Member postings for Nick Welburn

We’ll I’ve got two on order now let’s see what arrives and when. Like your man says it’s no real rush.

Hi Noel,

I’m setting out to make a Stuart steam engine, dreams one day of a basic clock.

very much new to metal working

Nick

I have a fine selection of files of great vintage and generally missing an effective handle.
I think my technique may improve with a better set. I can grab a set of 8” files on eBay for a tenner.

generally I prefer to buy once with quality. What an I looking for with a file?

Cheers chaps! A diagram shall be produced

I’ve got a side project with my little setup and that’s the build of an electric go kart for my lad. We’ve got a rolling chassis but we need some hubs. These will screw onto the (sack trolley) wheels with a circa 32mm thread then have a wider collar to take six threads to hold on a mountain bike brake disc.

im thinking aluminium is the right material for this?steel seems over kill? Anything I should know before I order a ‘lump’ technical term off eBay?

Ah duly noted. Stuart were closed so went for the eBay store that claimed to be open. We live and learn. Looking forward to getting into my first project.
I’ve spoken to Maidstone a couple of times. Last week it was coming last week, this week it’s coming this week. Hence me starting to wonder. If they are a known name then I’m sure it’ll turn up.

Hi Pete, the import taxes are for the z slide. It’s just that’s not what was in the box that was posted.

Well I promised an update. So far I’ve had a surprise import duty bill and an unexpected 14” smoothing plane. Probably best to say it hasn’t been entirely smooth going!

New package should arrive tomorrow and we’ll see how we’ve done on round two.

that said the supplier has been really good to deal with.

I’ve got a Stuart 10v on order with Maidstone supplies it’s been since the 26th of Dec. Is this par for the course with these kits? Or have I chosen badly with my supplier?

I thought that hence the plan to add carriage locks on the front.... we’ll see

Its not just for one project. However it’s a new hobby.. my other planned projects are fabbing up a pelton hydro setup for heating my house and fitting a vintage supercharger to my classic mini.

I think it’ll get me a few months down the line before I’m eyeballing a new machine.

Wow - lots of great opinion and thought. My approach is as follows. I’ve ordered this **LINK** and if need be I’ll add a pair of these to the z plate **LINK**

i think i can probably shift this on for half the cost value so it’s £40 risk to me. I’ll give a view on how it works once ive got my kit and castings in my hands.

Here’s one. **LINK**

I don’t know how to attach work to it. I’m here trying to understand if this is my answer

When I replied there was only one post from Jason. I’m still reading up and trying to understand. But on balance £50-£100 for a slide vs £500+ for a mini mill seems worthy of further investigation.

but like I say I’m a total newbie. I can weld and spanner a bit. I’ve built a couple of cars and a house. But the lathe and metal turning is new.

I don’t think I could have asked for a better answer. The what and the why. I’ll be getting one ordered up!

I’ve got my new lathe and a Stuart kit on the way. I’ve looked at a few videos and read the Harold hall stuff on building without a mill. It strikes me that a vertical axis table on the mini lathe should do most of the cuts and if angle adjusted should make drilling the steam ports pretty easy?

the not thing stopping me is they don’t seem common place? Can I be schooled in the error of my ways?