Member postings for James Andrews 10

Dear all,

Thank you all for your replies, it's just the advice i'm after. I have had a wood lathe for years and do understand quite a bit about keeping chisels sharp, feed rate, speeds, grab, even if it's only in wood, although I realise that there's significant differences too.

It had dawned on me that it's ambitious - I was thinking of 7 1/4 gauge initially but i've realised that that'd be far too much - in terms of weight and size just as much as castings size, turning big pieces, etc.

I've a workshop with most of the required 'ancillary' tools already, decent pillar drill, grinder, micrometers,verniers, squares etc but i'll need to adapt to working to a new level of tolerance - with the usual stuff I do if it's within 0.5mm its pretty good!

Howard, as you mentioned, - i think i'll work in imperial. The plans are imperial, but also i'd probably be looking at an older lathe with imperial dials etc. I've worked in both, and am reasonably happy with mixing units but would probably ultimately find it easier sticking with one. How do people find the availability of material in imperial? If I got frames laser cut from 4mm sheet say, would that be a problem later on when the rest of the plan is in inches?

Duncan - i'd seen your advert, although the forum says I need to make some posts before I can view contact details in the classifieds. I'm in NW UK too, whereabouts is the lathe?

Am I correct in thinking 10 years wouldn't be unrealistic as a time frame? (all things considered, errors, remakes of parts and learning along the way?

Thanks all

Hello,

This is my first posting here. By way of introduction, I’m James, I’ve always had a practical background but I’m looking to get into model engineering. I’ve joined a local ME club and spoken to various members as well as doing a lot of internet reading, but have jumped straight in and purchased a set of 47xx plans - this being the engine I’d like to build.
I’m looking to buy a lathe although - as is so often the case, budget is limited to about £400, so it’s not going to be anything too fancy. Any advise welcome on lathes. Would I be able to complete the project without purchase of a mill?
There’s a denham mk2 in the classifieds, would this be suitable for a beginner?

Thanks

James