Hi Everyone!

[Heffalump]

Hello Chaps,

I just thought I'd introduce myself, I think I'm going to be asking a lot of questions in the near future. My name is Jim and after studying to be a motorsport engineer a few years ago I ended up working in the health service, and now my new job as a quality engineer for a company which makes cable assemblies. After enjoying machining and fabricating at college, and always having loved static engines (steam, beam, large IC, you name it) I decided I'd love to try making my own. I'll be doing my work in a small machine shop at work in my lunch times, with access to a Harrison M250 lathe, a Bridgeport series 1 2hp mill, pillar drill, grinding wheel, band saw etc. I think I have probably forgotten nearly everything I learned about machining, but I can't wait to get stuck in again.

I am thinking of making this as my first project: http://www.steves-workshop.co.uk/steammodels/simpleoscil/simpleoscil.htm

Do you think this is a good idea?

I will have many many questions and I hope you can put up with me!

Thanks

 

[Swifty]

Hi Jim, welcome, there is a special welcome page if you want to post there as well. The engine looks like a nice one to start with.

Paul.

 

[goldstar31]

Welcome! But why the 'Erk' in your avatar?

Regards

Norman

 

[Tin Falcon]

Welcome to the forum.

Hi Jim, welcome, there is a special welcome page if you want to post there as well.

No worries I just moved this thread to the welcome sub fora. So it is now in the proper place.

This thread getting Started in model engineering should give some direction and at least help you know what questions to ask.
Getting started in model engine building

Selecting a first engine to build

And reading The rules
will give guidance of what is expected here.


The link you posted should be an excellent first build.
I usually suggest this one in my first build list

LMS Oscillating engine

Looks to be very similar. The one I posted is more american in design as it uses US series fasteners and dimensions are imperial /inch.
my suggestion look closely at both and pick the one that you are more comfortable with and makes sense to you..
While white lines on blue or black have a nostalgic appearance they play havoc when printed on a modern computer printer and suck the ink dry.
so you may want to use the first plan set but redraw. Hope I am not complicating your plans here But thinking out loud.

Tin

 

[Heffalump]

Hi Jim, welcome, there is a special welcome page if you want to post there as well. The engine looks like a nice one to start with.

Paul.

Thanks Paul, I've found it now that Tin has moved my post! I think I was lucky to find these engine plans, as they are quite comprehensive. I'm looking forward to getting started.

Welcome! But why the 'Erk' in your avatar?

Regards

Norman

Thanks Norman, Erk?

Welcome to the forum.


No worries I just moved this thread to the welcome sub fora. So it is now in the proper place.

This thread getting Started in model engineering should give some direction and at least help you know what questions to ask.
Getting started in model engine building

Selecting a first engine to build

And reading The rules
will give guidance of what is expected here.


The link you posted should be an excellent first build.
I usually suggest this one in my first build list

LMS Oscillating engine

Looks to be very similar. The one I posted is more american in design as it uses US series fasteners and dimensions are imperial /inch.
my suggestion look closely at both and pick the one that you are more comfortable with and makes sense to you..
While white lines on blue or black have a nostalgic appearance they play havoc when printed on a modern computer printer and suck the ink dry.
so you may want to use the first plan set but redraw. Hope I am not complicating your plans here But thinking out loud.

Tin

Hiya Tin thanks for moving my post. Those links are really useful thank you, I'm finding more and more all the time, looking around and tinkering with the machines in the shop I'm slowly remembering how to get the tools set up, I'm sure I'll be turning chips soon, I may start a WIP thread.

That engine does look very similar, I'm happier working in metric so I think I will stick with the one I have, for now at least! I'm thinking about some small embellishments to the plan such as a recessed flywheel etc.

Yes I did wonder about the best way to print the plans, I was going to re-draw but I think if I just invert the colours I should be fine!

I've looked through all the drawings and drafted a BOM of sorts, with the three materials I need and all the different sizes, I need to start buying now! I'm not sure where to buy from though, are internet shops a good bet?

 

[Tin Falcon]

I've looked through all the drawings and drafted a BOM of sorts, with the three materials I need and all the different sizes, I need to start buying now! I'm not sure where to buy from though, are internet shops a good bet?

This is another question kicked around here a bit. There are several good cut to size suppliers here in the use and IIRC they will stuff a kit in a flat rate shipping box.
Do not know about the uK. Maybe the guys that work in your shop will help you out. In the past some of the shops I worked in allowed the employees to have reasonable amounts of training material drops, shorts, scrap, whatever you want to call it.
Tin

 

[goldstar31]

Well 'Erk' is the abbreviated slang word for the rank of 'Aircraftsman' in the Royal Air Force .

Be that as it may, I hope that you will enjoy your machining whilst I remain intrigued!

Regards

Norman

 

[Heffalump]

Well 'Erk' is the abbreviated slang word for the rank of 'Aircraftsman' in the Royal Air Force .

Be that as it may, I hope that you will enjoy your machining whilst I remain intrigued!

Regards

Norman

Now that is one I've never heard! That is me - but I must point out I'm not a regular, I'm an instructor in the cadet forces.

I'm really looking forward to getting started, thanks!

 

[AussieJimG]

Welcome Jim, it sounds like you have access to a good workshop.

Jim

 

[Tin Falcon]

That is me - but I must point out I'm not a regular, I'm an instructor in the cadet forces.

Nothing wrong with that. I spent a total of 24 years in the US reserve forces. 6 years Army guard communications. 11 Years Air guard, Instructor on the firing range and the rest In aircraft maintenance welding machining and sheet metal /painting.
Enjoy!! the years fly bye.
Tin

 

[BaronJ]

Hi Jim,
Welcome to the forums.
I've not been around here too long but there are a lot of good people, generous with help and good advice. I've learned a lot.

The engine you have picked out should be an interesting build. I'm sure that we all would like to note your progress. So photos please.

 

[mikbul]

Hello Jim, sounds like you're exited to get machining again. Nice that you can use the base machine shop. Spent some time at Fort Hood Texas on the XM1 Battle Tank. Now it's the M1 Abrams. They had a few good sized machines in the shop there.
Welcome again,
Mikbul

 

[Heffalump]

Welcome Jim, it sounds like you have access to a good workshop.

Jim

Thanks Jim, it's not a scratch on my old college shop, there were lathes and mills coming out of our ears! All second hand from industry so real powerful bits of kit.

Nothing wrong with that. I spent a total of 24 years in the US reserve forces. 6 years Army guard communications. 11 Years Air guard, Instructor on the firing range and the rest In aircraft maintenance welding machining and sheet metal /painting.
Enjoy!! the years fly bye.
Tin

Wow that's some background! I don't get to do much interesting stuff with the cadets, mostly teaching syllabus training and drill (goes with the rank I suppose) but every now and then I get to go up in a glider, and I'm a range officer too I enjoy it and it sure as hell beats the day job!

Hi Jim,
Welcome to the forums.
I've not been around here too long but there are a lot of good people, generous with help and good advice. I've learned a lot.

The engine you have picked out should be an interesting build. I'm sure that we all would like to note your progress. So photos please.

Thanks BaronJ, I've had a really nice welcome which has possibly upped my enthusiasm even more. I'm no Keith500 but I'll take plenty of photos and start up a WIP thread

Hello Jim, sounds like you're exited to get machining again. Nice that you can use the base machine shop. Spent some time at Fort Hood Texas on the XM1 Battle Tank. Now it's the M1 Abrams. They had a few good sized machines in the shop there.
Welcome again,
Mikbul

Hi Mikbul, I sure am! Now I bet those are some real machines used to make those, proper heavy machinery. The shop isn't on the base but at my day job, it's a smallish factory, the company makes cable assemblies, and here we do mainly prototyping and first articles for inspection, before we move the main build over to one of our production plants. I'm just a quality engineer but walking past the machine shop every day has got me itching!