Model Engineering Survey – What Do YOU make?

[Roy VaughnParticipant @royvaughn26060]

A question for Old School:  why do tether car builders use Zimmerman valves when the control line FAI speed flyers use crankshaft porting mainly, I believe, on the basis that it’s one less part to cause friction?  Roy

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

FAI speed flyers engines exhaust from the back of the engine with the crankshaft at the front.

Tether car engines exhaust at the front over the crankshaft with a pipe fitted and the tether arm over the crankshaft no room for an induction system hence Zimmerman and drum valve induction systems.

 

 

[Old SchoolParticipant @oldschool]

I run on cars at the British Model Flying Association National Centre it’s in Leicestershire located between Melton Mowbray and Grantham, more details on their website.

I also race cars in Europe which has an active following running under FEMA rules. The cars are modern streamliner.

[paul raynerParticipant @paulrayner36054]

1) Interested in stationary steam engines

2) just nearly finished 3x Thompstone engines, one for me one each for the grandkids. just the base to make and paint.

3) probably have a go at Jasons Eclipse replica then a steeple engine

4) Iv’e just retired so i’m hoping to spend more time in the workshop making engines, tooling and possibly some ic engines. I may join a club as well not sure which as there are 2 by me.

5) I also seem to be mending a lot of things nowadays

6) armchair mode mmm. toooo much.

[Mark EasingwoodParticipant @markeasingwood33578]

1. What’s your main interest?

Stationary Engines, Learning CAD, Learning Machining Metal, Tools/Tooling and Repairing Work related items.

2. Are you working on a major project? If so what, and for how long?

No.

3. What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

My “Art Deco” Elmer’s No.19.

4. What are you doing at the moment?

I have started making an Elbow Engine.

5. What do you plan to do next?

Maybe a Stirling Engine.

6. How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

That depends on Work, some weeks none, some weeks maybe 6 hours.

7. How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc..

As above, depends on Work, sometimes none, sometimes several hours. I do read most of the threads on the forum ‘tho.

8. Comments not covered by the above are welcome.

Perhaps your survey could have asked for the age range of respondents, and whether they are retired, or working full or part time? (I am in the 60-65 group, and working full time).

Mark.

[duncan webster 1]

On duncan webster 1 Said:

 

What’s ‘zimmerman’?

Didn’t he send a telegram….?

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Many thanks for replies!  Health permitting, I’m starting the next step, which is to collect and organise the data into a spreadsheet in hope of extracting areas of interest like “stationary steam engines”, “clocks”, “CAD” and “CAM”.

Although there are only 56 posts, rather than 5600, and the job could be done manually, it’s enough work to justify me trying to automate some of it.  As it will take a few good days to sort data collection out, it’s still OK to add more replies to this topic.   More the merrier.

Once I have the data, I’ll do the analysis, which I’m expecting to have hidden depths.   For example, this topic illustrates that forum members enjoy and tolerate thread drift, often with humorous intent, or demonstrating scholarship.   SimonDavies says of Zimmerman “Didn’t he send a telegram?”   A turning point in WW1, in which the British pulled an intelligence master-stroke, Germany was shown to be perfidious, and the USA found their foreign policy was dangerously naive, and joined the Allies.   The famous Zimmerman was Germany’s Foreign Secretary in 1917, and probably not a valve designing engineer.

Progress depends on how well I feel, and I’m all over the place at the moment.

🙁

Dave

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

And there was me thinking that Zimmerman was best known in model engineering circles for his various straight four Cirrus engines

Though I suppose it could also describe some more senior model engineers too. 😉

[Jan BParticipant @janb]

What’s your main interest?

Live steam locomotives 31/2” and 71/4 and toolmaking.

Are you working on a major project? If so what, and for how long?

Not at the moment.

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

The last project was a 31/2” Juliet that was completed last year. It was meant to be a quick build, but I made lots of modifications, so it took 10 years to complete, se picture below. No castings were used, all parts are fabricated and the only things bought are the pressure gauges.

What are you doing at the moment?

Designing a steam pump for Juliet, making some CAD drawings.

 

What do you plan to do next?

Building the pump. I also must fix the broken back gear on my Myford

Super 7.

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

That depends on Work, some weeks none, some weeks maybe 6 hours.

 

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading,

planning, CAD etc..

Depends on Work, sometimes none, sometimes several hours.

 

Jan B

 

[Jan BParticipant @janb]

[Charles LamontParticipant @charleslamont71117]

1) Anything really: steam (model & full size), IC engines, tools, woodworking, clocks

2) A Quorn. Also a power hacksaw refurb to finish off (and completing the ancillaries for a Westbury Seagull).

3) Last major project Westbury’s Seagull engine (has run but still bits & bobs to do), ‘any size’ includes smaller? a Stuart No 2 centrifugal pump, a faceplate balancer of my own design, a Hemingway Instrument Makers’ Vice.

4) That’s a way off, perhaps a Versatile Dividing Head, several ST casting sets under the bench

5) Up to about 10 hrs

6) Too much time on CAD and reading forums. Everything drawn, thought about, tweaked, re-evaluated in minute detail before ever cutting metal.

 

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Oh go on, then…

What’s your main interest?

Stationary steam engines, 3D printing and problem solving.

Are you working on a major project? If so what, and for how long?

I guess my Jovilabe, a unique project! I’ve been working on it for over eight years. And my ‘ancient engine’ which I have been working on for about 16 years. There are specific tasks (an engraved 10″ gear in 1/4″ brass and a number of lost-pla castings) that circumstances mean I haven’t been able to tackle holding up the two projects).

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

Last really sizeable projects were my 3 1/2″ G Hudswell Clarke diesel outline shunter (made almost completely during first six months of 2012!) and a 1/12 scale r/c model of Miss Great Britain II (the boat, not the lady…) that I revisited and completed a couple of years ago.

What are you doing at the moment?

Not having much opportunity to mangle metal, making models of all German tanks to end WW2 in 1:35, all WW2 jet and rocket aircraft and guided missiles in 1:72. I’m designing and 3D printing those where kits are scarce or just not obtainable.

What do you plan to do next?

Compete the 3D design for my Ju 287 which will take a few hours to do, then probably a few days adding minor inconsequential details… The LCD screen on my larger printer is worn out, so replacing that will be needed before I can print this large model, even in parts.

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

Presently, two or three, but mostly restricted to fixing things electrical or mechanical.

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc.

Lots.

Comments not covered by the above are welcome.

The last four years I’ve been caring for my dad and building a new workshop. His passing means a near halt for a few weeks but I will hopefully see more activity next spring. I have other projects up to around 22+ years old. Things are complicated by my other hobby being music and working hard to achieve a higher standard.

[Graham StoppaniParticipant @grahamstoppani46499]

What’s your main interest?

Restoring old Ducatis

Are you working on a major project? If so what, and for how long?
<p style=”text-align: left;”>No major projects, unless you include keeping old Ducatis roadworthy then I’ve been working on that project since 1983!</p>

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

couple of small production runs making lighting components for a client that involved making some of Harold Hall’s lathe accessories. Also making some wiring looms for clients

What are you doing at the moment?

Nothing, my nice new workshop / garage is full of stuff being stored 🙁

What do you plan to do next?

More wiring looms and making a batch of Ducati Darmah seat locating pins

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

Varies enormously, at the moment none. When I’m on a job days at a time.

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc.

again varies, depending on what Jobs I’m doing.

Comments not covered by the above are welcome.

I don’t make models but enjoy looking at other people’s work when I go to the Midlands Model Engineering Show each year.

[Steve CParticipant @stevec73837]

for my input as a youngster (57) biggest thing I have found is being judged at model engineering societies if you don’t build steam or diesel outline locomotives you are made to feel very awkward I have beeen actually told around 10 years ago “we are a steam locomotive club primarily I don’t know if you would be accepted” . I am interested in road going steam  my son who enjoys scale modelling and table top game modelling as well as 3D printing said blowem if that’s there attitude.

[Steve C]

On Steve C Said:

for my input as a youngster (57) biggest thing I have found is being judged at model engineering societies if you don’t build steam or diesel outline locomotives you are made to feel very awkward …

Similar happened to me.  Years ago at my local Exhibition, I was approached by a elderly gent who was trying to recruit new members for his Club.   He asked what my interests were, and my reply left him baffled.  Yer wot: Electronics? CAD/CAM? Computers?  To misquote Star Trek, I was engineering but not as we know it, Jim.   His closing sales pitch was ‘perhaps you could do a spreadsheet for collecting subs’.   Had travel been easier I’d have joined anyway, knowing that with patience clubs can be reformed from within, and that all clubs have members who would like to modernise; they need our help!   Unfortunately, new members are put off so successfully by cliques that the club dies with them.   Everyone who runs a club should be made to read ‘Tales From the Toolroom’…

Dave

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Progress Report.  Data captured, but the door is still open for more.

A quick scan indicates a wide range of interests.   Wondered about awarding a gold-star for best major project, but there are too many contenders!

Couple of observations:

• Bernard T said “Not responded to the survey as not sure what it would mean because the net you have cast only covers the forum users. why not do it officially and include mag subscribers and then what mags?. A downloadable proforma may elicit more responses. And a wider title Home Machinists?”   To which I reply, good idea, when can Bernard start work!    I limited the survey to the forum for practical reasons; not ideal.  Grateful for whatever forum members say, even though we are only a subset.
• Mark E suggested “Perhaps your survey could have asked for the age range of respondents, and whether they are retired, or working full or part time? (I am in the 60-65 group, and working full time).”   Yes, valuable information Mark, and I dithered over asking the question.   Wimped out because age is a sensitive topic and because I don’t want to explicitly ask for data that might cause a privacy issue.
• A number of regular posters have remained silent: I shall probably have to categorise them as ‘Armchair’.

I came a cropper trying to completely automate the analysis by scraping the topic with BeautifulSoup, and changed tack to computer-assisted.  Have write a few simple programs for that, so watch this space!

Thanks again.

Dave

[SillyOldDuffer]

On SillyOldDuffer Said:

[…]

A number of regular posters have remained silent: I shall probably have to categorise them as ‘Armchair’.

[…]

With a twinge of regret, I accept that categorisation.

MichaelG.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Just to say that this, and the other topic ‘seeded’ by SMEE members David and Martin were not solicited in order to better understand the readership ahead of the forthcoming changes. Nonetheless, they are fortuitously timed and I am reading them with great interest.

Neil

[Dave SParticipant @daves59043]

Well to avoid being labelled an Armchair Engineer I guess I should respond.

Im in the medium young (40-50) category as Dave was to polite to ask. 😉

 

What’s your main interest?  (If any!  Steam Engines, Repair work, Railway, Experimental, Clocks, electro-mechanical, Instruments, Tools,  Learning, CAD, 3D-printing, supporting other hobbies etc.)

Mechanical things. A mix of new ideas, I can repair that, I need a tool to do…

I’ve been 3D printing since my Raprap in 2012, and used CAD since earlier than that.

Are you working on a major project?

Several (it always goes that way…) The current most important one is the scratch built CNC. Then there is a clock, and the rebuild of a Porsche 968.

 

If so what, and for how long?
(Building a steam loco can take decades)

Think I’m 2 or 3 years in now. The first posts are in the CNC sub.

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

Not sure. Most of my projects that complete are small – I knocked out a couple of captive nuts as birthday presents, made some parts for daughters mountain biking etc.

Did build a tool grinder a couple years ago, when hand sharpening gravers became tedious.

Its the ability to “just make stuff” which is what I find useful.

What are you doing at the moment?

Wiring the CNC and making the stand/housing for it

What do you plan to do next?

Actually use the CNC to make some parts for a watch (fingers crossed it’s good enough)

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

Depends a little on the week, but usually a couple of hours an evening for 2-3 evenings a week.

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc.

Probably 10+ hours a week
Comments not covered by the above are welcome.

Dave

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

I have several locos on the go (sorry Jason no stationary engines unless you count ones for boats) and two clocks. Also have several lathes in need of TLC so could be counted a tool collector.
I am good at starting things not completing. What I do finish is projects at the Men’s Shed because they tend to have deadlines but that’s all wood so not relevant here and the Church which is using a lot of my time since retirement with no excuse to say ‘No’. The Food Bank and other Community activities uses up a lot of time too.
I also do stuff with electronics and 3Dprinting not relevant here.

About 24 hours a week in real workshop mode with a lot of teabreaks many of which I get sucked into checking this and another forum so an hour disappears.

Want to get better at CAD and make a CNC milling machine – I got some steppers years ago (1982) when I was building computers and robots. Anyone remember the London Computer Fairs.

[standardeightParticipant @standardeight]

What’s your main interest?

Learning, i love learning how others figure out how to make the things they make and then trying to, in my hamfisted manner, trying to do similar but worse.

I have a Southbend 9″ (1938 vintage), Colchester Master and just got a Bridgeport for my birthday.

Are you working on a major project?

Yes, stripping down the new to me BP, cleaning, repairing where necessary and investigating if i should have a go at re-scraping the slideways, fascinating process, but an easy way to wreck a machine if you get it wrong I’m thinking.

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?

Probably the conversion of the Master 2500 to VFD drive, i.e. three phase supply but the interesting bit was maintaining all the lathe controls as they were meant to operate. So conversion of the control circuits on the lathe to operate the digital inputs on the VFD. Miraculously it all seems to work!

What are you doing at the moment?

The BP work above and ongoing work to get the workshop up to snuff, been 3 years so far but getting there.

What do you plan to do next?

Look at getting the X and Y powered drives working on the BP, currently have the parts for the older system but looks like the modern units are significantly easier to fit.

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop.

Varies enormously, try to get one evening a week in, so 3ish hours and maybe a couple of hours at the weekend if i’m lucky.

Put a heat pump in the workshop so i could do bits in comfort in the winter then the electric cost went through the roof and it seems extravagant spending all that money to heat a workshop.

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc.

Lots, YouTube, books, forums like this. I suspect at least an hour a night.

Comments not covered by the above are welcome.

I am incredibly lucky to have a wife who tolerates and supports my addiction to cast iron to the point she jokes the reason we bought our current house is because of the 7mx7m workshop that is my joy.

She let me spend an inordinate amount of money uprating the power supply to it, it’s 90m ish from the house so a LOT of cable cost.

I love the learning, fiddling with machines figuring out how they work, why they don’t work and then fixing them, i think the machines is my biggest interest most of what i have made on the lathe is bits for the lathe.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Bit rough round the edges but here’s the initial top of the pops, 49 voices.  More work needed.

Various bugs – some double counting and undercounting, for example Colchester should add to the lathes count and doesn’t yet. Repair count is too low because fixing, mending, etc are synonyms. Should consolidate Hemmingway and Stuart should be counted as kits etc.  May have missed a few keywords too#, and will have to run the analyser again.  I also counted the last few entries manually, and might have messed up slightly.

Major projects will be tackled separately.

Don’t jump to conclusions – the sample is small, and self-selecting.   If anyone wishes to highlight an interest which has been missed the door is still open for more contributions.

Dave

# H*lls Bells – I missed ‘Motors’, score 10!

 

 

[Martin KyteParticipant @martinkyte99762]

Fascinating. OK given it’s a small sample size but so far probably the most data we have, engines far exceed loco’s and as many people make clocks as make loco’s. Mapping that onto ME content is not much of a fit.
Regards Martin

[Paul KempParticipant @paulkemp46892]

What’s your main interest?;  Has varied with age!  Started out as 5” and 3 1/2” rail steam, then wooden boat building (full-size!) then back to 5” rail steam, then full size rail steam, full size road steam and scale road steam all coupled with repair work on all manner of things but mainly mechanical.

Are you working on a major project?;  Half size (6” scale) single cylinder steam tractor (small traction engine).  Almost finished, it’s in running condition but needs tin work and a couple of other odd jobs completing.  Duration so far just over 8 years.

What was the last project of any size that you actually completed?;  Discounting the above a 4” scale Ruston and Proctor SD traction engine (completed 2012 if I remember right!).  I was the third owner of this allegedly 90% complete rather poor quality Winson kit!  Ended up stripping to a bare boiler, throwing half of the rest in the scrap bin and starting again.

What are you doing at the moment?;  Finishing the above half size ready to get out and about with it proper in 2025!

What do you plan to do next?;  Not decided yet!  Wife wants work done on the house, Landrover needs some TLC and I have a 5” gauge Hunslet 040 quarry tank in the early stages to finish, a 5” gauge modified Speedy to recommission (it’s the same age as me!), a 5” gauge Simplex started by my father to complete and I rather fancy building a small 7 1/4” gauge loco.  Then there is a raft of other projects such as the Juliet I started at age 14, or a host of other things that will probably take me more years than I have left!  I fancy thought in the near future I will be drawn into the restoration of a vintage lorry!

How many hours do you spend per week ‘doing’ in the workshop?;  Currently not as many as I would like and around 8 – 10.  Historically during the half size build an average of 15 but at some points up to 40!

How many hours do you spend per week in Armchair mode – reading, planning, CAD etc?;  Not many.  Probably 7 looking at forums (only minutes usually on this one) or browsing for materials etc.  I have tried a few CAD programs but can’t get on with them so most planning is done in the shed with a paper and pencil or in my head when stuck on mundane tasks!

Comments; I have been a (muddle) engineer from about age 14 when I moved from Airfix and Hornby to starting the Juliet as my school metalwork project having joined the local MES.  I have little to no interest in making tooling beyond items essential to complete a task in hand, the only decent tooling I have made is the old school apprentice training exercises like callipers, scribes, centre punch, spring plate vice, machine vice when serving my time at HM Dockyard, Chatham (still used today). Everything else is rudimentary jigs and fixtures that are fit for purpose rather than pleasing to the eye to achieve an objective or necessary maintenance and improvements to machine tools to maintain or improve accuracy or speed up production!  I fully intend to finish the Juliet one day when the bigger stuff gets too heavy and difficult to move around but hopefully that is some way off!  Looking forward to Q2 2025 when I will be mainly released from the professional projects I am currently involved with and getting more time on old school engineering!

Paul.

(edited to correct the poor formatting applied by the forum software)

[Roy VaughnParticipant @royvaughn26060]

Dave, I think you could usefully distinguish internal combustion engines.  Also model aircraft from “airplanes”.  Roy

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