Hi all and Merry Christmas.
I have been lurking around the shadows of this group for a while. Now is a good a time as any to make an appearance.
I used to be an engineer (time served apprentice) before I moved into electronics 15 years ago. Just listening in is starting to bring the stuff back to me.
I have been keeping my eyes open for a lathe (I am wanting to build a steam engine, had the book for Minnie by LC Mason for years now). My neighbour had told me of a Myford Super 7 he knows of, but I probably won't get it now. :-( (It apparently had all the attachments, chucks, milling etc, and I think it was a long bed model). I am looking for a lathe with a milling attachment (saves space and costs, not that I need to save space, I have loads, but having just finished my contract, cost is important).
Does anyone know of any clubs/members in the Ashfield area? I would be interested to find out. (Please do the obvious to my email address to reply privately, or reply to the list)
Apart from steam engines, I am interested in hearing what other projects people are working with. It seems that most home engineers tend to go for steam engines or locos. One of my future projects is to complete a robot arm (and other robotic ideas) and interface them to my computers. (I built a satellite ground station simulator using computers when I was in the air force, putting electronics into motion is the next step for me.)
BTW... On the flooring topic, when my workshop is set up, I will probably be using duckboards against the machines over the painted concrete floor. This is what I remember when I was coming through college and at the factory.
Best regards, Dave Colliver.