Hello

Hello all, Tom from Northampton.

I've been mostly rebuilding motorbikes and cars for the last 10 or so years. I've had a TIG and a Myford ML7 for that time, but I'm looking to diversify a bit - no more room for big toys!

Just picked up a second hand Chester 626 and have finished my first milling job since a 3 month introduction to general workshop practices about 25 years ago. Pretty simple really for a start, just put a flat on top of a piece of rail track to use as an Anvil.

Nearly finished making a riser block and am learning fast!

Hoping to pick up so me more knowledge here to help me take my hobby in a new direction

Hi Tom welcome to the forum. There are many other members interested in bikes etc and you only have to ask and someone will have done that mostly or maybe you may hve information helpful as well.

David

Thanks David. I'm mostly self taught though I do have friends with lots of experience which I've picked bits up from.

What keeps me going is learning new things, hence the move from bikes to cars and now some machining. I try to do everything myself which is a steep learning curve at times, but have come to accept that my first go at something is probably going to fail, it really doesn't matter, as long as you learn from your mistakes, the second or third time will be much better.

I'm pretty far from an expert on anything, but like to think I'm a trier.

Welcome to the forum Tom, How did milling railway line go? Rails are made of extra-tough steel, and make good anvils, but I'd expect one to be difficult to machine. Perhaps not, I've never tried.

Be wary of machining unknown scrap metal because some of it is difficult to cut, too soft, too hard, gritty, sooper-tuff, brittle, etc. If scrap cuts badly - poor finish is a common symptom - don't assume the machine, cutter or operator are the problem. It's safest to start with known metal where the specification mentions good machinability or 'free-cutting'. Once used to cutting machinable metal, it's much easier to recognise and adapt to an uncooperative alloy. Have fun!

Dave

Welcome to the Forum.

Lots of like minded enthusiasts on here.

Beware of rebar! Don't what's in it, but horrible stuff to turn. Found out after ignoring the warning from a friend running his own engineering business.

Howard

The railway line cut ok. I think it was unused, so maybe not work hardened as much as an old piece. I had a 50mm face mill come with the mill with brazed carbide cutters and It behaved well. Lots of red hot flying chips though, decent finish, slowish feed and not massive cuts.

Been through the scrap machining phase with the Myford, I used to be able to get hold of a few bits of steel bar where I used to work thinking I was saving money, but, to be honest, most of it was more trouble than it was worth. Unknown grade, pre used / stressed, horrible stuff

Hello Tom, which side of Northampton are you? I nearly always go the A43 route through but almost always opt to follow the quiet route through Blisworth to rejoin at Tiffield.

Hi Tom, Welcome to the party and thank you for telling us where you are. I'm in N Norfolk. I've done the old vehicles game, both for work and hobby. I keep 2x LARC XVs going. Almost any question on here will find an answer from someone. I often pass through Northampton on my way to the west country.

Ah well best wishes Noel.

Just North of the town, near Brixworth, I travel around the county quite a bit with work (highways) there's certainly some traffic hotspots around and I'm much more he same, prefer to take the possibly longer route to ease the stress.

I had some relatives in Spratton. Long gone by now, I expect. Two generations before me.