Member Profile

More about me:

Have spent most of my career so far as a Design Engineer in the metals rolling industry although served my apprenticeship from 1982 as a Fitter/Turner before going on to complete an Honours Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1991. I am equally comfortable with using Imperial or metric units. Started building up a machine shop around 1998 to help with my then hobby of restoring/building motorbikes but got bitten by the miniature IC engine bug in 2007 and have recently completed my third engine (my first 4-stroke - see photo album) - all of which where of my own design. Several more designs are complete and others in progress - I like to fully model my designs in 3D CAD before any metal is cut. Current project is a Seig X1L milling machine CNC conversion (with 4th rotary axis) which, I feel, is going to open up some more interesting design possibilities. Thanks to eBay, I have a reasonably well equipped workshop (OK, garage!) for not too much money although lots of stripping and cleaning was involved! Main bits of kit: Boxford VSL Lathe - Like an AUD but with variable speed belt drive, large bore spindle etc. (Metric), Warco VMC Vertical Turret Mill (Imperial) fitted with 3 axis DRO, Astra L4 Horizontal Mill (Metric), Boxford 8" Shaper (Imperial), Eagle Surface Grinder (Imperial). I do intend to dabble in steam at some point but with very limited workshop time and so many IC Engine ideas bubbling away I don't see it happening any time soon. I also have a 1949 EMC 350s motorcycle boxed up in the loft waiting to be restored one day! Only 21 years to go until I can retire!!

My stats:

• 4 forum posts
• 5 photos
• 0 articles