Author Topic: New Member From Oregon (Read 6331 times)

Flyboy Jim · « **on:** February 05, 2016, 04:31:22 PM »

Good Morning,
I'm a 69 yr old retired firefighter living in the Independence, OR Airpark.
I've been a lifetime woodworker, but new to machining. Although I've been interested in it for a long time, particularly building small model engines. I've been spending a lot of time looking at various threads on this forum and others with a focus on model engines. After seeing what Crueby (particularly his double-acting twin beam engine build as documented on the Home Model Engine forum) and others are able to do with their Sherline lathes and mills I've decided that that is the system for me. My Sherline 4400C lathe package arrived last week and my 5400A mill package will arrive today.

I've selected Tubalcain's "SA Oscillating Steam Engine" (as shown in 6 parts on Youtube) as my first engine build and have the materials on hand.

I spent a lot of time wrestling with the lathe size issue and the "you can do small projects on a big lathe, but can't do big projects on a small lathe" argument. Once I came to the realization that, here in the airpark, there are at least a half dozen well equipped home machine shops, with competent owners, within walking distance for anything I can't do on the Sherline, things fell into place.

Best Regards, Jim

b.lindsey · « **Reply #1 on:** February 05, 2016, 04:35:53 PM »

HI Jim and welcome to MEM. Sounds like you are off to great start and as a Sherline user I think you will find them to very capable machines within their size limits. As you begin setting them up and using them any help you may need is just a post away. I look forward to your participation and your adventures with metal machining.

Bill

vcutajar · « **Reply #2 on:** February 05, 2016, 04:47:57 PM »

Hi Jim and welcome to the group.

Congratulations on your new Sherlines. people do amazing things on them.

Vince

Hugh Currin · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2016, 05:03:17 PM »

Jim:

Nice to see Oregonian members, there aren't too many of us. Welcome aboard.

I have some larger equipment but am now trying to set up a Sherline Lathe for CNC. I'm interested to see how it compares. So I'm particularly interested in how like your Sherlines.

Thanks.

Hugh

Dave Otto · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2016, 05:25:39 PM »

Welcome to MEM Jim

Dave

Roger B · « **Reply #5 on:** February 05, 2016, 05:31:07 PM »

Welcome to the Forum

It looks like you have chosen a good starting point and there is always plenty of help available on here

10KPete · « **Reply #6 on:** February 05, 2016, 05:38:07 PM »

And another big Welcome to ya Jim!! With other home shops within walking distance you can't go wrong.

Pete

fumopuc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 05, 2016, 07:11:06 PM »

Hi Jim, welcome to the group. Also here, at the other side of the pond, people like me are starting to think about a Sherline Lathe.

rudydubya · « **Reply #8 on:** February 05, 2016, 09:03:52 PM »

Welcome Jim. This is indeed a great place to start. Congratulations on your new machinery. And we love pictures of shops, projects, machines, ...

Regards,
Rudy

Don1966 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 05, 2016, 10:20:38 PM »

Hi JIM and welcome to the forum. Like others have said you will enjoy it here and don't be afraid to share your journey with us. We look forward to lots of photos..........

Don

Kim · « **Reply #10 on:** February 06, 2016, 05:43:54 AM »

Hi Jim, welcome to MEM! This a great place to share and learn!
Kim

wagnmkr · « **Reply #11 on:** February 06, 2016, 11:47:45 AM »

Welcome to an excellent forum. I would imagine that any question you could have could be answered quickly. Another happy Sherline user here.

Cheers

Tom

scc · « **Reply #12 on:** February 06, 2016, 12:34:10 PM »

Another big welcome Jim, and as has already been said....keep those photos coming

Terry

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #13 on:** February 06, 2016, 05:04:56 PM »

Thank you to all for the nice welcome messages. This forum has a really nice feel to it and I'm starting to feel at home already!

I've been spending a lot of time perusing the various build threads. Not only am I amazed at the projects being built, but also at all of the help, input and encouragement that other members willingly provide. There's definitely a sense of "paying it forward" here!

When I get started with my wobbler project, I'll start a thread in order to have a platform for posting my questions (of which there'll be plenty, I'm sure) and pictures.

I downloaded the PDF on posting pictures. I have a Dropbox account, so will be experimenting to see if I can use that or will need to get a PhotoBucket account. Also it looks like I can also insert them at the end of a post, but it's sure nice to be able to insert text that relates to a particular picture.

Anyway, my 5400 mill arrive yesterday, along with some other tools, so will be spending the day assembling and bonding with it.

Jim

PS: I just changed my profile name to one a little more classy than Jim T. LOL Now I need to come up with a good profile picture.

zeeprogrammer · « **Reply #14 on:** February 06, 2016, 05:14:06 PM »

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the equipment.
Don't forget a pic once you're set up. (Or even before.

)

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #15 on:** February 06, 2016, 05:30:11 PM »

Quote from: zeeprogrammer on February 06, 2016, 05:14:06 PM

Welcome to the forum and congrats on the equipment.
Don't forget a pic once you're set up. (Or even before. )

Thank you Zee.

I've been reading through your "Open Column Launch Engine from Kit" thread that you did back in 2009. It contains a lot of great info for a newby like myself.

Jim

zeeprogrammer · « **Reply #16 on:** February 06, 2016, 05:41:20 PM »

Quote from: Flyboy Jim on February 06, 2016, 05:30:11 PM

I've been reading through your "Open Column Launch Engine from Kit" thread that you did back in 2009.

2009?! 7 years since I started and this is where I am?

I hope that thread helps, particularly from the advice and help I got from the members.
Be sure to read posts that follow my posts. You'll often see members telling me how I did things wrong or could have done better.

If I recall correctly, that was the thread I using a slitting saw but had mounted it upside down.

It was a lesson in just how eagle-eyed these people can be.

Thank goodness.

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #17 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:21:48 PM »

I just realized this morning that I made my first post on MEM one year ago today................and what a great year it's been!

I've gone from being a total beginner, in the world of machining metal, to having the basic skills, knowledge, and equipment to build some simpler model engines...............and now one not so simple, with my present P & W build. I've really enjoyed the process of documenting these builds and hopefully have done my part in the "pay it forward" philosophy that prevails on MEM. I know that various build threads have been a huge help for me in my machining journey. There are some incredible builds here on MEM and I'm now starting to be able to understand what's going on with them. If someone is willing to take the time, there's a complete machine shop course buried in these pages.

Even more important than that, are the friendships that have developed over this last year. I've been on numerous forums over the years and I've never found one as knowledgable, friendly and helpful as this one. It's pretty amazing to me that folks, with years of experience, are willing to take their time to help someone out who doesn't have that knowledge or skill yet. There's a great sense of community here that really goes beyond machining model engines.

So to all of you:

Jim

PS: Once I get over my "posting bashfulness" I'll try to post

a little oftener!

Tennessee Whiskey · « **Reply #18 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:35:02 PM »

Well I certainly can say that I've enjoyed having you here. I do apologize for the lot of us here, as it appears we have infected you with "tool acquisition syndrome" though. Cleared as filed Captain, carry on.

Cletus

Kim · « **Reply #19 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:37:34 PM »

Congratulations on your one year anniversary, Jim!

And I couldn't agree with you more regarding your comments about this forum. This is one of the greatest places on the internet!
Kim

10KPete · « **Reply #20 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:55:45 PM »

Happy anniversary Jim! This is a great place for all those reasons and more. It's a real family of great folks.

Pete

b.lindsey · « **Reply #21 on:** February 05, 2017, 03:56:59 PM »

Congratulations Jim!! Time sure flies when you are having fun eh? Thanks to you for your contributions to the forum also!!

Bill

90LX_Notch · « **Reply #22 on:** February 05, 2017, 04:10:39 PM »

I couldn't agree with you more Jim. This is a special place. Congrats for being part of it for one year.

-Bob

Dave Otto · « **Reply #23 on:** February 05, 2017, 07:14:54 PM »

Hey Jim

Congrats for being able to put up with the likes us us for a whole year!

There is probably no hope for you now.

Dave

zeeprogrammer · « **Reply #24 on:** February 05, 2017, 09:37:50 PM »

Ditto from me.

I also like the fact one can have some jabs, pokes, and humor (at the expense of others) and all is taken in the spirit intended...fun!

But now that your honeymoon is over...

crueby · « **Reply #25 on:** February 05, 2017, 09:40:52 PM »

Your one-year-here packet of cookies should be there by now, or maybe Monday...

Assuming you didn't let the shop elves go out and get the mail, that is. Uh oh...

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #26 on:** February 06, 2017, 12:10:59 AM »

Quote from: crueby on February 05, 2017, 09:40:52 PM

Your one-year-here packet of cookies should be there by now, or maybe Monday...

Assuming you didn't let the shop elves go out and get the mail, that is. Uh oh...

Thanks guys........it's great to hear from all of you. I'm certainly looking forward to the next year and those that follow.

Cookies coming my way!

I'll be watching for them.

Shop elves...............those little bas..............err.............cute little guys better stay away from Zee's............oops

.......... I mean my cookies!

Jim

10KPete · « **Reply #27 on:** February 06, 2017, 12:18:37 AM »

I seem to have some invisible elves around here. The cookies just disappear!

Pete

zeeprogrammer · « **Reply #28 on:** February 06, 2017, 01:41:38 AM »

Quote from: 10KPete on February 06, 2017, 12:18:37 AM

I seem to have some invisible elves around here. The cookies just disappear!

Don't blame the elves. It's your attention and focus. You're looking at something really cool and don't realize one of your arms is stuffing your face.
Happens to me all the time.
It's why I can't figure out why I'm always out of ice cream.

crueby · « **Reply #29 on:** February 06, 2017, 01:48:27 AM »

Quote from: zeeprogrammer on February 06, 2017, 01:41:38 AM

Quote from: 10KPete on February 06, 2017, 12:18:37 AM
I seem to have some invisible elves around here. The cookies just disappear!

Don't blame the elves. It's your attention and focus. You're looking at something really cool and don't realize one of your arms is stuffing your face.
Happens to me all the time.
It's why I can't figure out why I'm always out of ice cream.

Mmmm... Ice cream. Gotta go get some tomorrow....!

10KPete · « **Reply #30 on:** February 06, 2017, 03:02:26 AM »

Dang it, now you've reminded me about the ice cream.... to go with the cookies..... to go with the chocolate milk....

Gotta do something to make those invisible elv....... that arm behave itself.

Pete

zeeprogrammer · « **Reply #31 on:** February 06, 2017, 03:35:29 AM »

You guys. So easily distract-able. Shiny things and food.

Develop a line of shiny food...and you are done.

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #32 on:** February 06, 2017, 03:39:51 AM »

Quote from: zeeprogrammer on February 06, 2017, 03:35:29 AM

You guys. So easily distract-able. Shiny things and food.

Develop a line of shiny food...and you are done.

Hey......................not me.........................I can resist anything................................except temptation!

Jim

PS; I sure hope your cookies get here tomorrow............all this food talk is making me hungry!

crueby · « **Reply #33 on:** February 06, 2017, 03:47:49 AM »

Quote from: Flyboy Jim on February 06, 2017, 03:39:51 AM

Quote from: zeeprogrammer on February 06, 2017, 03:35:29 AM
You guys. So easily distract-able. Shiny things and food.

Develop a line of shiny food...and you are done.

Hey......................not me.........................I can resist anything................................except temptation!

Jim

PS; I sure hope your cookies get here tomorrow............all this food talk is making me hungry!

Zee wants some shiny ones. Can you chrome chocolate chips? I'll try and run a cookie through the buffing wheel...

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #34 on:** February 07, 2017, 03:19:50 AM »

Quote from: crueby on February 05, 2017, 09:40:52 PM

Your one-year-here packet of cookies should be there by now, or maybe Monday...

Assuming you didn't let the shop elves go out and get the mail, that is. Uh oh...

Well............this has been a really good day for me!

I received two packages in the mail. One contained delicious mint chocolate chip cookies from Chris (thank you Chris) and the other contained a (new to me) micrometer from eBay.

I guess the big question about the following picture is: "Is that a really small micrometer or a really big cookie"?

Anyway, lots of fun munching and measuring coming up!

Jim

90LX_Notch · « **Reply #35 on:** February 07, 2017, 03:43:25 AM »

Jim-

The 232 gives it away (1/2").

-Bob

crueby · « **Reply #36 on:** February 07, 2017, 03:51:39 AM »

Both! Big cookies, small micrometer. So, are the chips within specs?

Flyboy Jim · « **Reply #37 on:** February 07, 2017, 04:20:07 AM »

Quote from: crueby on February 07, 2017, 03:51:39 AM

Both! Big cookies, small micrometer. So, are the chips within specs?

Good eye, Bob!

The chips are spot on Chris!

I've already used it (micrometer) in a spot where only it would work.................picture in my next P & W post. Actually......... I've also used a couple of my cookies in a spot where only they would work (my stomach)!

Jim

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Author Topic: New Member From Oregon (Read 6331 times)