Model Engineering
Model Engineering
Model Engineering Clubs
Not all clubs in the UK desire to get affiliated with one another but Andy Clark’s site is a brilliant start. Initially conceived to act as a central point if your pride and joy ever got stolen and carry a lost models directory it now carries a huge a link list of societies both European and further afield, it lists suppliers, publications, software, has discussion groups and links to other superb experts. Other sites are list here too:
The most superb museums in the UK:
Eight National Museums In Wales
The Giant Think Tank -Birmingham
The World Class Railway Museum -York
The Iron Bridge Gorge Museums Trust -Telford
The Black Country Museum -Dudley
But also see this list for the same around the world:
Engineering Preserved
Model Engineering In Meccano
Call me mad but ever since I snuck into the building sites of my boyhood I’ve been fascinated about what can be made portable, or even fall off, the back of a lorry. Even better when it looks so good outlasts it’s diesel counterpart and smells so good ! So it’s with pride I can recommend the following sites:
Steam Road Vehicles
When Britain was at it’s zenith what was the fastest, the most efficient, the most handsome and exported to nearly every country in the world ? So raise your hats for the revered Sentinel Drivers Club . And I own one -sadly only a model of one at present but donations welcome? It’s fitting that in the centre of the solar system, see Made In Shrewsbury, there’s a Division 1 football club and two pubs celebrating these finest:
Sentinel Steam Waggons
Errors And Recommendations
Should there be any omissions, errors or recommendations please email the webmaster identified on the Homepage.
Thank you.
Enginuity Museum
Ironbridge Gorge Museums Trust
As some people will know I have great affection for the people that keep the home of the Industrial Revolution on the world map. Even the largest town in the area is named after Thomas Telford. In particular my favourite is the Enginuity Museum which boasts brilliant hands on exhibits which in my opinion are better than those in the London Science Museum -so if you go be prepared to drag your children out kicking and screaming wanting to stay. There are 10 museums in the valley and up the sides. Every year nearby there’s a special event featuring the world’s first and still foremost Engineering modeling system Meccano at:
Component Suppliers
SUPPLIERS OF ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS -UK Companies
Large Commercial Component Suppliers
Cricklewood Electronics (extremely keen prices IMHO)
Small Independent Component Suppliers
Every so often you come across a quality British suppliers and it is my pleasure to recommend the quality, speed and keen pricing of the following firms for robotics, model components and technology:
Technobots - these guys they have grown a lot since I first started using them. They are now in Rugby.
RailwayScenics - a broad range of the technical stuff needed for any model system not just railways.
Of course there has to be a section here on ridiculous models. So here are the most fun links that I’ve found:
Models (many claim to be “the biggest in the world”)
Concorde Real Flying Model This is probably one of Peter Michel’s in Germany
B-52 Real Flying Model Bomber Test flight in Somerset, England 2004
On 4 Wheels
6000 HP Tractor Twin helicopter engines of Art Arfons in USA
9.3L 2100HP Vauxhall Andy Frost’s Victor: 0-60mph in 1 sec in Wolverhampton !
On 2 Wheels
24 Chainsaw Bike Driven by 24 Dolmar chainsaws !
8.3L V10 MotorBike Dodgey !
48 Cylender Motorbike A Kawasaki aparently
Monster Bike Ray Baumann -Australias Proudest.
Help Around The Home
V8 Powered Chainsaw Robert Andrews (USA) takes 1.5s to saw through a tree.
Kitchen Blender Smoothie Jeremy Clarkson style ! Do watch the rocking chair.
Clever Stuff
Perpetual Motion I don’t believe Tom Altman. Google the debates..
Related You-Tubes
Don’t forget if you’ve got a few days of spare time with each of these links there are some amazing related videos on the right hand side. If you have any suggestions please send the link to the email address on the Homepage.
Awesome Machines On The Net
In 1779 the Ironbridge by Abram Darby III started the Industrial Revolution.
Designed by Thomas Farnolls Prichard -a carpenter joiner !
Please see separate web page: Meccano
Model Engineering In Bayco
See the following websites:
UK website: Bayco Collectors Club
Pete Bradley’s giant website Baycoman
Buying Bayco: Peter Crook’s published set prices BaycoShop
Museum Of Liverpool
Hoover Factory in Perivale, W London
Leaning Tower Of Piza
Treacle Mine in Wem, Shropshire.
Model Engineering In Brickplayer
JW Spears devised a completely different system but very rewarding all the same.
See the following websites:
Dave Meesam’s website: Brickplayer.co.uk
Fire Station
SUPPLIERS OF MECHANICAL & RAW MATERIALS -UK Companies
CIRCUIT IDEAS FOR ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONIC PROJECTS
This is just a small selection of the thousands of helpful websites out there. Do check out their links sections like this one.
British Amateur Electronics Club
Everything you’ll ever want for the model engineer.
A vast range of materials and tools for every hobby and more.
A tremendous range of all model-making hardware and tools. A surprising collection.
Model Railways
SCALES
This is a vast modeling subject and until 2020 I had no connection with it. One area that not only baffled me but also confused me, even after I’d read the page identified by this first link, was the subject of scale v gauge. This dramatically affects what you buy, who and, if you try to design and build it yourself, how you start out. To me it is top of the pyramid of subjects that one must get right from your start. I have found that many who are new to this, and even those that aren’t, often get this wrong so please see:
Disclaimer
Whilst some care has been taken to check externally linked websites no responsibility is offered nor implied for the suitability, legality or reliability of content therein.
CLUBS ARE NECESSARY
Next down in the criteria will be whether your railway is indoors or outdoors which often affects how it will be powered and how large it can be. Whatever your decision as you increase scale it becomes increasingly necessary to join a club because you cannot know all the experiences of the enormously skilled people who have gone before and club members already know how to keep costs down. I am just about to build a garden railway so have just become Member 8280 of:
I will be adding more here as the year progresses.
Founded 1947
Model Engineering In FAC
A Swedish company have been marketing a Meccano Kinetics prototyping system since 1951. It isn’t compatible with Meccano but has standardised on 4mm and 6mm rods which meccano uses. There is an extensive free library of manuals online which include many hundreds designs incl a torque converter (See Z1-05 p44): FAC Manuals
The website isn’t brilliant and seems to span two generations of web authoring software. Click the menu button (top right) for further information. For an example of how it can be made to work see here. The operation of the gripper jaws is especially well done: YouTube: Rubik Cube Solver