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I use a 4 jaw self-centering chuck as my default chuck since it gives a better grip on round stock than a 3 jaw sc chuck and will also deal with square stock easily. About the only time I use a 3 jaw sc chuck is for hexagon stock. My independent 4 jaw is not used very much and I also use Myford...

That looks like a quality job. I have made a few engines over the years and I am always so pleased with myself when they run for the first time, like I won a Gold medal or something. A big thank you to my old metalwork master for introducing me to small steam engines. Thanks for sharing weowance.

Walt Disney was a "Live Steamer" and had a fascination for all railroads and models so perhaps this is a link to that. The thought of a beam engined locomotive certainly interests me. Cheers B

Very interesting model, is that an 18 mm plug hole or have I got the scale wrong? Good luck with the project B

If it is a round bar you wish to turn I suggest using a genuine Myford system collet. I have never had any problems with one of those coming loose. The ER system may be good too, but I have never tried that. Good Luck B

I have used my Chinese made band saw for many years, it has been great except in the beginning it used to break blades with great regularity, this was both tiresome and expensive. I grasped the nettle and bought a variable pitch bimetal blade which has solved all my problems. They may be a bit...

Thanks, Hengeveld.gerard, you are so right, I have it on my favourites and the eyes aren't what they used to be. If you are looking for a good book on Model Engine Making there is an excellent reprint of that title available from Amazon ISBN-10: 1-5107-0546-5 I love old books about steam...

I imagine so, the reprint ISBN is 1-55918-312-8 if that helps. Cheers B

I am finding this thread very interesting. I have been involved with Engineering and Model Engineering for the whole of my life (I am now 73). I was encouraged by my father and started my first engine build at the age of 12. I received a Stuart No 10 horizontal casting set for my 12th birthday...

Hello Jenny, You may laugh at this but I bought a set of number drills from Harbor Freight some years ago when visiting Florida. I have had few problems and have only had to replace 2 I broke by misuse. It is important to keep them sharp and lubricated. I bought the replacements from Chronos...

Hello Glen, welcome to a lovely corner of the world.

I have replaced all the fluorescent tubes in my UK workshop with LED tubes I bought from Aldi about 18 months ago. They have proved reliable and effective so far and have cut my running costs. The numerous task lights I have around the place have also been replaced with LED bulbs bought from...

Good article DJP, if machining and making things is your hobby, you set your own standards to "Please You" and no one else. Most of us work to a budget, we would be a fool not to. Love this hobby when I get the urge to "Cut Metal" to hell with critics that is what I do.

I recently bought a very nice set of American small size taps and dies from Chronos, about £32 if I remember rightly.

Oops the great North/South divide!!

Arbour??? 2 or 3 MT

Hello Jenny, welcome good to see a lady ingineer amongst our ranks. I have thought about relocating my machines to the conservatory, but domestic management put a veto on it!! My only real comment is why would you trade the climate of Tampa for Bridlington?? Must be a romantic thing. Good luck B

The faceplates supplied with a Myford ML8 wood turning lathe are made of aluminium and now being over 50 years old the threads have seized up on many occasions and have to be reshaped with a tap. I made my backplates out of steel or cast iron. Try online shopping sites for seasoned cast iron...

Thanks Shipdisturber Sorry there are no drawings I made it up as I went along. I have used a Chinese drill press as the basis for another useful machine, again no drawings. It is a tapping jig, I am sure you can work out what I did, but will publish a picture when I return to my workshop in a...

I have bought carbide tips direct from China and the holders that go with them. They perform well for roughing and first cuts on castings, but I still use a well ground HSS for a good finish and accurate size. I have a Myford Super Seven with a quick change toolpost. I also have a Chinese made...