Hi, my name is Aaron and I'm from Tucson Arizona. I've been lurking for awhile here and finally decided to sign up a couple days ago. Lots of really great info here. It may be quite awhile before I get around to building any model engines as most of my free time to machine is spent building custom weight training equipment for my other hobby. I currently work in IT but my first career was as a machinist. Its been close to 15years now since I worked in that capacity though and I'm sure I have forgotten much. I do the occasional fab work at home though and enjoy the problem solving aspect now as much as I ever did. I have a few basic tools and do my best to make do with what I have until I can save up enough to get a decent workshop built in the back yard. A short list of tools includes a Southbend 10k Lathe that I am working on bringing back to full functionality, a 7x10 mini - lathe I will probably get rid of once the SB is done, Small drill press with x-y table, Mig and Oxy welding equipment plus the skills to use them, Hand tools, belt sander, etc. Also have lots of other tools but those are likely the relevant ones.
I took metalshop in HS and competed in the Vocational skill contests in machining before and during my machinist apprenticeship. I won the AZ state contest in 1991 and 1992 as well as the Nationals both of those years in Precision Machining in VICA (Vocational Industrial clubs of America). I also competed in the International Trials with a specialty of the Lathe at the IMTS show in Chicago getting 2nd. I apprenticed in the Toolroom at the Garrett Engine Division in Phoenix for a couple of years before heading off to college as well and worked summers and a few years after as a machinist in various roles at a couple medium sized shops. Working as equipment repairman, Toolmaker, CNC lathe setup, programmer, operator, QC, even shift foreman for a bit. I got out of the Aerospace industry mostly due to the conditions but still love to make things for myself. I worked towards a Mechanical Engineering degree for a couple years in college but changed tracks about halfway through. I have some basic experience with electronics and have designed and made simple circuit boards and done some micro-controller firmware coding for my own Fitness related projects. As far as model engine experience goes though, my experience is pretty slim. I worked on building a small 1 cylinder 4 cycle overhead cam engine when I was apprenticing 20yrs ago. Never finished it as I moved on before it was done and did not have all the knowledge and skills yet anyway to work out all the details on my own. Later I learned much though building and modifying VW engines while in college. I understand the basics of how air-cooled motors work alot better than I did and had even built quite a few custom components when I was still into that many years ago.
I am an expert in nothing but have some experience in many different disciplines I guess is my point. The wonderful thing about machining is there is always another way to do something and I still learn new ways to do something than I would have thought to do it all the time via forums like this and the PM forum I also frequent. I hope to be able to contribute some on the forum and thanks for the wonderful community you guys seem to have here.
Thanks,
Aaron
I took metalshop in HS and competed in the Vocational skill contests in machining before and during my machinist apprenticeship. I won the AZ state contest in 1991 and 1992 as well as the Nationals both of those years in Precision Machining in VICA (Vocational Industrial clubs of America). I also competed in the International Trials with a specialty of the Lathe at the IMTS show in Chicago getting 2nd. I apprenticed in the Toolroom at the Garrett Engine Division in Phoenix for a couple of years before heading off to college as well and worked summers and a few years after as a machinist in various roles at a couple medium sized shops. Working as equipment repairman, Toolmaker, CNC lathe setup, programmer, operator, QC, even shift foreman for a bit. I got out of the Aerospace industry mostly due to the conditions but still love to make things for myself. I worked towards a Mechanical Engineering degree for a couple years in college but changed tracks about halfway through. I have some basic experience with electronics and have designed and made simple circuit boards and done some micro-controller firmware coding for my own Fitness related projects. As far as model engine experience goes though, my experience is pretty slim. I worked on building a small 1 cylinder 4 cycle overhead cam engine when I was apprenticing 20yrs ago. Never finished it as I moved on before it was done and did not have all the knowledge and skills yet anyway to work out all the details on my own. Later I learned much though building and modifying VW engines while in college. I understand the basics of how air-cooled motors work alot better than I did and had even built quite a few custom components when I was still into that many years ago.
I am an expert in nothing but have some experience in many different disciplines I guess is my point. The wonderful thing about machining is there is always another way to do something and I still learn new ways to do something than I would have thought to do it all the time via forums like this and the PM forum I also frequent. I hope to be able to contribute some on the forum and thanks for the wonderful community you guys seem to have here.
Thanks,
Aaron
