Hello Everyone

Just to say hello.

I'm a retired computer scientist - though from the more engineering-orientated side of the business - and a reasonably accomplished wood turner.

I'm reasonably competent at basic metalwork, car/motorcycle engineering and so on and love designing and making things to aid everyday life.

I've recently decided to enlarge my repertoire by purchasing a Sieg SC4 lathe - hoping that I might even one day become sufficiently competent to start on some simple model making.

No doubt I'll be posting quite a lot in the next few months asking for advice both on lathe use generally and specific to the SC4.

Membership of my local wood-turners' association has taught me the priceless value of advice from the 'old hands'.

Hi James, welcome to the forum. Plenty of info on many subjects on the forum. Try doing a search for a particular problem etc. If no luck just ask away and I am sure you will get an answer quite quickly.

regards

Welcome James nice to have a new brain to pick

H

Hi James welcome to the forum. You never know what a computer scientist might bring to the forum as well as learning what us oldies might know.

David

Thanks Oldiron, Harry and David for your welcomes.

I'd better quickly clear up a misapprehension - Computer Science is NOT IT - it is a great deal more to do with mathematical and theoretical underpinnings. I have got to know how doctors feel when at parties - they say that as soon as anyone finds out that they're a medic they start getting bombarded with questions about the person's various medical complaints. I get asked about peoples' email problems, why web pages don't work, etc., etc. - I usually have to answer that I honestly don't know. I'm happy to answer questions if I can - but mostly I can't!

Alas, you're doomed. Any hint of expertise and people will join the dots whatever you say. Just wait until the neighbours find out you do metalwork. Instant promotion to odd-job man (unpaid) ...

Welcome!

Dave

Hi James, I am new here as well, welcome and have fun.

Tom.

Hi all, I am also a new member. I left engineering 35 years ago and have now retired and moved to Somerset , my project for now setting up my home workshop I have a Myford super 7 lathe waiting to be installed and will be looking for a small vertical mill

Welcome!

you will learn a lot from the huge variety of skills found on here.

Where are you located?

Try to find a local Model Engineering Club. There is no substitute for face to face instruction/demonstration, for any of us trying something new! Look up a website. Even in lockdown, you can make contact.

As you become proficient, beware of the "Friend" who asks "Can you just?" thinking that

a) you can do the impossible, and

b) that it will only take ten minutes. When you know that it will be at least a days work, if all goes well.

A lot of fun (and sometimes frustration ) stretches ahead of you

You will find yourself performing all sorts of strange, what seemed to be miracles!

Howard

Thanks to those also making me welcome.

In reply to Howard, I'm based near Cambridge. I'll have to investigate local clubs if any.

H everyonei! Jack Taberner here from Wirral Cheshire. I am retired and a newbie to this pastime so my first project is to set up my home workshop.so any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.

I have bought a Chester DB7VS Lathe with a few accessories and I am getting to know it a little. I have read the books and now I want to get my hands dirty. Nothing complicated at this stage I am more concerned with learning how to use and get the best from my new toy.

I have one question at the moment which I have tried to figure out but the number of combinations is astronomical.

Can somebody tell me which of the change gears were originally fitted to this lathe when it was shipped? I stupidly took them off and didn't note which they were. Now It cuts threads not smooth finishes.

Much obliged

Jack,

Do you not have the diagram on the gear cover or do you not understand it? You need as much reduction a possible. This will mean using your 2 smallest gears and 3 largest ones. I can't even find a decent picture on the internet but it looks like you put a spacer on the leadscrew and the 80 outside of that. Then a 20 to drive that with a 60 (or perhaps another 80) inside of that on a stud on the banjo. A second stud carries a 30 to drive the 60 just mentioned and a ?50 driven by the 40 on the back of the spindle.

In reply to Howard I am near Crewkerne, my skills maybe a little rusty as I worked in imperial

Welcome to the forum Colin & James

Neil

James, there is flourishing Cambridge M E club. I think that in normal times, they meet somewhere near Cambridge, not far from the A14 as it approaches Cambridge from the A1.

Google C & D M E S for more details.

Howard

Thanks for the pointer Howard.

I've taken my kids, and then Grand-kids to many of their excellent open days over the years. I shall certainly investigate membership (when I am released from 'shielding'.