Member postings for N Perry

Thanks again the ally tank is oil not fuel so still a risk of it going pop I think I will take your advice and get it welded proffessional just because I want it to look neat. I can still drill and tap it myself though.

As far as machining and building steam engines. I have decided to build a stuart steam stationary engine start off with basic and work my way up to something more complex .Once I'm I feel like I have learnt something and understanding the terminology, tools and technics I will haqve a crack at somthing like a 2" Fowler or 3" samson. As for machining equipment I will look along the lines of a good spec Myford ML7 with as much tooling as possible to get me started. would this be a good choice of lathe to carry out work on the above. can anyone advise me on a what mill to go for that would do the majority of work required for the above models weather it be a chinese bench type or old british turret, bearing mind I only have a standard size garage and thin wallet all in i could only afford about £2500 max for lathe and mill

Thanks for all your advice I am going to look into a DIY engineering, machining and metal work course at Eastleigh college.

I really would like to build some thing like a 3 inch scale traction engine but thought if I start small it would be a cheaper way to start as i could get a smaller lathe (like a myford ML 7)and major mistakes on castings when machining would not be so costly to buy a new casting. Am I right or wrong in my way of thinking? should I get as big as I can afford (like a Colchester student) and look at more simple projects like- any suggestions?

I would like to build up a whole range of equipment for instance I need to weld a couple of fixing points on to a aluminium oil tank for my 1960s Triton as some one has ground them off, they will then need drilling and tapping. these are some of the other types of jobs I would like to do my self. I guess I would need to buy and learn how to Tig weld or is it possible to do it with a Mig.

Hi I am a practical hands on guy thats into old bikes cars and steam engines. I started mucking about with stationary engines and morris minors when I was a kid, i'm now 34. I have converted a petrol land rover to diesel and rebuilt the engine and restored an old classics bike, and done a little bit of mig and ark welding.

As I have grown up I have grown a huge interest in old machines and engineering and would love to be able to buy a set of castings and machine them into a beautifully engineered machine like a steam engine. The only problem is this type of work takes many years of training and experience to develop these skills. So what can I do, can any one help. What type of lathe, and milling machine should I get. Is it possible to home teach myself , can I start on something small and easy to build up my skills. Is there any friendly retired engineers out there with a home works shop that would be willing to pass on their knowledge or let me look over their shoulder and ask questions. I live in the New Forest in Hampshire and would appreciate any help.

Thanks Neil