
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Post by SteveW on Mar 24, 2008 21:22:31 GMT
The difference between now and 50 years ago, is that there are many mechanisms in place to try and protect the young, vulnerable, etc. The difference 50 years ago is that these folk only had a bike/cycle clips so remain local. My old man was a copper and I got regularly re-briefed on the subject. So nothing much has changed.
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Post by freddo on Mar 25, 2008 1:11:09 GMT
Like many other "eccentricities" of life, I do feel that there are a limited number of potential model engineers per generation, and only those who are encouraged to foster their enquiring minds of "how does that work" or nowadays "if a little Chinese girl can assemble this, I can damn well take it to bits and fix it!"
Parental stimulation has a lot to do with the production of the enquiring mind and TV and computer games have a great ability to suppress the trait.
So we must all keep trying to stimulate interest and ride out the multitudinous disappointments in the youth of today in the hope of finding one potential follower. Sometimes difficult to differentiate that one from the parasitic version who merely wants the use of your brain and equipment (engineering, I mean) for their own selfish ends.
I still think we're on the same track as the dinosaurs though!
Freddo
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Noddy
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Post by Noddy on Mar 25, 2008 13:25:15 GMT
Sad certainly AJ, but 'these days'? Society has always needed a bogey man to collectively hate. Witches, werewolves, reds-under-the-bed, currently paedophiles... Can we add "enquiring minds" to the list It might explain a lot of our "public protection fallac policies" I can see some point in vigilance. I attended Harrogate cop shop several times in '94 with a then girlfriend who was witness in the prosecution of a little creep of a swimming coach who had been re - employed, despite his activities being known, fortunately my girfriend was way more than a match for him, and way out of his preferred age range too. Unfortunately several pre and early teen girls weren't. He got (not enough) time inside. I'll give the little creep's name to anyone who's interested, just PM me. We don't want the reputation (or abuse) of the likes of the swimming organizations, or the Irish priesthood, but it sounds like the regs are OTT. P'raps teens are too early to try to catch as new recruits? how about 20's and 30's? Also, p'raps choo choos aren't the right vehicle for all (pun intended) We have plenty of cross over into robots, motor bikes and car engine re building to pass a youngster's "cool test", and the workshop is far more interesting than being dragged around the fashion shops every weekend Some would say the dinasaurs are still with us, they've just grown feathers. Keith
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tbsteam
E-xcellent poster
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Post by tbsteam on Mar 26, 2008 19:07:35 GMT
P'raps teens are too early to try to catch as new recruits? how about 20's and 30's? I think that is where you are wrong. I think you need to try and catch them as young as you can. For example,I am 17 now but i was hooked from when i was about 4 or 5. If you try encouraging a 20 or 30 year old,you would be lucky if they listened to the first sentance because they have got other things to worry about such as a family, a house, a car etc.
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steam4ian
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One good turn deserves another
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Post by steam4ian on Mar 26, 2008 19:45:33 GMT
G'day all. I think we should try and catch all ages. Whilst I started this topic with the younger people in mind I am aware of the dads we have come through our public days. Our club grounds are besieged by kid's birthday party groups and on each occasion there is a meaningful discussion with one or two of the fathers. I think we need to look at entry level activities or projects for all ages, hence the "no lathe" approach. Regarding those younger. The protective legislations can be a pain but they are also our protection in a litigious environment. In my part of Oz you can get a police clearance to work with young people, all teachers, church children's workers etc need it. I am sure a similar thing exists elsewhere. If we are serious about a programme with young people then we will get the appropriate cover. Our clubs would also need a "children's protection" policy. Surely this is no harder than some of the machining and other tasks we take on. We have nothing to loose but our hobby. Regards (from the soap box) Ian
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Post by havoc on Mar 27, 2008 11:06:27 GMT
While I agree that you have to catch them as young as possible I do feel that going after the 20-30 group has more chances of success.
When we have our open days the very young ones find it great to ride on the trains and to look at the smaller gauges running. But they rarely express interest to participate. However each time there are people asking about how it goes to start in the hobby. Those are always 20-30 or early pensioned ones (55-60).
The 20-30 group has just settled down after studies and has finally a place and income of their own. The 55-60 group has suddenly too much spare time. Both groups know this is a hobby that will take time, require some investment etc.
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Smifffy
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Post by Smifffy on Mar 27, 2008 16:28:01 GMT
Blimey Havoc, you are out of touch. Most people I know of that age group (I work in mobile telecomm's, so a relatively young workforce) are party animals who spend most of their free time and money pursuing sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. Damn, I wish I was in that age group Maybe in just involved with the wrong (right ?) Demographic ?
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Post by havoc on Mar 27, 2008 17:44:55 GMT
Are you talking about the 20-30 or the 55-60 group Smiffy? ;D Well, no doubt I'm out of touch as I'm doing ME, no time for the pursuits you mention. But if you it's the 55-60 group you're talking about I still have a chance!
No seriously, those are the ones that come to the table for a chat and show interest when we expose. Maybe they are also out of touch, who knows.
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Smifffy
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Post by Smifffy on Mar 27, 2008 18:17:38 GMT
I live in the (misplaced) hope that it's the 55-60 years group. I'll have something to look forward to
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Noddy
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Post by Noddy on Mar 27, 2008 18:39:58 GMT
...Most people I know of that age group (I work in mobile telecomm's, so a relatively young workforce) are party animals who spend most of their free time and money pursuing sex, drugs and rock'n'roll. If they're spending all that time and money pursuing it then they mustn't be finding as much of it as us older folks are.... Keith
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Post by Tel on Mar 27, 2008 18:58:55 GMT
In my part of Oz you can get a police clearance to work with young people, all teachers, church children's workers etc need it. I am sure a similar thing exists elsewhere. If we are serious about a programme with young people then we will get the appropriate cover. Can't say I'm in favour of going down this road - smacks too much of Naziism to me and gives the jack-booted ones another lever to use - sometimes at whim.
Besides, a police clearance doesn't guarantee that you are not a paedophile, just that you haven't been caught yet (perhaps)
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lancelot
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Post by lancelot on Mar 27, 2008 20:01:01 GMT
I have just discovered that we do not have any worries with regard to the young being interested in model engineering...my grandchildren were down on Saturday, the two oldest headed immediately for the computer...after a bit of who watched what the 8 year old settled down to watching ''C BEEBIES''...we were sitting having a cuppa when she marched in to the room demanding to know if I ''Had 2000'' when asked what she meant ...''Word 2000'' she replied...so I showed her how to access it and left her to it,about 1/2 hour later she appears with a Easter card printed out using Word Art Colours with all the bells and whistles...She then wanted to look at the ''Place where the Steam engines were made''.....OOO/K.....so after another 1/2 hour of quiet, she reappeared saying ''I am going to build one of those big trains''...NO ...Definitely nothing to worry about... All the best for now, John.
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Post by ausdan on Mar 27, 2008 23:06:15 GMT
Reading over the post, we could also look at how to encourage our fellow members...there must be a large amount who are in the hobby, brought a drawing and a casting and some 10yrs later still at the same stage. If it is strong club with ample models, I would assume it may attract more attention from people looking to get into a hobby of some sought.
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ianmac
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Post by ianmac on Apr 8, 2008 3:10:59 GMT
This thread was long burried however the one simplest thing that might stop young modelers is the outdated plans.
No work has been done on these plans apart from fixing errors i guess since day dot. The plans need to be redrawn to accomodate a new breed of model engineers
I know when i picked up the plans for the first time i though OH goodie imperial. What the hell is a 1/32 or a 5/16
its now simple for me to work out what i want
1 divided by 32 = 0.03125 x 25.4 = 0.793mm so 0.8mm is close enough
I just cant work in imperial.....strains the grey matter too much.
This is probably not an easy thing to do as it would require many man hours to achieve but going forward the suppliers should look at this.
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Post by alanstepney on Apr 8, 2008 3:25:57 GMT
1 divided by 32 = 0.03125 x 25.4 = 0.793mm so 8mm is close enoughErrrum, no it isnt. Try 0.8mm, which, for many things will be close enough to 1/32" I just cant work in imperial.....strains the grey matter too much.Why not pin a simple chart near your workbench. Either work it out with Excel or similar, or else copy it from www.alanstepney.info/page72.htmlquote]
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ianmac
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Post by ianmac on Apr 8, 2008 5:19:37 GMT
That explains why it wont fit onto gauge 1 track! ;D
Your absolutly Right and i will now change that figure so no one see its ;D
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Post by circlip on Apr 8, 2008 5:56:40 GMT
Have to keep plugging it, GERRA ZEUS! And no I don't have any affiliations.
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