Horizontal twin paddler engine

[malcolmbeak]

Hello John
I intend going to the exhibition this Saturday.
For purposes of recognition (rather than trying to frighten you) I've added my picture.
Malcolm

[bogstandard]

Hi Malcolm.

If I make it, I will keep an eye out. I will only be able to manage a couple of hours, so I will be away by about one'ish.

Been to the quacks this morning to see about a walking aid, seems like I have to be measured up for it, so that will most probably take a few months. So it looks like I will have to mug someone and pinch theirs if I am going to make it to the show.

I use these shows as a meeting place for friends I have made over the years, getting very few now, lack of breathing has caught up with a lot of them, and it seems very few youngsters are taking it on, they want instant gratification, and machining doesn't do it fast enough for them.
I suppose it will be all CNC soon. Draw it, stick a bit of metal to a table, press a button, job done.


John

[steamboatmodel]

......................
I suppose it will be all CNC soon. Draw it, stick a bit of metal to a table, press a button, job done.


John

If it was that simple John I would not have spent 2 years at college, plus a couple of years actually figuring out how to really do it on the Job. I will admit that once you get a program and machine set up it can be as simple as pressing a button. I also feel that the way training is done here is wrong, I think that to qualify as a CNC Machine Operator or Programmer that you should be a Qualified Machinist first. End Of Rant.
Regards,
Gerald
PS When you said you were going to try to get crutches to go to the show with you motorbike, it brought back visions of an old acquaintance who had a trailer made for his motorbike that he carried his electric wheelchair on.

[bogstandard]

Hi Gerald,

I wasn't trying to belittle CNC in any way at all, it was just a way of getting it across that manual machining is now becoming a dying art. Most backstreets used to have a man in a shop who could repair almost anything, within usually a couple of hours, and for a price that was affordable. Now sadly all gone, but I am trying to resurrect it in my own way, just to keep the my workshop running, as I don't allow the shop to take anything from my normal living expenses. If it can't earn it's keep, it doesn't run.

BTW, I already have a trailer, but don't need a wheelchair just yet.

John

[antopia]

Hi John and group,

"I suppose it will be all CNC soon. Draw it, stick a bit of metal to a table, press a button, job done"

It does seem that people want cnc for everything arc eurotrade have proved this with there cnc range, looked good at the
harrogate exhibition.
manual machining still has its place,I still repair all sorts of items at work not as much as 15 years ago but still have to
pull the rabbit out the hat I would think about 1 or 2 times a month

at home I have an old shaper chosen for what it can do and not very expensive so I don't require expensive milling cutters ,just use simple
lathe tools and can get a better finish with a shaper than a miller,it gives me the chance to make all my own tooling
which is what it does ok its not as quick but it works well even turns into a simple surface grinder/drill press with various adapters
I have a very small budget in my workshop so item have to be worthwhile or a I won't buy it or b I won't make it. 

Regards
Steven

[bogstandard]

Steven,

That is one of the reasons for going to the show, John Stevenson did all the prelim work for Arc Euro Seig CNC machinery, plus he has designed a lot of the special tooling they sell, and he will be giving lectures about CNC over the weekend, I am just going because he is a mate to be seen.

Manual machining is now being recognised by the government as a thing to be taught again, the grandson is now doing the latest government thing at school, this is the first year, so they are guinea pigs. The only prob is, they closed down all the workshops and got rid of the machinery a few years ago. Now they are running round like chickens with no heads trying to get workshops set up again. The only problem is they can't get the skilled people with teaching qualifications to run the courses. So they are farming the students out to places that have teaching facilities. An hours trip each way, just to maybe get to use a machine for an hour, most times not. Shown how to do it, but no hands on.
The grandson is lucky, he will get one to one tuition for as long as he likes, not just an hour a week. If all goes well, after 3 years, he will be one of the 'skilled' ones, and in great demand.

Anyway, this is going way off topic, are you lot still trying to decide?

John

[steamboatmodel]

Hi Steven,
One of the first machines I learned to use was a Shaper, they make a lovely sound when running (the shop would not hire anyone as an Apprentice just general help).
Hi John,
I realize on rereading my post I may have been a bit strong, my apologies. I hope you do get to the show I looked at the link and it looks very interesting. I am glad to here that they are recognising that manual machining needs to be taught again. Unfortunately they haven't realized that over here yet. As for deciding I have already voted and unlike some Political Parties we can't "Vote early Vote Offten" (We are having a General Federal Election today).
Regards,
Gerald

[Red_Hamish]

Hi John, just say when you want the poll to be locked and Eddy or I can do that for you. That'll let you get your design finalised and into production sooner  There ususally is a time limit set on polls when the poll is added so I expect to come back from holiday to find out what you are going to be building.

cheers

Jim

[bogstandard]

No problems Jim,

Just let it run it's course. I have a bit to do before this anyway.

Lets just keep the members happy.


John

[derekwarner_decoy]

Goodness PD's ... but.........just because I was the first [with first sunlight] to vote for the [real full size] ....does not mean that bogstandard will accept our vote.......it may really depend on the packages of kanga bones & how Bandit & Vinnie accept these..... ....Derek

[bogstandard]

Derek,

I am at a bit of a loss at the moment, my design team has deserted me, and me only having one brain cell, it is difficult to come up with new ideas all by myself.

For the last couple of weeks, Vinnie only comes home once or twice a day, and that consists of diving thru the dog flap, raiding the food bowls then doing a runner. Maybe he has found a little siamese to settle down with. If so, that is the drawing side out of the door.

Bandit isn't speaking at the moment, all because of the lathe fiasco. Until that is in and set up, I can't put the benches and other things into the shop, which means he has been relegated to a dog basket on the floor, a big step down from the padded shelf under the bench top. So he is sulking. Also I have told him that he will have to start wearing safety glasses in the shop, he doesn't like that idea because he thinks it will spoil his superdog macho image. But rules are rules, and safety comes first. I can't afford the vets bills just because he chooses to ignore safety precautions. I have got the specs, but he won't hold still for long enough while I nail them on.

These were taken only a few minutes ago.

My poor old workbench sitting outside in our beautiful autumn rain.



The bombsite. This lathe will be replaced , hopefully next monday, into the same position. I can then commission it, then move it into its final position where the shop vac is at the moment. Only then can anything else be moved in. In the bottom left hand is Bandits dog basket, so I can see where he is coming from.





John

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi Pd's.....& don't loose heart John  .....according to the laws of the latest studies.....about brain celllllllllllllllllllllls......

1) moderate  is sufficient to send one ...deaf + dumb + blind + others
2) moderate  now appears to be carcinogenic + bad for the heart
3) thank goodness I gave up the fags 10 years ago

Do not be worried ...be happy for Vinnie if he has found a multi racial relationship with an Asian poodle around the corner..never can tell.....the new family member could be a design draftsperson DOG in disguise    .....Derek


mmmmmm. I think the 5/8" UNEF lubers [LH thread] [1/4 the surface area of Scotland] are now out of totally out of fashion & the glass shelled units from Winfried ...are the way to go.....

PS....

1) how does your good wife hang the clothes on the line when your junk is in the way?
2) is that some sort of Asian Cherry Blossom in the snap?.......Derek

[antopia]

Steven,

That is one of the reasons for going to the show, John Stevenson did all the prelim work for Arc Euro Seig CNC machinery, plus he has designed a lot of the special tooling they sell, and he will be giving lectures about CNC over the weekend, I am just going because he is a mate to be seen.

Manual machining is now being recognised by the government as a thing to be taught again, the grandson is now doing the latest government thing at school, this is the first year, so they are guinea pigs. The only prob is, they closed down all the workshops and got rid of the machinery a few years ago. Now they are running round like chickens with no heads trying to get workshops set up again. The only problem is they can't get the skilled people with teaching qualifications to run the courses. So they are farming the students out to places that have teaching facilities. An hours trip each way, just to maybe get to use a machine for an hour, most times not. Shown how to do it, but no hands on.
The grandson is lucky, he will get one to one tuition for as long as he likes, not just an hour a week. If all goes well, after 3 years, he will be one of the 'skilled' ones, and in great demand.

Anyway, this is going way off topic, are you lot still trying to decide?

John

Hi John,
It is interesting that Engineering is having a second showing at schools,about time,that is where I realized that I wanted to be a turner.
I suspect most engineering teachers have retired now,I know that the ones that taught me have.
I just might have a look at Teaching.. 

Your grandson is very lucky ,I know it is hard to find somewhere that has got a lathe you can use, most just bought simple cnc .so you learn nothing.
but nice to watch .

right enough, here is my views on your steam plant and why

I would go for a wobbler ,why? ,for me it is the movement it adds character,its less complex and there is not that much difference in steam consumption,for use in a boat I think that wobblers are very worthwhile,says he who is building Malcolm Beaks MB22 which isnt a wobbler.
I seem to get the impression that a Model Steam Engine has to have valve gear and slide valves and.....,why ?
could be that I am too young when steam was around.

but if you build the piston valve ,I would be tempted to use JvR style round slide valve as it makes it much easier to drill the ports
there would be no reverse without a gearbox but that is only a minor issue. 


Hi Gerald,
"One of the first machines I learned to use was a Shaper, they make a lovely sound when running (the shop would not hire anyone as an Apprentice just general help)."

originally I learn't to use one at school then at a training college ,never in industry,I would not be without one now.
very few machine shops would have them today.

Steven

[logoman]

please put my name on the list John.
I'll be at the MMEE, not sure which day yet.

[derekwarner_decoy]

Hi PD's.....6, 3 the 4 votes for variations on a theme for an engine build......I think I would have more success at guessing how much my SUPER fund will tell me I have lost over the next year...due to Sub Prime Mortgage issue...like this time last year I did not know what it was 

 ...I was planning to retire within a year or so & finish PS Decoy.....but  about the latest share price....I may have to work until   ...........Derek