Hello from India

[Nikhil Bhale]

Hi,
I am Nikhil, a marine engineer by profession.
I have been working on ships as an engineer for last 20 years.
I have been visiting this site for last 5 or so years but signed up today.
I made my first model a Stirling Engine when i was studying engineering. It worked but required a lot of heat.
I then tried to make a steam engine on ships machinery but could not find time.
I bought a Seig C4 lathe 2-3 years back and made some steam engines. Could not really run them as I don't have access to boiler or air compressor at home. I made most of it from zinc that i liberated from ship stock.

Its difficult to get material for project in India at least where I live. And DIY or home machine shop culture has negligible presence here.

I have ordered 2 casting kits from PM Research for my next project.
I am also planning to buy a Seig mill.

Regards
Nikhil

 

[deverett]

Welcome to the forum, Nikhil.
Being a marine engineer, you will have a good grounding in things mechanical and getting your first engine - a Stirling - to run is a great achievement.
If you have any questions regarding future projects, just ask. There are plenty of experienced and helpful folk on this forum.

Dave
The Emerald Isle

 

[josodl1953]

Hi Nikhil,
Maybe you should look around at scrapyards for derelict machinery. Parts from old machines ( for instance shafts) are a good source for quality materials.

Jos

 

[awake]

Welcome, Nikhil! What part of India? I was able to spend a couple of weeks in south (Kerala) a few years ago, and keep hoping to get another opportunity to visit more of the country.

 

[TonyM]

Welcome Nikhil. I spent a year overseeing the building of a factory and associated machinery in Daman. I know what you mean regarding materials, absolutely nothing is wasted or thrown away.

 

[Apprentice707]

Welcome Nikhil, Although I have access to good materials in the UK and the USA I enjoy using recycled materials as much as possible. I consider it part of the enjoyment. You will soon work it out.
Best Regards

B

 

[Nikhil Bhale]

Hi,
Thanks for your replies and advise.

regards
Nikhil

 

[Nikhil Bhale]

Welcome, Nikhil! What part of India? I was able to spend a couple of weeks in south (Kerala) a few years ago, and keep hoping to get another opportunity to visit more of the country.

Hi,
I am from Vidharba region in central india.
We have several tiger reserves located inour region.
If you come to India do visit here.

regards
Nikhil

 

[Jennifer Edwards]

Hello Nikhil,

Welcome to our great group. I am glad you decided to create an account and participate.

I can often be found at our local scrap yard looking for materials to use. I do not wait until I have a specific requirement, rather I just stop by the scrap yard every few weeks to see what they have taken in recently that I may use.

For example whenever I come across a usable bit of bronze, brass, cast iron bar or nice steel I will grab a bit and toss it in my “bone box”. I feel it is better to pay scrap price for a little material I may never need instead of paying ten times as much for a specific piece of material for a project.

As for your milling machine goes: I use the Axminster flavour of Sieg machines and am quite satisfied with their “bang for the buck”.

My mill is the SX2, which I find perfect for the model engineering I engage in. Just right for my small shop.

Once again Welcome,
Jenny

 

[rk662003]

Welcome to the group Nikhil. I am from Secunderabad. Have been lurking in this group for a long time now.
rk