Once a fitter.....always a fitter....

Hello from Plymouth,UK.

I thought it was about time I joined the site after many years of lurking. I have made models all my life and currently have a few projects on the go. Currently I'm a lecturer in computing and am a time served apprentice fitter. Worked my way through college then uni and have degree in mechanical engineering. I also spent a few years in the Royal Air Force (Navigator) and then returned to Plymouth as a design engineer with a local paper products company and finally a project engineer. I then completed a PhD in computing working with Rolls Royce, did a stint with British Aerospace before taking a teaching post back in 2000.

Built models all my life starting with Airfix then Kiel-Kraft rubber powered balsa models and RC planes. I have a few current projects with one being building a gauge 1 boiler for a BR9F kit I bought.

Other projects include...

• 1/64 scale HMS Victory, plank on frame. With original HMS Victory oak for the keel, deadwood and sternpost.
• A working 6 legged hexapod spider robot, using rc human control and working on making it autonomous.
• plans for 2 BR52 gauge 1 locos. I had the wheels custom cast about 2 years ago.
• The money pit....... I'm building a replica Ford GT40 ( 1:1 scale!)

Have a shed with small mill and lathe and no room to move as the car is sharing the shed. My main questions will be about making the boiler for the BR9F. Its my first loco and I want to change the boiler design. I will post a thread in the live steam section soon.

If you want to know the throttle linkage setup for 4 x 48IDA Webers on a SBF V8, or how to shape and cut 200 year old oak then I'm your man....

Hello Andrew and welcome. I think you'll be in good company on this site. Any questions, just ask.

Brian

Welcome to the Forum Andrew,

I trust you have a 3D printer as well

Neil

Hello and welcome from a fellow fitter.

Are you a member of the Plymouth model engineering society? If you are making changes to a boiler design you might want to talk to their boiler inspectors to make sure it will be accepted. 

My ex boss built a GT40 and then got another half built one 'for the wife' but he left the company before I saw it completed.

Edited By Bazyle on 23/09/2018 22:29:02

Anyone who has a pedigree starting with Airfix and Keil-Kraft is welcome here...

The GT40 is a nice car, but I always preferred the Lola Mk6, which indirectly gave rise to the GT40. I used to have a slot car of the Lola, back in the day.