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Machine shop night school?

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gtrack31/03/2011 16:01:34
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Hi
 
Age old question i`m sure, but.....
 
Does anyone have any ideas where I can find a good old fashioned `night school` that allows for a little above the basics in lathe/milling/grinding use, set up, techniques etc? I am ok with the basics and know the things I need to know specific to what I am doing, but am pretty shady outside of my comfort zone.
 
I went to a similar course in Kent a couple of years ago and although everyone was very friendly the course was not what I was hoping for, it was ten week job but mostly surrounded health and safety and what was there was extremely basic.
 
I have found a couple that do something that sounds reasonable, but unfortunately I am several hundred miles from barnsley or poole!.....I remember watching a documentary on a chap who at retirement age decided to take up his hobby a the local steam train resto yard and went on a course similar to what I am after, it has re inspired me to punt around, like I say, I am ok with what I absolutely need to know but not alot else and its ok practice, practice, practice......as long as its the correct technique you`re doing!
 
Many thanks.
mick31/03/2011 16:56:15
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If your within driving distance of an Axminster store, they do courses several times a year
gtrack31/03/2011 17:25:51
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Mick
 
Unfortunately, typically, Axminster is another one thats about 230 miles away!....I am based in Folkestone, Kent......
 
I bet if I moved, everything would be in this area then!
 
Thanks anyway for the info.
 
James
Steve Garnett31/03/2011 18:00:42
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These are not so easy to track down at all these days, especially in areas where there is very little traditional mechanical industry. But all is not lost - have a look at this - it's probably within reach, although you may have to wait for a fresh start. Unless this is the one you already did, in which case I think you might be out of luck.

Edited By Steve Garnett on 31/03/2011 18:02:50

gtrack31/03/2011 19:02:28
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Cheers Steve
 
Unfortunately this was the one that I did a few years back, it was good as a complete beginner introduction and you`ll certainly learn how to clean the floor around equipment before and after use....
 
I alas think you are correct, I fear they are a thing of the past. There are a couple of small engineering firms around me but I can`t expect them to take time out to show me basic set up techniques...every minute and penny counts for them nowadays!
 
I guess its back to the trial and error method......or move to the USA, they seem to have them on every corner according to Mr Google.
 
Thanks.
Steve Garnett31/03/2011 22:22:03
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I thought that until recently we had one running around here somewhere (I'm in SW London) but I can't find any reference to it at all now. I'm pretty sure about where it used to be, but the college concerned has been amalgamated into another local one, and it seems to have disappeared completely. Isn't 'progress' wonderful?
 
The only other avenue that I can think of that might benefit you is the SMEE Courses. Probably not entirely what you had in mind, but worth looking at, at least.
gtrack01/04/2011 13:35:42
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Thanks Steve
 
I`ll give them a look.
 
They did use to do one at East Surrey College, but needless to say it no longer exists, and there was an engineering firm in Folkestone that done the same, but he was a victim of economy a few years back.
 
Seems all the, to use a modern term, `old school` people and places are going by the by, shame.
 
Cheers
mick01/04/2011 16:00:52
421 forum posts
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Your only just down the road from their Sittingbourne store.
regards.
Mick
Steve Garnett01/04/2011 16:27:08
837 forum posts
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Mick, unfortunately they only appear to run these courses as the Skill Centre in Devon.
 
The only other offering at all I can find South of London is in Kingston (which would be fine for me...) and you can read about that here. This offering seems to be directly relevant to model engineering in particular, rather than engineering in general.

Edited By Steve Garnett on 01/04/2011 16:34:43

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