Member postings for Jo

Neil,

I keep telling myself that 50 is years ahead of me, thankfully I am still right but each year it does get closer. And if you think you have problems just imagine how I found it as a 23 year old lass starting out in this hobby, most Model engineers were (and still are) older than my father.

Jo

And a supplier.

Jo

Neil,

I would suggest that the problem is rather than ME has been diluted by the spin off of so many specialist areas (clocks, model boats, tools -> MEW) that little is left except (IMHO) repetitive model locomotives that is already covered by a multitude of magazines. So the wider range of reader went with the other topics...

When I last subscribed there was two repeated model locomotive series by LBSC. Both of which are dated, a simple updating of their machining techniques would have added so much value. (and I already have the original mags with the articles.. so where is the added value?)

If you want to keep your readership there is only so many beginner's article that you can publish...

I do wonder if the previous editorship understood what the younger generation is interested in. Yes the older generation are into model locomotives but I see so few of the younger generation interested in such things, they seem to be into model tractions engines, stationary engines and lots of exciting other things.

I explained all this to the nice young lady last friday when she attempted to encourage me to pay more to renew my subcription than I could pay on line.

Jo

Edited By Jo on 20/01/2013 17:32:24

So it is probably worth waiting a couple of years to resubscribe because I will get all the back issues, that I have not had to pay for, in the mean time.

Jo

Interesting I have been a subscriber to Model Engineer for well over two decades and as well as having the magazines delivered I used to have access to the digital copies. I say "used to" because whilst I had paid for access to these, now that my subscription to the magazine has lapsed I no longer have acess to what I had previously paid for.

I must admit I have not read the terms and conditions, do Digital subscriptions only provide acess to the 12 month window that you are paying? Other on line mags you continue to get access to what you have paid for even if you don't later re-subscribe.

Jo

Forgive me but I have not yet seen any posts about the Alley Pally show in this thread. Did I miss something?

Jo

John has got back to me and the backstop post should be on MEM later today.

Jo

Stew: Ade was talking about moving MEM to a virtual server as the old server harware had a number of occasions that it needed a hard reset. If he has that might account for the "database error" message as the software will need tweeking for the new environment.

Derek: I was not aware that either Jason or I were implying in any way that you were telling fibs. As for what both Jason and I were implying by our comments, I for one am very pleased for John, he is a very lucky chap and he has my best wishes for the future.

I have contacted John about reposting the article on MEM.

Jo

Edited By Jo on 17/01/2013 07:33:36

I am sure we can get Bogs to re-post it on MEM.

Jason: No, that reason is not keeping him out the workshop any more, rather it looks like it will be helping towards an increased output.

Jo

Edited By Jo on 16/01/2013 19:39:42

Personally I find that the current crop of Model engineering magazines have a poor coverage of model stationary engines. If you are lucky there may be the odd one running in each magazine. However if you join one of the many on line forums dedicated to making model engines you will get much more information and help. A couple of excellent online forums dedicated to building, machining and their associated building technicques that you may wish to visit include:

Model Engine Maker: **LINK**

Home Model Engine Machinist: **LINK**

As Terry mentioned there are a lot of books that can give you excellent advice on your lathe and milling machine. I would take the opportunity of reviewing some of them when you next visit a show, you will get a lot of books for the price of a subscription. There are also forums that dedicate them selves to tools and their modifications like:

Madmodder: **LINK**

Jo

Edited By Jo on 16/01/2013 10:20:30

Edited By Jo on 16/01/2013 10:21:03

Rod: There are a few of us Lady Model Engineers around .

I have every confidence in Diane's ability to take ME forward to new standards of publishing quality. Good luck David, in your new career.

Jo

Those are a modern day clone of my Alexandra Deckel cutter grinder.

I don't know the clones well but I happily use my original to sharpen the ends of slot drills and end mills. No good for the sides. You can also get an adapter for doing Lathe tools.

They don't offer the full flexibility of a real cutter grinder. I also have a union cutter grinder. If I was looking to buy from scratch I would happily buy the Union or a Clarkson with my money.

Jo

You could always cut a 4mm thick slice off a larger diameter piece of brass bar.

jo

Doesn't work for me either.

Jo

I agree UK P&P charges by suppliers can be excessive and delivery times appalling. But what gets me is how cheap the actual postage should be, for instance Myself and an American did a joint BA/imperial conversion set for the Cowells lathe: I made and supplied the gears, he made the arbours and did the sums & geometry. The three gears I made were sent on five day guaranteed air delivery to the centre of USA was only £3.86 by Royal Mail

I am waiting to see what he was charged the other way and how long it takes, last time it was delivered from USA in two days on an expected five days delivery timescale.

Jo

I am looking to purchase a copy of Alibre 3D CAD software so that I can start designing my own engines... so I took the opportunity of going and getting the advice of our IT organisation: they tell me that XP which I have happily been running for years will stop being supporting in 2014 so their first advice was to do my operating system first before buying the new software. They then said check that the software you want to run operates under your new operating system. Alibre does not currently run under Windows 8, so that rather limits my choice.

The other advice they said was that there is a big jump from XP to Windows 7 and an even bigger one to Win 8, you need to understand if it is for you, so go and play with it. Tomorrow someone is bringing in a copy of windows 8 for me to try out running on their Mac

Jo

Edited By Jo on 04/12/2012 17:39:31

Many of the model traction engine companies offer a gear cutting service if you wish to provide the blanks.

Jo

There are a few stationary engines that happily use meccano gears to drive their governors. As to if their profile is correct or not it makes little difference to using them for this purpose. What were you thinking about using them for?

Jo

I use sumitomo tipped tools on my Cowells, tips/tools that I first brought 18 years ago for use on my Hobbymat.

Yes the same 10 sumitomo tips I originally purchased with the holders have lasted that long, I think I have "worn out" two edges over the years so have another 18 edges to go, I expect these remaining ones to last my lifetime. Other cheap tips seem to last a month or so. I abuse them all with the same enthusiasm so not all tips are the same. But I use them less than I used to, since I became converted to HSS.

Jo

Edited By Jo on 15/11/2012 10:10:07

Edited By Jo on 15/11/2012 10:10:29

I can happily cut 1/4" from BMS using my Sandvik tips but honestly how often in the home workshop are you going to need to do that? In the other extreem I have taken 0.01mm with my sumitomo tips.

As Jason said Glanze tool holders are well priced, best to pick a single tip size and try to get a selection of tip holders which take the same sized tips.

My preference? Well since I learnt a lot more about using lathe tools and cutting from using my Cowells is an appropriatley ground HSS tool. But I still use tipped tools for nasty stuff which has hard spots in it.

Edit: the 1/4" cut was on a 40mm dia bar on my Colchester Master .

Jo

Edited By Jo on 14/11/2012 13:16:48