Author Topic: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA  (Read 1179 times)

Offline WannaBeGearHead

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Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« on: April 07, 2020, 03:54:25 PM »
Hello, All.

My name is Jon, and I have been an amateur radio control car enthusiast since my childhood. I have worked on both electric and nitro powertrains, and have loved learning about the mechanics of each. I am a corporate lawyer by background and now work as a commercial real estate investor. I love working with my hands and hope to learn more about being able to build my own engines! Any advice on resources, software, machines, etc. that I should acquire would be greatly appreciated.

Jon
Wannabe Gear Head

Offline steamer

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2020, 06:19:16 PM »
Welcome!

Dave
"Mister M'Andrew, don't you think steam spoils romance at sea?"
Damned ijjit!

Offline Dreeves

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2020, 06:46:35 PM »
Welcome to the party Jon. lots of great people here to help.

Dave

Offline Dave Otto

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2020, 06:58:55 PM »
Hi Jon
Welcome to MEM!

Dave

Online Kim

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2020, 08:59:55 PM »
Hi there Jon,
Welcome to the forum!
Kim

Offline zeeprogrammer

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2020, 10:29:46 PM »
Welcome to the forum. I call Springfield home (even though I've lived in Pennsylvania the last 25 years) and I've been to St. Louis many many times. (My folks live there now).

Any advice on resources, software, machines, etc. that I should acquire would be greatly appreciated.

As for advice, cruise the forum. These people are the most helpful and you can see it in their threads.
Some questions you will get....
"What kind of engines?"
"How big?"
"How much are you willing to spend?" (And keep in mind, the machines are one cost. In my case, all the stuff needed to use the machines (cutters, calipers, collets, vises, etc.) may double the cost.
"How much space do you have for a shop?"

You mentioned software...

You may want a CAD program to draw up parts. Some people use Fusion360 (free). It's got a good learning curve.
If you're thinking CNC then you'll need to look at CAM and a motion controller. If you're completely new to this (as I was a few years ago-and still am), I'd go manual at first.

Software is not absolutely necessary though. You might start with a simple engine (see Bear's thread) and see how you like this hobby.

Best of luck and everyone here is happy to help.
Carl (aka Zee) Will sometimes respond to 'hey' but never 'hey you'.
"To work. To work."
Zee-Another Thread Trasher.

Offline Flyboy Jim

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2020, 02:55:47 AM »
Welcome to MEM Jon. You've come to the right place. There's a whole miniature machine shop education available on this website. As Zee mentioned just spend some time cruising the various build theads and ask all the questions you may have.

I started my machining journey on this website a little over 4 years ago. I've learned a huge about from the helpful and supportive folks here.

Jim
Sherline 4400 Lathe
Sherline 5400 Mill
"You can do small things on big machines, but you can do small things on small machines".

Online Roger B

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #7 on: April 08, 2020, 07:12:50 AM »
Welcome to the Forum  :ThumbsUp:  :ThumbsUp:
Best regards

Roger

Offline Jack

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #8 on: April 08, 2020, 02:04:26 PM »
Hello Jon


Yes this is the place to get lots of advice and help without all the attitude of some other sites. I am also live in St. Louis (sort of) and I build miniature engines, Steam, air and gas hit and miss motors as well as anything mechanical. I have been at it since retiring years ago and now that I have to stay home all the time I have someplace to play in my basement shop. If you would like to talk shop or ask anything about tools, tips or things that I have learned the hard way along the road of being a model builder, I would like to help before I get to the big machine shop in the sky.


Jack

Offline awake

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #9 on: April 08, 2020, 06:11:11 PM »
Jon, welcome to the forum!
Andy

Offline Chipswitheverything

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #10 on: April 09, 2020, 12:46:54 PM »
Hello Jon and welcome:   just to agree very much with what Zee and Jim have already said, that a good dig around in the back files of this forum is a great way to get a feel for the topics covered, and can help to answer a lot of questions about machines, projects and setting up a workshop. And any queries will be answered with helpful advice and enthusiasm!  Dave

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #11 on: April 09, 2020, 01:41:31 PM »
Another hearty welcome Jon. Welcome aboard!!

Bill

Offline Don1966

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Re: Hello from a complete newbie from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
« Reply #12 on: April 09, 2020, 10:55:18 PM »
Hi Jon welcome to the forum!


 :hi:
Don

 

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