Welcome to the forum 'G'.

Never thought of Model Engineering being an extreme sport, but now you mention it the sheer terror when the last operation on a complex part could ruin it must be part of the fun! A flood of pleasure or rage depending on what happens next – you certainly know you're alive.

Feel free to ask questions and please publish some photos as you make progress: HOWTO here.

Fifty is quite young. Some of us think boys of 50 should still be in short trousers!

Dave

Hello Geraint and welcome. Don't worry about slip-ups, it's the way we learn. I've been model engineering for around 50 years and recently had to have 7 goes at making 2 identical items!

Metal spinning is a bit of a specialist thing which many would shy away from. I'm fortunate as I got involved with metal spinning with work (not doing it but ensuring that a sub contract company had the procedures to ensure that 'our' metal was not mixed with anyone else's for military aviation work.

I picked as many operators brains as possible to understand the process and later used it to produce a part for a 3" Marshall road roller.

So, if you have ANY questions please put them on here, we're mostly a friendly and helpful bunch.

Brian

Welcome Geraint.

I am still newish to this sort of hobby. I spend more time looking & thinking about making things than actually doing the job. Others will tell you to measure & then measure again. You can not do that too many times. Also if working to the thou, then remember the piece of material you are machining gets hot. It's amazing how much the work expands. So always make sure you measure at room temp & not when hot. Ask me how i know.

You will also find when you decide on an idea to make something. You will have to make something else to make that possible. Fantastic hobby. I love working on the Lathe & Milling machine. I am sure you will too.

Steve.