Introduction

[Frederick Lesco]

I have registered quite some time ago but the moderators have mentioned to me that if I wished to make full use of the site I should become more active in the group. First off I must say that the Moderators are quite correct, and so here goes with my introduction.

I live in Ontario, Canada. Another site recently had a question as to how old the various members are. There were over one hundred replies. When it came to the ages between 80 and 90 there were three members. That would be two others, plus myself. At the time I thought we were the oldest members but a little later there was one member between 90 and 100, so I didn’t feel old after all. Actually, I do feel old, and my health isn’t that great, but at least I’m still active in my day to day activities.

I am far from being a meticulous modeler, but I have built a number of models over the last thirty years or so. In that group I have done a number using plans by Glenn Guest, including his plan for the Paddler “Tipstaff” and have sailed it in a pond about five minutes from my home. The city owns the pond, and they have given an OK to our small group to use it (after we took out an Insurance policy to cover our activities).
I am also interest in the Live Steam area. I have built a number of engines from Stuart Models-the V10 and Double 10, using their castings. I have also built a Borderer and am currently working on a Marcher, but building using their drawings but doing them from bar stock. (Castings too expensive for me now.

I have a Myford ML 7 lathe, an n Ammco Shaper, A Burke Number 4 milling machine, a Drill press, and a homebuilt Power Hacksaw. I have had no formal training in running such equipment, so there have been a few scrapers along the way, but it has given me a lot of satisfaction along the way.

I will also try to become more active in this group, in future.

Fred Lesco.

[Eddy Matthews]

Good to hear a little about you and your hobbies Fred.... It's a sad fact that the average age of modellers just gets older and older. The younger generations are used to computers and games machines, so they want an instant fix, and don't have the patience to spend months or years building something In my opinion they are missing out on a great deal of enjoyment!

Anyway, it's good to have you with us.... Welcome to Paddleducks.

Regards
Eddy

[kiwimodeller]

Welcome aboard Fred. I too am mainly interested in the live steam side of things and have managed to find a selection of engines and engine kits from around the world. I will need to live to be at least your age to get them all in to boats and operating. I do have a few that are going including a 6 foot model of a New Zealand side wheel paddler with a steam engine to the A H Rayman design. It gives me a great deal of pleasure, especially when the kids on the lakeside fall in the water when I blow the very loud whistle! (just kidding). I like my models on the larger side and am currently working on a 50" Navy Picket Boat with a twin cylinder engine built from a New Zealand made kit. Look forward to seeing some posts about your models. Regards, Ian.

[steamboatmodel]

Welcome aboard Fred.
As you can guess from my handle my main interest is in steam boats. Your name rings a bell, but I can't place where it is ringing. Where do you run your models and does the group have a name?
Regards,
Gerald.

[mogogear]

Welcome to you Fred from south of you in Oregon! Nice to hear that you are pursuing what you like to do!