Home Base > Introductions

Hi from Wales

(1/3) > >>

Cymro:
Hi everybody,

I just joined the forums cos it seems a very interesting place to be.

I'm 62, spent many years in engineering before being made redundant in my 40s and retraining as an HGV driver since no-one wanted 'old' engineers. Spent 15 years driving before being made redundant again and discovering that no-one wants old HGV drivers either.

So, lots of time on my hands and very little money. I do have a useful machine collection though, with a Halifax lathe (Atlas 10F clone made in the UK), Atlas 7B shaper, Gingery mill which I kind of bought by default with another lathe (Hector - look it up on lathes.co.uk) Elliott No 2 bench drill and a home-built mechanical hacksaw which I also bought. Love my machines. I've had the Halifax 20-odd years so we fit together pretty well by now - we have an arrangement whereby I don't give it any sudden surprises and it leaves all my limbs intact (so far so good . . . )

I'm interested in lots of stuff and have lots going on - I'm learning the ropes of a home foundry, building a CNC router (or 3D printer - haven't decided yet; the mechanics are the same but a cutter or extruder make the difference.) I've made a start by casting motor mounts which I've started machining and have one finished up to now. Got all the materials and  electronics already but it'll have to take its turn in the queue. I did an HND in Mechanical and Computer-Aided Engineering 25 years ago and wrote some G-code but have completely forgotten it all now so that will be a steep learning curve . . .

I also want to build a flamenco guitar. Got all the materials but I'm setting up a woodwork shop away from all the oil and swarf which isn't finished yet. The workshop is all ready but I'm making and modifying tools to suit when I get time. I've got as far as making a plantilla to work from. Meantime the woodwork shop makes a great pattern shop for the foundry . . .

Not really interested in cars (ever since they became impossible for the owner to work on) but love bikes. Nothing on the road right now but still love them.

I'll be mostly lurking in all probability, and occasionally asking daft questions - every day's a schoolday!

rotorhead:
Hi there and welcome Cymro,

You sound just like my twin, been there done that, nearly all to your schedule too, only difference I'm retired but still bloody driving, on a casual basis for the company that made me redundant.

So have less and less time to play with my beloved machines.

Ask all the daft questions you can think of, you'll usually get good replies...

Pete.:
Welcome 'Welshman' :)

Cymro:
Thanks for the warm welcome - I'm sure I'll fit right in here!

Brass_Machine:
Cymro,

Welcome to the collective :borg:

I am collecting parts for a CNC router too... How are you building the frame?

Eric

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page