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This topic has 7 replies, 6 voices, and was last updated 29 March 2025 at 15:42 by old fool.

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28 March 2025 at 07:33 #790886
sonic_m1etn
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@sonic_m1etn
Hiya,

New ME, well yes but no!!??

So did general engineering way back in college 1996, which involved a degree of mechanical and machine work. I’ve ultimately gone down the power electronics engineer route (I’m a DC systems, AC UPS and battery engineer for critical back up of industrial processes)

However always been interesting in model engineering, again back in late 1990’s my grandpa started building a 1.5″ Allchine, which he got so far then life events meant it was never finished. the unfinished project went off with other members of the family in 2009. I’d always enquired if anything was done over the years, but nothing.

Then last year out of the blue we asked and it came to me, so now I have the part machined part built item to work out what been done and to finally finish it 🙂

I have the space as well now in an old barn that I have converted to workshop, just working out what lathe etc. I know my grandpas Myford ML 7 is still with some family but I’m thinking of maybe a colchester student. as now my interest in ME is rekindled and the fact my son and one of my daughters are interested in steam, a bigger swing for bigger models might be better lol

Regards

Dan
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28 March 2025 at 08:23 #790893
David George 1
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@davidgeorge1
Hi Dan welcome to the forum. I have a small Drummond Myford M Type lathe and after having a career in toolmaking and service support I have had the use of many lathes and my lathe is a bit small and if I had the room something like a Colchester student would be welcome as well as a Bridgeport milling machine. A small CNC mill wouldn’t come amiss as well. For making an Allchine model you would need many other tools bending equipment , brazing etc so it may help to see if there is a local club which may help with tooling and information as well as asking on here as well.

David
28 March 2025 at 09:12 #790903
Bazyle
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@bazyle
Nice to see you Dan. This is a great place to get advice and encouragement with several traction engine builders who can give specialist advice.
See if you can get along to a local ME club for more support and often sources of tools and materials.

You will need a bigger shed too 🙂
28 March 2025 at 10:12 #790913
noel shelley
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@noelshelley55608
Welcome to the party Dan, Joining a local club will pay many dividends in advice and one day you will need the boiler tested if it is to be steamed. If you could get your hands on the ML7 it would be a great way to get started and most of the Allchin can be built on it. It may well be well equipped and this is an important point with a bigger lathe, accessories and tooling get expensive. If you don’t have a copy, there is a book by Hughes on building this engine, secondhand copies will be about. where abouts are you ? Good luck and best wishes. Noel
28 March 2025 at 13:31 #790939
sonic_m1etn
Participant
@sonic_m1etn
thanks all.

I have quite a few hand tools / drill press etc already for general engineering processes, have heat for heat treatment and silver soldering, can form formers to make any bends etc

Taps dies etc collected over the years doing odd bits and bob while fixing my land rovers.

The boilers is mainly done as in all flanged, it looks like I just need to make the fire box wrapper, and then silver solder it all together. Along with the parts also was the how to build book. I think grandpa bought a whole ‘kit’ castings, drawings and the book from reeves back in 1998. I think when he died in 2009 the parts went with the lathe to my uncle.

To be honest if my uncle offered my the myford i’d bite his hand off (may sound a bit strange to say but grandpa started the project on that one, so be nice to finish it on the same lathe), but i think it unlikely so something like a colchester student is what i’d be looking at, mainly as it seems a decent size if I want to do bigger things, as I remember they was the ones I used at college way back in ’96, think they had 3 or 4 in the college machine shop along with some mills but can’t remember what they were.

I’m sure i’ll be asking some questions along the way, and already looking if there are any clubs near me, or other model engineers. I’m located 10mile south of skegness.

Regards

Dan
28 March 2025 at 22:11 #790985
noel shelley
Participant
@noelshelley55608
By prior arrangement If I park on the cliffs at Hunstanton and flash my lights you should be able to see me. I’m across the Wash from you. Noel.
29 March 2025 at 03:27 #791001
larry phelan 1
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@larryphelan1
Hi Dan,

Just a quick word of advice ; You dont have to be mad to fit in here, but it helps !! Have fun and dont be afraid to ask.
29 March 2025 at 15:42 #791056
old fool
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@old-fool
Hi Dan,

Reading down the posts my interest spiked when you mentioned Land-Rovers, that was my path to insanity! I own a Colchester Gamet 6 1/2 which judging by the serial No. left the factory mid 50’s which I got for scrap price! In fact I had to pay the driver more to drop it in my yard rather than the scrap-yard. A few years back the health & safety rules changed and engineers were scrapping old machines like mad, don’t know if they’ve all dried up now. But might be an idea worth following. Mine came with boxes of accessories 3&4 jaw chucks, collet chuck, faceplate etc. etc.

On the L-R front I currently have 3. An ex. military 90, a 1952 80 and a coil-sprung trialer with the 2ltr mpi. engine. and currently none working! The 90 is having a re-vamp, the 80 has a duff engine and the trialer wants re-mapping. So my daily drive is a camper van.

Like you I spent most of my working life doing D.C. electrics. Mine was more mundane though I worked on maintinance for the local bus co. and gave up that life about the same time you were starting out. I gave up “the tools” late 90’s and went driving the things till I retired 12years ago.

My turning skills prior to getting my own lathe consisted of school metalwork lessons in the 60’s. So these folk have been a source of help and encouragement. I still don’t regard myself as a machinist but you can always get help on here. Remember everyone on here had a day when they were like us, knowing nothing!

Good luck Bob
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