Hi Folks,
I am a new 'kid on the block', my Name is Fred Graham and I am interested in steam boating. I am 71 years old (young) and have a workshop with Myford lathe and vertical miller together with loads of bits and pieces of gear and collected stuff that will 'come in handy'.
It seems like at least 100 years ago that I served my time as a toolmaker finishing up as a production engineer buying pretty big machines for making components for power generation in power stations at CA Parsons on Tyneside. Alas no more, like GEC allowed to close like many other engineering manufacturers. But Hey Ho! life goes on and it is more fun making model steam engines anyway.
I have made a few steam engines and fitted them to some hulls, initially for straight running and more recently I have used RC to control a scratch built tug.
My current interest is in flash boilers and the posts on Vital Byte by Ian have been fascinating to read (Obviously an expert) but also the comments and queries which indicate that there is a significant level of activity in this sphere of model engineering. I have been a guest for a couple of days and also a lapsed Mayhemmer so decided to get back aboard and join in the fun.
Hope to contribute in future if only by asking for advice and guidance from anyone who can and/or already has!
All the best, Fred Graham