Hello from Bedfordshire...

No, not typing this during an early night - I live on the Herts/Beds border and am a very amateur engineer.

My only relevant qualification is "O" Level metalwork - work took me into communications and networking so I'm largely a self taught bodger. I've owned my Smart & Brown Sabel since the early 80s, using it for making a variety of parts and tools for motorcycles and cars - and the same for my current "main" hobby of building and flying RC models.

I have a "toy" milling machine - good for undercarriage parts etc. and I've amassed a variety of tooling over the years.

I'm not too far from Chronos (making regular visits going back to their original location in my home town of St. Albans where I've invariably spent far more money than planned whenever I've popped in for the odd drill or tap) and I recently discovered that my sister lives opposite RDG Tools!

Having discovered this forum, I'm learning a great deal to reinforce the small amount of skill and knowledge I've picked up over the years.

Edited By Martin Harris 9 on 20/01/2019 00:18:06

Hello Martin and welcome. I think that there are a few aeromodellers on here so you should hear from then soon. I think you will find that many of us are self taught bodgers but there are professional engineers as well.

Brian

Hello Martin,

Greetings from another bodger and nice to hear from another Sabel owner. Mine is now fourth hand but it has been cared for.

Regards

Brian

My (non-ME) sister lived round the corner from Tracy Tools when they were in London; quite an interesting exercise getting her to go and buy something for me before the advent of the mobile phone!

Hi Martin

I think you have more posts than me already. I find this a really fascinating forum and I have following it for a few years. My Grandad was a keen and accomplished model engineer and a tiny bit has rubbed off on me. Fantastic range of subjects here.

I have slowed right down on the model aircraft building and having a re-visit to some radio controlled yachts. I have an IOM that I would quite like to race competitively. Our nearest flying site is an hour away but I have a harbour on my doorstep. I am also rebuilding a damaged model yacht that I built 50 years ago.

I like the sound of your lathe. I think you said it was ex toolroom. I have a the 400 Proxxon with a mill attachment. The most complete item I have made on it is a combined nose weight and tow release for a Sophisticated Lady. It will get some more use now with the RC yachts.

You are a great contributor on the modelflying site and look forward to your posts here. On the modelflying site you might know me as Levanter.

Best regards

Tim Rowe

Thanks for the warm welcome all.

Yes Tim, that's a very familiar name. I doubt I'll be as prolific as I am on the RCM&E forum as my expertise in engineering matters is fairly limited but I've already picked up a wealth of information scanning through a few threads here.

I don't know the history previous to its last owner - an aircraft engineer/inspector who used it to make such parts as rigging pins for gliders and offered it to me when he decided to upgrade to a newer machine.