Auction Model Engineers Workshop

Chanced upon this auction, it would appear to be the workshop of former ME contributor Peter Spenlove Spenlove, very sad to see a lifetimes workshop being broken up though.

http://www.churchgateauctions.co.uk/news/273/23/Saturday-28th-June

sad very sad. some of the old timers were real heros especially when you see their kit, not like today's tackle with dro's and cnc, just basic lathes and tools. Yet pure works of art were made by them. Where are the replacements?

Bri

John,

So sorry to hear about your diagnosis, hard to know what to say, I have long enjoyed your contributions to our hobby on numerous forums.

Kind Regards

Graeme

John,

I'll second Coalburners remarks, he's said what I was going to.

Phil

John

Sorry to hear about your problem. I too have enjoyed following some of your threads, and have learnt quite a bit by doing so, on this and other forums.

Regards

Martin

Anyone here know him personally? I noticed one lot included a single 'long oar' which would tend to indicate rowing in an eight or four probably at university. Perhaps there will be details in his obit in ME.

Sad to see the way unmatched things are just thrown in boxes for sale. I suppose these auctions are attended by the people who put it on ebay with a comment like "Myford, Boxford lathe part don't know what it is." and slap a ruler down in the picture because they can't even be bothered to measure it.

On the one hand, it's sad to see someone's life tuned into a list like that, but on the other hand, what a rich and varied life it must have been.

Sorry to hear your news, John.

I do have an article 'in the bank' that sets out some advice for those planning a 'managed retreat' from the hobby. It may be a little while before I can use it, but it looks like it would be appreciated by some.

Neil

Thinking along similar lines myself last week.

I have a double garage full of 'stuff'. I'd like, one day to past it on around my children, trouble is none of them are in their own homes (all renting) and so no real storage.

Probably have to sell it myself sometime before I lose my marbles. Not though, for a good few years yet.

A time for reflection I guess. My workshop collection too is extensive but it's interesting to see too the other things that an outsider would find in common between Peter's hoard and mine. - Old drawing instruments, film cameras and darkroom equipment, Hi Fi equipment and CD collections, electrical test equipment, musical instruments, collections of badges, loads of books etc.

Would have liked to meet him - I think we might have found a lot in common. Hope his "stuff " finds good homes.

Norman

.

I remember thinking when my ex's father died it was not just the loss of the man it was the loss of all the knowledge he had.

He had started his business in the 50's when the country was still recovering from WW2 - Certain things were just not available to buy even if you had the money.! This meant a lot of equipment had to be mended, adapted or made from scratch. He was a hard 'mans-man' who became very successful through hard work and determination. Possessed a sense of humor like a naughty schoolboy with a catapult in his pocket. But he was also so generous it could be embarrassing. I am no longer with his daughter but I still miss that man.!

He was also a very good educator of the youth. Spending lots of time explaining and giving free advice (via the use of colouful language and stories) There was always something interesting in the yard, be it a job on his full size traction engine or the simple rebuild of his lawn mower engine. - That yard was a magnet for like minded people both young and old and for many a great center of education, fun and humor.

The world is running out of such places and characters and IMHO is becoming much a poorer place for it.!

And yes, all his gear ended up in auction.  So much gear he had accumulated over the years that a separate auction was held in one of his fields. - A sad, sad day. 

Nick

Edited By Nick_G on 28/06/2014 10:39:28

John

sorry your health is troubling you. I like many above have learned from your words over the web. I hope you will still offer wisdom / comment and keep in touch?

Regards Ian

Odd coincidence that a Corona drill appears on ebay, in Leicester, on the evening of the auction - but not from P.S-S I think. Noticed as they aren't common.