Member postings for Jon Lawes

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We rely on the goodwill of hard working people who effectively volunteer their time to create drawings for our hobby (I know the magazines pay, but lets face it most are doing it for the benefit of their hobby rather than to line their pockets). The drawings are not going to be perfect all of the time, but there are people still producing them despite a wave of hostility from onlookers. We should be grateful rather than trying to tear them to pieces. This is a hobby largely full of enthusiastic amateurs.

One of my most vocal critics at the model engineering society I attend has frequent, loud advice for me, usually prefaced with "you know what you are doing wrong..." or "you know your problem don't you...". This is from someone who once let slip he last used a lathe at school, 45 years ago, and has driven a locomotive once. But the advice keeps coming.

Nice, polite advice is always welcomed, especially from those who maybe had careers in whatever the subject at hand is. But sometimes the holier than thou snobbery on this forum is nothing short of discouraging. Calling out others opinions as rubbish, belittling others, all this crap, it really needs to stop. It's just elitist attitudes that will kill our hobby dead.

I'm about to start making LBSC's Poppet valve regulator for my 3.5" Britannia (i.e. the one in the smokebox). To be honest I'm rather intimidated by it, and also concerned about how reliable it would be. Does anyone have any tips before I start please, and is anyone using one in their locomotive with success?

The temptation to use a ball valve instead is overwhelming... as the boiler has been made with the smokebox regulator in mind I can't go back to a dome regulator.

Now those are rather nifty. I think I'd probably make them as and when needed as I have too many eclectic taps to know exactly what to get or make in advance! (for some reason I've accumulated at least 10 6BA for example)

Another MoD apprentice here, Boscombe Down in my case. Where were you? Welcome.

And yet strangely we all knew what he meant?

Cleaning off the old oil before adding more is probably the key. I sparingly use lighter fluid, but I don't know what an actual horologist would use.

I think it's crucial to have free flow of air through that gap. Maybe that is what you've achieved.

I think we have managed to drift away from the original question. I'm quite amazed more people haven't suggested their local model engineering societies. It's been invaluable to me.

Our Model Engineering Society does sessions that tend to be tailored around the needs of the "students"; I've done some of their hand tool sessions and they were very useful. We are in Westbury, Wiltshire.

West Wiltshire Model Engineering Society

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I use a condensing dehumidifier which actually warms and defrosts itself if it gets too chilly. This is quite useful for providing water for steaming as well.

Whatever you do make sure your club boiler inspector has seen it before you go any further, not only will they be far happier signing off something they have seen themselves they will have lots of good tips and advice. This could save you a lot of expense and heartache further down the line.

My first workshop was a lean-to on the side of my house, it was barely wide enough for the worktop and me, but it had enough space for my lathe and pillar drill. It's where I built my first stationary engine and started my Britannia. Something is better than nothing.

I've now got some Acetone coming. Dykem blue is fantastic stuff but it does rather show through Acid 8 primer. Thanks for the advice (I was not the original poster but I'm glad they asked the question).

Forced off by some heartless responses I suspect. Some people forget that for many forums like these are a lifeline. More tolerance required by some people.

Lots of Aero engineers (serving and retired) on this site so you are in similar company.

My Model engineering society is a short distance from you (Westbury in Wiltshire) but you have a Model Engineering Society in Bristol who I'm sure would be very friendly for face to face help.

https://www.bristolmodelengineers.co.uk/

We are all on different stages in our journey in engineering. Some people progress faster than others, some need guidance, and some either never get any or disregard it.

I look at the engineering I did only 12 months ago and want to throw it in the bin. I made some traction engine wheels I'm proud of today. In a years time I'll probably think they are fit for scrap.

There is a joke going round on social media at the moment, I paraphrase but basically:

"I saw someone at pump 3 today putting in £10 of petrol. Where was he going, pump 4?"

I'm a right leg amputee, above knee, the only limit I find is I need to sit down quite often, usually in between machining tasks.

It looks like there are similar items in here:

https://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/threads/stuart-turner-compressor.32535/

But other than that I can't see many references to the original item, sorry.