Introduction from Oaksey (Where?)

[Graham SwalesParticipant @grahamswales]

[Graham SwalesParticipant @grahamswales]

As a long time lurker, the time seems right to jump in with both feet and properly introduce myself. Have been involved in engineering all my life, ranging from shipbuilding, railway signalling and light and heavy engineering manufacturing. Currently the Works Manager for a company manufacturing bespoke blowers and compressors.

Have dabbled in model engineering fro years, initially in 16mm narrow gauge in the early 80's, then becoming sidetracked with the construction of a Suffolk dredging tractor…. Have restored a number of commercial vehicles and then returned to 16mm narrow gauge modelling with a move to a small country cottage. Have built a number of steam locomotives in this scale but with declining eyesight and the onset of arthritis in my hands have decided to go bigger.

Have recently started a 3" scale Simplicity steam roller and am fabricating where possible to avoid the costs of castings. Having a large scrap bin at work helps with this means of working! Ignoring the tooling at work -although again handy "at times", I have a well equipped workshop at home with a Warco 918 lathe which has served me well over the years, recently acquired a Chipmaster lathe with full tooling which just needs wiring in (awaiting the inverter), a Myford VMC and Fobco drill and all the usual collection of hand tools collected over the years.

Hope I can pass on information from a manufacturing perspective as opposed to the "modelling norm".

Thanks for reading this far. Graham

PS – Oaksey > 7 miles south of Cirencester, Wiltshire / Gloucester border….

[MWParticipant @mw27036]

Sounds like a lovely area of the country to hail from, can't say I've heard of it though!

Industry experience is always interesting to hear, and probably the main source of a lot of ideas for model engineering. Sounds like you're already geared up for some big model kit!

Welcome to the forum.

Michael W

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Welcome to the forum Graham, I'm sure you will make a valued contribution.

Neil

[JAParticipant @ja]

Graham

Oaksey airfield. I had two glorious picnics there at the height of summer on the local round table yearly old vehicles run ten or so years ago (consecutive years).

Welcome and I hope you find the forum interesting.

JA

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