Old craftsman – hope to become new “Model Engineer”

[DoddyParticipant @doddy]

[DoddyParticipant @doddy]

Old craftsman – hope to become new “Model Engineer”

 having worked in heavy engineering for 28 years, I thought it was time to set up a workshop at home and resurrect those old fitting and machining skills that I’m losing as modern working makes me more and more desk bound !

So having just ordered a lathe, milling machine and band saw to start off with (many thanks to Roger, Kaye and Linsey) I thought I might start to share with others via this forum my experiences.

Hope to add some photos and tales of joy and no doubt woe of my small and modest workshop as it builds

[The HarperParticipant @theharper]

Good luck with your workshop David.

 

I know exactly where you are coming from as far as work moving away from my skills is concerned. I have had my ‘machine’ side of my workshop for nearly 4 years now and have thoroughly enjoyed getting back to designing, making and fitting all sorts of bits and pieces (see pics for some). Which, I must say, is why I got into engineering in the first place, making things.

 

You might want to consider a bench or pillar drill too, I have found mine invaluable. The trouble with working in the engineering industry is that you are spoilt at work, so you have greater expectations of your own kit and a bigger shopping list of tooling you would like at home. Hey, but it is fun and I get from under ‘her indoors’ feet.!

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

Yes,

 

you definitely need a drilling machine.   You can do it in the mill, but its easier in a dedicated machine.

 

Regards

Geoff

[CirclipParticipant @circlip]

One of the problems of being a smart A*se and getting promotion in engineering David is that the “Government” usage of the machine tools that we were brought up on is restricted to lunch breaks if you don’t have your own toymaking factory at home.

 

  Know exactly where you are coming from on this one as I didn’t find it neccesary to buy my own lathe untill I was in my forties despite replacing all the plated and bright parts with Stainless Steel on a Guzzi motorbike before I got the lathe.

 

  Regards Ian.

Edited By Circlip on 11/09/2009 13:00:17

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